Blog – Page 10 – Bushcraft with David Willis

Explorer Scouts Bushcraft Weekend

October 21, 2012February 22, 2018

Setting the scene for the weekend, the Explorer Scouts sat by the campfire, in the outdoor classroom, a big cargo parachute. They listened to the weekend’s itinerary and safety brief. Whilst the camp is located on a Scout site, we were a ten minute walk from the main camp. Based in a small plantation, there is a nice variety of trees and under-story, so we disappear into the woodlands, out of sight of the campers on the main site. Continue reading “Explorer Scouts Bushcraft Weekend”

A day of woodland crafts at Blackpark

May 5, 2012February 22, 2018

A day of making bark containers and wooden spoons using the natural resources of the woodlands of Black Park County Park, The park provided lovely Birch for carving spoons and Sweet Chestnut for making pots. Black Park has a secluded area for Bushcraft activities, not far from the lake, with the camp kettle on throughout the day for cups of tea and coffee. Continue reading “A day of woodland crafts at Blackpark”

A day of backcountry cooking at Black Park

April 21, 2012February 22, 2018

A day of learning to bake, steam, roast and cook on campfires. Starting with bread making, we made an unleavened dough, baking the bread around the campfire. The campfire oven, a fire pit with hot rocks had been slowly cooking our joint of lamb and now it was time to dig it out, carefully uncovering our roast lunch! Continue reading “A day of backcountry cooking at Black Park”

Back to Bushcraft for Scout Leaders

March 11, 2012February 22, 2018

Being the first course of the year there was plenty to do; building a new table, setting up benches with timber from the managed plantation, making big tent pegs and cutting timber for the fire. Friday afternoon was spent setting up camp, putting up the parachute, big tarp and or course the on-suite toilet facilities! Continue reading “Back to Bushcraft for Scout Leaders”

Girlguiding Survival Camp

November 19, 2011February 22, 2018

It may have been November, but the local Girl Guides were keen to be out side having fun at their ‘survival camp’. The day started with a safety briefing and introduction to the Bushcraft skills they would be learning. The first activity was with learning how to successfully light campfire. The Guides gathered tinder, sticks and branches from the woods and then set about lighting their fires using fire steels. After some practice with the fire steels, each team had a fire. Continue reading “Girlguiding Survival Camp”