It's been a long, hot summer so far!
However, we've been the lucky ones, running workshops and courses under the welcome shade of the woodland canopy.
During these last few weeks in particular, the courses have been many and extremely varied...
In addition to running more private workshops than ever before, (covering subjects such as field deer butchery, wild foods, an intro to camping in the woods and quickie bow making), the summer course program has included...
The Leather Boots Workshop - over four days, participants made their own patterns and then received instruction in crafting their own, made to measure, flat soled leather boots!
Making your own Wooden Bucksaw - a one day course covering fundamental carpentry techniques, the end result being their very own collapsible frame saw made from seasoned oak using traditional mortice and tenon joints
Carving a Kuksa (wooden cup) - two days of wood craft, starting with harvesting recently fallen silver birch logs, splitting, roughing out with an axe, hollowing the cup using a curved gouge and finally whittling into the finished shape
The Leather Bag Workshop - a day workshop learning how to make a simple but sturdy and long lasting leather haversack for carrying carving tools or everything needed for a quick trip to the woods
Thankfully, during these uncertain times, folks still see the value in up-skilling or re-learning the important life skills demonstrated in the various courses and workshops available here at Wilderness Survival Skills. Perhaps, recently even more so!
Far from just being gimmicky survival snippets which are unlikely to ever be called upon (or remembered) every subject and technique taught here has a relevant value today. Many of the materials used in our craft workshops can be harvested sustainably and can cost virtually nothing.
Although the time restraints of running a craft or wilderness living course during pre-arranged dates means that we have to ensure there's enough kit on hand to get the job done, the ever present ethos is to be able to achieve amazing things with a minimalist tool kit and your own fair hands.
The emphasis with any problem encountered during a course is on using knowledge and experience to find a solution rather than just resorting to specialist equipment that's unlikely to be carried or too expensive to buy for just one job.
As I'm already being asked about next years dates...here's next years dates
Winter Survival & Bushcraft Course - 27th - 29th January
48hr Winter Bushcraft Challenge - 27th - 30th January
Wilderness Survival & Bushcraft Weekend - 14th - 16th April
Spoon Carving Workshop - 2nd May
Weave a Foraging Basket Workshop - 3rd May
Bark Craft Workshop - 4th & 5th May
Living Wild 4 Day Course - 8th - 12th May
Leather Boots Workshop - 12th - 15th June
Wilderness Survival & Bushcraft Weekend - 30th June - 2nd July
Natural Hide Tanning Workshop - 3rd & 4th July
Moccasins Workshop - 5th - 7th July
Wooden Bucksaw Workshop - 21st August
Kuksa Carving Workshop - 22nd & 23rd August
Three Legged Stool Workshop - 24th August
Willow Pack Basket Workshop - 12th & 13th September
Leather Bag Workshop - 14th September
You'll probably notice that some of the craft workshops have been arranged in such a way that they follow on from one another and can therefore be combined to make a longer course covering several different subjects.
This means that you get a longer stay in the woods and it cuts down on travel costs!
Gift Vouchers are available too and if you like the idea of a certain course but the dates don't work for you, now's the time to get in early and book a private course just for you and your friends or family:
