I'm quite enjoying this blog thing, very theraputic. So, i thought i'd add this entry now.

One thing i like about Bushcraft is that it is non-competative. I used to play golf and found that, as much as swinging the bats with the lads is enjoyable, i really wanted to be with my family. The fact that some of my fellow golfers wanted to win at all costs just brought this into focus for me. I'm a great believer in 'it's not whether you win or lose, but how you play the game' and i'm seeing the sense of fair play being erroded more and more in society today. I digress, i have been into wild camping and Bushcraft for a while now and found that it's not just a pursuit for the well-heeled single fella but can be enjoyed by the whole family. I can teach my family things as well as learn with them.

I've seen a few posts from people about 'How can i get the wife interested' or ' what kit will my kids need'; stuff like that. Well, i'm here to tell you that a family can enjoy Bushcraft and you don't have to be loaded to fully immerse yourself into the Bushcraft way of life.

 Jed, my eldest, loves coming out with Sharon, Jack and Alfie. OK, at 2 1/2 he's a little young to be whittling a try stick or foraging, but by merely being in the woods with his family and like minded people is, hopefully, making him look at a weekend in the woods as a regular and enjoyable situation. By the time he is old enough for us to let him wander further, he will be as aware of his surroundings as possible. 

 Sharon, it has to be said, likes her comforts. She is a fair weather Bushcrafter, only really coming out from late Spring to early Autumn, but she comes out. Before Lowan was born, she came out for a weekend at 8 months pregnant. Obviously everyone is different, but if you tailor your destination and equipment to your needs, anything is possible.

One thing i will say is, for the newbie, don't be intimidated as to what kit to use. When i'm out by myself, tarp and bivvy bag or hammock is the order of the day. If it's Jed, Jack, Alfie and myself, a small three man tent is good whereas, when the entire tribe is on the ground we have a four man tent with covered living area similar to the one's for sale in Argos and Halfords. If you want to encourage your nearest and dearest to come into the woods and experience a Bushcraft weekend, start them off gently. Only someone with a sense of adventure is going to be excited by minimalist Bushcraft. This maybe something to aspire to but start off realistic.

 We love to cook on an open fire. Wether cooking sausages on a stick or ponassing a nice fish, i feel the center of the whole Bushcraft ethos is the fire. However, somethings need to be done quickly and efficently. Why not use a camping stove? We use a Primus for boiling up water to cook pasta or noodles for Jed (anyone with kids will know that when they are hungry the want food and NOW) and we can warm milk up for Lowan if 'Bitty' is off the menu for some reason. It just gives you an extra flexibility for the needs of the family unit.

On the subject of food, don't be afraid to experiment. By all means, bring along what you think you need. Don't think others will be looking down their noses at you for bring half of Aldi with you; it's better to have too much than not enough.

If you have camping equipment already, use it. We cannot all afford a swish tatonka tarp or a Ventile smock. If you have weather proof kit, even if it is canary yellow, use it if you need it.

The whole idea about Bushcraft is enjoying your environment so, if you want your family to be part of your environment, take them and let them enjoy it. Just be aware that others are there to enoy themselves (If your going to a meet) so try not to let your families enjoyment spoil theirs. I have'nt had any problems at meets yet but i'm sure the guys in the South Wales crew would let me know if anything we were doing was spoiling it for them.

You may have noticed that i don't use a tarp / basha when out with my Jed. The reason for this is security. No, i don't think he will be snatched in the woods or some kit may be half inched. I just feel more comfortable knowing that he is safely ensconssed in his bag, in the tent when i'm round the fire. He cannot get up and walk around the wood half asleep and do himself a mischief. Similarly, if your trying to convince your nearest and dearest to accompany you into the woods of a weekend, a tent can make them feel more secure. It also provides a discreet, covered area if her ladyship (or him in doors) wishes to change or wash, away from the possible gaze of other 'Scrafters. It gives that privacy that may just convince your better half that Bushcraft is'nt all about scrabbling about in the mud and the leaves and that, yeah, maybe i could do this again.

Don't get me wrong, i like my 'gucci' kit. Clothing, sleeping bags, knives, axes; you name it. However, don't let it get in the way of enjoying the outdoors. Don't feel that everyone is a kit snob. I know some are, but if it works for you and your family, do it. We have seen people who go out with their GB axes, ventile this that and the other and swinging Hennessy Hammock yet know nothing about the maintenance and use of such kit. Yes everyone has to learn, but don't feel that these things are essentials. Make do with what you have, the best things are sometimes the cheapest. The Mora knives for instance. I won't go on about them as they are mentioned almost daily on the threads, but for the price, you cannot go wrong.

I don't really want this to become a kit entry, but the point i'm trying to make is this: There is nothing stopping you taking the family out with you. Yes, maybe you want to get away from the family or they could not be less interested. Fair one, do what you like, but if they want to come with you and you want them there, do it.