May 22 @ 6:30 pm - July 3 @ 8:30 pm
£162
Embark on a journey into the heart of bushcraft with our evening programme designed for busy adults seeking adventure on week nights. Over six weeks, immerse yourself in the art of bushcraft during our two-hour evening sessions. Whether you’re a novice to the wilderness or a seasoned outdoor enthusiast, this course is tailored to elevate your skills and deepen your connection to nature.
Join us at our woodland basecamp as our experienced instructor leads you through essential skills such as firelighting, shelter building, outdoor cooking, whittling and more. Each session unfolds against the picturesque backdrop of Park In The Past’s diverse landscape, offering 120 acres of woods and parkland to explore.
Uncover the secrets of the wild, gaining practical knowledge and confidence to navigate life in the great outdoors. Embrace a new perspective on nature and unlock the potential to tread lighter and smarter on the land.
You’ll be with like-minded people, gathered around our basecamp fire, learning new skills, making friends and being inspired by the natural world.
- Create fire using modern and ancient methods, including fire by friction.
- Improve your techniques in knife and saw work, using safe and effective grips.
- Forage for natural tinders that can get your fire going in any conditions.
- Get to grips with axe skills; split, cut and shape wood.
- See the natural world through the eyes of our ancestors.
- Build your knowledge of key tree & plant species that can aid us in bushcraft.
- Share a delicious freshly cooked campfire dinner (vegan option available).
- Learn how to manage an open fire for outdoor cooking; boiling, grilling & baking.
- Build weather-proof, comfortable shelters using a tarp and hammock.
- Gain confidence with useful knots & know how to use them around your camp.
- Make your own cordage from plant fibres and put it to good use.
- Craft clever campfire gadgets to aid you in camp.
- Improve your health & well-being by reconnecting with nature.
Please note that there is no session the week of Wed 12th June due to a prior commitment. So, the programme of 6 sessions actually takes places over a 7 week period.
Your Tutor: James Kendall
James is the Head Bushcraft Instructor at Woodland Classroom, having worked in outdoor education & conservation for over 10 years. James’ approach to teaching steers students toward fostering a deeper connection with nature through understanding the landscape around us; “Bushcraft skills are an effective way to do this as we learn how to make use of natural materials and live lightly with the land, whilst also connecting with our own ancient past by seeing the land through the eyes of our ancestors.”
In 2017 James received the Bushcraft Competency Certificate awarded through the Institute for Outdoor Learning after 2 years of teaching experience and practical study. He is also a member of the IOL Bushcraft Professional Practise Group. The group aims to promote best practice in the growing industry of bushcraft activity providers.
Skills you will learn
Over the course of the programme you will learn a range of skills, including…
A LOOK AT THE COURSE PROGRAMME
WEEK 1: Sharp Tool Skills & Whittling. You will gain confidence using several safe knife grips and practise further safe cutting techniques with our knives which can be used for a range of practical applications. You will also be shown how to use a folding saw effectively, avoiding the pitfalls that come with poor technique.
WEEK 2: Firelighting. You will gain skills using tried & tested techniques. Choose from modern fire-steel or traditional flint & steel to produce embers and flames of quality. Then we will be exploring the woods on the hunt for natural tinders, kindling and firewood, including how find them even in wet conditions. You will then build your own campfire to boil your brew of choice – lovely.
WEEK 3: Shelters. It’s time to get making shelter in the woods, using tarps, a hammock and cordage. Know how to rig tarps so they keep you sheltered from the worst that weather can throw at us. You will also learn a selection of really useful knots as you erect your own camp shelters using different configurations to suit your environment and needs. When it’s all done, lay back and relax in your hammock. Don’t fall asleep 😉
WEEK 4: Natural Cordage. You will source, process and craft natural cordage from bramble and nettle – one of the wonder plants of bushcraft. Having made your cordage, you will then be testing its strengths and applications for rigging tarp shelters and campcraft. These natural fibres are both beautiful and practical.
WEEK 5: Campfire Cooking & Axes. We will come together as a group to prepare a freshly cooked campfire meal in our traditional dutch oven. You will also discover the lightweight reflector which opens up a world of possibilities for baking outdoors. You’ll enjoy good food and good company around the campfire as humans have done for thousands of generations. You’ll also get to grips with the axe as you are introduced to a variety of types; which axe for which task, how to split wood safely and with minimal effort and basic carving techniques.
WEEK 6: Fire by Friction. Unlock the secrets of fire by friction by learning to use the bow drill, an ancient form of firelighting. You’ll use a nest of natural tinders to nurse your ember to a roaring flame. We guarantee you will have success using this iconic technique.
Book now
This course costs £162 per person, so works out at just £27 per session. It is open to adult learners aged 16 years and over. There are only 8 places available on this course, so book early to avoid missing out. In the event that the programme doesn’t completely sell out then there will be the option for learners to book a single session at a time, to suit their availability. You can read our Event Terms & Conditions here.
