Discover the empowering world of bushcraft through our exclusive course designed for women, led by skilled and passionate female instructors. This inspiring experience in our stunning private woodland invites you to connect with nature, build confidence, and develop practical skills in a supportive and welcoming environment.

Throughout the course, our female instructors will bring unique perspectives and expertise, fostering a space where you can share stories, challenge yourself, and embrace the wilderness.

Whether you’re a complete beginner or looking to sharpen your existing skills, this course is tailored to meet your needs and help you thrive in the great outdoors. Join a community of like-minded people who share a love for adventure and nature, and leave with not only newfound skills but also lasting friendships.

Take the first step towards your wilderness independence and sign up for our inspirational bushcraft course today. Reconnect with nature, ignite your spirit of adventure, and cultivate a sense of empowerment that lasts well beyond your time spent in the woods.

This weekend is not a prettified or dumbed down version of bushcraft. We have chosen skills which can have a tendency to either be left out of many courses and thus not pursued by large numbers of people ( many of these might traditionally have been termed ‘ womens work’ namely fibrework and soft basketry and herbal medicine) and those skills that are often unconsciously taught in a way that is biased towards a male physique and strength and as such often seem unattainable to women and young people.

For much of human history women contributed a oft ignored trove of skills to the community- From medicine, fibrework and other crafts to less tangible threads of humanity such as story keeping. In the west those threads have been fragmented. Community among women is still treated with good natured suspicion, but you don’t have to look far for examples of women working together bringing change that was thought impossible. Bushcraft has existed as a popular hobby and for many a lifestyle, but we are only just beginning to appreciate the mental, spiritual as well as physical value of a more holistic approach. We need nature, we need to interact with it in more depth than simply what we can take from it.  This course approaches some of the more common elements of a bushcraft course, and some less common with a softness which will appeal to many.

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. 

  • Axe and bow saw for firewood collection and processing

• Cutting techniques: Using the saw , axe and knife you'll learn the foundational cutting techniques for easy and efficient woodcrafts including making spoons and utensils

• Bow drill friction fire lighting

  • Methods and techniques to guarantee fire when working with wet weather, fatigue, different physicalities and mobility issues

  • Working communally for success

• Foraging

  • Learn about plants and trees for food, medicine and crafts

• Storytelling by firelight

• Fibrecraft

  • Working with natural fibres to create cordage, from ropes to sewing threads

• Campfire cooking

• Workshops on women’s health and solutions in outdoor adventures and lifestyles

  • For various reasons the field of Bushcraft as an outdoor leisure pursuit has been a very male dominated sphere for much of its existence in the UK. Although here at Howl we’ve been fortunate to see a more balanced ratio of genders on our courses over the years, we wanted to create this course to offer a subtly different approach which should not only appeal to women, but those working within the industry who want to  encourage more participation from women and girls.

DETAILS:

• Times:

  • 3pm Friday - 4pm Sunday

• £295 per person

  • Please note the terms and conditions before you book

• Group size with a maximum of 12 guests to ensure we create a subtle atmosphere in the woods, and you get a very high interaction time with the instructors.

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

• This course is catered with Breakfasts and Evening meals.

  • Please inform us of any dietary requirements, we try to cater to any needs but some more specific dietary requirements may need you to bring some of your own provisions.

  • Please bring your own lunches for Saturday and Sunday.

• Due the involved nature of this course, we don't feel its suitable to under 16 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 in Oxfordshire near Pangborne. We'll send you exact directions with the booking pack.

• Lead Instructor: Sarah Day Instructor: Millie Stapley Instructor: Amy Cousens