Aims and Principles??

[leon-1]

Many different subjects have aims and principles, first aid and survival for instance, but what do we think the Aims and Principles of bushcraft are?

[Wayne]

perhaps to live in harmony with our environment whilst having fun.

[hootchi]

The aims and principles that I aim to get from Bushcraft are:

A greater understanding of the natural world, how it works, and a drive to educate others about its conservation.

Realisation for the damage that we, as humans, are inflicting on the planet.

Respect to the countryside that we are using in the practice of these skills to enable regeneration and a continuation of knowledge, the animals and the plants.

An increased knowledge of myself, into the areas of self-reliance, determination and my fulfilment and enjoyment in life.

Conservation, respect, self-reliance and fun.:biggthump

Sorry if this is an incoherent ramble but it is late and I have abandoned trying to work! I think I am actually asleep now! :roll:

[jamesdevine]

Not to sound lazy but I think Hootchi has put it quite well. :super:

Not feeling uncomfortable and out off place is usually how I but it people when the ask what I am doing. Being one with it all if I maybe so bold.

James

[Stuart]

nicley put hootchi :biggthump

[jakunen]

Enjoying the outdoors and getting away from stressful things (mobiles, computers, PS2, TV, etc).

Relearning respect for the environment.

Regaining ancient skills to preserve them for future generations.

Achieving a better quality of life.

Relearning our place within the world.

Protecting our environment for future generations to enjoy and marvel at.

Simplifying our needs and wants and so creating less of an impact on the world.

Understanding the principle of the theory that LESS really is MORE except in the loss of habita and the creatures we take for granted or in our 1st world arrogant greed for property etc.

[Womble]

you forgot to mention Gaia, Jak...

[MartiniDave]

Contentment through confidence and awareness.

Learning by observation and questions.

And just a little bit of escapism.

[jakunen]

you forgot to mention Gaia, Jak...

Didn't forget her, just try not to get too spiritual outside of my blogs.

[Ravenn]

A seperation from the mundane. To aquire and master skills that allow me to exist in relative comfort in a bush enviornment. To learn to use those skills to survive should it become necessary in event of emergency,or necessity. To pass on the knowledge that life is doable, and enjoyable without the convience of flipping a switch, picking up the phone, or cookingin a micorwave. To be aware of the bush environs, and conciour of how to perserve them for the next generation of bushcrafters ack:

[Womble]

Aim: to get people out and enjoying the countryside more in ways they they might not have considered before

Principles:
1) All the skills are learnable
2) ANYBODY can learn them
3) Life's too important not to.

[greg2935]

For me the principle aim (yay! I got that in first!) is to accept nature for what she is, and live with due regard to the place I rely on for my existence.

Greg

[dchinell]

I find my fullest connection with the world and with my own life when I'm in the forest. Bushcraft is what I do to make myself comfortable while I'm there, and what I do to extend the amount of time I can spend there.

Bear

PS: I didn't participate in the recent contest to create a photo or picture that represents the spirit of Bushcraft. But for me that would be a picture of a knife or some piece of camping gear sitting on my desk at work. I have to play this idiotic game to make a living (I think) but even in the midst of it, I'm remembering the woods.

[TheViking]

I'd say having a good time.

[Andy]

quick answer - live and let live

all the rest has been said before

[leon-1]

Well I have left this up for a while waiting for any more people to post, as many others have said, hootchi has some very good views as do a lot of the other guys, this is the list that I made before you guys posted,

AIM
To be at ease in whatever enviroment that I find myself in, with whatever equipment I have with me.

PRINCIPLES

1. To practice ancient and modern skills in a enviromentally sound way.
2. To be able to use whatever the enviroment provides or equipment that I carry with maximum efficiency.
3. To work with nature rather than against it.
4. To be able to adapt to changes in the situation with the minimum of fuss.
5. To carry out safe practice so as not to damage the enviroment or cause danger to others or myself.

I'll probably have a read of these all again and add and remove bits to my list, thanks for you views and any comments that you have on my own, throw them in I would like to hear them. :biggthump

[Bob Hurley]

I'd say having a good time.

Absolutely!

[RovingArcher]

Hootchi, Leon1, jakunen and others, very well said.

[Chip Dale]

I am a firm believer in adapting aims & principles in whatever I do.
Whist instructing in the Army, all instructional matter had an aim and principles to project the lesson. Although while teaching survival the principles were replaced with “requirements and priorities”, the wording may have changed, but the concept is still there;

• The need to formulate a plan to promote the learning (The Aim).
• The ideology, beliefs and ethics required to assimilate the learning experience (the Principles).

As for my look at “Bushcraft” and the learning of the subject I follow these aims & principles.

AIM

To be at ease with any given environment / habitat that I may be forced into or wonder into by personal choice. To live from that environment, her sacred spirits and her fellow occupants, causing minimum impact to the ecosystem.

PRINCIPLES

• To practice ancient skills of our forefathers.
• To apply these skills alongside modern methods.
• To respect Mother Nature and all her fruits.
• To pass these skills onto my children, so that they can pass them onto their children.


Chip

[theorsmeister]

I guess to sum up, i always thought the most important parts are living in nature with minimal technology.

Causing no damage and keeping nature alive, whilst taking minimal requirements from it.

Understanding nature and our heritage I guess, and not taking too much equipment. Those of us who are stricken with the "obsession" probably want to get back to our roots and crave tranquility in a noisy world of pollution and global inequality.

Hows that for waxing lyrical!?

[Graham_S]

to not just survive in the wild, but to live well but lightly.

[Fallow Way]

Well for me it was to meet girls, and there simply isnt enough taking part i feel so its all beeen a waste of time to be honest :-)

For me, Bushcraft is a way of exploring that central theme of our place within the world/nature. How do we relate to it now, compared to the past and certain poeples presently. I came to Bushcraft through my own attempt at philosophical ponderings, realising that `reality` is nature in its purest form (although man-made reality is stretching out through it to almost all parts which is a tragady). So for me there is always that one central theme to explore and take reference from our ancestors and indigenous cultures. We have to a great extent lost our connection in any meaningful way and Bushcraft is a means to re-discover it in the context of practicallity rather than spirituality.

Thats my pennies worth, two pence worth I think i`d be ripping you all off :-)