Bushcraft Camping: How To Master The Art Of Wilderness Living

Bushcraft camping is an outdoor activity that focuses on utilizing natural resources and minimal gear to create shelter, food, and water in the wilderness. You don’t bring fancy gear or stay at a campsite, you use what’s around you to survive. You build your own shelter, start a fire without matches, find water, and make it safe to drink. It’s a basic, hands-on way to camp.

You don’t need to be an expert to try it! But you do need to take it seriously- Start small and learn the basics before going deep into the woods. Bushcraft has been around a long time because it works. In this post, we will give you several tips to help you go bushcraft camping.

To camp using bushcraft, you need to know more than how to set up a tent. You need basic skills that help you stay safe, warm, and fed. Next, learning to manage a fire is crucial- It gives you heat, light, and a way to cook. Don’t just bring matches, practice other ways to start a fire. Learn to make a feather stick fire using only a knife and a spark. This helps when the wood is wet or hard to burn.

Shelter is extremely important. If you can’t stay dry or block the wind, you’ll have a hard time. Learn to build simple shelters with sticks, leaves, or whatever is around you. Even a small lean-to can help you get through the night.

Have the Right Gear

You don’t need much gear to start bushcraft camping, but what you bring should work well and last. A good knife is the most useful tool. It lets you cut wood, prepare food, and make shelter. Choose one that’s strong and easy to hold.

Cord is another must. Paracord is strong and light, but you can also use natural fibers if you know how to make them. A tarp or emergency blanket can give you fast shelter or cover your gear. Keep it light but strong enough to handle rain and wind.

You don’t need a big first aid kit, but bring the basics. A few bandages, some tape, and a way to clean wounds will do the job. It’s better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it.

Mistakes to Avoid

A lot of people make the same mistakes when they start bushcraft camping. Some of these can make the trip hard or even dangerous. One common mistake is packing the wrong things. Some people bring too much and get tired from carrying it all. Others forget something important like a way to start a fire or a pot for boiling water. Bring only what you need, and make sure it all works before you go.

Some people also forget to check the weather or pick a bad place to camp. Cold, rain, or strong wind can make everything harder. Always check the forecast and choose a safe, dry spot to sleep.

Have you tried camping this way before? Let us know below!

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Meredith

Meredith blogs at The Mom of the Year, where she dedicatedly earns her title one epic parenting fail at a time, offering quick, relatable laughs for fellow parents and all their empathizers. She has been part of several best-selling anthologies, featured on prominent sites such as Huffington Post, In the Powder Room and BlogHer, and loves her role as the Executive VP/Operations Manager of The BlogU Conference. When she's not breaking up fights over Legos and juice boxes, she remains fully committed to sharing a less serious look at the world of parenting.

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