The Woodland Ways Bushcraft Fundamentals Course is a refined, professionally delivered introduction to bushcraft and survival skills, designed for those who value depth, authenticity, and expert instruction.
This course is ideal for complete beginners seeking a confident first step into bushcraft, as well as outdoor enthusiasts who wish to consolidate their knowledge under the guidance of highly experienced instructors. It is particularly well suited to those who may not yet have the time or inclination for an overnight course, but who still want a meaningful, immersive, and hands-on experience rooted in real-world practice.
More than a skills workshop, this course introduces participants to the Woodland Ways philosophy—a considered approach to bushcraft that prioritises awareness, environmental responsibility, and the intelligent application of traditional knowledge in modern contexts.
One of our most popular programmes, the day is structured around the four fundamental principles of survival: - Fire - Food - Shelter - Water
These principles are explored not in isolation, but as interconnected systems, creating a cohesive and engaging learning experience.
This course runs in Derbyshire , East Lothian and Oxfordshire
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The Woodland Ways Bushcraft Fundamentals Course is a refined, professionally delivered introduction to bushcraft and survival skills, designed for those who value depth, authenticity, and expert instruction.
This course is ideal for complete beginners seeking a confident first step into bushcraft, as well as outdoor enthusiasts who wish to consolidate their knowledge under the guidance of highly experienced instructors. It is particularly well suited to those who may not yet have the time or inclination for an overnight course, but who still want a meaningful, immersive, and hands-on experience rooted in real-world practice.
More than a skills workshop, this course introduces participants to the Woodland Ways philosophy—a considered approach to bushcraft that prioritises awareness, environmental responsibility, and the intelligent application of traditional knowledge in modern contexts.
One of our most popular programmes, the day is structured around the four fundamental principles of survival: - Fire - Food - Shelter - Water
These principles are explored not in isolation, but as interconnected systems, creating a cohesive and engaging learning experience.
Bushcraft Fundamentals Course
Introducing you to Woodland Ways' philosophy on Bushcraft and survival skills.
Bushcraft Fundamentals Course
Introducing you to Woodland Ways' philosophy on Bushcraft and survival skills.
Bushcraft Fundamentals Course
Learn the four main principles of survival; fire, food, shelter and water.
Bushcraft Fundamentals Course
Learn the four main principles of survival; fire, food, shelter and water.
Bushcraft Fundamentals Course
Just because we are in the woods, it doesn't mean we don't eat well!
Bushcraft Fundamentals Course
Just because we are in the woods, it doesn't mean we don't eat well!
Arrival & Woodland Immersion
Your experience begins at the meeting point, where equipment is shouldered and the group transitions on foot into the woodland. This deliberate journey marks a shift in pace and mindset, encouraging you to disengage from the modern world and attune to your surroundings.
During the walk to camp, instructors introduce you to the landscape, highlighting the abundance of natural resources often overlooked by the untrained eye. You will begin to identify useful plants and materials and learn how they may be utilised for food, firelighting, cordage, and construction. This initial immersion lays the foundation for the skills developed throughout the day.
Morning: Tools, Shelter & Survival Priorities
On arrival at camp, the course begins with a comprehensive safety briefing before you are issued with a bushcraft knife for use throughout the day. Under close, professional supervision, instructors demonstrate safe, efficient, and controlled knife techniques, allowing you to process materials with confidence and precision.
The focus then moves to shelter, a cornerstone of survival. Through discussion and practical demonstration, you will explore: - Site selection and environmental considerations - Appropriate material choice and sustainability - Structural design and efficiency - The ‘Rule of 3’ and the prioritisation of shelter in emergency scenarios
This session culminates in the group construction of a practical one- to two-person shelter—typically a kennel shelter and/or an Arctic lean-to. The emphasis is on thoughtful design, functionality, and understanding shelter as both physical protection and psychological security.
Food & Cooking: Refined Woodland Skills
With shelter established, attention turns to food preparation and fire. Life in the outdoors operates at a different pace, and this reality is intentionally reflected in the structure of the day.
While you do not hunt or forage for food on this course, all meals are provided in a realistic format—usually in the feather—with vegetarian options always available. Instructors guide you through how food would be acquired in a survival context, before demonstrating preparation and cooking techniques over an open fire.
The result is a nourishing and carefully prepared woodland meal that reinforces efficiency, hygiene, and respect for the process—demonstrating that comfort and quality need not be sacrificed in outdoor settings.
Afternoon: Water & Firecraft
The afternoon begins with an exploration of water, one of the most critical and time-sensitive survival priorities. Drawing on extensive real-world experience, instructors explain the physiological importance of hydration and the serious implications of water deficit in challenging environments.
You will learn to: - Recognise landscape indicators of water presence - Locate water sources across varied terrain and environments - Apply practical and reliable methods for sourcing wild water
Focus then shifts to how you would make water safe to drink. A range of filtration and purification techniques are demonstrated, from modern equipment to improvised, field-expedient solutions, ensuring you understand both technological and low-tech approaches.
The final practical session of the day is dedicated to fire lighting, a defining skill of bushcraft. You will be guided through multiple ignition methods, including: - Fire steels - Flint and steel - Friction fire lighting
Alongside ignition, instructors cover tinder selection, fuel choice, fire lays, and the correct siting and management of fires. Environmental responsibility, control, and efficiency are emphasised throughout.
Drawing to a close
As the course draws to a close, equipment is packed and the group walks back through the woodland, reflecting on the skills acquired and the knowledge gained. Participants consistently leave with increased confidence, heightened awareness, and a deeper appreciation for the natural environment.
The Bushcraft Fundamentals Course is not an endurance challenge. It is a professionally led, supportive, and engaging introduction designed to build competence and confidence in a calm and considered manner.
No prior experience is required. Our instructors are attentive, knowledgeable, and approachable, ensuring every participant feels supported throughout the day.
This course represents an exceptional foundation in bushcraft and survival skills, and a natural first step for those wishing to progress further within the Woodland Ways training pathway.
