What is Bushcraft?
Bushcraft is an outdoor hobby that is becoming increasingly popular. It involves the art of creating practical items, a forest camp, or even jewelry in a minimalist and nature-oriented way. The term "Bushcraft" is derived from the two English words "Bush" (wilderness) and "Craft" (handicraft) – essentially, wilderness craftsmanship.
The craftsmanship aspect is just one part of bushcraft – for some, it is a whole lifestyle, but generally, it is a way of connecting with nature. Bushcrafting combines a range of skills such as making fire, building shelter, foraging for food from nature, and navigating in the terrain. What unites all bushcrafters is their strong emphasis on sustainability and careful management of natural resources.
In contrast to survival, which is about surviving in emergency situations, bushcraft is purely a leisure activity that you do voluntarily and can stop at any time. Bushcrafters enjoy getting out into nature to escape everyday life and make themselves as comfortable as possible outdoors.
Bushcraft for Beginners: These 10 Things You Should Keep in Mind
Before you dive into the world of bushcraft, there are a few things you should consider. At the beginning, it is wise to inform yourself about the basics of bushcrafting. You can gather valuable knowledge from books or through online research. Important essentials include how to build a shelter, tie various knots, make a safe fire, and carve a spoon.
Important: Try out what you have read or seen as soon as possible in practice!
A person who already has experience in bushcraft can support you as a beginner and teach you how to navigate in the wilderness. At the same time, bushcraft is more fun with like-minded people, and in an emergency, you won't be alone in the woods.
At the beginning, it is sufficient to prepare a minimal equipment suitable for a day trip. The beginner's equipment includes the following items:
- weatherproof clothing & comfortable hiking shoes
- backpack
- fixed-blade knife (preferably full tang, meaning the metal of the blade extends the entire length of the handle)
- carving knife (possibly also a curved carving knife for spoons and ladles)
- first aid kit
- fire kit, consisting of tinder, a fire steel, and a lighter
- food and drink should not be missing either 😉
Other useful equipment items include:
- work gloves
- paracord (about 4 mm in diameter) or natural cord
- wool or fleece blanket
- tarp (canvas with eyelets)
- saw
- hatchet or axe
For clothing, the well-known layering principle is a very good approach to protect yourself from the cold. Instead of wearing a thick layer of clothing, you wear several thin layers and thus adapt to different weather conditions. Additionally, the innermost layers can be changed out if they become damp to prevent cooling down. The layering principle is particularly helpful for outdoor activities in cold or changeable weather conditions.
As a rule of thumb for dressing, it has proven effective to dress as if it were 5 degrees colder than the weather report indicates. This way, you are well prepared and can still add or remove a layer of clothing at any time in response to weather and temperature fluctuations using the layering principle.
Although bushcraft can also be practiced with minimal equipment, it is worthwhile in the long run to invest in high-quality clothing and gear. This makes the experience more enjoyable and helps you feel better prepared in any situation.
In bushcraft, there are some precautions you should take to be safe and responsible in nature. Take a map of the area you are in – even if it's just digital. Even if you are only in the woods for a few hours, it is wise to inform someone from your family or friend circle in advance about where you will be. Phones and the internet do not always work out there.
It is also important to know the legal situation regarding bushcraft. Many things that bushcrafters would like to do are often prohibited in German forests: open fires, building camps, overnight stays, and more. You have the best options if you own your own forest or know a forest owner whom you can ask for permission.
However, even as a regular forest visitor, there are many opportunities to pursue the hobby of bushcraft. For the purpose of recreation, everyone is allowed to stay in the forest. If you want to build a shelter, for example, only use fallen branches, do not cut anything, and simply dismantle the shelter later. You can also collect and use small amounts of fallen wood for carving. For making fire, there are often official fire pits at rest areas.
By the way: The golden rule of bushcraft is to always leave the forest as you found it.
If you have acquired knowledge, gathered your minimal equipment, and perhaps even have a bushcrafting partner by your side, then you can get started! Tip: Schedule a fixed date in your calendar so that you not only have something to look forward to but also do not postpone your first day trip. An overnight stay in the woods is recommended once you have deepened your bushcraft skills and can, for example, set up a tarp that is rain and windproof.
Start your first day trip by learning the basic skills. As a simple exercise, you could build a leaf hut or set up a tarp. This way, you can learn various knots for securing. It is also very interesting to search the forest for tinder and "harvest" birch bark or fatwood.
A bushcraft course may help you get into the topic or deepen your knowledge while meeting like-minded people. You can also legally try out your hobby at an outdoor club.
We wish you lots of fun on your first steps as a bushcrafter!
About SurviCamp:
SurviCamp offers practical outdoor and survival courses in Berlin, Brandenburg, and the Black Forest.
With us, you can leave everyday life behind and experience something that challenges you and helps you grow.
It is our mission to provide unforgettable experiences and thus give everyone the opportunity and space for personal growth. In particular, we aim to prepare people with skills, knowledge, and equipment for real crises and survival situations – whether in everyday life or work, on a trip, or in an emergency.
Learn more on our website: www.survicamp.de
And if you want to test your outdoor knowledge right away, check out our popular survival quiz!
Marketplace
