disorganised hobby

[neil draycott]

is it me or do other people think we are a disorganised hobby after all we have no governing body no land in which to do our thing and no public recognition.what we do have is plenty of goverment legislation which prevents us from doing what we want in the wild areas of the countryside.
why is it that none of us have grouped together and bought wooland in which to do what we all want to do and live at a basic level for a few days and allow our minds to repair themselves ready for the working week ahead.
is it because of the nature of people involved in this hobby are generally loners who enjoys there own company or is it because it has never occured to anyone to organise us into what is basically a scout group for grown ups that have never really grown up.

 

[Air Pirate]

There is an organization for us, we even have a leader, and land. Unfortunately, the directions to get there are a little vague. Second start to the right, and straight on 'til morning.

If only right?

 

[durulz]

is it because of the nature of people involved in this hobby are generally loners who enjoys there own company or is it because it has never occured to anyone to organise us into what is basically a scout group for grown ups that have never really grown up.

Both. I would hope.

 

[Toddy]

I'm having a coffee break from packing for this weekend away.

I know the folks that I'll see at the Ayrshire meet will be the most disparate group imaginable...........from a middle aged housewife to IT gurus, every type of tradesman under the Sun, countryside rangers, occasional Vikings, medical specialists, even a magician

We all practice this 'craft, in our own ways, in assorted places across the world, with varying degrees of hardcore or poundstore kit.

Organise ? Us ?

Chaos rules Man !

cheers,
Toddy

 

[stevec038]

Being out in the woods whether hiking, camping, fishing or what not, is a way for me to recharge and settle out after the daily mash. I like going to the woods by myself or with a group of likeminded friends. Even with friends however, some of the time I will spend alone. If the hobby gets "organized" it will invariably become part of the daily mash. Just what I was trying to get away from in the first place. Leave it alone and get to know it, and one day quite by accident you'll find it has become organized--perfectly--just for you. Good Luck.
Steve

 

[Nat]

We don't need an organisation.
Organisations will lead to legislation, rules, health and safety guidelines etc etc ad infinitum.

The majority of us are well equipped and knowledgeable enough to do without a "Head Honcho" sat in some orifice somewhere dictating this, that and the other.

While i enjoy other 'crafters company, there are a few times when i just enjoy my own company, the trees or hills and the trail ahead.

 

[Draven]

I have heard of "timeshare" agreements with land amongst bushcrafters, but I think it's a horrible idea really. how many summers of shelter building, firemaking, spooncarving et cetera would it take to strip the woodland bare? It would, perhaps, work if coupled with maintenance, planting, and so on, but it would take a lot of work and require a large plot of good land, which is expensive. Most people wouldn't be up for the amount of work required, given that most people already have jobs, families, social lives, etc. I think that bushcrafting as a whole works best with being a bit nomadic, going to different places so as not to make as large an impact, or not using too much in the way of natural resources. People who, perhaps, live right by a woodland, might have more time and effort to spare to maintain it better, but just leaving no trace is by no means enough if multiple bushcrafters will be using the same plot of land for a long period of time unless they were just sitting in it.

I also tend to agree with Toddy. There is a certain amount of common-sense rules but trying to govern it won't really go anywhere. I can just imagine...
"That's not the regulation method of fire by friction, I'm reporting you!"

Pete

 

[British Red]

The sound you will hear immediately after the first meeting of our governing body is called to order will be the door slamming behind me.

 

[alpha_centaur]

The sound you will hear immediately after the first meeting of our governing body is called to order will be the door slamming behind me.

Probably followed by the sound of axes cutting there way through the door to let the rest of us out...

 

[firecrest]

I can understand the benefits of some sort of bushcrafting organisation, like a club wherein land is bought which people can then use, but I think people are wary of the idea of legislation because there suddenly becomes a `correct` way to do things, Any kind of ruling body would monopolize the industry very quickly and make money from it. For instance, you wouldnt be able to teach unless you were `approved` by their standard, and probably that would involve paying them, and any deviation from their standard would not be recognised as legitimate practice.
At the end of the day, bushcraft is a word that encompasses a huge number of other crafts, it isnt a singular persuit like diving, which has a need for PADI and such.

 

[jojo]

It's disorganised, right enough. Long may it stay that way. I think BCUK is organisation enough. Organisation means rules, meetings, legislation, fees of course, then control, then jobsworths... Plenty enough in life has gone that way. I have never voluntarily belonged to anything organised, I am not going to change that.

 

[Wilderbeast]

http://www.bushcraftuk.com/index.php/Forums.html

JOIN NOW!

 

[SOAR]

Dont know about anyone else but I'm getting a little bit sick and tired of the way that everything is getting governing bodies and put into catogries, its just a way of making money out of everyone, its a hobby and its a free hobby, appart from your gear. Why does everthing need to be organised? we dont need it, to be honest Bushcraft is getting very comercial and it wouldn't surprise me if organisations are set up to keep things governed, I can see it now health and safety getting involed, no knives, no fire, Hi vis clothing, forget it! not for me thanks!.

 

[Wilderbeast]

http://www.bushcraftuk.com/index.php/Forums.html

JOIN NOW!

 

[Kerne]

I think bushcraft is "governed" by a kind of co-operative anarchy - and long may it remain so.

 

[British Red]

The day Toddy, Lindsey and I can't rip lumps out of each other (and therin find a balance) then I quit

 

[John Fenna]

May the powers that be save Bushcrafting from "The powers that be"!
Let chaos - the source of true order - rule!

 

[smoggy]

Bushcraft governed............can't see a need for it, or a will, bushcraft isn't a singular hobby so much as an aspect of other hobies and life in general......

You could start a club and organise some things together, I have personel experience of this....I am a founder member of an online club which transfered into real life, organising meets and events not only in the UK but Europe too, it has grown over the years and the members are now more like family......not everyones cup of tea and not what was originaly invisaged by a long way, but these things are possible.....and probably be possible with such a group that land or lands could be purchased and used by the group in a sustanable manor with the members management.

I'm not saying this is easy but it is possible.......but would involve a fair amount of commitment by some to form a committee.....the "UK Bushcraft Association" maybe or something along those lines.....maybe this forum could/would be willing to give it a home, ie. a committee board to discuss what and how....

Such a club (if not for profit) would be able to raise funds to buy a plot or more of land and may even be elligable for some of that lottery cash.....

Doing so would effectively put bushcrafters on the same footing as the likes of the ramblers and the scouts.....

Food for thought?

Smoggy.

 

[sam_acw]

is it me or do other people think we are a disorganised hobby after all we have no governing body no land in which to do our thing and no public recognition.what we do have is plenty of goverment legislation which prevents us from doing what we want in the wild areas of the countryside.
why is it that none of us have grouped together and bought wooland in which to do what we all want to do and live at a basic level for a few days and allow our minds to repair themselves ready for the working week ahead.
is it because of the nature of people involved in this hobby are generally loners who enjoys there own company or is it because it has never occured to anyone to organise us into what is basically a scout group for grown ups that have never really grown up.

This is probably why I like it.

 

[sapper1]

I don't think anybody has a knife sharp enough to cut through the red tape that will follow any form of organisation.