Wilderness Survival Skills runs a selection of courses packed with information and practical experience gathered together from an array of different sources and personal backgrounds.
All courses are held in a woodland setting of hazel coppice, twisted moss covered oaks and silver birch and are spent entirely outdoors however there are plenty of covered areas within the woods to enable lessons to carry on regardless of weather conditions. You will spend your nights under canvas or in a shelter you have made from the woodlands around you. Close neighbours will be Roe and Muntjac deer, foxes, badgers and buzzards.
Sessions will start with a general overview of the subject followed by a demonstration culminating with plenty of ‘hands on’ time to put the new skills into practice. Questions are welcome at any point and we strive to provide a ratio of one instructor to five students on all courses. You do not have to turn up looking as if you have coated yourselves with glue and run through Millets and we won’t expect anyone to wear animal skins either. The kit you need to bring is minimal.
Click here for kit list information
All cooking takes place over open fires with us providing the ingredients for all your meals along with a multitude of useful tips for cooking them over a campfire. Following the theme on all of our courses of ‘any fool can be uncomfortable’ we positively discourage the eating of bland food and make use of seasonal wild herbs and campfire cooking techniques (any fool can eat boring meals). Wild game choices will include rabbit, pheasant, pigeon, trout, salmon and on the hide working and hunter gatherer course, wild venison. Also, vegetarian and most other food preferences can be catered for if we know well in advance.
We welcome all ages and abilities (people under 16 must be accompanied by an adult). You will be thoroughly briefed on safety, wilderness hygiene, protection of the local woodland environment and there will always be a wilderness remote response first aider on hand.
Clothing worn on the course should be tough, fast drying and comfortable to work in. A layer system is best consisting of:
A base layer (wool or synthetic thermals in the cold, t shirt if warm)
One or two mid layers (lightweight fleece or wool shirt/jumper)
Cosy spare warm top – fleece or wool (for evenings or periods of inactivity)
Trousers should also be tough and fast drying (an old pair of combat style trousers are best)
Footwear should be sturdy and waterproof (hiking boots or similar are the best option) with comfortable socks
Waterproof jacket with hood
Waterproof trousers (if you don’t already own good waterproof gear, go for ex army kit. It’s cheap, tough and blends into the forest well)
Warm hat
Warm scarf
Warm gloves
Gardening gloves or similar
Full spare set of clothing including trainers or similar in a waterproof dry bag or two bin liners
Water bottle (a 1 litre mineral water bottle is fine)
Unbreakable mug, bowl, spoon (plastic or metal)
Billy can or similar cooking pot to use over the campfire
Notebook and pencil
Torch and two sets of spare batteries (a head torch is the best option as it leaves hands free for jobs)
Insect repellant
Suncream and lip balm
Personal medication and small first aid kit (headache tablets, plasters and a pair of tweezers)
Personal toiletries
Small wash kit and towel (eco friendly soap products are appreciated)
Antiseptic wet wipes
A small daysack of 10 litres or more is a good idea for carrying your warm layer, waterbottle and waterproof when away from the base camp.
Sleeping bag (check the season rating for suitability – 3 season should be fine) in a waterproof dry bag or two bin liners
Insulated foam sleeping mat or therma rest
Tent /lightweight shelter tarp (we can lend you a lightweight tarp if you have neither)
Knives and other woodworking tools will be provided however if you have a fixed blade knife you are familiar with you are welcome to bring it along (please don’t bring a folding blade to use as they are prone to breakage)
Please ensure that your rucksack is of sufficient quality and suitable design to carry all your equipment. Pack all your kit inside waterproof liners or bin bags, especially expensive items such as cameras or mobile phones.
Optional items:
Wool blanket (perfect for sitting around the evening campfire or for sleeping in a fully kitted out and centrally heated woodland shelter)
Waterproof and breathable bivi bag (sleeping bag cover)
Binoculars
Camera
Additional equipment required for Wilderness Navigation and Hunter Gatherer courses:
Strong, survival bag (orange plastic or insulated ‘blizzard pack’)
Waterproof gaiters
Unbreakable flask
Lightweight camping stove and method of ignition
For the Wilderness Navigation, you must bring either a lightweight mountain tent or a waterproof, breathable bivi bag for use with a lightweight tarp.
If you have any questions regarding the kit list please contact joe@wilderness-survival.co.uk or 0771 8078619