Bushcraft Weekend

Course Description

Our aim with this course to deliver a selection of skills which will enable you to find a suitable location to set up a wild camp, enjoy your time in nature then leave with as little trace as possible. We need to look after the natural environment around us while reaping the benefits of being there.

Subjects Covered:

• Natural surroundings: and interpreting them, the differences between woodlands, how they grow and respond to different weather conditions.

• Tarp Shelter building: we will discuss safe siting of a shelter, using the woodland and available resources to best effect. A selection of knots which can be useful for setting up your tarp along with some really helpful tarp ‘hacks’.

• Bushcraft tools: we will discuss the legal position of carrying tools such as saws, axes and knives then start to work with them to create a safe resourced base camp area. We will use them to process fire wood and create useful items for round camp.

• Fire: we will look at how our ancestors made fire using the simplest of ‘tools’. Then we will move to more a more modern version before looking at a selection of suitable tinder's/kindling and creating an appropriate sized campfire. Good management of a campfire for cooking is paramount and starts way before the fire is lit. From safe siting to sufficiently prepared fuel for what is to be cook, careful consideration is required.

• Food: massively important to fuel all the activity around camp. As a group we will prepare the evening meal. This is normally a stew of some sort making sure we are catering for all dietary requirements along with some fresh baked bread all cooked over the campfire. Breakfast is again on the campfire and typically consists or a full English with either meat or veggie options again with fresh baked bread. We will be keeping the kettle going the whole time to ensure we stay hydrated.

• Cordage: explore how our ancestors used natural materials to make cordage then get hands on making a length which you may find useful later in the day!

• Natural navigation: we will look at how we can use the sun, moon, stars, landscape and nature to aid with direction finding.

• Camp gadgets: looking at simple, no tool, methods of suspending pots over your fire.

• Friction firelight: finally we will round of the day with a demonstration then hands on use of the fire bow (bow drill) to create an ember then fire.

Whats Included?

Saturday evening meal, Sunday breakfast, hot drinks through out & all tools for the course are supplied. You are welcome to bring your own sleeping kit but if you prefer a selection of tarps / hammocks or hike tents are available to rent for a nominal fee.

Suitable for:

This course is aimed at adults and accompanied mid / late teens.