what got you started?
- Thread starter hammock monkey
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i kind of shows that kids of our era grew up in a way that isnt too dissimilar to that of our ancestors - even pre-bronze age.
i.e basically out in the woods making toy weapons, bows and arrows, tracking, foraging, constructing camps etc...in practice for later years.
i'm not sure why, but i find that quite comforting
i.e basically out in the woods making toy weapons, bows and arrows, tracking, foraging, constructing camps etc...in practice for later years.
i'm not sure why, but i find that quite comforting
I read My Side of the Mountain in Junior High School. Thats when I got started. My daughter has the book now. She seems to take after me. 
Swallows and Amazons on TV convinced me to pester for a tent and a boat, then cubs>scouts>venture scouts which got me half way across Britain to the hills, the moors and the lakes.
Ray rekindled interest and got me to take another look at my camping style and try survival and bushcraft camping rather than ultra-lite weight
Ray rekindled interest and got me to take another look at my camping style and try survival and bushcraft camping rather than ultra-lite weight
For me it was being shown how to light fires with a magnifying glass by my dad when I was six. Also cooking a tin of beans over a meths stove with my mum about the same time. Bows and arrows followed quickly afterwards.
I was also interested in a survival TV show around the late 70s which was aimed at children. Can't remember the name but it had a lasting impression.
Got my first knife when I was around ten on a camping trip in Wales and I still use it
I was also interested in a survival TV show around the late 70s which was aimed at children. Can't remember the name but it had a lasting impression.
Got my first knife when I was around ten on a camping trip in Wales and I still use it
That TV show sounds like Eddie McGee. I saw a few of those back in the day. My dad got me interested by just taking me out. He took my older brother and me out when we moved to Portsmouth. We walked around the estuary and made a bed from branches and grass, and then we got under a blanket and chucked our rain coats on top in case it rained. Dad slept on the ground in his sleeping bag, and had a very uncomfortable night as he had a stone in his back all night.
The next morning, we got up and two foxes ran out in front of us on the track. I was only about 5 or 6 years old, I remember them being massive! I think that was the start, I love seeing foxes and deer out in the wild, I've seen a few foxes here in germany, but this weekend I saw well over 30 deer running across the training area in a massive herd. That was awesome!
The next morning, we got up and two foxes ran out in front of us on the track. I was only about 5 or 6 years old, I remember them being massive! I think that was the start, I love seeing foxes and deer out in the wild, I've seen a few foxes here in germany, but this weekend I saw well over 30 deer running across the training area in a massive herd. That was awesome!
Spamel,
Well done on remembering that, it's been bugging me :You_Rock_
I'm sure it wasn't up to modern thinking and was a bit basic but it was certainly a start for me.
I particularly remember how to build a lean-to shelter with wild rhubarb leaves (or similar) for thatching Every time I pass these plants on my local canal I think I must do that again.
Well done on remembering that, it's been bugging me :You_Rock_
I'm sure it wasn't up to modern thinking and was a bit basic but it was certainly a start for me.
I particularly remember how to build a lean-to shelter with wild rhubarb leaves (or similar) for thatching
Every time I pass these plants on my local canal I think I must do that again.
Yoo can find several of his books on amazon, but I cannot find his programmes for sale. I wouldn't want to mention a torrent site either,
hammock monkey said:
So do I ... but what about the latest generation? Too much telly and too many reality programmes? Too many computer games? Too much junk food? No boundaries? Parents too scared to let their kids out to play because of media stories about perverts and murderers?
Or is it...no opportunities? No-one willing to teach? Parents who don't care? A media that just wants to sell papers/tv to the lowest common denominator? :aargh4:
Is this really the case? What is out there to inspire children now? Is there more or less than there was when we were starting out?
I guess I'm posing the question on the wrong web forum! I suspect that most of you with kids involve them in what you are doing. I hope that if I ever have children, I'll teach them what I can and then let them learn more by themselves and go and discover life. I hope I'm not too worried to let them go camping and exploring, travelling, etc.
I try to involve my kids, but they are all girls and their interest wanes quite quickly. I try to explain to them that they will not see wildlife whilst they stomp and shout through the woods but they don't seem to get it. It can be frustrating because then I am missing out too.
The last time I took kids out with me, I didn't get any sleep all night, as the kids were playing about from four in the morning onwards. In the morning they were so tired they kept hurting themselves falling over all the time, I was cranky and couldn't be bothered anymore, and it was my first bushcrafting trip where I came back more stressed than when I left!! Jamie bought his lad along and he felt the same way, we decided not to bother taking them overnight again until they are a lot older!
I'm not sure if my eldest comes along because she enjoys it or if it is because she gets to spend time with me alone without having to fight amongst her sisters for attention.
The last time I took kids out with me, I didn't get any sleep all night, as the kids were playing about from four in the morning onwards. In the morning they were so tired they kept hurting themselves falling over all the time, I was cranky and couldn't be bothered anymore, and it was my first bushcrafting trip where I came back more stressed than when I left!! Jamie bought his lad along and he felt the same way, we decided not to bother taking them overnight again until they are a lot older!
I'm not sure if my eldest comes along because she enjoys it or if it is because she gets to spend time with me alone without having to fight amongst her sisters for attention.
I was fanatical about the mountains when I was younger, but had a hard tme getting to them, I had to walk. I realised at some point that I was far happier camping by a stream in amongst trees than I was on a cold mountain. Being there wasn't about achieving something, or doing something harder and better and I became a little content.
As time has gone by I have increased my knowledge of the land around me and my ability to make things, even which knife to have and how to make it. I am increasingly concerned about our society and the removal of our responsibility and trust, as well as our lack of respect for the environment. Having children of my own I am increasingly concerned about their legacy. Socially and environmentally.
Since coming to Bushcraft (getting the definition of the lifestyle from Ray Mears, but a huge amount from the wealth of knowledge and generostity here) I have gained the ability to think in a new way and an independence to make things rather than just go out and buy them. I think I am more in tune with my natural surroundings and I have a greater respect for it at all levels.
What got me started seems to have blurred in the myriad of enjoyment that pulls me in further.
As time has gone by I have increased my knowledge of the land around me and my ability to make things, even which knife to have and how to make it. I am increasingly concerned about our society and the removal of our responsibility and trust, as well as our lack of respect for the environment. Having children of my own I am increasingly concerned about their legacy. Socially and environmentally.
Since coming to Bushcraft (getting the definition of the lifestyle from Ray Mears, but a huge amount from the wealth of knowledge and generostity here) I have gained the ability to think in a new way and an independence to make things rather than just go out and buy them. I think I am more in tune with my natural surroundings and I have a greater respect for it at all levels.
What got me started seems to have blurred in the myriad of enjoyment that pulls me in further.
I was flicking channels a couple of years ago, and came across ray mears in a forest. From watching the last 5 minutes of it i was hooked and watched whenever i could!
I didnt think i would ever do it for myself, but was really interested. When i started my uniform services course at college in 2005, we were told we have to do an enrichment activity on wednesday afternoons. As soon as i heard about bushcraft i went straight for it, and came out being the only person out of a group of about 15, to really enjoy it and get a small certificate from college.
Now i help my tutor teach students that were in my shoes, and as im only 18 myself, they see that it is enjoyable for young people aswell as middle aged men/women as they may have seen on TV.
The tutor that i help out gave me a hand made QUALITY long bow and arrow last week as a sign of his appretiation
I didnt think i would ever do it for myself, but was really interested. When i started my uniform services course at college in 2005, we were told we have to do an enrichment activity on wednesday afternoons. As soon as i heard about bushcraft i went straight for it, and came out being the only person out of a group of about 15, to really enjoy it and get a small certificate from college.
Now i help my tutor teach students that were in my shoes, and as im only 18 myself, they see that it is enjoyable for young people aswell as middle aged men/women as they may have seen on TV.
The tutor that i help out gave me a hand made QUALITY long bow and arrow last week as a sign of his appretiation
exactly.
i haven't got kids (yet - year or so and i'll give it my best shot!) but i want to take them out when they're young and give them some good memories of the great outdoors and maybe instill a bit of self confidence and self responsibility etc.
that way, when they get to their teens, the seed has been sewn, and hopefully they'll remember it when they get bored of the pub routine - sort of like i did.
I grew up outdoors, even tho we had early computer game things, i wasnt that bothered. far better jumping in the river and watching kingfishers and otters etc.
I even saw a big black cat (admittedly it was a few years later). you cant buy that feeling!
as the world gets more superficial, i feel more drawn to the actual world... and the more i know, the more mind-blowing it gets.
'bushcraft' is all those feelings distilled. only got 50yrs left to enjoy it if i'm very lucky...best get out there!
i haven't got kids (yet - year or so and i'll give it my best shot!) but i want to take them out when they're young and give them some good memories of the great outdoors and maybe instill a bit of self confidence and self responsibility etc.
that way, when they get to their teens, the seed has been sewn, and hopefully they'll remember it when they get bored of the pub routine - sort of like i did.
I grew up outdoors, even tho we had early computer game things, i wasnt that bothered. far better jumping in the river and watching kingfishers and otters etc.
I even saw a big black cat (admittedly it was a few years later). you cant buy that feeling!
as the world gets more superficial, i feel more drawn to the actual world... and the more i know, the more mind-blowing it gets.
'bushcraft' is all those feelings distilled. only got 50yrs left to enjoy it if i'm very lucky...best get out there!
Yeah! I remember that one - Famous Five or something.John Fenna said:
I remember spending more time in the woods than other kids, building dens, climbing trees and bringing back newts from the local pond. The army was an obvious influence and when I left, I found Lofty Wiseman's book and practiced survival stuff. I stopped for a while during a career change. I rediscovered bushcraft about a year ago when I saw Ray on TV. My interest really took off after finding BCUK.
Pablo
For me it was a great scout leader. He took the time and effort to show us lot how to camp out and light fires.
Just went on from there.........20 years later, showing others what he showed me!
Just went on from there.........20 years later, showing others what he showed me!
The way I got started is a bit of a long story so I'll do my best to keep this reasonably short.
My Father's a pretty well known and I guess one could say famous mountaineer here on Vancouver Island, so before I could even walk I was being introduced to the outdoors. When he was in his prime and still doing massive expeditions (the overseas ones were before my time) he used to plunk me down into his backpack and go hill runnning to keep in shape.
So, after continually growning up in the bush and the mountains, I joined an Air Cadet squadron and did the whole seven year stint. I hated it then, and it's only now that I appreciate what an impact it had on my teenage years. Regardless, I took an aircrew survival course one summer, didn't pay much attention and didn't learn much. I figured I was "Hot S*it" because of my mountaineering background and that I didn't need to bother learning bush survival.
I was dead wrong. The following autumn after the survival course, I was taking part in a group trip with some of my peers. The weather was simply awful, and the trip was a disaster. One of the guys ended up with a really really bad case of hypothermia and nearly died. It got to the point where he had the strip the poor guy down and...well...you can fill in the blanks. He made it, and he's still a great person today.
I'm guessing it was probably around that time that I realized "I dont' know anything about survival. If that had gotten any worse, I wouldn't have known what to do." And so I started learning all the primitive survival tasks that I could, and well, here I am! Me and Bushcraft.
Adam
My Father's a pretty well known and I guess one could say famous mountaineer here on Vancouver Island, so before I could even walk I was being introduced to the outdoors. When he was in his prime and still doing massive expeditions (the overseas ones were before my time) he used to plunk me down into his backpack and go hill runnning to keep in shape.
So, after continually growning up in the bush and the mountains, I joined an Air Cadet squadron and did the whole seven year stint. I hated it then, and it's only now that I appreciate what an impact it had on my teenage years. Regardless, I took an aircrew survival course one summer, didn't pay much attention and didn't learn much. I figured I was "Hot S*it" because of my mountaineering background and that I didn't need to bother learning bush survival.
I was dead wrong. The following autumn after the survival course, I was taking part in a group trip with some of my peers. The weather was simply awful, and the trip was a disaster. One of the guys ended up with a really really bad case of hypothermia and nearly died. It got to the point where he had the strip the poor guy down and...well...you can fill in the blanks. He made it, and he's still a great person today.
I'm guessing it was probably around that time that I realized "I dont' know anything about survival. If that had gotten any worse, I wouldn't have known what to do." And so I started learning all the primitive survival tasks that I could, and well, here I am! Me and Bushcraft.
Adam
Glad someone mentioned Swallows and Amazons - I'd read all 12 of them by the time I was 11 - used to dream about staying on "Wildcat Island" camping. Might have been something about growing up in London. Never have seen the film though - it always looked too soppy. That was followed a couple of years later by Terry Nation's Survivors on TV and shed loads of other sci-fi.
Then for real, a bit of backpacking - longest was doing the pennine way when I was 17 with a mate. Lots of bike club rallys under canvas with fires, then re-enactment (ooh eck... done 21 years of it now)
So now got a sprog and we enjoy woody walks, camping, hammocks, Mears on TV etc. Some hope there for the future. A while back, I got him some of the Swallows books and My side of the Mountain (after recommendation here). I read them, and although targeted at kids and a little dated, they're still good reading. The lad loved them.
Then for real, a bit of backpacking - longest was doing the pennine way when I was 17 with a mate. Lots of bike club rallys under canvas with fires, then re-enactment (ooh eck... done 21 years of it now)
So now got a sprog and we enjoy woody walks, camping, hammocks, Mears on TV etc. Some hope there for the future. A while back, I got him some of the Swallows books and My side of the Mountain (after recommendation here). I read them, and although targeted at kids and a little dated, they're still good reading. The lad loved them.
Although I havent been outdoorsy since I was a very small boy, about two years ago, I was sitting at the desk, staring out of the window and musing on the possibility of buying a canoe to make a journey along the Grand Union Canal, which is about a mile or so from where I live in London, up to Birmingham (where I was born) and back again.
I started Googling for canoes, and during the research on canoes, I stumbled upon various bushcraft forums and British Blades et al.
Then I started to take more notice of Ray Mearss TV programmes.
A circuitous route and probably the wrong way round, but hey, thats how life is sometimes!
And Im yet to buy the Bergans Ally canoe that I decided on, all that time ago
Best regards,
Paul.
PS: Forgot to mention that Jack Hargreaves and his TV series 'Out of Town' used to keep me spell-bound as a boy (as did the Canadian TV programme 'The Forest Rangers') and am pleased to say that about 40 years later he still does.
I started Googling for canoes, and during the research on canoes, I stumbled upon various bushcraft forums and British Blades et al.
Then I started to take more notice of Ray Mearss TV programmes.
A circuitous route and probably the wrong way round, but hey, thats how life is sometimes!
And Im yet to buy the Bergans Ally canoe that I decided on, all that time ago
Best regards,
Paul.
PS: Forgot to mention that Jack Hargreaves and his TV series 'Out of Town' used to keep me spell-bound as a boy (as did the Canadian TV programme 'The Forest Rangers') and am pleased to say that about 40 years later he still does.
I got started by MacGyver and scouts. They got me into SAK's. I then joined forums and stuff.
When I later watched Ray mears i really got into bushcraft.
Michiel
When I later watched Ray mears i really got into bushcraft.
Michiel
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