The Junior Basic Bushcraft Survival Course is run at our NSW and VIC locations and is conducted in natural surroundings from an outdoor expedition style base camp. The outdoor campfire classroom provides an enlightening immersion into nature, helping our students to re-connect with the natural world on their journey to becoming more self-reliant. The outdoor setting provides a wonderful wilderness experience.

Specific directions and where to meet will be provided once your booking is confirmed.

Accommodation

This course is run entirely outdoors from an expedition style base camp, and you will either be sleeping in your own camping equipment that you will bring (see clothing and equipment list) or in the emergency shelter you will build yourself.

Amenities

A screened trench latrine and gravity fed canvas bush shower in a secluded private spot, along with strict camp hygiene measures will give a natural wilderness expedition feel to your experience as well as teaching you essential outdoor toilet etiquette and how to leave no trace. You will be taught how to wash with limited water and stay clean in the bush. Our measures are low-impact and environmentally friendly.

Food

All meals will be provided on this course with full opportunity for each student to learn and be involved in preparing and cooking food using a campfire. Learn how to use a camp oven, bake bread and cook in the coals.

Tea, coffee, hot chocolate, biscuits and fresh water as well as a fruit bowl will also be provided at the base camp. If you have complex dietary requirements, it is recommended that you supplement with your own snacks/food as courses are often in remote areas with limited resources.

Whilst we try to cater for most dietary needs (vegetarian, vegan, gluten free, lactose intolerant etc.), we cannot cater for lifestyle choices or fussy eaters due to the remote nature of our courses. You can supplement the provided food with your own snacks/food, but unless you are allergic/intolerant, you will be expected to eat the food supplied, as this provides in-context learning. After all, this is a bushcraft/survival course, not a wellness retreat and in a real survival situation you eat what you have or you go without!

Ideally, each student should have their own equipment to complete the required deliverable tasks as well as for future use, however we recognise that some of the items might be difficult to obtain. Taking this into account, some items can be provided by Bushcraft Survival Australia for you to use and return in good order at the end of the course.

Fixed blade knife
You will be given your own Morakniv of Sweden, carbon steel heavy duty “Companion” Knife which will be yours to keep (1 per family). If you would like to bring your own knife we suggest you bring a plain (without serrations) full tang 5” (11cm) carbon steel blade with a 90 degree edge on the spine.

Take a look at the complete Equipment and Clothing list for detailed information on what you need to bring for the course.

Students will be charged for any damaged or missing equipment.

Bushcraft and survival training is closely intertwined with nature, the sun, stars, natural resources and the weather. There is no electricity. Therefore modern 40 hour week timetables you are used to need to be adapted.

Lessons will be taught both day and night and at unusual hours to accommodate nature, natural daylight hours and traditional cooking times using fire and natural resources. Some lessons and activities will take longer than others and some are sun and weather dependent so you need to remain flexible as things don’t always go to plan.

Traditional cooking using fire takes time so we will generally cook at night so we can maximize daylight hours for other tasks and activities so evening mealtimes might be later than you may be used to. There are a lots of skills to be learnt on this course so expect long days and later nights than you may be used to.

This course held in an expedition style camp, entirely outdoors. You will need a reasonable level of health and fitness to maximise your participation and enjoyment of the course. In the weeks leading up to your course we recommend you do several walks over uneven terrain to ensure your boots and backpack containing your gear (approximately 10-15kg) fit correctly.

There are late nights, early mornings and you will be on your feet a lot of the time.

Please be aware this is not a wellness retreat!

View frequently asked questions on our dedicated FAQ page.

If your question is not answered on the FAQ page, please contact us.

A photo gallery for every course can be found on the Bushcraft Survival Australia Facebook Page and the BSA Graduates Facebook page.

This course can cater to school groups.

Duration: 2 days, 1 night
Price: Available on enquiry. Group discounts are available.
Minimum age: Year 5 students (This course can be tailored to your school’s particular needs, which may affect the minimum age.)
Inclusions: 2 full days and 1 night of instruction fully qualified instructors. All food and beverages, land use fees and insurance. Morakniv bushcraft knives will be loaned for the duration of the course
Group size: 20 students and 2 teaching staff
Course meeting time: 9:00am on Day 1
Course finish time: 5.00pm on Day 2

Duration: 2 days, 1 night
Price: $585 (one adult and one child)
Extra family members may attend for an extra $200 per child or $325 per adult

Minimum age: 10 years (participants under 18 years must be accompanied by an adult)
Inclusions: 2 full days and one night of instruction from fully qualified instructors, all food and beverages, land use fees, insurance and your own Morakniv bushcraft knife (1 per family) to keep
Number of places: 6 families
Course start time: 8:30am on Day 1
Course finish time: 5:00pm on Day 2

Upon making your booking you will receive a link to the participant consent form (which must be filled out and returned immediately), along with other documentation about what to bring and where to go.