Continued…
Traditional bushcraft is not a skill found with your typical outdoor enthusiast. In fact it is just as rare among trained, professional wilderness guides. Really! Bushcraft expertise (like rubbing sticks for fires, advanced knowledge of tracks, making shelters, bows, or authentic Inuit kayaks etc.) are found amongst various subject experts, scattered throughout the country.
So why do people wish to learn traditional bushcraft and nature interpretation?
These skills offer an enhanced nature / camping experience! It turns the focus from ‘the gear’ to enhanced understandings of the flora and fauna and much, much more… .
It opens up many nature based activities and pursuits that are both uncommon and a lot of fun! Your awareness skills and discovery will become a regular part of every nature outing–as it did for me.
What does bushcraft and nature interpretation look like?
Bushcraft can be as simple as sitting around an evening fire by a lake–making natural fibre rope from dead plant materials you collected. Bushcraft may be as complicated as making an Inuit style kayak that has no metal screws or fasteners. It also includes aids to navigation and all manner of wilderness living skills. It is the enhanced understandings of a place based on the birds or animal tracks you identify. The study of animal tracks alone opens worlds of discovery and entertainment.
There are many avenues to pursue indeed!
The best way to commence your journey of learning authentic bushcraft is by training with qualified individuals.
About Chad Clifford
(Inuktitut name: A-GIAT-SAAT)
Besides taking numerous courses/training by noted instructors like Tom Brown Jr. and Mors Kohanski, Chad continues to learn outdoor skills from various experts, elders, and friends. As a graduate of Lakehead University in Natural Science, Outdoor Recreation (& Parks and Tourism), graduate studies at the University of Alberta (nature experience research) along with a teacher Education degree, he has worked hard to become a facilitator of quality, wilderness experiences.
Chad Clifford has taught outdoor skills and environmental education on remote out-trips, in public schools through to University and colleges as well as with private, wilderness education businesses and volunteered community positions. His main interests are in ‘bushcraft’: the skills of the woodsman, and ‘music in nature’.
Woodsman, fire maker and over-all Wildman Extraordinare! Many thanks for all your help on the Bare Necessities; and for the wealth of traditional knowledge that you had at your disposal. Lets keep in touch.
Very best wishes,
Hugh”
Hugh McManners: S.A.S., Military survival skills trainer, author: best-seller ‘Outdoor Survival Guide‘ ‘Ultimate Special Forces‘ ‘Forgotten Voices Falklands War’ and ‘A Unique History of Gulf War One’ Co-host of BBC2′s original, survival reality series entitled ‘the Bare Necessities’ and all around great guy!
The BBC’s “Bare Necessities” survival show. Chad helped with Ontario’s set location and was the traditional and survival skills resource person. view photos
View some of Chad’s publications and media coverage.
