Two young girls are sitting on a bench in the outdoors, with woven planted fencing behind and under trees in a woodland. They are looking at a leaf together and smiling.

Bushcraft

Unleash your inner explorer in our Bushcraft sessions: craft, forage, build friendships and shelters in nature's ultimate adventure playground!

Bushcraft

What is bushcraft?

Bushcraft is an activity that unleashes creativity and resourcefulness in the great outdoors. Whether you’re carving tools from branches, hunting for wild edibles, or crafting cosy shelters, it’s an adventure that sparks self-reliance, imagination and a bond with nature that’s as strong as the friendships you make along the way.

Bushcraft at Calvert Exmoor

Join our bushcraft sessions for a perfect mix of learning and fun! Depending on your group’s needs, sessions can involve building shelters, sharing stories, foraging and even roasting marshmallows while exploring the therapeutic benefits of nature. Embrace your inner child, connect with nature through enriching hands-on tasks and connect with each other in the tranquil woodlands of Calvert Exmoor.

Bushcraft in action

Your bushcraft session

Click on each step for more information on what you can expect from an bushcraft session with us…

1: Get ready

You will meet your instructor at your allocated meeting point
Your meeting point will be given to you on arrival at the centre in advance of your activity sessions
Your instructor will take you to our bushcraft area

2: Learn how

You will arrive at the bushcraft area and settle yourselves into the circle seating section
Your instructor will talk to you about how the session will run, including a safety briefing, a discussion on group expectations and specific 1:1 explanations if needed

3: Have a go

Your group will begin the tasks given by your instructor: this can involve active tasks like building shelters or more relaxing tasks like lighting a fire and telling stories as a group

4: Finish up

At the end of your bushcraft activity you’ll put away any equipment you’ve used and head back to the centre

Bushcraft equipment

Whether you want to get an idea of what our kit looks like, or see some of our specialised gear that helps make our sessions more accessible, have a look below…

Gloves

For much of our sessions, you might be doing hands-on tactile tasks that may be safer or more comfortable to do with gloves on
Instructors will never force you to wear gloves, but these are available to wear should you choose

Firesteel

This is used to create sparks to start the fire and is therefore used during a particular part of your bushcraft session: when building and starting a fire
This tool consists of a rod made of ferrocerium (a synthetic material that produces hot sparks when struck with a sharp edge or steel) and a small steel square shard
These are used for their reliability and durability, as they can even produce sparks in wet and windy conditions!

Activity Sheets

While cooking up popcorn or roasting marshmallows is just one option when it comes to Bushcraft tasks, you could also be given an activity sheet, which looks like this
This could involve ticking off things you can see, touch or smell

FAQs

Will I be able to take part in this activity?

Yes! We leave no one out and no matter what, we do everything we can to make sure you can enjoy the experience of bushcraft in a way that suits you and keeps you safe.

What if I struggle with this activity?

At Calvert Exmoor, it’s what you CAN do that counts. Our instructors use the term ‘challenge by choice’, which ensures that while you’re taking part and given challenges along the way, you ultimately always have the agency and control over your own limitations. Our staff are there to keep you safe but also build your confidence, even if this means accomplishing a simpler version of the activity.

Where does this take place?

Our bushcraft activity takes place about 2 minutes away from the accommodation buildings near the Equestrian Centre in a wooded area.