Family Bushcraft, Tracking & Wildcamp Weekend

It was perfect weather for our Family Bushcraft and Tracking event.

All the participants knew each other but none of them had been wildcamping before. Despite this, they soon got into the routine and everyone, including the younger ones, were busy carving away with their knives and some even making spoons.

The afternoon saw some tracking skills being taught and a staking game, which was great fun, even for one person who got a little wetter than the others! Actually a welcome relief bearing in mind the hot weather!

Saturday night and a out came a fantastic curry prepared by Vinnie. Who ever said Forest survival should be uncomfortable?

Sunday started off with fire-lighting which was a session led by our potential instructor Griggers. Trooper, our other potential instructor had already delivered the knife safety session the day before. Every one had a go. I was so impressed with the determination of the youngsters who wouldn't give up until their spark form the ferro-rod had caught the birch bark. Their faces lit up as they realised that, at last, they had managed to make fire.

George gave a great demo off potassium permanganate and glycerine as a means of starting fire.

Our plant and foraging walk ended up at Hatfield Forest’s cafe and the family groups had a go at rowing around the lake. I understand that a sea battle ensued, and Vinnie& George lost!!

Here are a few photos.

Family Bushcraft, Tracking & Wildcamp Weekend

It was perfect weather for our Family Bushcraft and Tracking event.

All the participants knew each other but none of them had been wildcamping before. Despite this, they soon got into the routine and everyone, including the younger ones, were busy carving away with their knives and some even making spoons.

The afternoon saw some tracking skills being taught and a staking game, which was great fun, even for one person who got a little wetter than the others! Actually a welcome relief bearing in mind the hot weather!

Saturday night and a out came a fantastic curry prepared by Vinnie. Who ever said Forest survival should be uncomfortable?

Sunday started off with fire-lighting which was a session led by our potential instructor Griggers. Trooper, our other potential instructor had already delivered the knife safety session the day before. Every one had a go. I was so impressed with the determination of the youngsters who wouldn't give up until their spark form the ferro-rod had caught the birch bark. Their faces lit up as they realised that, at last, they had managed to make fire.

George gave a great demo off potassium permanganate and glycerine as a means of starting fire.

Our plant and foraging walk ended up at Hatfield Forest’s cafe and the family groups had a go at rowing around the lake. I understand that a sea battle ensued, and Vinnie& George lost!!

Here are a few photos.

National Trust Wildcamp Experience Weekend

This weekend we hosted the National Trust’s Wildcamp Experience Weekend at Hatfield forest.

This isn’t a full-on as we let the participants experiment with their families or family pairs to see what it’s like to sleep in the Forest.

Of course, we are there for safety purposes and make sure no one gets damaged – well not seriously damaged anyway.

We do run a couple of session, in fact we run more than we should be cause we’re like that; So the lucky participants were taught knife-safety (a good start!) carving techniques (and most has a go at carving their first ever spoon) fire lighting, tracking and a plant walk. Not only that, Friday evening saw everyone witness some spectacular badger activity getting to within a few meters of a badger cub and some bat detecting.

The finale came when most opted to have a row on the lake after a busy few minutes foraging at Hatfield’s busy (and noisy!) cafe.

It was a brilliant weekend made better by the glorious weather. Many thanks to the participants and of course, the Woodlife Trails Team: Rob, Luke, Rich, Nigel, Trooper, Beccy, Hannah. 

National Trust Wildcamp Experience Weekend

This weekend we hosted the National Trust’s Wildcamp Experience Weekend at Hatfield forest.

This isn’t a full-on as we let the participants experiment with their families or family pairs to see what it’s like to sleep in the Forest.

Of course, we are there for safety purposes and make sure no one gets damaged – well not seriously damaged anyway.

We do run a couple of session, in fact we run more than we should be cause we’re like that; So the lucky participants were taught knife-safety (a good start!) carving techniques (and most has a go at carving their first ever spoon) fire lighting, tracking and a plant walk. Not only that, Friday evening saw everyone witness some spectacular badger activity getting to within a few meters of a badger cub and some bat detecting.

The finale came when most opted to have a row on the lake after a busy few minutes foraging at Hatfield’s busy (and noisy!) cafe.

It was a brilliant weekend made better by the glorious weather. Many thanks to the participants and of course, the Woodlife Trails Team: Rob, Luke, Rich, Nigel, Trooper, Beccy, Hannah. 

Bushcraft Show–Elvaston

Glorious sunshine! At last! It couldn't have been more perfect for the show. Partly because of this we were incredibly busy especially on the Saturday.

Thanks to everyone who came to see our stall and Table of Death. Also thanks to all the traders. It was great catching up with everyone too numerous to mention – but particularly our neighbours Woodsmoke, Dave Mark and Helen Shark, Dave Watson and Ben Orford.

As usual we ran tracking sessions and, new for this year, we were demonstrating our Countryside courses with our new stars, Poppy the Polecat ferret, Harry the Hawk and Mr Spock the owl. All of whom went down a storm.

I was on stage for a talk about Tracking in the British Woodland that drew a bit of a crowd and received some great feedback.

Thanks to everyone who assisted on the stand – Richard, Beccy and Luke. Also a big well done to Jason, who organised the stand and us as part of his instructors module. I think Jason appreciated it’s not that easy running a show and getting us lot organised as you can see form the photo above!

Bushcraft Show–Elvaston

Glorious sunshine! At last! It couldn't have been more perfect for the show. Partly because of this we were incredibly busy especially on the Saturday.

Thanks to everyone who came to see our stall and Table of Death. Also thanks to all the traders. It was great catching up with everyone too numerous to mention – but particularly our neighbours Woodsmoke, Dave Mark and Helen Shark, Dave Watson and Ben Orford.

As usual we ran tracking sessions and, new for this year, we were demonstrating our Countryside courses with our new stars, Poppy the Polecat ferret, Harry the Hawk and Mr Spock the owl. All of whom went down a storm.

I was on stage for a talk about Tracking in the British Woodland that drew a bit of a crowd and received some great feedback.

Thanks to everyone who assisted on the stand – Richard, Beccy and Luke. Also a big well done to Jason, who organised the stand and us as part of his instructors module. I think Jason appreciated it’s not that easy running a show and getting us lot organised as you can see form the photo above!

Jason has been involved with Woodlife Trails since 2011 and has been an avid bushcrafter and survivalist since childhood.

Based in the North West, Jason is an IT Professional by day but loves nothing better than getting into the forest for a wild camp and campfire.

Jason is a dab hand with woodland crafts, greenwood carving and leather-craft.

He is developing his tracking skills and hopes to join Woodlife Trails for their Big Game Expedition in South Africa 2014

Jason is passionate about the Natural History and British Woodland and encouraging others make the most of it.