I've been pondering for a couple of days now about this credit crunch / recession and what it impact it may have on Bushcraft and it's devotee's. The way i see it, bearing in mind my eternal and baseless optimism, every cloud has a silver lining. This may not be any comfort to some of us who now find themselves in financial dire straits, but i always try to look on the positive side of things even if they are so small they are hard to identify.

  If we look at the negativesfirst we can see that, unless you are employed in the Bushcraft or Outdoors fraternity, it is essentially a leisure pursuit. Unfortunatly, leisure can be one of the first things people cut back on during the lean times. People may not be prepared to enroll on courses which, in turn, affects the schools out there who may not be able to make them available. Some permanant staff may have to be layed off and no one's happy about that.

 We all like equipment. I'm not ashamed to say it, i love to scan the internet for the shiney piece of kit that i may (or may not) be able to afford. It will not make me a better Bushcrafter, but hey, it's my money, i'll buy what i want. Well, that's probably going to stop shortly for some (already has for me!). As it is a lesuire pursuit, can we really justify to ourselves that shiney new knife or axe? Of course we would like to, but when it's a choice of bills being payed and food on the table, i'm afraid i can see that going south. This will in turn lead to knife makers not being able to sell the knives they have made for a reasonable price. Yes, they could sell them at a loss, but they are just like you and i; parents and family members who need to provide. They too have bills to pay and dependants. No one likes to admit it but i think the bubble may have burst.

Now, what about the positives? Well, i think the fact that most items cost money, knowledge can be free and widely available. Will people now be more keen on gaining knowledge rather than the latest gizmo? Bushcrafters seem to be a resourceful breed, recycling and modifying things, charity shops are alladins caves for some stuff, these can be used in place of the shiney item that everone raves about. Maybe Bushcraft it's self will not suffer, maybe this 'credit crunch' is just what it needs. Paring away all the frills and surplus can promote a positive and practical side to Bushcraft, one that we can all enjoy, no matter what financial situation.

 How much does the average bushy weekend cost? You need food, but you'd be eating anyway. Shelter? You probably have this already, if not, try a scrub shelter. Water? Drag it out of a lake or stream and boil it or take it with you. Warmth? Fire, nuff said. In fact, having a Bushcraft weekend, could work out cheaper than sitting at home and watching TV. No electricity used, no gas used, no impulse buys to make you feel better; in fact, the only cost reall is going to be site fee's if you have them and possibly petrol to get you there. If you car share, even that will be smaller.

 I suppose what i'm trying to say is this: Yes there may be global financial meltdown and you may not be able to afford somethings, but Bushcraft is here, it's affordable and accessable and all it need is for you to do it and when everyone else is miserable on a Monday morning, you'll have a great big smile on your face and stink of smoke!