The Art of Bushcraft

Wild Spirit courses are designed to give you the knowledge to survive in the wilderness, instilling ancient Bushcraft’s most fundamental skills, with plenty of hands on experience to back it up.

Conducted in a woodland environment our syllabus will equip you with a wide range of useful topics techniques some of which are listed.

Safety in the woods and safe usage of cutting tools

Understanding the correct use of cutting tools, has a paramount importance in any survival situation, it can have life or death implication surrounding the right and wrong way of storage and maintaining your tools (Axe/knife) also having the knowledge to create tools from natural recourses, in the case of a loss or breakage, as this could have a massive bearing on your chances for returning alive.

Friction fire lighting

The age old techniques of fire lighting reaches far back into human history. Our aim is to teach you the skills needed not only on how to make fire but also of where to source the correct materials needed, and understanding of the importance of preparation along with age old tips. (Flint and steel, Fire Strikes, Native Bow Fiddle, Hand Drills, Fire from Fungi)

Shelter building

Shelter building in a survival situation is essential; we will show you how to construct a simple shelter using the materials found in the woodland and make it water and weather proof, along with the explanation of the importance of typography and location. (You will be expected to sleep at least one night in your shelter)

Water purification

The collection and purification of water, with an understanding of locations of water and the potential hazards that may be present, including particles, chemicals and bacteria, has this could have major implications anyone trying to live off the land, so getting it right is essential, for the would be survivor.

Wild food

For centauries our hunter gathers ancestors, have lived comfortably off the land, intertwining their knowledge on the terrain, handing down the skill on how to catch, locate and differentiate between poisonous fungi/edible plants, leaves and roots, and how to prepare and cook them safely. Our instructors aim to show you how to locate prepare and cook what you catch/find or dig up in the woodland. Bon a petite!

Natural orientation and navigation

Having the ability to natural orientate or navigate is a crucial survival skill; we hope to provide you with a basic understanding of using the sun and stars to find your way home or to safety.

Tree identification plant and fungi

This is an introductory into the woodland, which includes the basic knowledge on Trees, Fungi and Plants and how they are utilized in bushcraft, explaining in depth the importance of each individual species, and how they played an important role in the lives of our ancient ancestors as well as helping us in a survival situation.

Cooking

Having the capability to cook and prepare food, is imperative as certain plants or fungi are only edible when cooked, also knowing what wood to use for different temperatures and cooking times, from underground pit ovens for meat and fish from to drying and smoking game, and how control the fires size and burning speeds are invaluable.

The instructors will show you these basic skills in cooking, including cooking utensils, cooking secrets.

Implements constructed from natural resources

From early times mankind has used natural products from the earth, to his advantage from the stone age to the iron age, mans ability to make things to help him on his journey is truly remarkable.

Wild Spirit instructors teach a wide range of topics from Wood Carving (spoons, ladles, pots) how to make clothing out of animal fur, bow and arrow construction, fish and animal traps, rope and to resins extracted for glue, and much more.