This full day introductory Bushcraft course is packed with the primary concerns of spending a night outdoors: Fire, Shelter, Water, Food. For anyone venturing out into the wild, whether hiking in the Lakes or Canoeing in Scotland or even camping with the family in summer: there is a core set of skills that will make any trip more enjoyable, and grant you the confidence to know you could camp comfortably overnight if you needed. I planned this course to give anyone heading off into the outdoors a touchstone on which they can rely. This course also acts as a perfect introduction to all our other courses, and is ideal if you're thinking of getting into bushcraft but don't know where to start. -Jamie Dakota

WHAT’S COVERED: 

• Tool selection and safe use

  • Saw, and knife: we'll be providing all the tools and materials for the course. If you'd like to bring your own you're very welcome, but please respect our decision if we suggest you use our tools instead. 

• Cutting techniques: Using the saw and knife you'll learn the foundational cutting techniques for easy and efficient woodcraft including making tent pegs and cooking pot hangers

• Tarp skills, the no-knot system, and getting set up for a night in the woods

• Natural shelter building - including how to safely site yourself in the woods, perceive hazards and manage hypothermia

• Critical fire lighting skills to ensure you can light a fire no matter the weather

• A woodland walk, including plant and tree ID

• Preparing and cooking meals outdoors, and the importance of maintaining a campfire

  • Including how to prepare the fire and make simple kebabs which will form part of lunch for the day

• Water sourcing, filtering and making it safe to drink

• Tool maintenance - how to keep your sharps sharp in the field

DETAILS:

• 9.30am - 5pm

• £105 per person

  • Please note the terms and conditions before you book

• Small group size with a maximum of 10 guests to ensure we create a subtle atmosphere in the woods, and you get a very high interact time with the instructor.

  • This day course is also available as a group day booking, so if you need a corporate team building day or an outdoor activity day for a stag/hen do...or have a group of friends that want to get outside and learn some skills contact us directly for a quote.

• A full kit list is given out on booking, but you won't need much more than warm clothing and a mug.

• This course is fully catered with lunch provided (this will include salami and new potatoes) Please inform us of any dietary requirements, we're happy to cater to any needs.

• Due the involved nature of this course, we don't feel its suitable to under 12 year olds (please ask if you have any questions)

• Under 18's must be accompanied by a participating adult

• Run in a beautiful private Woodland on the Harewood Estate near Harrogate. We'll send you exact directions with the booking pack.

• Lead Instructor: Peter Forrester

Reviews

I just wanted to let you know how much my partner and I enjoyed our bushcraft course, despite the rain! We had a really enjoyable day. I also genuinely believe that if things went totally pear-shaped when we were out walking we’d be in a much better position to look after ourselves. We’d know what to do and we’d have essential kit with us. Practical experience is better than any amount of internet videos - seeing our fire struggle really brought home the importance of having enough small kindling for example. We also both thought Pete and yourself were excellent instructors – knowledgeable and good at explaining things without being schoolteacher-like. - Damien 2023

The weather helped but the forest itself was brilliant - a lovely, open but secluded space which allows you to venture out a little further from base camp and take in the sights. The food was great! JD and Max were brilliant guides, always helpful and conscientious. They were great at offering input and help when needed for the tasks, without ever interfering. And they were excellent with my 12-year-old nephew, who had plenty of questions (and even more answers!). I honestly don’t think anything was missing. For an introductory course to two people who wouldn’t have had a clue about things like building a shelter or safely starting fires, it was spot on. The satisfaction of being able to start a fire after 10 minutes of trying was great, but the main highlight was seeing how engaged my nephew was. He absolutely loved it and has been looking at other courses since. Do it. The course seems perfectly designed for people of all ages and experience levels to enjoy. You absolutely won’t regret it. - Matt 2022

I really enjoyed my food. I am vegetarian and I was catered for. Jamie was an excellent tutor and his range of knowledge and expertise was great. He was very good at explaining and giving practical lessons and so encouraging. Made us feel we could complete every task, which we did. Nothing was rushed and I learned so much Steve was assisting him and he too was very supportive and encouraging. I can’t think of anything that was missing. Just made me want to learn more things about bushcraft. I would love a foraging course. I didn’t really know what to expect but loved all the practical hands on stuff. Gives a real feeling of accomplishment and great satisfaction. I so switched off from every day problems, I enjoyed being in the moment and focused on a task. Working as a team to build a shelter was a highlight. You will have a great time. You will be supported and encouraged and you will learn so much, the joy of nature and being present in the moment is priceless. I am 71 and my age was not a problem. I felt great, thank you Jamie and Steve. - Maralyn 2022

We were given excellent information which prepared us for the day ahead. Fabulous wooded area which was quiet enough to imagine you could be in the middle of nowhere surrounded by nature. Food was excellent and we loved cooking the kebabs over an open fire. It was the perfect day for it. D and Steve were excellent tutors. This was our first bushcraft adventure and we needed all the help we could get. They made our day unforgettable. There was lots of space for us all to practice everything in complete safety. There was definitely more than one occasion when we felt proper chuft with what we achieved. Definitely go for it. It's an experience you treasure. - Gay 2022

I thought we may learn things we already knew (ignorantly!) but we learnt something new about every activity we did!
We love to see clever ways to use basic materials; the tipping hand wash bottle was a highlight for us, ha!
We enjoyed seeing what was in your bushcraft backpacks. I think one very good point made was the importance of a toilet kit and the discussion around why toilet paper should never be left behind. Very approachable, always positive with the delivery of correction/criticism in a calm and friendly tone of voice. Both JD and Max had very calming and friendly tones. Definitely more Ray Mears rather than a Bear Grylls ;) We liked the fact the site was kept as natural and undisturbed as possible - fallen trees, foliage growing around etc. I reckon some course providers would want to 'clear' a site and make pathways wider and rake the ground etc, but that wouldn't be authentic. We like that the site was as close to being wild as possible whilst being safe to work, just like we had 'stumbled on the location and decided to set up camp. we very much enjoyed the food. We love chorizo and peppers and halloumi and potatoes! It's a great day out and it is always good to learn new skills and practice existing ones. It's a good gift activity and suitable for couples, friends, parents with children, individuals- anyone! -Jennifer 2021

Thanks to Jamie and the team for an amazing day in the woods! Having never done anything like it before I was pretty unsure what to expect but we all thoroughly enjoyed every minute. As Bushcraft has become more popular recently I did worry that it was just a "pop up" company but a few minutes in and it was clear that Jamie knows everything about Bushcraft and more. He clearly has a passion for it which is infectious. Came away feeling like a kid that had been playing outside all day but with a lot of new skills and eager to learn more. - Jenny Butters 2019

My wife and I spent the Day with Jamie and Barry learning bushcraft skills at Grenoside Woods. We had an amazing day and learnt some exceptional skills. It was fun and a learning experience that would suit anyone. Would definitely recommend. Thanks for a fantastic day. - Gareth Hall 2018

PRIMARY BUSHCRAFT COURSE (One day): What a great day, for all skill levels and ages (although very sharp knives are involved). Teaching the basics of natural shelters, tarps, water collection and purification, meal prep, knots and of course fire (from spark to leaving the place like we hadn't been there). Jamie provides a safe managed course, with a well structured agenda, that is fun, enjoyable and accessible to anyone to wishes to brush up techniques, or learn some new and valuable skills. Equipment is provided and is of high quality, which matches the training. Give Jamie a call or drop him an email and get out there for a great day messing around in the woods. Strongly recommend! Thanks to Jamie and Max for a great day. - Julian Turner 2018

Fabulous day today at wharncliffe woods, can't recommend the primary bushcraft day enough. Thanks Jamie and Max . Superb - David Long