How to plan a one-day bushcraft course

A one-day bushcraft course works when the programme fits the day, the group is small enough to teach hands-on, and the site, tools and fires are managed safely. Choose a few core skills — shelter, fire, water, knots, tool use — rather than trying to cover everything. Secure permission for the land and for fires, set a group size you can supervise, and sell places on fixed dates. Tell participants exactly what to bring and what to expect from the weather and the ground.

A day that covers fewer skills properly leaves participants able to repeat them. Keep demonstrations short and practice long.

Knives, saws and fires need close supervision. Decide your maximum group size per instructor based on the activities and the participants — adults, families, teenagers — and stick to it. For larger groups, bring an assistant. A small group also makes the day feel personal, which participants remember.

For family days, set a minimum age, keep children with a responsible adult at all times, and adapt the tools: safe whittling with close supervision rather than saws. Shorter sessions and more games keep younger participants engaged.

Use land where you have the owner's written permission for the activities you plan, including fires, cutting wood and staying on site all day. Check local rules on fires, protected areas and dry-season bans. Agree with the landowner where groups can go, where to park, and how you'll leave the site at the end of each course day.

Teach and model good practice: fire scars removed, only dead wood used where allowed, no rubbish left, shelters taken down. The landowner will welcome you back, and participants learn a habit worth more than any knot.

Say clearly what's provided: a hot drink, lunch cooked on the fire, or nothing. Ask about dietary needs and allergies when people book. Remind participants that warm, dry people learn better: a waterproof, spare layer and good boots make the day.

Send participants a short summary of the skills covered, a reading or kit list for practising at home, and the dates of your next courses, such as an overnight or a winter session. Ask what they would like to learn next: their answers shape your programme.

Seasons change the skills you can teach and the comfort of the day. Plan dates in each season with a programme to match, and publish them early so participants can choose and plan travel.

On Book, each service has a name, a price and an optional description shown on your public page. Create a "One-day bushcraft course" service and open a slot on each course date with a capacity equal to your maximum group size; each participant books one place and the date disappears from your page when it's full. In the description, give the meeting point, the programme, what's included and the kit list, and ask participants to write medical information or dietary needs in the optional note, which you read in your new-booking email.

Durations and prices are examples: set your own. If weather forces you to move a date, reschedule each booking from your bookings list and tell participants yourself, since Book doesn't email clients about changes. Book costs €5/month, everything included: unlimited services and bookings, no commission, no contract.