In-person course
in Westwell, Ashford Maker & location details

Weekend Bushcraft Course

Description

Over the years our 2 day bushcraft course has proven to be our most popular bushcraft course by some way. We run the course throughout the year and it’s never quite the same from one to the next due the the changing seasons and variable weather conditions. And of course different people on the course bringing their own experiences and unique personalities! The course has been carefully designed to provide you with a solid grounding in the skills and knowledge of bushcraft, survival and woodland living and is suitable for anyone to attend, whether you have previous experience or not. This 2 day bushcraft course is intended for people who would like to understand what bushcraft is all about and to learn simple, repeatable bushcraft and survival skills, including campers, backpackers, hikers and other outdoors people who wish to learn some of the skills required to be comfortable in the outdoors, so that you have the time to really enjoy what’s around you. Or it could be that you’re just curious about bushcraft and want to find out a bit more. If that’s you, then this is the right course. Lots of the people who attend this course have no previous bushcraft experience, although we also have people with some prior experience along, and we can say with absolute honesty that everyone leaves knowing more than when they arrived! Many of the skills that you’ll be taught are easily transferable to other outdoor activities. You won’t learn bushcraft by watching us so this course, along with all of our others, is entirely hands on. We’ll explain, then demonstrate and then it’s down to you. And we won’t move on until you’re ready to. On our 2 day bushcraft course, based at our ancient woodland camp on the Kent Downs, we will introduce you to the foundations of bushcraft – food, fire, water and shelter, although we’ll start off with the safe use of bushcraft tools. Over the 2 days you will be shown, and get plenty of opportunity to practice: Learn how to safely use essential bushcraft tools including knife, folding saw and bow saw, Have plenty of practise creating a flame using matches, fire steels, fire pistons, wire wool & a battery, solar mirrors, flint & steel and chemicals, Carve your own honey spreader or spatula from materials you gather in our ancient woodland, Understand the pros and cons of debris shelters, where & how to build one, Put up a tarp and hammock using only 3 simple knots that can be tied and untied wearing gloves (you can sleep in a hammock if you like), Find, filter and purify your own water, Go for a woodland walk to gain an insight into some of the trees and plants around us and what they can be used for, Learn how to sharpen a knife so that it will slice through a sheet of paper, Locate and identify different natural tinders easily found in the woods, Gather your own materials and light a fire following a method that will work in all weather conditions. At the end of our 2 day bushcraft course you will have a good working knowledge of the skills needed to enjoy your time in the woods or enhance your camping or outdoor activities. About us and the venue: Jack Raven Bushcraft was founded in 2011 and we've been delivering bushcraft, craft and foraging courses since then from our 30 acre private ancient woodland on the Kent Downs in an area of outstanding natural beauty. Courses in the summer are held outdoors in our woodland camp complete with covered work areas, an outdoor kitchen and a composting loo. Courses in the winter are held in our workshop in a converted barn.