18 Bushcraft courses

Our 1 day foraging courses are for anyone who’d like to gain an insight into the edible delights of the British hedgerow and woodlands. So if you’re curious about the plants, berries and fruits that grow around you and wonder which you can eat and which you need to avoid, come and join us! On our foraging courses the focus is on edible plants, nuts, berries and fruits commonly found in the hedgerow and woodland.  Note that what we find and forage will depend on the time of year you come along. From the meeting point we’ll take an amble along the tranquil lanes of the stunning North Downs Way and look at common plants, hedgerow fruits, berries and nuts that can be eaten; we’ll collect some as we go.  We’ll also point out any plants and berries that are poisonous so you know what to avoid. From the hedgerow we’ll move into ancient woodland and look at different plants, again collecting as we go. When we arrive at our ancient woodland camp, we’ll have a refresher on the plants we’ve collected before settling in for the afternoon and cooking them.  Everyone gets their own dish to cook and contribute to the banquet. About us and the venue Jack Raven Bushcraft was founded in 2011 and we've been delivering bushcraft, craft and foraging courses since then from our 30 acre private ancient woodland on the Kent Downs in an area of outstanding natural beauty. Courses in  the summer are held outdoors in our woodland camp complete with covered work areas, an outdoor kitchen and a composting loo.  Courses in the winter are held in our workshop in a converted barn. Whilst we don't have many reviews on Craft Courses, we have hundreds on our website, Facebook page and Google Business page, take a look for yourself! What's included in the price? Tea and coffee You'll need to bring a packed lunch Cancellation policy Strict - Cancellation and a full refund can be obtained up to 8 weeks before the course starts

Over the years our 2 day bushcraft course has proven to be our most popular bushcraft course.  It’s been carefully designed to initiate you into the joys of outdoor living, although many of the skills that you’ll be taught are easily transferable to other outdoor activities. This 2 day bushcraft course is intended for people who would like to understand what bushcraft is all about and to learn simple, repeatable bushcraft and survival skills.  This includes campers, backpackers, hikers and other outdoors people who wish to learn some of the skills required to be comfortable in the outdoors, so that you have the time to really enjoy what is around you. We have people attend who have no previous bushcraft experience as well as those with some prior experience and we can say with absolute honesty that everyone leaves knowing more than when they arrived! During your time spent with us on this bushcraft course, you will: - Learn how to safely use essential bushcraft tools including knife, folding saw and bow saw - Have plenty of practise creating a flame using matches, fire steels, fire pistons, wire wool & a battery, solar mirrors, flint & steel, chemicals and fire by friction - Carve your own honey spreader or spatula from materials you gather in our ancient woodland - Understand the pros and cons of debris shelters, where & how to build one, and sleep in one if you wish - Put up a tarp and hammock using only 3 simple knots that can be tied and untied wearing gloves (you can sleep in a hammock if you like) - Find, filter and purify your own water - Go for a woodland walk to gain an insight into some of the trees and plants around us and what they can be used for - Learn how to sharpen a knife so that it will slice through a sheet of paper - Locate and identify different natural tinders easily found in the woods - Gather your own materials and light a fire following a method that will work in all weather conditions. At the end of this bushcraft course you will have a good working knowledge of the skills needed to enjoy your time in the woods or enhance your camping or outdoor activities. About us and the venue: Jack Raven Bushcraft was founded in 2011 and we've been delivering bushcraft, craft and foraging courses since then from our 30 acre private ancient woodland on the Kent Downs in an area of outstanding natural beauty. Courses in  the summer are held outdoors in our woodland camp complete with covered work areas, an outdoor kitchen and a composting loo.  Courses in the winter are held in our workshop in a converted barn. What's included in the price? Included in the price is: - Breakfast and dinner - Hot and cold drinks - Tools, equipment and materials Cancellation policy Strict - Cancellation and a full refund can be obtained up to 8 weeks before the course starts

Located between Canterbury and Ashford, join us on the beautiful Kent Downs for this introductory 1 day basket weaving course. Our hunter-gatherer ancestors were particularly skilled at making baskets using a host of different materials for a wide range of uses, from purely practical to ceremonial.  We’ve put together this basket weaving course for anyone who would like to learn this fabulous skill. This day course will look at the ancient craft of willow basketry. You will be introduced to the materials and tools required and then be guided through the process to make your own round, handled, willow basket. About us and the venue: Jack Raven Bushcraft was founded in 2011 and we've been delivering bushcraft, craft and foraging courses since then from our 30 acre private ancient woodland on the Kent Downs in an area of outstanding natural beauty. Courses in the summer are held outdoors in our woodland camp complete with covered work areas, an outdoor kitchen and a composting loo. Courses in the winter are held in our workshop in a converted barn. Through the day we will also look at: - Alternative weaves such as randing and wailing - How to make oval and rectangular shaped baskets - Different border designs, - Collecting and preparing your own materials from the hedgerow. Time permitting we will also explore other methods of basketry such as coiled and rubbed baskets. What's included in the price? We will provide all tools and materials as well as a plentiful supply of tea and coffee. Cancellation policy Strict - Cancellation and a full refund can be obtained up to 8 weeks before the course starts

Located between Canterbury and Ashford, join us at our ancient woodland camp on the beautiful Kent Downs for this introductory 1 day bushcraft course. We’ve put together this 1 day bushcraft course for people whose time is precious but would like to gain a thorough grounding in the key skills of outdoor bushcraft and survival. So we’ve created a package that will ensure that you leave us with simple, repeatable skills that’ll give you the confidence to broaden your horizons in the great outdoors. During your time spent with us on this 1 day course, you will: - Learn how to safely use a knife - Build a debris shelter and gain an understanding of the design principles involved - Have plenty of practise creating a flame using matches, fire steels, fire pistons, wire wool & a battery, solar mirrors, flint & steel, chemicals - Make char cloth, create a tinder bundle and blow an ember into flame - Find, filter and purify your own water - Go for a woodland walk to gain an insight into some of the trees and plants around us and what they can be used for - Gather your own materials and light a fire following a method that will work in all weather conditions. At the end of the course you will have a good working knowledge of the skills needed to enjoy your time in the woods or enhance your camping or outdoor activities. About us and the venue: Jack Raven Bushcraft was founded in 2011 and we've been delivering bushcraft, craft and foraging courses since then from our 30 acre private ancient woodland on the Kent Downs in an area of outstanding natural beauty. Courses in the summer are held outdoors in our woodland camp complete with covered work areas, an outdoor kitchen and a composting loo. Courses in the winter are held in our workshop in a converted barn. What's included in the price? We include all tools, equipment and materials. The kettle is always on for tea and coffee. Cancellation policy Strict - Cancellation and a full refund can be obtained up to 8 weeks before the course starts

DESCRIPTION Bushcraft Diploma Embarking on the journey of wilderness survival requires skill, wisdom, and an aptitude for connecting with the natural world. The Bushcraft Diploma is designed for those who wish to explore the essential aspects of bushcraft and who are keen on embracing the wilderness with confidence and competence. The online course focuses on providing comprehensive training, starting with an Introduction to Bushcraft. Here, learners gain insight into the fundamental principles and techniques, setting the foundation for what's to come. It's an essential base, fostering an understanding of the connection between human and nature, and how to leverage that connection for survival and personal growth. One can't venture into the wild without the right tools. The Bushcraft Diploma covers Essential Bushcraft Tools in a dedicated section, teaching about the proper selection, usage, and maintenance of these critical instruments. From knives to axes, the right tools can make survival not only possible but enjoyable. A primary aspect of survival is shelter, and Building Shelter in the Wilderness is a vital part of the curriculum. The Bushcraft Diploma offers detailed guidance on constructing shelters with available resources, demonstrating how to make them sturdy and weather-proof. Wilderness Fire Crafting is another area of emphasis. Fire is life in the wilderness, and mastering the art of crafting and sustaining a fire can mean the difference between comfort and crisis. Students learn various techniques and methods for fire crafting to ensure warmth, cooking, and protection. A keen understanding of the wilderness's bounty is part of the Foraging and Hunting for Survival section. The course delves into identifying edible plants, setting up traps, and tracking animals. It's about sustainably harnessing the wild's resources to nourish oneself and preserve the delicate ecosystem. In the wild, navigation isn't a luxury; it's a necessity. The Bushcraft Diploma ensures that the students master Bushcraft Navigation Skills. Whether with a compass or the stars, navigation techniques taught in the course help one travel through unfamiliar terrain with confidence. Water is life, and Water Collection and Purification is a critical aspect covered in the Bushcraft Diploma. Students learn about finding water sources, purifying them using different techniques, and ensuring they are safe for consumption. Crafting with Natural Materials is where creativity meets survival. This section explores using available resources to create utensils, tools, and art, blending functionality with an appreciation for natural beauty. No wilderness journey would be complete without knowing the basics of Wilderness First Aid. Accidents and injuries can happen, and this part of the Bushcraft Diploma imparts essential skills to treat wounds, recognize signs of illness, and act swiftly to preserve life. Last but not least, The Philosophy of Bushcraft takes students beyond mere survival. It's about a deeper connection with nature, understanding one's place in the grand scheme of things, and developing a respectful and responsible approach to the wilderness. The Bushcraft Diploma is not just an online course but an expedition into the heart of nature, facilitated by expert guidance and well-structured modules. It's a unique opportunity to gain the knowledge, skills, and wisdom to embrace the wild with respect, confidence, and love. By taking this course, learners step into a world where survival meets harmony, and bushcraft becomes not just a set of skills but a way of life. It's a gateway to the untamed wilderness, waiting to be explored, understood, and cherished. What you will learn 1:Introduction to Bushcraft 2:Essential Bushcraft Tools 3:Building Shelter in the Wilderness 4:Wilderness Fire Crafting 5:Foraging and Hunting for Survival 6:Bushcraft Navigation Skills 7:Water Collection and Purification 8:Crafting with Natural Materials 9:Wilderness First Aid 10:The Philosophy of Bushcraft COURSE OUTCOMES After completing the course, you will receive a diploma certificate and an academic transcript from Elearn college. ASSESSMENT Each unit concludes with a multiple-choice examination. This exercise will help you recall the major aspects covered in the unit and help you ensure that you have not missed anything important in the unit. The results are readily available, which will help you see your mistakes and look at the topic once again. If the result is satisfactory, it is a green light for you to proceed to the next chapter. ACCREDITATION Elearn College is a registered Ed-tech company under the UK Register of Learning( Ref No:10062668). After completing a course, you will be able to download the certificate and the transcript of the course from the website. For the learners who require a hard copy of the certificate and transcript, we will post it for them for an additional charge.

A two day knife making course is a great way to make yourself an item that will last a lifetime, on this two day course we forge a larger knife with a wooden handle, most students choose to do a kitchen knife but more elaborate bushcraft knives and athames have also been made. A knife is one of the oldest tools ever made by humanity and it is one that invokes many emotions to people when they see and use it for a productive task. When doing a knife making course here at Bearded Pig Forge we will discuss the fine details of a knife and how they are made as well as the history of forging them.  On the course you will learn the basics of forging a blade and how to effectively heat treat them in order to get the most use out of the blades as well as techniques for sharpening and honing blades. Courses are £300 Per person per two days. All courses must be paid for a minimum of 14 days in advance to secure the date.  I run a strict cancellation policy. If you cannot attend the date you have booked please contact me within three weeks and I will rebook your course for free, If you contact me after this deadline you will lose your place. Refunds are not available. No under 18s  If you have a physical gift voucher it must be presented on the first day of a course. *Gift vouchers are valid for one year from date of purchase

Located between Canterbury and Ashford, join us on the beautiful Kent Downs for this introductory 1 day coiled basket course. Coiled baskets are baskets made from bunches of plant fibres such as straw or hay,  Those fibres are wound in a continuous spiral around themselves. The coils are kept in place using thread, the work being done stitch by stitch and coil by coil. Coiled basketry was practiced by our hunter-gatherer ancestors all around the world.  They were commonplace in the British Isles, although more so in Scotland; in England they were often referred to as lip work baskets. We’ve put together this coiled basketry course for anyone who likes to use their hands and would like to learn this fabulous ancestral skill. You will be introduced to the materials and tools required and then be guided through the process to make your own round, coiled basket. Throughout the day you will: Learn how to create all the elements of a coiled basket, so the base, the sides, stitching and how to finish it all off with a border. We will discuss care of your basket, making different basket shapes, and alternative materials that can be used as well as hay. At the end of the day you will come away with the satisfaction of having created a wonderful basket that’s unique and has a wide range of practical uses. About us and the venue: Jack Raven Bushcraft was founded in 2011 and we've been delivering bushcraft, craft and foraging courses since then from our 30 acre private ancient woodland on the Kent Downs in an area of outstanding natural beauty. Courses in the summer are held outdoors in our woodland camp complete with covered work areas, an outdoor kitchen and a composting loo.  Courses in the winter are held in our workshop in a converted barn. What's included in the price? We'll supply all tools and materials for the course. We'll make sure the kettle is on the go and supply tea, coffee and biscuits. Cancellation policy Medium - Cancellation and a full refund can be obtained up to 4 weeks before the course starts

This pole lathing course has been carefully designed for those who would like to develop their craft skills working with traditional, sustainable materials in a stunning ancient woodland location.  Don’t worry if you don’t have any previous greenwood working skills, we’ll guide you through the prcocess from start to finish. Whilst we’re certain that you’ll leave us with some great hand crafted items, you’ll also leave us with new found confidence and ability and an appreciation of the wondeful material that wood is. We’ll start the course by showing you how to safely use an axe.  We’ll look at selecting your wood, splitting techniques and a variety of methods to cross cut the wood for the raw materials. You will be shown how to cleft greenwood and use an axe, draw knife and a shave horse to shape the wood. You will then get to use a traditional woodland pole lathe where students have turned dibblers, rolling pins, spirtles, honey drizzlers, chair legs and even potato mashers!! All of the materials you use are sustainably sourced from our own woodland in line with our management plan. About us and the venue: Jack Raven Bushcraft was founded in 2011 and we've been delivering bushcraft, craft and foraging courses since then from our 30 acre private ancient woodland on the Kent Downs in an area of outstanding natural beauty. Courses in the summer are held outdoors in our woodland camp complete with covered work areas, an outdoor kitchen and a composting loo. Courses in the winter are held in our workshop in a converted barn. What's included in the price? Turning tools, froes, draw knives, a selection of axes are all provided. Cancellation policy Strict - Cancellation and a full refund can be obtained up to 8 weeks before the course starts

Fish and small game made up an important part of our hunter gatherer ancestors diet, meaning that hand knitted net making was a crucial skill to master. A net is an openwork fabric in which threads are fused, looped or knotted at their intersections at regular intervals and have long been used for fishing and trapping animals, as hammocks, or simply as a means of carrying things around. So we’ve put together this net making course to show you how to make your own net from entirely natural materials so that you can go away and make your own net for a variety of situations. You’ll start the day by looking at natural cordage as you’ll need cordage to make your net! We’ll discuss various plants and trees that can be used to make cordages, such as nettles, brambles, lime bast and the inner bark of sweet chestnut. With the materials prepared, we’ll show you how to make a simple 2 ply cord and then, How to plait, braid or ply them. From there you’ll move on to net making itself and will cover: The various netting tools available and different materials they can be made from, How to begin a net, How to change the size and shape of your net, How to finish off your net, How to join nets together to make a bigger one. By the end of this net making course you will have the skills and knowledge to make your own nets from scratch, either for fishing or trapping small game, or even to make your very own net bag! Jack Raven Bushcraft was founded in 2011 and we've been delivering bushcraft, craft and foraging courses since then from our 30 acre private ancient woodland on the Kent Downs in an area of outstanding natural beauty. Courses in the summer are held outdoors in our woodland camp complete with covered work areas, an outdoor kitchen and a composting loo. Courses in the winter are held in our workshop in a converted barn. What's included in the price? We'll supply all tools and materials for the course. We'll make sure the kettle is on the go and supply tea, coffee and biscuits. Cancellation policy Strict - Cancellation and a full refund can be obtained up to 8 weeks before the course starts

Run from our indoor workshop in Tenterden, Kent, we’ve put this one-day leather working course together for anyone with an interest in leather, craft, or who simply wants to explore another avenue of bushcraft. You don’t need any previous experience with leather working as you will learn the core skills and techniques on the course.  It’s a perfect introduction to making traditional leather items. So if you’re looking for an unforgettable day, join our experienced craftsman, Paul Bradley, in a leather working day that focuses on leather work tools, design and construction. We have designed this course around the making of a simple notebook holder.  We have chosen this as a project as it covers all the basic skills required to produce almost any small leather goods.  There is also large scope for customisation of your project. Along the way you will learn about different leathers, techniques and tools. Typically, you will, under the expert guidance and instruction of Paul Bradley: - Use the provided pattern to produce a leather cover for a standard 5.5 x 3.5 notebook - Be guided on how to design and draw out and customise a pattern - Learn all about the different tools used in leather working and how to use them - Learn how to cut out, assemble and mark for stitching - Learn and practice the techniques of the traditional saddle stitch to complete the assembly of your notebook - Learn how to finish your project with edge burnishing techniques and other small but important details that add to the overall professional look. A really great chance to begin a lifetime of making beautiful things! About us and the venue: Jack Raven Bushcraft was founded in 2011 and we've been delivering bushcraft, craft and foraging courses since then from our 30 acre private ancient woodland on the Kent Downs in an area of outstanding natural beauty. This course is held in a purpose built indoor workshop. What's included in the price? All tools, equipment and materials are provided, as well as a free notebook to take away with you. Tea and coffee provided. Cancellation policy Strict - Cancellation and a full refund can be obtained up to 8 weeks before the course starts