Bushcraft News & Events

NCFE LEVEL 3 ADVANCED BUSHCRAFT AWARD

NCFE LEVEL 2 INTERMEDIATE BUSHCRAFT AWARD

From 2009 George has been running under licence to John Rhyder of Woodcraft School his NCFE Level 2 and 3 Accredited Bushcraft awards. The Level 3, the Advanced Bushcraft Award, is the most applicable for outdoor professionals who want a nationally recognised award that reinforces and gives recognised credibility to any Bushcraft related activities they offer.The course involves five days training, followed by three days assessment after a consolidation period. The total cost of this course, training and assessment will be £685 The Level 2 Intermediate award is aimed at the 14+ age group and has been delivered very successfully by Woodcraft School to youth groups for several years. This course is now available for licence to other providers who meet Woodcraft Schools requirements. For details go to www.woodcraftschool.co.uk on links page. George is arranging dates for theLevel 3 Advanced course in Scotland and England during 2010, so please contact if interested or check the course directory. In addition, successful completion of the Level 3 course would allow you to be recognised by the Institute for Outdoor Learning's new certificate (see below).

Institute for Outdoor Learning (IOL) Foundational Bushcraft Competency Certificate.

For outdoor professionals who are also members of the IOL there are additional training opportunities. Following the development of a training framework by the IOL Special Interest Group for Bushcraft, courses are now available to become registered with the IOL in Foundational Bushcraft Competency. This is a base-line entry course which concentrates on safety and best practice in certain key areas.The course involves three days training, followed by a two day assessment, at a later date.

Training covers: General Safety & Hygiene, Use of Sharp Tools, Effective Shelter Construction, Basic Fire Lighting, Friction Fire Lighting, Water Purification, Sustainable use of Resources.

George is a trainer and assessor for this award. Mountain & Bushcraftway's 3 day Introductory Bushcraft course covers the IOL syllabus and more - see course directory for dates and locations.

Through 2009 George has been involved in other Bushcraft events as well as some personal development by undertaking the Forest School Leaders Level 3 award.

In August we attended the Wilderness Gathering in Wiltshire as a workshop provider. This is a three day event, that has been running for several years now, and gains increasing attendance figures with each Gathering. A great mix of events, workshops, masterclasses and trade stalls, it is a sociable and friendly event for all the family, with activities particularly aimed at children and youngsters. We thoroughly enjoyed our visit and it was a pleasure to meet such a wide variety of folk., from such different backgrounds, at our stand. The interest expressed in the courses we offer was much appreciated. Information on the next Gathering being held 19 Aug - 22 Aug 2010 is available at www.wildernessgathering.co.uk

In October we spent a very wet and windy weekend at Plas-y-Brenin, the National Mountaineering Centre, delivering Bushcraft workshops to delegates at the Mountain Leader Training Association Conference. Despite the moist weather it was a very enjoyable weekend , spent in the company of some very pleasant and interesting people. Early December saw a similar weekend at Bowness-on-Winderemere with members of the Union of International Mountain Leaders at their AGM and Conference. Once again it was a great opportunity to meet new folk and spend time with old acquaintances.

George continues completing his Forest School Level 3 Award which we feel will allows us to understand the training needs of our course participants more clearly. Many Forest School Leaders are taking additional training in Bushcraft, like the NCFE Advanced Level 3 Award, to raise their practical skills to a higher level. This enables them to widen the range of activities they offer within their Forest School to an increasingly diverse range of client groups and with completion of an accredited course, gives professional credibility to their outdoor programmes.

George has been involved all year with the development of the IOL Certificate. He is no longer serving on the current committee, but as one of only a few Assessors for the certificate, he continues to attend some meetings in connection with its development.

,George will also be attending a Casualty Care training and assessment weekend in Torridon in January, in connection with his involement with the local Mountain Rescue Team.

Learn new skills and meet some great people in sunny Arizona in February!

Every year in February a week long primitive living skills gathering is held in Arizona, called Winter Count. Organised by Backtracks, in conjunction with the American Society of Primitive Technology, this event has been running for the last twenty years and is one of the oldest of the contemporary primitive skills gatherings. A huge range of courses to choose from with top instruction from highly regarded experts and crafts people creates a unique event. Combining education, practical skills and activities along with a very warm and friendly community spirit, makes this an inspiring experience. So, if February seems dull and gloomy over here, take the opportunity to join in with Winter Count in the warm, Arizona desert . Visit www.backtracks.net for details. If you feel like attending a similar event later in the year, then information on the Rabbitstick Gathering in Idaho in September, is available on the same website.

In addition to the Wilderness Gathering mentioned above their are numerous events held all over the country throughout the year . Details www.naturalbushcraft.co.uk/events.

Courses for 2010 - . We will be offering accredited NCFE Level 2 and 3 courses,CPD Introductory courses covering the IOL Foundational Bushcraft Competency Certificate syllabus, introductory weekend workshops and general courses for groups.These courses are suitable for outdoor activity instructors, forest school leaders, D of E providers, teachers, countryside rangers, youth workers, scout/cadet leaders. They are also applicable to members/volunteers of woodland community projects.

WE CAN ARRANGE A COURSE TO SUIT YOUR GROUPS REQUIREMENTS SO PLEASE CONTACT US AND WE WILL BE HAPPY TO DISCUSS THIS WITH YOU.

COURSES ARE AVAILABLE IN AREAS OF SCOTLAND AND ALSO ENGLAND ,ESPECIALLY WORCESTERSHIRE AND SOMERSET, OR BY ARRANGEMENT AT ANOTHER SUITABLE LOCATION.

There is a vast range of books available on all aspects of Bushcraft, woodland skills and related topics and when running courses I do get asked to recommend books that I have found to be really helpful.The list below are some I use regularly and have found to be informative, useful and often just a good read. THIS IS A PERSONAL SELECTION IN NO PARTICULAR ORDER AND THERE ARE MANY I HAVE YET TO DISCOVER AND ENJOY.

Food for Free  -  Richard Mabey

Wild Food  -  Roger Phillips

Finding Your Way Without a Map or Compass  -  Harold Gatty.

The Outdoor Survival Handbook   -  Ray Mears

Bushcraft    - Ray Mears

Bushcraft – Outdoor Skills and Wilderness Survival  -  Mors Kochanski

Collins Gem Guides

Collins Tree Guide -   Owen Johnson &  David More

Tree Wisdom          -   Jacqueline Memory Paterson

A Field Guide in Colour to Animal Tracks – Blitz editions

Collins Guide to Animal Tracks and Signs     –   Bang & Dahlstrom

Mammal Detective  -  Rob Strachan

Nature Detective  -  Hugh Falkus.

How to Identify Edible Mushrooms     –     Harding, Lyon & Tomblin

Mushroom and other fungi of Great Britain and Europe    -   Roger Phillips

Sharing Nature With Children – Joseph Cornell