View Full Version : How many?
How many new Bushcraft/survival Schools have appeared in the last year or so?
And how many are there in existence in the British Isles now?
Is anyone able to list them all?
I know Gary started his Bearclaw recently and Woody is starting his Bushcraft school this summer, I keep seeing allsorts of Survival and Bushcraft organisations starting up allmost monthly now, do you think there is enough interest to feed all the schools.
;)
Judging from the TV coverage ( Ray Mears, Going to Extremes et al. ) someone obviously believes there is.
When I first got interested in backwoods stuff, back in the late 70s, there was very little info. available to the general public. Now there is a section in most bookshops and gear in most outdoor sports shops.
Someone must be buying it.
bombadil
20-04-2005, 14:17
Dunno the answer to that one, but they seem to be popping out of the woodwork left, right and centre. Funnily enuf, here in Portugal and in other countries, when people see me in the bush with a sharp knife, rubbing sticks together, stooping to identify some plant or fungus and any other weird stuff, they put it down to my being some eccentric englishman. I wonder if there's an opportunity here......
bombadil
20-04-2005, 14:19
Judging from the TV coverage ( Ray Mears, Going to Extremes et al. ) someone obviously believes there is.
When I first got interested in backwoods stuff, back in the late 70s, there was very little info. available to the general public. Now there is a section in most bookshops and gear in most outdoor sports shops.
Someone must be buying it.
Everyone's buying it.
There's even websites devoted to the ways of the woods......how ironic is that..... :p
Now there is a section in most bookshops and gear in most outdoor sports shops. .
Which book shops do you visit Wayland? Best I can fine is the odd book either under travel writing or Nautural history!
As for schools some come, some go - its the natural order of things, whats important is that the potential student gets the best value for his buck!
Waterstones in Manchester, Borders in Stalybridge, I've even found quite a few in the secondhand bookshops.
These days my bookshelves have 20 - 30 books that relate to wilderness skills whereas when I found Richard Graves' book on Bushcraft in the late 70s I'd never seen anything like it before.
Waterstones in Manchester, Borders in Stalybridge, I've even found quite a few in the secondhand bookshops.
These days my bookshelves have 20 - 30 books that relate to wilderness skills whereas when I found Richard Graves' book on Bushcraft in the late 70s I'd never seen anything like it before.
Oh right I thought you meant they had a dedicated bushcraft/survival section!! :o
Me first book I got back in 82 it was Eddie Magee 'no need to die' and I still have it too!
Me first book I got back in 82 it was Eddie Magee 'no need to die' and I still have it too!
Me too, but it was," Stay Alive with Eddie McGee", and I bought it for my young sons so that they saw a man doing these sorts of things, and it was not just them having a weird mum :rolleyes: The boys loved it.
Toddy
Yes, got that one too....
Me too, but it was," Stay Alive with Eddie McGee", and I bought it for my young sons so that they saw a man doing these sorts of things, and it was not just them having a weird mum :rolleyes: The boys loved it.
Toddy
I didnt even know he had written two - do you have the details Toddy I'd love to get hold of a copy!!
It would be interesting to see how many of those new schools are full time
and depending on feeding their kids and paying a mortgage with the money
they earn.
I wouldn't mind betting that some of them already have a full time job and
a wage that enables them to radically undercut the real professionals by one
subsidising the other. It begs the question, Why? Is it something to do with
ego or malice?
It would be interesting to see how many of those new schools are full time
and depending on feeding their kids and paying a mortgage with the money
they earn.
I wouldn't mind betting that some of them already have a full time job and
a wage that enables them to radically undercut the real professionals by one
subsidising the other. It begs the question, Why? Is it something to do with
ego or malice?
Ben you may find that the new schools with instructors with full time jobs are probably struggling to stay afloat, a lot need to run at nearly no profit at all to start off with just so that they can prove themselves, it is not neccesarilly about ego or malice, but a dream.
The world would be a sorry and sad place without dreams and if people benefit from your dream then good on you, if you make a profit from that over time then once again good on you.
If you are doing it for the money watch out, there is very little in it to start with and if youre subject matter is not upto scratch then it will show quite soon and other job or no the potential business will go down the pan.
Moonraker
20-04-2005, 22:59
It would be interesting to see how many of those new schools are full time and depending on feeding their kids and paying a mortgage with the money they earn.
I wouldn't mind betting that some of them already have a full time job and
a wage that enables them to radically undercut the real professionals by one
subsidising the other. It begs the question, Why? Is it something to do with
ego or malice?
I don't see why someone who is not doing it full-time is necessarily any less professional or 'qualified', or may offer just a good a level of instruction than anyone else, including those who do it full-time. Surely it is the expertise, ability to teach of the individual or business, safety of clients/ customer care and value for money that are important.
Are you in the business yourself ben?
bombadil
20-04-2005, 23:07
This begs another question.....
I was thinking about doing a bushcraft instructors course....what's the deal with running a group as far as legalities go?
Obviously experience is needed, anything else would be a farce, but with so many schools out there now, are there any requirements about certification?
Ben you may find that the new schools with instructors with full time jobs are probably struggling to stay afloat, a lot need to run at nearly no profit at all to start off with just so that they can prove themselves, it is not neccesarilly about ego or malice, but a dream.
The world would be a sorry and sad place without dreams and if people benefit from your dream then good on you, if you make a profit from that over time then once again good on you.
If you are doing it for the money watch out, there is very little in it to start with and if youre subject matter is not upto scratch then it will show quite soon and other job or no the potential business will go down the pan.
Also I would consider the fact that those running courses and working in other jobs are showing more 'business sense' and dedication to their subject. Some instructors out there have run themselves into huge debts some owing tens of thousands to the bank because they gave up work - surely this puts a great strain on them, not that it would make them any worse an instructor of course but in very real terms it would dictate their actions unless they plan to end up bankrupt..
Surely a dedicated amatuer with a good set up (legally insured and with all the health and safety ect in place) and an experienced team will be just a professional when teaching and inparting knowldge as anyone. Even a guy who knows bushcraft skills but doesnt run a 'regular' school can make an excelllent teacher - in some cases more so as he is teach from the heart, after all that is how it was originally done, father to son, chief huntsman to young aduleciants ect.
There is also a thing called personality - a good instructor needs to have one of these regardless of what he is teaching - I have know army instructors who were walking knowledge banks but could not teach a lesson to save their life and this is true in many fields not just bushcraft.
Last thought. when people like myself, Ben Mcnutt ect worked for woodlore we were all doing other jobs - did that make us less qualified or substandard instructors?
ouch!
Don't know about ego or malice, maybe you need to explain that one.
I do understand about the basic business sum of, if someone sets up a school to run courses at say 100 quid a weekend (50 - 75 quid less than established market costs) and they already have a job that pays the mortgage and bills, if they get 50 customers a year on their weekend courses - does that not pay for "the love of it" or will that person need to use money from his own weekly wages?
So what your saying Gary, is go to someone who runs courses at weekends on top of their day job, that will be better than learning at a school who's actual day job is teaching what these other's do at weekend. When enquiring about booking a course, ask the person what they do during the week and if they say, Bushcraft/Survival teaching then look elsewhere?
Out of interest, other than the obvious, is there any full timers left, I thought all the schools were part time now.
Paganwolf
21-04-2005, 09:05
It would be interesting to see how many of those new schools are full time
and depending on feeding their kids and paying a mortgage with the money
they earn.
I wouldn't mind betting that some of them already have a full time job and
a wage that enables them to radically undercut the real professionals by one
subsidising the other. It begs the question, Why? Is it something to do with
ego or malice?
Hmm funny old post for your 1st one ;) I take my hat off to anyone who can make a living out of a full time bushcraft school and nothing else,and if they have a job going can you get them to post it on here as there will be many people interested :cool:
RM is the most prominant guy in the UK bushcraft world has part time instructors and still runs a shop,and produces TV shows, good buisness eh, or does he just bear malace against everyone else who runs a bushcraft buisness :confused: I think not.
What you are suggesting is that anyone with a buisness who also works for "the man" is egotistical and bears some kind of malace to everyone who runs a souly bushcraft buisness, i really cant get my head around that one buddy, explain :confused:,I would look at it that they do it because they are passionate about it and loved the subject.
if you think you can make a living in Bushcraft and want to sit around indoors waiting for people to come to you so you can play in the woods and be the Great Bushcraft instructor every now and again you will have a very rude awakening as i have said above 90% of schools have a shop to stay afloat, and has been already stated RM has to have part time and not full time instructors, says it all really doesnt it. And REAL PROFESSIONALS?who are they then? even RM wouldnt class his self as that i wouldnt of thought, bushcraft is a life long learning curve and any one who tells you that they are a professional! will be the one with the ego that needs boosting i can assure you.I can hear the bag of worms opening lol :D Anyway welcome to the forum and may your posts and imput be forth coming and plentifull :D ;)
To get back on track here perhaps it would be a good idea to do a current industry research to answer the post questions - sounds like a job for bcuk
1.How many Bushcraft/survival schools are there in the British Isles?
2.Can anyone list them all?
3.When established?
4.Are they full or part time?
5.How many staff - full or part time?
6.Where do they operate?
7.Shop or no shop, ie do they just run courses or depend on selling gear also?
Rather than repeated answers in multi posts, if people pick one organisation to research and post about that one and when we have exhausted the breadth of our fine nation - list them. :)
Chris :)
[QUOTE=chris
So what your saying Gary, is go to someone who runs courses at weekends on top of their day job, that will be better than learning at a school who's actual day job is teaching what these other's do at weekend. When enquiring about booking a course, ask the person what they do during the week and if they say, Bushcraft/Survival teaching then look elsewhere?
.[/QUOTE]
No Chris, what I am saying is that each CAN be equally good or bad. It isnt a question of time (full or part) it is a question of ability, knowledge, dedication and passion for the subject they are teaching. Unlike other industries there is no recognised qualification, you cant get city and guilds bushcrafter - or Corgi registered, the only recommendation worth anything in bushcraft is word of mouth. Have a look on this forum and see which courses students have enjoyed and recommend - these wil tell you who the good schools are and you will find an even mix of fulltime and part time ones.
Personally if I wanted to learn something I wouldnt give a monkeys whether the teacher was full time, part time or on over time as long as he could impart the knowledge I wanted and just as importantly to me make it a safe/enjoyable experience.
jamesdevine
21-04-2005, 11:05
Coming from an Irish perspective I known of only two Wild-Live run by Anthonio and John Hancock of Wilderness Range. Both have shops and of other services such as bow making or guiding services. There are others running weekend course but not through formal companies like the above non of which makes the less conpedent(sp).
May I ask why the interest is purly to have a complete list of the companies out there and what the offer in order to help give us enthusiest more choice?
I hope so.
Also the whole what qualifies someone to teach bushcraft thing as been beaten to death here before as has the part time full time issue. It's a little boring if you ask me.
James
This is just my view and no else please be kind
Paganwolf
21-04-2005, 11:23
Coming from an Irish perspective I known of only two Wild-Live run by Anthonio and John Hancock of Wilderness Range. Both have shops and of other services such as bow making or guiding services. There are others running weekend course but not through formal companies like the above non of which makes the less conpedent(sp).
May I ask why the interest is purly to have a complete list of the companies out there and what the offer in order to help give us enthusiest more choice?
I hope so.
Also the whole what qualifies someone to teach bushcraft thing as been beaten to death here before as has the part time full time issue. It's a little boring if you ask me.
James
This is just my view and no else please be kind
I agree James, it is all about choice, and if people are worried that there is to much choice perhaps they need to pull up their socks and get out there and give their company a higher profile instead of skulking in the bushes hoping for better things, or if they are good enough it will speak for its self and be fruitfull anyway :D .
Well I guess it all depends on your definition of "Professional."
Do you mean professional as in career, or professional as in attitude?
There are lots of professional plumbers I wouldn't let near my taps. But would rather have my uncle who is a professional accountant sort them out because he knows what he is talking about and won't rip me off.
As an aside, there are lots of skills where it is very hard to earn a living (Athletes and musician are two that spring to mind.) These people practice very hard day in and day out, but this won't put food on the table. They are forced to earn a living just the same as the rest of us until one day they hopefully get that lucky break and can jack in the day job.
Cheers,
Martin
Paganwolf
21-04-2005, 12:22
Well I guess it all depends on your definition of "Professional."
Do you mean professional as in career, or professional as in attitude?
There are lots of professional plumbers I wouldn't let near my taps. But would rather have my uncle who is a professional accountant sort them out because he knows what he is talking about and won't rip me off.
As an aside, there are lots of skills where it is very hard to earn a living (Athletes and musician are two that spring to mind.) These people practice very hard day in and day out, but this won't put food on the table. They are forced to earn a living just the same as the rest of us until one day they hopefully get that lucky break and can jack in the day job.
Cheers,
Martin
Can i have your uncles phone number i need my books done and my kitchen extention plumbed in itll kill two birds with one uncle lol ;)
Hi Chris.. im not sure of most of the answers to your questions but im suprised no one has yet linked to this (http://www.bushcraftuk.co.uk/200/company_info1.html) (then again they may have and i may not be reading carfully enough) you may have seen it but it may be of use if you have not..
there are a number of schools out there who are run by fledged woodlore instructers i know of three (bear-claw, wildwise, wood smoke) and its sounds like there is another due to open soon! though i think that all of the ones on that list have been tryed and tested by members of this site.
another thing you must take in to consideration on this topic is weather you are interested in schools which are exclusively bushcraft.. there are many more survival schools... which would teach much of what any bushcraft school would!
Gary, I thought that's what you meant, just the way you were saying it before kinda tipped the balance, just winding you up mate :p
Tom, thanks for the link, that's great - I don't remember coming across that before - so bcuk have already done the job :rolleyes:
So the count is 33 Bushcraft and Survival Schools (same thing to me, but that's another story) in these wonderfull Islands. WOW, I still think one or two are missing.
One point I will say is, just because people aren't talking about some courses on here won't mean an organisations courses are bad, I was at a school during the winter and they are hardly mentioned on here and the course was fantastic, and anyway, this forum is mainly made up of the
Woodlore/smoke/craft/wise/sense/claw or former RM students anyway or it appears to be, so that's the main stuff people are going to put up.
James - sorry to bore you, I will get my coat, although you could allways read a much more interesting thread, just like TV really,
Bye
(Where did the wavy smiley go - my favourite) :D
Chris, I've done courses with several schools and am always looking at new possibilities. Who'd you do your one with? Tell us all about it. You may find that there are others here that can share stories about your courses as well. :)
Oh, and PW. I don't REALLY have an uncle that's an accountant. I was using a metaphor. Us Porters are as thick as s**t :D
Cheers,
Martin
Paganwolf
21-04-2005, 15:50
LOL, Oh well never mind ;) Its that sloe gin mate rots your brain lol :rolleyes:
Hi Martin
The one I did during winter was Breakaway survival club, been there before but this was good fun,.
I have also been on a few courses over the years, most are mentioned on here somewhere or other, I do have favourites and also a least favourite but they are only my personal opinions. I agree with Gary, a lot of it was down to personality of the instructor and the way they brought it across.
Funny enough, my brother's an accountant, might ask him if he's any good plumbing :D
"Please bring back the wavey"
jamesdevine
21-04-2005, 16:02
Sorry Chris you weren't boring me it was just the whole topic of whose quailified to do bushcraft that was raised after ben's comments. So no offence ment and I am truly sorry if I have offend you.
James
PS.I also miss the wave on and the Thumbsup one.
No worries James, you didn't offend me.
I too was a bit knocked back by Bens post, seemed a bit :eek: certainly one way off getting a post locked :confused:
I know the qaulified topic has been covered before, my Q was mainly about how many people were doing it these days, and is there enough interest from the public to feed them, I knew there was a lot - didn't realise that was listed either although I still think some are missing from that list.
Has anyone seen the Wavey?
Wow, I didn't think that my comments would get such a reaction! I don't get online much so I've missed out a bit on the comments.
So just out if interest how many of the schools out there are part or full time and if part time, what is their day jobs? It would be interesting to see if they are related, e.g tree surgeon or something like that. I would presume the ones who spend a lot of time commenting on here must have office or computer related jobs?
Hi Ben
I've gotta ask
out of interest, do you work in the job yourself? :)
[QUOTE=chris]
I know the qaulified topic has been covered before, my Q was mainly about how many people were doing it these days, and is there enough interest from the public to feed them,[QUOTE]
Sorry I missed most of this, working at a castle all day (I want a chuffed smirk smiley!)
I think there *is* enough public interest; look at all of the 'Country comes to the City' type events; Tree in the Park, Bog and Moss days, green wood working, wild foods, plant uses, shelter building, basketry and willow work and the Countryside Ranger programmes.
I think the big take off will be weekenders. Friday night to Sunday evening sort of things. It will attract those who want to get oudoors, do something different as well as folks who want a gentle introduction, and also those who can't justify their family holidays becoming Swiss Family Robinson fortnights when their wives want sun, sand and nightclubs and the kids want sun, sand, 200 tv channels and plugged in free www.
The site matters but the main ingredient is the staff, and no one persons style suits everyone. Thankfully there's a wonderful variety of schools, instructors, programmes and locations......all available for us to enjoy, meet up, try lotsof new stuff, get absolutely knackered (sorry guys, I know *you* are all lean, well trained muscle raring to go, my body just says, "Try it bitch and die!") and chill out among like minded friends.
I hate to see someone's dreams get smothered, but that's life, you can only give it your best shot. Full time bushcraft instructors....not very many I suspect, but the 'part timers' are really good. It's still fun for them, still fresh and interesting, but I can sympathise that they want to do it for a full living.
Cheers,
Toddy
There's quite a few more schools than I've got on the list, I probably have about 4 requests a month to be added to the school list and I get to hear of a lot more than that, I think that all over the country there are people teaching bushcraft at the weekends, these days there are very few schools that can get into the full time teaching of bushcraft.
I think there's something to be said for all bushcraft teachers, both full and part time, they've all got something to offer, the bottom line is that if they're good they're good, one could say that because the full time instructors are out doing it a lot more they're more likely to have a better skill base and knowledge, they're also more likely to have a much broader range of courses available.
Some of the part time (weekend) schools keep to very basic courses as that's the level of their skill and knowledge and although it's considerably higher than the average person on the street it's still not as good as those that have been doing it a long time or those with a real aptitude for it.
On the other hand some of the part time instructors are fantastic, they do have that aptitude and they're good at passing on information and knowledge. If people go on a course knowing less than the instructor then there’s stuff to learn, if he can give it to them in a format that they can learn from, good for him (or her!)
The bottom line is that both part time and full time schools have something to offer, there are poor full time schools and poor part time schools, you get a good one of either and it's good, that's it. As for which one of the good ones, the one that suits you! Some are very informal and some are more formal, each fits in with what people want and expect. Some will advocate that so and so is the best instructor, some will advocate someone else, it's all down to personal preference.
As for part time schools taking business from the full time schools, maybe they do, maybe they don't, maybe they make the first steps into bushcraft more attractive and the people move on to the full time schools to get a more rich experience from the different courses they offer, so, maybe the bigger schools gain from it all :eek: Who really knows, no one is going to fund a national census on it so it's all opinion and egos, each school will defend their position in the industry, members of the forum and members of the public will have opinions based on their perspective, what usually wins though is how much coverage an instructor or school can get, the more coverage the more they are in peoples minds and the more business they get, Take Ray for instance, his courses are always booked up, he's on the TV, everyone knows him.
Boy, I'm going on!!
The thing is, it's all opinion, it's one persons opinion that started this thread, probably a member of the public that doesn't teach but has something to say about it.
The big schools are generally big because they work hard at providing a broad range of courses and they employ very proficient staff to teach people, they are good and generally you've more chance of having a good experience and learning stacks if you go to one of them. They're very professional and they're concerned about making your experience a good one, their livelihoods depend on it, but on top of that they really care about what they're doing...generally!
If you find a part time school that you like and they offer all you want, then fantastic and go for it. They often set up because they love bushcraft and they have a desire to teach people, some of them want to be big schools and create an empire, but most just want to share some of the knowledge they have and make some dosh on the side. There’s nothing wrong with this, if they have the skills and knowledge you want then use them to get it and at a price you can afford.
Do your foot work, find out all you can about the schools, the courses they offer, the reputations they have, call them up and talk to them, most would be happy to invite you for a chat. Make them sell the course to you, you're the customer. Forget the politics, it's for them to sort out, you just take advantage of the best that's on offer, be that cost or skills....your decision. :D
ChrisKavanaugh
21-04-2005, 20:19
Early on into my forum duties at ETS, Doug and I noticed a strong contingent of UK members and growing resources. This really isn't suprising, Grey Owl perhaps epitomises your flavour of the pursuit and the great age of empire and exploration gave us enough Shakeltons and Burtons to shame Holywood and RANK film's pathetic attempts at action adventure. Schools and instructors in any effort tend to filter down into various philosophies, value and motive. We have the current 'Horse Whisperer" phenomenon over here. Some are good, some wretched and outright charletans. A goodly portion are 2nd generation students of the Tom Dorrance generation and show it with the same mannerisms and even phrases. In Bushcraft/Survival instructors are coming along that studied under Tom Brown , Mors Kochanski etc. I don't know if I will ever encounter somebody building a fire and be able to take chin in hand and grunt ' Tom Brown' :rolleyes: Hopefully they can build on the past, and by that I mean not selling another ultimate, overpriced bushcraft knife like the Tracker, ATAX , Swamprat et al. But, the ultimate responsibilities for good schools and good instructors is not with some buckskin clad personality chewing raw road kill. It's US, YOU AND ME. We are consumers, and if we let ourselves be bottlefed rubbish it's our fault alone.
Well put Tone, and yes, you do go on - but spot on.
Yep I started the thread, I work in outdoor activities, ie, canoing, climb, teambiulding etc, but not the bushcraft/ survival industry, I dare never exspose who I work for - would love to set up a bushcraft/survival school on top of my job but I would not be able to do it part time - I would get sacked.
I have been very interested in the subject for many years but do have responsibilities that this dream would never cover, but I can't help but think some off the stuff on offer these days just does not meet the standards that I was taught to over the years.
For example, to my knowledge, there is only one school in the UK that levels it's instructors/leaders at a credited national governing body standards and to me were "head and shoulders" above others because of it. I have been on some awful courses and some fantastic ones, but, as we say, that's opinion.
Tony, have you seen any wavey smilly things round here lately? - I have lost their trail.
Chris, I really do know were you coming from - I feel we are setting the same trends here.
We do have some very original "experienced" practioners in the UK, though very few and far between, but the growing trend of, " been on a course or two with such and such a famous name - now here's my school and knife at hideous prices" type of school., it's disturbing.
Hello to across the pond :)
Hi Ben
I've gotta ask
out of interest, do you work in the job yourself? :)
No, I'm not in the industry but I'll be blunt does it occur to those part timers that by underpricing the product they'll find that when they go full time they may not be able to make a living and have they thought about what impact they may be having on the professional trade at the moment. By profession I mean people who make their living solely from bushcraft and/or its related products.
Ben
Hiya Ben
Thanks for clarification - fair enough and maybe a point.
33 schools now, Chris the prophet says "50 by the end of next year "(2006)
We may even lose some of the older - established/full time schools by lack of customers, by next year everyone will have a school or get together on their door step, no need to travel to places to learn - it's down the street in the local park.
If you can imagine a smiley wavey thing, that's me. :)
As for part time schools taking business from the full time schools, maybe they do, maybe they don't, maybe they make the first steps into bushcraft more attractive and the people move on to the full time schools to get a more rich experience from the different courses they offer, so, maybe the bigger schools gain from it all :eek: Who really knows :D
Back in the old days when BCUK first started up I hard the same arguement from several people in the industry who complained how this forum was taking students away from them - 'why would people go on a course when they can learn it for free on BCUK? people would ask?
By the same thinking why would people go on a course when they can by a book and self teach?
The whole arguement is simply a matter of prospective.
Gary, your begining to sound like me, a grumpy old so and so, and much before your time.
16/04/2003 was yesterday - not the old days.
I grew up in the old days - the fifties etc.
Compared to how long bcuk has been around, Duran Duran and even the spice girls were in the old days.
:)
No, I'm not in the industry but I'll be blunt does it occur to those part timers that by underpricing the product they'll find that when they go full time they may not be able to make a living and have they thought about what impact they may be having on the professional trade at the moment. By profession I mean people who make their living solely from bushcraft and/or its related products.
Ben
Ben, I'd be interested to hear what you define a underpricing?
Surely everybody who runs a course prices their course up according - anyone with any sense takes into account all their overheads and expenses and then calculates this against their profit and off sets this again the minium they expect to run the cost for ect ect. Personally I'd say theres no such thing as underpricing maybe there is some more realisitc pricing going on, BUT not underpricing - but again its down to overheads, if one school has free access to a site that will lower there price while another school might have to add £10 per head per night for the site, similarly insurance costs vary incredibly so why shouldn't course costs?
Another thought, surely if you have nothing to do with the industry you should be rejoicing in the fact you have such choice. More so in fact because by shopping around you can get greater value for money, you can find a shool which suits your learning style and outlook on live - or are you really interested in paying more for a product?
Are you the only person in the world who would gladly pay as much money as he can afford for something?
Personally speaking if I won the lottery tomorrow I would by some woodland and build a school there and run courses for nothing, I'd have inner city kids on courses, I'd make course available to schools, to average guys who work hard for a crummy minimum wage but who would love to be able to afford to go on a bushcraft course, bushcraft isnt about eliteism, it isnt about out pricing average guys so only the rich or stupid can afford it..
This has nothing to do with malice and everything to do with the simple fact that bushcraft skills belong to us all, they are our inheritance and something that should be shared freely and not horded to be sold to the highest bidder!
Nice one Gary, Here here.
When you win the lottery, please tell me first and I can pack my kit.
See you there
I'm off to bed - good night and play nice.
Hopefully when I look at this in the morning it's not covered in blood and locked :eek:
Originally Posted by ben919
No, I'm not in the industry but I'll be blunt does it occur to those part timers that by underpricing the product they'll find that when they go full time they may not be able to make a living and have they thought about what impact they may be having on the professional trade at the moment. By profession I mean people who make their living solely from bushcraft and/or its related products.
Ben
Ben, I'd be interested to hear what you define a underpricing?
It would be interesting but it's getting beyond the scope of the forums. This definitely has nothing to do with bushcraft and survival skills, it will always be a issues that's never got an answer that makes everyone happy. Even though it's interesting it's time to put it to bed :D
.......Just thought I'd add, there's no blood ;)