Bushcraft fundamentals weekend.

4th - 6th August 2023

£175 per person

Come and join us at our private woodland site in Kent for a weekend of fundamental bushcraft skills. We will meet you at the main entrance on Friday afternoon and after signing in guide you to our area where you can set camp. Our site is ideal for either tent, tarps or hammock set ups.

After formal introductions are made, we will gather around the fire with a brew to discuss the plan for the weekend. The weekend is all about building and improving fundamental Bushcraft skills. After a safety briefing we will start with the cutting tools you will be using over the weekend, mainly the axe, knife, bow saw and folding saw. You will learn to use these safely before moving onto to the most important of Bushcraft skills - shelter.

After discussing design, positioning, materials and safety we will work in groups to start building two popular designs of woodland shelter, the "lean to" and the "kennel". If the shelters are built to a satisfactory level there will be the opportunity for those who want to sleep in them on the Friday evening. You are still welcome to sleep in your own tent or hammock of course, or we can supply you with a basic "basha" tarp if you want to take in the atmosphere of the woods.

Friday dinner will be a pizzas cooked in our amazing pizza oven. There are a variety of toppings available and options for vegetarians and vegans. As the evening draws in we will ensure everyone has their bed set up for the night and then gather around the fire to start some simple carving projects. There will always be a kettle on the go for hot drinks.

Day 2. It's all hands to the pumps to prepare a traditional Bushcraft breakfast of Bannok and bacon before starting on fire lighting. Over the day we will look at the need and importance of fire, various fire lays, safety and management and of course a huge variety of lighting methods ranging from use of modern ferro rods with natural materials to primitive methods including traditional flint and steel and friction fire lighting with the bow drill.

For lunch we will show you how to ponass a salmon or trout.  a traditonal way of cooking this amazing fish. Even if you're not a fish fan we urge you to try this. Craig isn't a big fish eater but loves salmon cooked this way!

In the afternoon we will move into our purpose built air rifle and archery ranges to give you the opportunity to have a go at Archery, Axe & knife throwing as well both Air Rifle target and HFT shooting with a variety of air rifles and pistols. For those who are really keen you can even have a go at clay pigeon shooting with us!.

Dinner will be a stew / casserole which everyone will help to prepare followed by a discussion around the fire on a variety of subjects, you may also practice the fire lighting skills you learned earlier.

Sunday breakfast is our famous version of a MacDonald's breakfast with sausage and egg muffins. We will then explore the woodlands around us looking at wild foods, plants, fungi (if applicable) and animal track and sign before returning to camp to learn about natural cordage, another essential Bushcraft skill.

The weekend will finish with a clear up of camp following our "leave no trace" policy and a summary of the weekend. Any equipment needs to be returned before we return you to your cars and bid you a fond farewell, hoping, of course to see you on a future course.

Places are limited to 12 people, course is fully catered, see below for dates and prices.

Click on the tab below for a suggested kit list, any questions please call 01233 220323