Two, three and four day events

On the 4 day Wilderness Family Camp … you’ll be shown:

• The ideal type of fire to build. We’ll show you a quick and easy way to build a fire that’s simple to light -- easy to keep going -- and burns nice and hot. This is an essential skill to learn.

• 3 ways to build a “natural debris” shelter that’ll keep you warm… dry… and as “snug-as-a-bug-in-a-rug.” Once you know these 3 simple shelters -- you’ll be able to adapt them for use in many situations.

• Where to find and gather an endless supply of DRY firewood… even if it’s been RAINING. Even if the ground’s wet and damp -- you’ll know exactly where to look -- and WHAT to do -- to find DRY wood for a roaring fire.

• How to use a knife safely. A necessary skill for any bushcraft.

• A quick and easy way to light a roaring fire… WITHOUT matches or a lighter. Just by using a special pocket size fire lighting “tool” -- you’ll never have to worry about losing a gas lighter -- or trying to use damp soggy matches -- EVER again. We’ll show you what this tool is -- and more importantly -- HOW to use it. It’s so simple to use -- even when the tool is WET.

• Cook On An Open Fire: All our meals -- and hot water for drinks -- will be cooked on an open fire in the centre of the camp. This is a great opportunity for your children to learn about -- and become comfortable with -- open fires. They’ll learn how to tend the fire and respect what it can do if it’s used properly.

• Identify Plants and Trees:

  You’ll learn about the various plants and trees around you -- and how to use them. For instance: One common tree has leaves that contain a natural soap. Very handy for washing your hands after building your shelter! You’ll discover what this tree is -- how to identify it -- and how to wash your hands with it!

• Make Cords, String and Rope: Using the prickliest and stringiest plant in the forest -- you can make good strong cords and string to tie things together. This’ll come in very handy for all sorts of things around the camp.

• Making Utensils: Learn how to make valuable utensils to your stay in the woods more comfortable.

“...thankyou for a brilliant weekend ... I feel much more confident in the open, and can't wait to get back out there. Hannah, you and your team have been a true inspiration !”

Vivienne, Mark and Lauren

• Silent Movement & Peripheral Vision: Learn how the Apache Indians moved around - and how you can get closer to wild life.

• Sleeping Out: We highly recommend that you take the opportunity to sleep in your very own shelter, an experience that you will never forget. But do bring tents if you prefer more comfort.

• Making fire by friction: WHAT to do… and what NOT to do. You’ll learn how to make a simple “Bow Drill” set… make a “coal”… and then blow a “tinder bundle” into flames. What a great feeling this will bring -- a real sense of achievement!

• Where to find the best and DRIEST tinder… in the most UNLIKELY places. It’s easy once you know WHERE to look. Even in wet and soggy environments, it’s easy to find dry tinder to start your fire. We’ll show you what to look for and how to use it.

• We’ll play many fun Nature Awareness Games that link all the skills together -- and really switch you on to the natural world around you. Using some of Josef Cornell’s famous games from his book “Sharing Nature with Children”

• Concentric Rings: Experience how wildlife is connected

• Animal Movements & Sign: Know how animals move and learn how to read the sign they leave behind.

• How to make fire using some UNUSUAL everyday objects. Even if you haven’t got matches or a lighter, you can still light a fire with things lying around the home, garage or car. You’ll learn WHAT to look for -- and HOW to use them.

And that’s not all…

The best way to get the most out of the course… is by having FUN!

Although the games and skills you’ll learn will be fun and perfectly safe -- they’ll help you all at a much DEEPER level because what you’ll also gain… is a lifetime of SELF CONFIDENCE.

The sort of confidence that comes with knowing you’ve got the skills and expertise to venture out into wild places…and can look after yourself.

“The Wilderness families’ camp was good fun and I learnt a great deal. It was really beneficial to experience a course that was more relaxed and allowed input from both parents and children to create a great environment where everyone was learning and relaxing at the same time. Genius.”

Smiles, Kimberley

Now if you’re still not convinced that your children will benefit from this -- just reflect on these quotes about survival skills and the “will to survive” from John Leach, Lecturer in Psychology at Lancaster University, in his fascinating book -- Survival Psychology:

“Such behaviour has to be learned early and it seems that many survivors have developed the techniques and basic skills for survival in childhood or early adulthood. They have exercised and developed their coping skills and it is clear that if the mind is preset for such emergencies then their coming is not a disabling shock.”

“Many survivors had previously developed practical skills which enabled them to better cope with the situation in which they suddenly found themselves in.”

“The seeds for personal long-term survival are sown early in a person’s life and they need to be nurtured into a pattern of coping and survival behaviour.”

Now what better gift can you give your child.

So now you know what to expect… and how you’ll benefit by coming along -- why not book on a course and see for yourself?

There are three different camps to choose from a 'One Night camp', 'A Three Day Camp' and a 'Four day Camp'. Although not all subjects are covered on the shorter camps there are many exciting new skills and experiences.

“We all really enjoyed your bushcraft course ... Ella went to bed on the Sunday night with a heartfelt "was that a great weekend or what!" ... So a huge thanks you to you all.”

Sara, London UK

It’s easy to book… just click on Add to Cart to securely pay through Pay-pal (or give me a call)… and we’ll see you in the woods!

Two Day Camp 05 - 06 April 08

Cost: £70 p.p including food

£252 Family of Four

Two Day Camp 07 - 08 June 08

Cost: £70 p.p including food

£252 Family of Four

Three Day Camp 23 - 25 August 08

Cost: £95 p.p including food

£342 Family of Four

We would like everyone to feel as comfortable as possible and therefore we invite you to sleep in your shelters or bring tents to sleep in.

Most meals will be cooked on the fire and we ask that everyone takes part in preparing & cooking meals together, vegetarian meals are available.

This weekend is about getting back to basics, we do not have the use of showers but will provide water, soap and bowl for washing.

Kit list and directions will be sent out to you approximately one month prior to course date.

Individual Bookings

Family of Four Bookings