Bushcraft Course
Future dates TBC
We are in the process of finalising dates of this excellent trip for 2020.
Register your interest via the button at the bottom of the page to be one of the first to know when it launches…
In the tranquil setting of the Brecon Beacons, spend a weekend learning everything you need to know about thriving in the woods - from setting up camp and making fires to foraging and cooking delicious fire-baked bread!
OVERVIEW
Building up bushcraft skills is a good starting point for all your adventures - whether on a six-month expedition or a weekend away wild camping. Learning to ignite and maintain a fire is essential for more remote adventures - providing warmth, light, and the means to cook food and purify water. Not many people can actually get a fire going, usually because they haven’t been shown how or had the opportunity to practice.
On this jam-packed course not only will you learn how to create and maintain a successful campfire, you'll also learn camp safety, how to build a shelter out of natural materials, purify water, cook on a campfire, bake bread, forage for ingredients in the wild and more! You don’t need to have any prior practical bushcraft knowledge to attend, just come with the enthusiasm to learn and a desire to have fun outdoors!
WHAT YOU'LL LEARN
Over the course of the weekend, you will specifically learn:
Safe and effective knife use, including various techniques for batoning, and cutting larger sticks, as well as finding dry heart wood for fire-lighting
A range of fire lighting techniques and lays for different weather conditions and situations
How to identify a range of trees and plants at various stages throughout the year, and some of their uses
How to sleep in a shelter that you've helped build or improve
How to set up a hammock and tarpaulin from scratch
Safe water collection and filtration techniques
How to make your own string out of natural materials, to create a bracelet, key ring fob, or necklace and pendant
How to collect and brew a 'wild' tea over a fire with water you’ve collected and purified yourself
To embrace the challenge to create fire by friction, and have the satisfaction of blowing your ember into flames.
ITINERARY
On Friday evening from 6pm you'll make your way to basecamp in the woods and meet your bushcraft instructor Lizzy and EC host. While waiting for everyone to arrive you can sit around the communal campfire or you can begin to set up your sleeping arrangements (tents or shelters). Once you're settled you can either cook your dinner and make a hot brew, or you can take a meander along the canal to a local pub for dinner.
Saturday morning will start with a campfire-cooked breakfast, and straight afterwards you'll begin your first full day of learning, ending with a tasty campfire-cooked meal. In the evening you'll be free to sit and relax around the fire or retreat to enjoy the peace of your hammock or tent. On Sunday you'll wake up to another cooked breakfast before practicing more adventure skills, try your hand at some foraging and enjoy fire-baked bread in the afternoon. The weekend will finish around 4pm on Sunday, after which you can spend a bit more time chatting to Lizzy and help with camp set down, explore some more of the Brecon Beacons or make your way home.
LOCATION & FACILITIES
The woodland we use is a short drive from Bristol, within the Brecon Beacons National Park on the outskirts of Talybont-on-Usk. It's a mixed woodland, with a stream running though it and a canal at the far end. It is connected to a working farm, and has a newly planted community orchard on site. Camping (either in tents, or shelters built on Saturday) will be in the woodland, a short walk from the toilet in the farm yard. You'll also be glad to know there’s free parking on site, and if you must, a shower!
More details on location, directions and transport options will be provided after you book and nearer the time of the course. We will also provide you with a detailed kit list.
FOOD & WATER
Friday night's dinner is not included, but if you want to eat locally you can take a short stroll to the village where there are pubs and restaurants - or you're more than welcome to bring and cook your own food!
You'll get two hot breakfasts and a hot dinner, and plenty of water, tea and coffee - but you'll need your own lunches for both days as well as your favourite snacks and any drinks you want. Please let us know about any dietary requirements when you book so we can make sure you're catered for.
WHAT'S INCLUDED
Two full days' instruction, lessons and guidance from professional bushcraft expert Lizzy
Two nights' supervised wild camping in our woodland site in the Brecon Beacons (includes woodland use fees)
The use of four hammocks to sleep in (allocated on a first-come first-served basis)
All specialist bushcraft equipment and tools throughout the weekend
Two hot breakfasts on Saturday and Sunday morning
Campfire-cooked dinner on Saturday night
Tea, coffee and biscuits throughout the weekend
EC Host for the weekend
REVIEWS
“Excellent course, takes you back to ‘basics’ and gives you the confidence to be more adventurous”
“Had the most fantastic time and have learned many new skills, built my confidence – thank you!”
“Incredibly knowledgable, patient and personable, Lizzy made for the perfect woodland host.”
DATES & PRICES
Dates: We are in the process of setting dates for our next Bushcraft Course
Price: The price is currently being set, but will be in the region of £240
Click here to register your interest and you’ll be one of the first to know when we relaunch this adventure!
QUESTIONS?
If you'd like to know more about this weekend or have a particular question about this or any of our adventures, please email enquiries@explorersconnect.com or call the office on 0117 405 7497 during normal office hours and we'll do our best to help you.