A Word in the Woods

Here’s an update on the Ray Mears course I mentioned in a post last fall. It was being organized by School in the Woods [ed. note: no affiliation with this site]. The course as described didn’t happen, unfortunately. The organizer informed me that the agent wanted a very hefty non-refundable deposit with still no contract and had still not outlined what would be covered, so he had to make the decision to not go further. He felt it would have been wrong to gamble with other people’s money.

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Tags: bushcraft, mors kochanski, ray mears, school in the woods
Posted in Bushcraft, Courses, News | No Comments »

Like most people, I have a variety of interests. Sometimes, the popular pastimes that appeal to my colleagues and friends don’t hold that same draw — I don’t play golf, or follow sports.

Some of my passions do fall closer to the mainstream — craft beer, pool, good food.

The interests that titled this post, however, are a bit rarer. Perhaps not for readers of this blog and other similar sites, but, given that I live in an urban population, and have a relatively city-centric life, I’m often the odd one out.

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Tags: art, blacksmithing, bushcraft, craft, hobbies, leatherwork, problem-solving
Posted in editorial, Personal | 5 Comments »

Ray Mears photo courtesy of http://www.guardian.co.uk

Ray Mears is famous for his many tv appearances where he teaches not only survival, but bushcraft. The difference from ‘survival’ shows is striking, as Ray attempts to convey the importance of long-term bushcraft and sustainability as practiced by many aboriginal tribes in a variety of different regions.

He has always expressed his special love for the boreal forests of Canada, and it looks as though he’ll be bringing his knowledge and teaching skills to about 25 lucky students this June 11, for a five-day bushcraft course.

Details are still sketchy, but I’ve chatted a bit with the course organizer, so here’s what I know:

• Ray Mears is confirmed if the class is full, and will shape the curriculum to match the students.
• The course will be five days long, with Ray instructing every day.
• It will take place near Brampton, Ontario, and will be on some 400+ acres of land.
• It also won’t likely be cheap, given his very high skill level and prominence in the field. However, this would be an amazing and unique experience, so start saving those pennies if you want in!

The organizer’s website is just nearing completion, but I’m told that that in a matter of days, there will be plenty more details available. Stay tuned for more!

Visit School in the Woods or the Bushcraft Canada site (where I first caught wind of it).

Tags: bushcraft, education, ray mears
Posted in News | 7 Comments »

BushcraftUK: Community Forum

I’d like to share a link to a forum I lurk on every once in a while. It’s a great place online to find discussion and knowledge-sharing regarding all things bushcrafty. You’ll also find a decent amount of Ray Mears fans in attendance.

I like the distinction that is drawn between survival and bushcraft; the latter is a much more holistic, sustainable approach to not only surviving, but living with your environment.

Tags: bushcraft, forum, resource
Posted in tips | 1 Comment »