Camp Craft

  1 of 17

  I just wanted to say thank you for making the Camp Craft course such a memorable experience. The week was very, very informative and allowed tons of practice as we built up our skills with the tools and techniques during the week. I found the progression from knife to saw, improvised saw to axe, axe to advanced tools logical and allowed for the basics to be mastered before moving onto more advanced skills. My axe swing and accuracy were way off on the first day, but by the end I was much more comfortable and confident. I particularly liked the way we were encouraged to try out the other axes once happy with the basics, after days with the SFA we were capable of using these and it 'felt right' too. The quality instruction and insights from Dave and Callum and the ability of both to spot, then give the correct, small focus points to allow us this progress just goes to show the experience and level of expertise that Woodlore offers with its team. We even had some unexpected demos from Ray! Attention to detail was pushed throughout and this again shows the commitment of Woodlore that students both get and feel confident with these skills anywhere in the world. Awesome bonus to the cooking element with a full-on roast and various veg in a Dutch oven on the final night topped off a fabulous learning experience in a lovely location!  

  Mark

  2 of 17

  By now I have done all the basic week courses with Woodlore (Fundamental, Navigation, Tracking, Journeyman). I liked all of them and I learnt a lot during all of these courses, but my favourite so far was the Camp Craft course. This is a well-paced course where there is usually enough time to practice what is taught. This one had the most relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere of all the courses. I also wanted to learn working with an axe for a long time now and it is surprising how versatile this tool is. I can recommend Camp Craft as an introductory course as well, because one can find out if bushcraft is for them without being hurried into tests and exams. This can be really a pleasant and long lasting experience.  

  Akos Budavari

  3 of 17

  I highly recommend this course. It's less intense than Fundamentals. However, I still gained confidence with the knife and axe. I also learnt a lot of key skills for living in a camp - such as hygiene, campfire cooking and discipline (essential if it is wet). Splicing and axe helve polishing in the evenings around the campfire helped round off each evening in a very sociable way. This course felt more like a holiday than a learning environment - but everything listed in the course information was covered. Now I just need to practice to make permanent.  

  Lucy Rogers

  4 of 17

  A fantastic course & great experience. I learnt so much - not just the course curriculum but loads in the general chatter from course leaders as well as learning loads from other participants. If you are considering this course, just go ahead & book, you'll have no regrets. I learned to use & maintain an axe & knife, do 3 different splices of rope, make a waterproof shelter, make & furnish a kitchen, make a bow saw, cook bread in a Dutch oven, carve a bread board, stool & spoon. We also made a ladder from rope and a few branches. Ive also made a couple of friends.  

  Dave Tb

  5 of 17

  My second Woodlore course after the Fundamental Bushcraft, and all I can say is 'brilliant'. The atmosphere was a lot more relaxed than the Fundamental, with more emphasis on developing skills and using tools to make life easier around camp. The axe, as you will learn if you come on this course, is a very versatile tool that you can do a lot of surprisingly heavy work with. The course instructors were a wealth of knowledge and always there to lend a hand. Thanks Dan, Keith and Ade. Book on the course - you won't regret it; especially when you fell your first tree and turn it into something special.  

  Christopher G

  6 of 17

  I have just returned home from your Camp Craft course (my first Woodlore course), and wanted to express what an amazing experience I had. The team of experts - Dan, Keith and Adrian - were so kind and professional that I felt completely safe while they were around. Their knowledge and skill level is amazing; they are an absolute asset to Woodlore and an inspiration to me. I will definitely be returning to try more courses; I have found that 'something' I've been needing for a while now. Please pass on my thanks to the team.  

  Neil

  7 of 17

  I attended the Camp Craft course because I wanted to gain knowledge of how to use larger tools like the axe, safely and effectively. Going into a Woodlore course my expectations were high, but these expectations were met and even exceeded. We covered a vast amount over the week, being taught in fine detail not only about axes, their history, structure and of course how to use them safely and efficiently, but we also learnt a great deal about setting up and maintaining a camp, as well as planning and organising in order to make existing in woodland more comfortable. I was particularly happy with how we were given a lot of time, space and careful instruction to use our tools ourselves and just get to know how they feel and handle. It must take some nerve for the instructors to pass out axes to the group when only a short time after we would be using them semi-independently, but I have to say the safety briefings we were given were thorough and unrushed, which dispelled a lot of potential trepidation when processing wood for the first time. A few days in to the course, going out in to the woods and selecting a larger tree which we would then fell was a particular highlight for me and an experience I am very keen to build upon. More specifically, something that I liked was how the instructors gave invaluable insight into the essential structure of trees and timber and how we were encouraged to analyse the material we were using, so we could complete tasks more quickly, safely and with greater efficiency. Overall, the instruction we received from Tom, Ady and Kev was absolutely first rate. They were approachable and friendly at all times, with a massive amount of knowledge between them that they were always ready to impart. It was great that we were encouraged to ask questions, and that these guys motivated us to get stuck in with all the projects and tasks we were given. It was a pleasure to get to know them over a week and of course the rest of the attendees who were all top class individuals and who made the week in the woods so much more enjoyable. I would say the best thing I’ve taken away from this course aside from great memories (and my own Gransfors Axe, Mora knife and crooked knife!) would be the confidence I now have in picking up an axe. Where I would have been apprehensive about using such a potentially dangerous tool before, now I have the knowledge, experience and confidence to use an axe to process timber for fire wood, carving and even for felling a tree should I ever need to. Perhaps more importantly, I now have a greater appreciation of the axe and it’s potential as a tool to improve one’s situation and standing when in wild places. It may be a lot of money to fork out to attend the Camp Craft course but the skills you learn which help bolster your own self-reliance are things that transcend money and I would urge anyone to take part if they can.  

  Jack Watson

  8 of 17

  Great camp! I learned many nice things. I thank the professional ways of teaching of Tom and Nick. Siegurd from Holland.  

  Siegurd Van Leusen

  9 of 17

  I understand that this is one of the more ‘laid-back’ courses that Woodlore run so I can’t believe how much we learnt during the week long course; it must be down to the fabulous teachers – thank you Tom, Sarah and Keith. As one always seems to discover on a Woodlore course – there is a basic set of practical skills to learn but you only truly appreciate them because they come with a wealth of additional knowledge gained through experience and so generously shared. As always the air of enthusiasm from staff and students alike was contagious and I added enormously to my meagre set of Bushcraft skills. Thank you Woodlore, my camp will now be a more comfortable one thanks to you.  

  Becky Brewster

  10 of 17

  Firstly a big thanks to Tom, Adrian and Brian for another great course. This one was much more relaxed than previous courses but still long days nevertheless, with the never ending oiling of the axe handle around the camp fire - something I can't seem to replicate at home with my linseed oil mix in a paint kettle over my honey stove in the back garden! Every skill was presented with the same care and knowledge that makes the Woodlore instructors such good teachers. There are only so many hours in a day and the knowledge of these guys would fill weeks in the forest. The rain did not dampen anyone's spirits and if anything gave a greater insight into the life of an outdoorsman. Here's to next season and some great times around the camp fire with Woodlore.  

  Richard Mark Ashton