Weekend Advanced Bushcraft & Survival Course

This Advanced Bushcraft Weekend course is designed for those who are already confident with the basics of fire lighting, finding water and shelter and now looking to take their skills to the next level, whilst increasing their understanding of the natural environment.

This course will give you the skills to make fire from nothing but raw materials and a knife, using the bow drill friction method. Mastering this iconic Bushcraft skill gives you a unique feeling of confidence that comes from the knowledge that you can make fire from nothing but your bare hands, a simple sharp edge and natural materials. You will cover a range of axe techniques, and learn to safely harvest materials with axe and saw. You will learn the essential camp craft and skills for making life comfortable outdoors, as well as how to identify and use key Plants and trees, Natural navigation techniques, seasonal wild foods, and Animal sign interpretation. We will visit other cooking techniques to those encountered on the first course to broaden your options when preparing meals outdoors, and learn how to make use of different barks and other natural fibres for a range of things from containers to cordage and tinder.

As always there will be plenty of hands on time to practise each skill taught under our instructor’s supervision with feedback and tips to hone skills as you put them into practise.

This is a fun weekend that will build your skill set to a level that inspires self-confidence outdoors and increases your connection to the natural world.

The course starts at 7pm on Friday and runs until 4.30pm on Sunday giving you ample time to unwind and immerse in the woodland. On Saturday and Sunday your instruction will start at 9am learning and practising a range of skills all day Saturday, and until 1500 on Sunday. All tools and equipment used during the course is provided.

Please note this is a self-catering course, so you will need to bring a gas stove and suitable convenient meals, however we will provide food for the campfire cooking activity.

Of course, you will need some basic camping kit but you don't have to start with anything fancy, a full kit list can be supplied upon request. Subject to availability we do have some sleeping kit can be loaned, but please let us know before booking as it is supplied on a first come first served basis, (small hike tent, sleeping bag with liner, sleeping mat, tarp/hammock). All tools and equipment used during the course are provided.
If you have any questions or queries please do not hesitate to contact us.

All of our courses are run by our highly qualified and experienced lead instructor Graham who, like all good teachers, remains a student for life. He holds various independent qualifications and skills including - NCFE Level 4 Bushcraft Leader, NCFE Level 4 Practical Ethnobotany, Cybertracker Track and Sign Level 2, Cybertracker Wildlife Trailing Level 2, GB Archery Qualified Archery Instructor, Institute of Outdoor Learning Member, and writes articles for magazines. He is a full time Bushcraft Instructor working with both adults and children all year round.
 

Introduction to Green Woodworking Day Workshop

Come and spend a day mastering some essential woodcarving skills using a bushcraft knife and become confident in the use of a range of techniques that will in time enable you to produce many of the things that you might require for yourself from the natural renewable resources around you.

For many people, carving and whittling is a very relaxing and absorbing pastime, one which brings people into closer contact with the natural world and the resources it has to offer.

Being able to quickly produce tools and implements efficiently fits very well into the Bushcraft ethos of carrying knowledge rather than equipment to enable you to perform many tasks with a few essential items that you can realistically carry with you.

During the morning, we will carve a utensil, such as a spoon, spatula butter spreader etc. After lunch, you will choose a second item to make in the afternoon, which could be a larger item that you will finish at home, such as a cup or bowl, or something you get finished in the afternoon depending on how ambitious you have been.

At the end of the day you will head home with the satisfaction of having produced something beautiful, natural and lasting with your own hand. Bushcraft knives will be provided as will a range of other bowl and hook knives to enable you to try different types, however if you have your own knife and would prefer to use it, this is fine provided the knife is suitable and sharp enough.

The day runs from 0930-1630, and is self-catering, so please bring a drink bottle and packed lunch, and wear suitable outdoor clothing.

Tea coffee and biscuits will be supplied at our camp.

Course content:

• Learn to identify suitable species of wood
• Split out a suitable blank for craft use
• Carve with both straight knife and a hook knife to enable you to make cups and spoons.
• Advice on finishing and preservation.

Conducted from an expedition-style teaching environment in a beautiful mixed broadleaf and coniferous woodland with an eco-friendly composting toilet. The camp fire is under cover, and acts as a communal area with a hot kettle constantly on the fire, coffee, tea, biscuit tin and squash available all day.