Planning to attend a bushcraft meet

[rich59]

I find this quite daunting. I am a towny. I have camped with scouts as a leader but that is different from going it alone, to a site I don't know, possibly without the family car.

So the following headings come to mind:-

Transport
Carrying my kit
Food
Warmth
Shelter
Fun, teaching skills, socialising
First Aid and safety


Any other headings I should consider?
How might I prepare for each of these?

 

[JFW]

Rich59,

it can be quite a challenge going to a meet for the first time - meeting people you don't know at a site you are not familiar with, but dont worry, this is normal.
My advice would be to use everything that you are familiar with and buy or download a map of the area. If you normally camp in a 2 man tent, take it. If you currently own a rucksack that you use for scout camps, take it. It doesn't have to be green or small so long as you can carry it with all your gear in.
Take a few litres of fresh water with you, everyone else will and if you run out resupply at a closeby shop - someone will have a car.
Layer your gear so you can add or subtract depending on conditions, I useually wear 3 layers plus an outer shell and take a fleece/wooly pully for when it gets cool.

Have to go now, but I hope this helps.

Cheers

JFW

 

[C_Claycomb]

Don't stress it too much, its not all that tricky

You don't need a lot of stuff. Some people come with less, some with more. Think camping for a long weekend.

Tent, sleeping bag, kip mat, spare change of clothes, wash kit inc bog roll, stove + fuel or raised fire hearth and something to light said stove, pot, bowl, spoon, knife, torch...and food for the duration.

It should all fit in a rucksack. Some can get their kit down to under 35l, others need 60+litres. Whaterver makes you comfortable, just remember you are probably packing too many clothes

What do you take for yourself when you camp with the scouts?

 

[Wayland]

The meet ups are one of the best things about BCUK.

It is a chance to meet other people with the same interests that just would not happen without a forum like this.

First of all, do not worry, everybody else there is just as unsure of what is going to happen as you are.

What tends to happen is that people will arrive in drips and drabs. As they work out that you are the bushcraft meet they will come and introduce themselves, usually by name and username.

Introductions are completed and someone usually brings the new comers up to speed with what's already been worked out and what's still to be sussed out.

The best icebreaker at this stage is a cuppa and some chatter.

Sounds like normal life so far doesn't it?

After introductions people usually get their accommodation sorted out. This might be a Hammock, Basha, Tent or Bivvi bag. I've yet to see someone building a shelter to sleep in at these things but I guess it could happen.

By the time this has happened more people, more introductions and more chatter. Maybe someone's got the fire going by now.

Chatter starts to turn into "this is how I" type stuff which grow into little demonstrations. Nothing very formal really but as more people get interested things develop.

Before you know it you've learnt a dozen new skills and taught a few yourself which you didn't realize other people would be interested in.

The evening may be spent round the fire, gossiping, telling tales and jokes with a drink in your hand. Some people take chairs, some stand, some sit on the floor or logs.

There comes a point when people start to drift away, names and numbers are sometimes exchanged and most say when will we do this again.

At the end you will have new friends who you will hope to meet again and memories to take with you of a natural camaraderie that is hard to match anywhere these days.

 

[Razorstrop]

Wayland has it bang on the head. (rep point sir!)

Most important thing to bring with you on a meet is you

The rest is a fantastic organic experience that is usually over before you know it.

Mr Strop

 

[Goose]

What Wayland and the others say

As far as kit and planning just treat it the same as going on scout camp, as long as you have something to sleep in and on and can feed yourself you will be OK.
My first meet I went with the whole family and used a BIG family tent, we were carrying on for our family holiday, don't think you need all the gear, or even skills, that are talked about on the forum to fit in.
Each meet is a learning process, were we learn from each other, I have learnt skills at one meet and passed them on at the next and I think most people are the same. But don't think anything is expected of you, some of us with fewer skills get to practise and hone our skills by passing them on to newer members!
The meets I have been to have not been far from where the cars are parked so you will probably have the option of nipping back and getting the bigger sleeping bag or coat that you thought you wouldn't need.

The first thing you will need when you arrive is your mug for a brew!

Remember too, Bushcrafters are scouts that have grown older!(That is different to grown up!)

 

[Topcat02]

Hi,

The wilderness gathering was my first meet up. I didnt really know what to expect, so was happy the family came with me in case I stood out like a sore thumb.

I was pleasantly surprised by the cameraderie, and despite the name "Wilderness", it was more like a back to basics camping site.

Got lots of ideas, learnt loads, and the family loved it.

The only downside for me was that everyone seemed to look identical, (brown leather hats, brown/green trousers, woodlore style knives attached to belts, green tops, etc, so it was difficult remembering whether I had spoken to that particular person, and where the conversation had left off.

I also left with a long list of got to haves, including a Tipi, more knives, Land Rover with a roof tent, etc, etc.

You'll have loads of fun too, I'm sure.

 

[Razorstrop]

Oh yeah forgot to mention that going to meets can end up very expensive in the long run. :yikes:


Mr Strop

 

[Goose]

Oh yeah forgot to mention that going to meets can end up very expensive in the long run. :yikes:


Mr Strop

Especially when you have kids that enjoy it!

 

[trauma]

only just joined but am looking forward to meets, this post helped alot, thanks

 

[peds8045]

My first meet was at last years (September) Northern meet, i travelled from the Midlands to the Lakes having only 'met' the people i was spending the weekend with on the BCUK site, except for Hammy.

On arrival and after pitching my tent (haven't got round to hammocks yet) i, as mentioned by others on this thread, headed for the established fire place where, looking exactly as he should do (That's a compliment ), i first met the organiser, Wayland and his partner, and within a matter of minutes i was meeting all the other familiar 'names' with which i had been corresponding. Everyone was friendly and helpful and it was nice to be able to put a face to a name.

It wasn't long before the bushcraft demonstrations started, even though it was dark now, with Wayland providing a superb demo of firelighting with flint, steel and char cloth. After a few beers and far too much red wiine (Thanks Hammy) it was time for bed.

The rest of the weekend soon disappeared with lots of demonstrations, practice and the chance to buy goods, i regret not having a go at Eric's stand making Knife sheaths...definately next time

I could go on longer but it would turn into a review....all i can say is get to a meet...you will enjoy it and learn loads, oh.... you'll have a great time too.

 

[rich59]

the following headings come to mind:-

Transport
Carrying my kit
Food
Warmth
Shelter
Fun, teaching skills, socialising
First Aid and safety

Thanks for those thoughts.

Hmm

Food - So "add water" foods would be good to keep the weight down, tea bags seem the order of the day. Taking a gaz burner and billies etc sounds essential.

Water carrier? Jerry cans are bulky if back packing. Something collapsable then.

 

[trauma]

MREs are always good if you know not what is to be expected i guess...

 

[Kepis]

I popped down to the Southampton/Sussex meet today (wish i could have stayed overnight but have obligations early tomorrow morning so i couldn't ), i had only met one guy there before (Adi Fiddler) but have conversed with many of the others via BCUK, i soon got introduced to/got talking to other people, by the time it came to leave it was like you had known them for years, nothing to sweat over, as far as food goes why not get some MOD Rat Packs?.

 

[Graham_S]

there are far better and cheaper ways to eat than buying ration packs.
for the cost of one rat pack, i can buy food for a weekend.

 

[Razorstrop]

there are far better and cheaper ways to eat than buying ration packs.
for the cost of one rat pack, i can buy food for a weekend.

I can vouch for that, I've seen and tasted Grahams cooking, and its first class grub.

Mr Strop

 

[Graham_S]

I can vouch for that, I've seen and tasted Grahams cooking, and its first class grub.

Mr Strop

thank you.
i've had to live on boil in the bag rations and have no desire to do so again when cooking a decent meal is so easy with basic ingredients.

 

[Goose]

And if anybody knows about bushcraft meets it has to be Graham S!

 

[pierre girard]

I find this quite daunting. I am a towny. I have camped with scouts as a leader but that is different from going it alone, to a site I don't know, possibly without the family car.

So the following headings come to mind:-

Transport
Carrying my kit
Food
Warmth
Shelter
Fun, teaching skills, socialising
First Aid and safety


Any other headings I should consider?
How might I prepare for each of these?

Never been to a bushcraft meet, but when I go canoeing for a week, I bring:

Bed roll
Small tarp
Ground cloth (doubles as a rain poncho)
Extra (warmer) shirt
Extra socks
Knife
Saw
Kettle
Cup
Crooked knife
Pack
Mosquito net (in June)
Mat (if ground is cold)

and a fish line, canoe, and paddles (which you probably won't need at a bushcraft meet).

 

[Tadpole]

Never been on a meet up, well not for bushcraft anyway, but I would take
Sleeping bag
Sleeping mat
Small tarp
Largish tarp
Wok
Kettle
Three knives (bush knife, cooks knife, witlings knife)
Cook box with
Rice
Onions
Spuds
Dried meat
Dumpling mix (flour shortening and baking powder)
Stock cubes
Oil vinegar mustard pepper salt
Flour
Garlic
Ghee

Socks
Pants
Thick shirt

I love my food and hate to eat bland and boring stuff, so if it comes down to weight I would rather have a cook box than a tent. People at meets always love a cook and that is my hobby/life. With that small amount of stuff (mine weighs in at about 10lb ) rabbit, pigeon, fish, wild greens all become a 4 star meal under the stars
ETA all carried in a 20 year old orange external frame Regatta rucksack