BILL ALLEN'S
POCONO INSTITUTE OF TAXIDERMY
ESTABLISHED IN 1969
1100 Foster Avenue
Route 940, 1 mile West of
White Haven, Pennsylvania 18661
570-443-9166
TOGETHER, TO BETTER TAXIDERMY
SCHOOL CATALOG
Published May 2016
TABLE OF CONTENTS
General Objectives and Philosophy………Page 2
Academic Calendar……………………………..3
Officers and Faculty…………………………….3-4
Recreation Nearby………………………………4
Credentials………………………………............4
Why a career in Taxidermy?……………………5
Environment Related Occupation………………5
Why attend taxidermy Trade School?…………..5
12 Week Course………………………………...6
3 Week Apprentice Course……………………..6
Holidays and Hours………………………..……6
Admission Requirements……………………….6-7
Tuition………………………………..................7
Other Expenses……………………………….....7
Schedule of Fees………………………………...7
Enrollment………………………………............7-8
Art of Taxidermy Course Descriptions…………8
Mount Requirements……………………………8
Educational Outcome……………………….…..8
Standards of Progress……………………….…..9
Partial Course Option…………………………...9
Credit for Previous Training……………………9-10
Housing………………………………................10
Student Placement………………………………10
Student Advising………………………………..10
Attendance………………………………............10-11
Conduct……………………………….................11
Complaint Procedure……………………………11
Withdrawn and Refund Policy………………….11-12
Licensing/Agency Approvals…………………...12
OBJECTIVES AND PHILOSOPHY OF
BILL ALLEN'S POCONO INSTITUTE OF TAXIDERMY
It is the policy of the BILL ALLEN'S POCONO INSTITUTE OF TAXIDERMY to offer each student the up to date, well rounded, high quality instruction so vital to the Art of Taxidermy. Our aim at graduation, is to have you adequately prepared for your new field in taxidermy and future career.
Taxidermy is a fascinating and creative profession, appealing to craftsmen who love the outdoors and animal life. Here at the Pocono Institute of Taxidermy, we have a fine team of dedicate people who are eager to help bring out the artistic ability of each student.
It is the Philosophy of Bill Allen, to stand unequivocally for the highest principles. Wouldn't you like to receive a product that represented the honest devotion of a lifetime! That's what a mounted piece of taxidermy can be. Taxidermy is not a dying art. More accurately, superior taxidermists are a dying breed.
ACADEMIC CALENDAR
12 WEEK COURSE
January--March April--July August--November
15 WEEK COURSE
This additional, intensive 3-week taxidermy course is taught at the end of a regularly scheduled school semester, and usually starts the middle of March, July, and November
Please call for exact starting dates, as they change yearly.
BILL ALLEN'S POCONO INSTITUTE OF TAXIDERMY
OFFICERS AND FACILITY
Bill Allen………………Director/Instructor
Courtney Correll……….Instructor
Randy Yost…………….Instructor
FACILITIES
BILL ALLEN'S POCONO INSTITUTE OF TAXIDERMY, 1100 Foster
Avenue, is located on Route 94, one mile west of White Haven, Pennsylvania, 18661. Situated in the natural setting of the scenic Pocono Mountains, we are easily accessible from the Interstates I-80 and I-81, and the Pennsylvania Turnpike, Northeast Extension.
The building housing the school was originally constructed in 1969, for Bill Allen's Taxidermy Studio, which later included two additions to house his own Taxidermy Supply Company. After founding the Pocono Institute in 1987, the building has undergone extensive renovations, to become a clean, spacious facility, creating an "out-doorsy" atmosphere, conductive to the teaching of the art of taxidermy.
We recently went through additional improvements. More work stations were added to enable students sufficient working areas, and a fish painting and sewing room has been remodeled to provide students the proper health standards. Large spacious windows and special lighting create ample opportunity to catch nature and wildlife at its best. At the same time the mountain scenery will make you familiar with most of the habitats for your specimens.
Equipment includes several freezers, dremel, air tools, industrial saws, drill press, scripture tools and death masks, tumblers, sewing and pinking machines, power and hand tools, reference library, including videos, CD's and drying racks.
Designed to accommodate 28 students per class, the facility is also barrier free to assist those students confined to wheelchairs.
RECREATION ACTIVITIES NEARBY
Also located about one mile from our school, is the beautiful Lehigh River, abundant with rainbow, brown and brook trout, and a popular rafting site. We are also within a short driving distance of the Francis Walter Dam, Hickory Run State Park, which includes a camping area, and Boulder Field, which is a natural glacier deposit and Historical site. Skiing and snowmobiling, during the winter months, are within 20 minutes of the facility. There is no need to worry about being bored or missing Mother Nature at her finest, it's all right her, at your fingertips.
CREDENTIALS
THE BILL ALLEN'S POCONO INSTITUTE OF TAXIDERMY is licensed by the PENNSYLVANIA State Board of Private Licensed Schools.
We are one of the only schools in the country to be able to offer OVER 40 YEARS OF TAXIDERMY EXPERIENCE!
All of our instructors are trained in the most modern and up to date procedures in taxidermy today. With the influx of taxidermy trade schools, the prospective student should be aware that a quality school is one which can offer the student the experience in all phases of the trade to make you more successful in your future profession.
WHY A CAREER IN TAXIDERMY
In today's fast paced business world, craftsmen have a better opportunity to earn a high income. The job market is flooded with college graduates. Our taxidermy trade school offers a unique opportunity for ambitious people, who want to succeed. The taxidermist who produces quality mounts, in a reasonable amount of time, can expect return customers. Most students recover the cost of their schooling within the first of business. In a short period of time, your reputation is established and you are on the road to SUCCESS AND PROFIT.
ENVIRONMENT RELATED OCCUPATION
A taxidermist is also a wildlife artist. Natural resources, such as fish and game, once mounted, are preserved for future generations to enjoy. With the rapid development of housing projects and interstate highways, natural habitats are rapidly declining. Taxidermy plays an important role in the preservation of an otherwise lost resource.
WHY ATTEND OUR TAXIDERMY TRADE SCHOOL
Learning the taxidermy trade at our school gives personal instruction to every specimen that is mounted. The personal exchange of ideas between students is an added benefit that videos or correspondence courses do not have. We are here to help as you go through the mounting process, each step is monitored and correct procedures become natural habit. Comparing your finished mounts to accurate reference material and actual mounts, insures quality in each specimen you do. Remember, you can't ask a video or CD questions. While learning taxidermy at our school, each student progresses at his own pace. There is no pressure, as there is at other schools. You will discover that learning can be fun, and profitable. Friends made here will last a lifetime because of the sociable atmosphere in our classrooms.
TAXIDERMY 12 WEEK COURSE
This is our original program, with a 12-week semester, that includes 15 mounted specimens, and all phases of basic taxidermy: BIRDS, FISH, BIG GAME AND BUSINESS. This program has produced hundreds of award winning professionals and given BILL ALLEN'S POCONO INSTITUTE OF TAXIDERMY the reputation as the leading taxidermy school in the USA and Asia. If you are looking for an excellent basic education in taxidermy, and want to operate a business for yourself, this is the course for you. COST---$$9,800.00, and includes a tool kit. The course consists of 15 mounts: 4 birds, 6 fish, 2 game heads, 1 small mammal, 1 medium mammal, and 1 rug.
ADVANCED TAXIDERMY 3 WEEK COURSE
This program is an extra 3 weeks of higher level, advanced taxidermy training, and includes an addition of 4 mounts, for a total of 19 specimens.
Emphasis is on more difficult mounts, including the wild turkey. The additional training offered in the ADVANCED TAXIDERMY 3 WEEK COURSE, will ultimately give you skills, knowledge and self-assurance and enable you to have the taxidermy "edge" to make bigger profits. Cost--$3,000.00. The specimens mounted in this course include 1 turkey, 1 bird, upland or waterfowl, 1 large game head, and 1 large mammal. The ADVANCED TAXIDERMY 3 WEEK course is an added on course with a higher level of training taken at the end of the 12-week semester. Students will receive a certificate along with a diploma. This is an apprentice course, and not included in the licensing by the Pennsylvania State Board of Private Licensed Schools.
HOLIDAYS AND HOURS
The school will be closed in observance of the following holidays:
New Year's Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, July 4, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
Classes will begin at 7:30 AM until 11:30 AM. Lunch is 11:30 until 12:00, and class resuming at 12:00 PM until 3:00 PM., Monday through Thursday.
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
A student must be at least 18 years of age, or must have written parental or guardian's consent under the age of 18.
Students must be able to communicate effectively with others via the written word and the English language.
Students must also be able to discern the various colors of the spectrum, have basic coordination and manual dexterity.
TUITION
Tuition for the complete 12-week course is $9,800.00, and a registration fee of $150.00. In connection to said training, the school will furnish a tool kit, all paints and incidental supplies.
OTHER EXPENSES
Each student is responsible for providing the necessary mounts to complete the taxidermy course. These mounted specimens will be his/hers to keep. The materials required include manikins, glass eyes, ear liners, rug materials, plus tanning and shipping charges. All tagged specimens must be supplied on the first day of class, and an inventory will be taken. The school also has specimens available for purchase. Due to the seasonal changes in the fur market, specimen prices may vary between classes. The added expense of specimens will depend on the number the student himself supplies, and the specie he/she decides to mount. A current price list is available upon request. Mounting supplies and specimens normally range between $1,000.00 to $2,000.00 Toolkit is included in tuition cost.
Students are responsible for the transportation and proper tagging of all specimens acquired by them, for their training. It is suggested students begin to familiarize themselves with state and federal laws governing the tagging and transportation of specimens across state lines. What is legal in one state may not be legal to transport into another state.
SCHEDULE OF FEES
The balance of tuition must be paid, in full, no later than the first day of the school term. All supply bills must be paid prior to graduation.
ENROLLMENT
Students will be accepted up to the starting date of a new term, unless the class capacity (15 students) is filled prior to that date. A typical class can enroll 10 students. If you are interested in a particular semester at Bill Allen's Pocono Institute of Taxidermy, you should consider an early enrollment, to save that space. Students need to complete and sign an enrollment agreement, accompanied by a registration fee of $150.00, and a tuition deposit of $980.00 (which is 10% of the total tuition). The $980.00 deposit will be applied to the tuition and reserves the student a place in that particular class.
ART OF TAXIDERMY COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
Orientation-2 hours
Introductions, your future in taxidermy, laws, explanation of how our course is run, explanation of equipment, precautions.
Fish Course-160 hours
Skinning, scraping, pattern making, body carving, mounting, carding, finish work, air brush painting techniques and displaying.
Bird Course-118 hours
Skinning, body making, mounting, finish work and displaying.
Fur Course-192 hours
Skinning fleshing, tanning, eye setting, mounting, finish work, natural habitat bases and displaying. Demonstrations and hands on sculpting.
Business course-8 hours
The school agrees to provide training for the total number of 480 hours comprising the program. At the end of the program, the student will be awarded a diploma, provided the student has met the specified scholastic, attendance and tuition requirements.
MOUNT REQUIREMENTS
Students will complete, for grades, a minimum of the following specimens: 6 game fish, such as trout, bass pike, walleye or salmon: 4 birds (2 upland game birds such as grouse up to pheasant size), and (2 water fowl such as wood duck up to mallard size); 1 small mammal, such as squirrel, weasel or mink, 1 medium mammal, such as fox, raccoon, or coyote; 2 big game heads such as deer, antelope, caribou or elk; 1 rug such as raccoon, fox, bobcat coyote or bear; I medium or large mammal for life size mount such as fox, bobcat, coyote, mountain lion, deer or bear.
EDUCATIONAL OUTCOME
1. To provide the specialized knowledge necessary to produce life like creations.
2. To employ all the specialized skills and knowledge in the mounting and preserving of specimens.
3. We shall at all times provide evaluation to assess the degree of skill required to complete each specimen.
4. We are dedicated to provide the student with the necessary experience which is vital to the operation of a successful taxidermy business, or
employment in this field as a taxidermist.
STANDARDS OF PROGRESS
Students shall be tested in writing and by the judgment of the completed specimen in each phase of the taxidermy curriculum. This will include the following areas: anatomical accuracy, symmetry and balance, naturalness of painted areas and over-all craftsmanship.
Grading will be on accumulated average, with 100 to 91=A, (4.0); 90 to 81=B (3.0); 80 to 71=c (2.0); 70 to 60=D (1.0); BELOW 60= FAILURE. To receive a graduation diploma, all students must have satisfactory attendance, and maintain a minimum grade point average of 1.0 at the end of the first 25% of the program, a 1.5 grade average at mid-point of the program and achieve a 2.0 grade average at completion of course clock hours for graduation, based on a scale of 4.0. This is the minimum standard for commercial taxidermy, set by BILL ALLEN'S POCONO INSTITUTE OF TAXIDERMY.
PARTIAL COURSE OPTIONS
Students wishing only to take one or more portions of the course will be accepted.
Fish Course 4 weeks…………….$3,200.00
Bird Course 3 weeks…………….$2,800.00
Fur Course 4.5 weeks…………..$4,700.00
The 40 hours, or 12th week not included in the listing above, is a combination of sorting, tagging, and specimen preparation for each course, and finishing work.
A business course is included in each course. A CERTIFICATE will be awarded to all students who complete the partial course in a satisfactory manner, according to the school's standards of progress.
CREDIT FOR PREVIOUS TRAINING
Credit for taxidermy courses taken prior to enrollment, will be evaluated on an individual basis.
PRO-RATA REFUND POLICY
In the event that a Veteran fails to enter, withdraws, or is discontinued from the program, at any time prior to the completion, the amount charged to the Veterean does not exceed the approximate pro-rata portion of the total charges for tuition, fees, and other charges that the length of the completed portion of the program bears to it's total length.
HOUSING
Housing can be arranged for those in need. Arrangements must be made 30 days before the start of class, or students may make their own living arrangements. A separate agreement shall be entered into for housing.
STUDENT PLACEMENT
At BILL ALLEN'S POCONO INSTITUTE OF TAXIDERMY, the student is exposed to all phases of the taxidermy profession. This training is geared to provide the student with the knowledge to embark on a self-sustaining career in his/her own business. However, some students may wish to be employed by established taxidermists and the institute will endeavor to aid these students seeking such employment. The school cannot guarantee employment after graduation.
STUDENT ADVISING
Advising sessions will take place after school hours from 3:00 to 3:30 PM, with the Director or Assistant Director.
ATTENDANCE
The student will be given a reasonable extension of time to report in case of illness, or an Act of God, that would necessitate a delay in starting a semester, but cannot begin a new course beyond the third day of class.
Students must attend all classes, workshops and seminars. No leaves, class cuts or tardiness will be permitted. If a student record shows a student has been tardy on a fourth occasion, this will equal an absence of one day. If an absentee problem persists, the student will be notified in writing, and an advisory session held with the school staff and student. Students who fail to maintain satisfactory progress and attendance will be placed on probation for 15 days.
A clock hour is a minimum of 50 minutes of instruction, out of 60 minutes. The institute will arrange to make up hours lost to approved absences on a mutually agreed system, but students must attend a total of 440 hours of the 480 hours course.
The school reserves the right to alter hours of attendance and/or starting
dates when deemed necessary. Such changes will not alter the program cost
or refund policy. The student agrees to maintain regular attendance and any irregularity, violation or infringement of the school's rules and regulations or failure to maintain satisfactory grades, may be subject to dismissal or
suspension from the school. Students who fail to maintain satisfactory progress will be placed on probation for 15 days. The student also understands that if he/she interrupts training, he/she may be subject to the prevailing tuition rate in effect at the time training resumes.
CONDUCT
Students must adhere to the rules and regulations of the school. Each student is to conduct himself/herself in an adult manner, and respect the property of others. Any student arriving for class in an intoxicated state or under the influence of any illegal substance is subject to immediate dismissal. Students who deliberately damage school property or that of other students, will also be dismissed.
Readmission will be on a probation basis designated by the school staff. Smoking is prohibited within the school building.
COMPLAINT PROCEDURE
The Assistant Director is designated to receive any questions or concerns that may be directed regarding the school satisfying the terms of the enrollment agreement. This school is licensed by the Pennsylvania State Board of Private Licensed Schools.
WITHDRAWL AND REFUND POLICY
Registration Fee-The school may charge a registration fee which may not exceed 15% of the amount of tuition, or $150.00, whichever is less. The registration fee is fully refundable if the student requests cancellation within 5 calendar days after signing the enrollment agreement or, if the alternative set forth in Pennsylvania Code 73.121 is used, 5 calendar days after submitting the application, if no classes have been attended, lessons completed, or materials used. A request for cancellation which is not made in writing shall be confirmed in writing by the student within an additional period of 5 calendar days. The school may retain all of the fee after 5 calendar days or after 10 calendar days of absent written confirmation, where required.
(1) For a student cancelling after the fifth calendar day following the date
of enrollment as defined in P. Code 72.132, but prior to the beginning of
classes, monies paid to the school shall be refunded except for the nonrefundable amount of the registration fee, as calculated in Pa. Code 73.1323.
(2) If a student enrolls and withdraws or discontinues after the semester has
begun, but prior to completion of the semester, the following minimum refunds apply:
(I) For a student withdrawing from or discontinuing the program during the first 7 calendar days of the semester, the tuition charges refunded by the school shall be at least 75% of the tuition for the semester.
(ii) For a student withdrawing or discontinuing the program after the first 7 calendar days, but within the first 25% of the semester, the tuition charges refunded by the school shall be at least 55% of the tuition for the semester.
(iii) For a student withdrawing or discontinuing after 25%, but within 50% of the semester, the tuition charges refunded by the school shall be at least 30% of the tuition.
(iv) For a student withdrawing from or discontinuing the program after 50% of the semester, the student is entitled to no refund.
The school shall make the appropriate refund within thirty calendar days of the date the student fails to enter or terminates training. The termination date for refund computation purposes, is the last date of recorded attendance.
The BILL ALLEN'S POCONO INSTITUTE OF TAXIDERMY is licensed by the Pennsylvania State Board of Private Licensed Schools. Financial assistance may be available from the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation, (OVR), and Veterans Rehabilitation.
Our school is also APPROVED FOR POST 911 training, with funding available from the Federal Government.
PEOPLE REMEMBER 10% OF WHAT THEY HEAR, 50% OF WHAT THEY SEE, AND 90% OF WHAT THEY DO!!
BILL ALLEN'S POCONO INSTITUTE OF TAXIDERMY
1100 FOSTER AVENUE
WHITE HAVEN, PA.
570-443-9166