Bushcraft News & Events
     |
NCFE LEVEL 3 ADVANCED BUSHCRAFT AWARDNCFE LEVEL 2 INTERMEDIATE BUSHCRAFT AWARDFrom 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 is £700. 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 the Level 3 Advanced course in Scotland and England during 2012, 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.
We are pleased to be involved in 2012 with some events being held at the Dunster Forest, near Minehead, in conjunction with the Crown Estate. This is a magnificient area of woodland to explore by a network of trails and paths and well worth a visit. For lots of useful information on the Forest and the surrounding area visit www.dunsterestate.co.uk Bushcraft Walkabout and WorkshopSeptember 22nd 2012, 10:00-16:00 Take a walk along trails through the Dunster Forest to identify trees and plants and discover their uses for such things as: food, fire lighting material, cordage, crafts, shelter building, medicine and much more. Our ancient ancestors knew all about what nature can provide and this walk will give you an insight into some of this knowledge. Then, from a site in the forest, spend time learning a few basic Bushcraft skills and making some simple craft items from the materials you have collected. Easy walk, approx 2 miles with some gentle uphill gradients and sections of uneven ground. Location: Nutcombe Bottom Car Park, Grid Ref: SS977424, Postcode: TA24 6TA Cost: Adults £10 Children £5.00 (over the age of 8 and accompanied by an adult). Sorry no dogs. Booking essential. Tel 01478 650380 or email: gyeomans2@aol.com Mountain & Bushcraft Ways www.guidingonskye.co.uk
|
   |
“New Course” - BUSHCRAFT FOR FOREST SCHOOL PRACTITIONERS Come along and join us for two days of practical activities and personal development aimed at providing Forest School Leaders with basic Bushcraft skills and knowledge. Go away at the end of the course with a host of ideas and activities to incorporate into woodland sessions, plus your own flint and steel fire lighting kit, that we will give you, in a leather “goody” bag you will have made! Course will cover:
Previous course participants said: “ thank you both again for the Bushcraft course at the weekend. You shared your knowledge and skills so generously with us. I still cannot get over how much care, attention and time you so obviously put into the preparation. I have not only come away with a leather fire-making pouch, but a huge host of great ideas for games and activities I’ll use to develop my practise as a Forest School leader” “ thank you both for a really fantastic weekend. I.am busy recreating all the exercises and activities to use with a Forest School group - we are then going to practise everything on unsuspecting kids at the camp this weekend. You are both so inspirational and patient. I think I went into overdrive at the end!
Check the course directory for course dates or we can organise a date to suit an individual group (minimum of 6 participants required), either weekend or two week days .Price in the region of £120 per person depending on location.
|
 |
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-house courses/bespoke training. We can arrange a course for a group of people (min 6) at a suitable location and tailor it to your specific requirements. We have arranged courses for members of Forest School Cluster groups, Outdoor Education Centre staff, professional associations, youth groups as well as informal groups of friends, work colleagues, parents and children. Please get in touch if you would like more information on costs, arrangements and courses. |
  |
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
|