Basic Challenge BCUK Challenge - Basic

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A Basic Challenge
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Chris

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Staff member
Sep 20, 2022
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Somerset, Yorkshire, Lincolnshire

Basic Challenge version 0.0.1 (v0.0.1) - 16/05/2025


Fire

Challenges pertaining to the construction, maintenance and ignition of fires.

Basic​

  1. Light a sustainable teepee fire using only a lighter and natural materials (No modified natural materials such as firelighters)
  2. Light a sustainable lean-to fire using a ferro rod and natural materials
  3. Use a piece of burning tinder to light a featherstick
  4. Start a sustainable fire using a single match
  5. Collect and use a piece of natural tinder to start a sustainable fire (King Alfred's Cake, birch bark, fat wood etc.)
  6. Make some charcloth and use it to light a tinder bundle
  7. Create a small fire starting kit which will allow you to create flame in adverse conditions
  8. Bring a glowing ember bed back up to full flame using only wood and air



Water collection

Challenges pertaining to the collection of water both for utility and drinking.

Basic​

  1. Create a water filter which removes visible debris from a dirty water source
  2. Identify a source from which you can gather water to purify and discuss the risk assessment you've carried out on the water source to ensure it's safe to gather
  3. Purify suitable drinking water from a natural water source by boiling it
  4. Create a way of collecting rainwater using only equipment you'd take with you whilst camping



Knots, lashing and cordage


Basic
  1. Demonstrate the tying of a bowline knot
  2. Demonstrate the tying of a prusik knot
  3. Demonstrate the tying of a taught tarp hitch
  4. Demonstrate square lashing to hold two perpendicular poles together
  5. Lash together a basic tripod which can support the weight of a cooking pot



Shelter

Challenges pertaining to the construction of shelter from the elements using both man-made and natural materials.

Basic

  1. Identify a suitable location to pitch a shelter and describe what considerations and observations you've made of the area to ensure it's suitable to stay in for at least 24 hours
  2. Pitch a tarp shelter using only a tarp and unmodified cordage (standard paracord for example), using knots you've tied yourself to hold it in place
  3. Using only a tarp, cordage and pegs, pitch a communal shelter which can be used to keep a group of people dry.
  4. Pitch an adirondack tarp shelter
  5. Sleep overnight in a tarp shelter that you've pitched




Cooking

Challenges pertaining to the cooking of both purchased and foraged foodstuffs on a campfire or stove.

Basic

  1. Build a small, controlled fire which is suitable for cooking on
  2. Boil water in a metal container on the fire, bringing it to a rolling boil
  3. Cook and eat any kind of food on the fire either on a stick or a stone
  4. Demonstrate using a tripod to suspend a pot over a fire and adjust its height to regulate temperature
  5. Make bannock on a fire
  6. Make and cook any kind of stew over a campfire
  7. Roast a fruit or vegetable in the embers of a campfire (using tinfoil if you prefer)
  8. Cook any kind of meal (not boil in the bag style) using a utensil that you've made yourself



Knife skills

Challenges based on the safe and skilful use of a knife as a bushcraft tool.

Basic

  1. Put together a small 'cuts' first aid kit for when you're using a knife
  2. Display the ability to sharpen a knife to a shaving edge
  3. Use a forehand grip to put a point on a stick
  4. Use a chest lever grip to put a point on a stick
  5. Create a featherstick which you can use to start a fire
  6. Create your own Try Stick, in the style of Mors Kochanski
  7. Safely baton some wood down into kindling-sized pieces
  8. Completely peel a stick of its bark whilst maintaining the shape and integrity of the stick



Axe Skills

Challenges based on the safe and skilful use of an axe as a bushcraft tool.

Basic

  1. Demonstrate your ability to sharpen an axe sufficiently that it can peel thin bark from a stick without removing excess wood
  2. Create and afix a collar to your axe (Paracord, tape and card etc.)
  3. Use an axe to safely chop a 'round' of wood into quarters
  4. Use an axe to continue chopping a 'round' of wood into kindling sized pieces
  5. Use an axe to create a featherstick




Crafting

Challenges pertaining to the crafting of material, tools and items which can be used in a bushcraft setting.

Basic​

  1. Create an adjustable pot hanger
  2. Create a wooden tent peg with chamfered edges
  3. Create a length of cordage (at least 20cm long) using only natural fibres
  4. Carve a simple spoon or spatula out of a piece of foraged wood
  5. Create a simple fish hook out of natural materials
  6. Create a simple brush out of natural materials
  7. Make a functioning slingshot/catapult out of a piece of foraged wood and some elastic

 
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BCUK Shop

We have a a number of knives, T-Shirts and other items for sale.

SHOP HERE