Whether you’re deep in a woodland, enjoying a weekend camp with your Charter group, or simply learning to be more self-reliant, bushcraft is at the very heart of outdoor life. For members of UKSN, bushcraft isn’t just a set of practical skills, it’s a way of reconnecting with nature, building confidence, and becoming better prepared for life’s uncertainties.

Bushcraft teaches us how to live more simply, respect our environment, and make the most of what nature provides. But where do you start?

Here are five essential bushcraft skills every UKSN member should aim to learn and refine. These skills are not only useful for outdoor adventures and wild camping, but they also build the foundation for greater self-sufficiency and resilience.

Firecraft – Mastering the Art of Fire

One of the most iconic bushcraft skills, firecraft is far more than just lighting a flame. A well-made fire provides warmth, cooks food, purifies water, deters insects, and can even signal for help. But in the wild, it’s not as simple as flicking a lighter or striking a match.

Learning to create fire using natural materials and simple tools is a skill that requires patience, practice, and respect for the environment.

Key Techniques to Learn:

• Fire lighting methods: Learn to use a ferrocerium rod, flint and steel, and even friction-based techniques like bow drills.

• Fire lays: Understand different structures such as the teepee, log cabin, and Dakota fire hole, each suited to different conditions.

• Tinder and kindling: Collecting and preparing dry, effective tinder from natural sources is critical. Birch bark, dry grass, and feather sticks are all reliable options.

• Fire safety and Leave No Trace: Always follow local regulations, ensure the fire is fully extinguished, and leave your site better than you found it.

At UKSN camps and Charter meet-ups, firecraft is often the first skill new members learn together. It’s a bonding experience, and nothing beats the warmth of a fire at the end of a long day outdoors.

Shelter Building – Staying Dry and Safe

Nature is beautiful, but it can also be unforgiving. A sudden downpour, freezing winds, or a sleepless night on the cold ground can quickly turn a pleasant trip into a miserable one. That’s why knowing how to build an effective shelter is a vital bushcraft skill.

Whether you’re out for a night or preparing for unexpected events, a good shelter keeps you warm, dry, and protected from the elements.

Essential Knowledge:

• Types of shelter: Learn the differences between natural shelters (using branches, leaves, and debris) and tarp setups (ridge lines, A-frames, and plough point configurations).

• Site selection: Always consider location, avoiding low-lying areas that may flood, or places near dead trees or animal paths.

• Insulation and waterproofing: Your shelter should not just cover you; it should insulate you from the cold ground and repel water effectively.

• Knots and lashings: Practice key knots like the taut-line hitch, bowline, and trucker’s hitch to ensure your shelter stays secure in all weather.

Practising shelter building with your Charter is a great way to learn from others and refine your technique. It’s also a lot of fun for families, kids love building dens and sleeping in them!

Water Sourcing and Purification – Finding and Making Water Safe

You can survive for weeks without food, but only a few days without water. In the UK, water is abundant, but that doesn’t mean it’s always safe to drink. Streams, lakes, and even rainwater can carry harmful bacteria and parasites, so purification is critical.

Being able to locate, collect, and purify water is one of the most empowering bushcraft skills you can develop.

What to Learn:

• Identifying water sources: Learn how to spot flowing water, signs of underground springs, and collect rainwater safely.

• Purification methods: Master techniques such as boiling, filtering through natural materials (sand, charcoal, gravel), and using commercial water filters or purification tablets.

• Improvised containers: From birch bark vessels to foldable bottles and shemaghs, learn how to collect and carry water when traditional containers aren’t available.

• Water discipline: Use water efficiently and avoid contamination by keeping dirty items and containers away from clean sources.

When attending a UKSN camp or bushcraft weekend, practice sourcing water responsibly, ensuring you leave local ecosystems untouched and unpolluted.

Foraging and Wild Food – Understanding Edible Plants and Natural Resources

Learning to forage safely is a bushcraft skill that connects you deeply with your environment. From wild garlic in spring to blackberries in autumn, the British countryside is bursting with edible plants. However, safe foraging demands knowledge, caution, and a deep respect for nature.

It’s not about replacing supermarket shopping, but about learning what’s available in the wild and how to use it wisely and responsibly.

Skills to Develop:

• Plant identification: Get to know key edible (and poisonous!) plants, fungi, and berries in your local area. Always cross-reference and never eat anything unless 100% sure.

• Sustainable harvesting: Take only what you need, never uproot entire plants, and leave enough for wildlife and others.

• Seasonal awareness: Learn when specific plants are in season, how to store or preserve them, and how weather affects their availability.

• Basic preparation: Try recipes like nettle soup, wild berry compote, or dandelion tea. Cooking with foraged ingredients is a brilliant way to introduce kids to wild food.

Navigation and Natural Awareness – Finding Your Way Without Tech

In today’s world, it’s easy to rely on GPS and smartphones to find your way. But what happens when batteries die, signals vanish, or devices fail? Traditional navigation skills using maps, compasses, and natural cues are a cornerstone of bushcraft and outdoor confidence. Learning to read the land not only keeps you safe, it deepens your connection with nature.

Essential Navigation Skills:

• Map and compass reading: Understand Ordnance Survey maps, grid references, and how to plot a course using a compass.

• Natural navigation: Use the sun, stars, moss, wind patterns, and animal tracks to orient yourself when tools aren’t available.

• Route planning: Learn how to plan safe, achievable routes, factoring in terrain, weather, water sources, and potential hazards.

• Tracking and awareness: Train your senses to notice subtle signs in the environment such as animal tracks, broken branches, and shifting winds can all tell a story.

Charters are a fantastic place to practise navigation as a group. Many UKSN members find that learning to navigate helps boost their self-reliance in all areas of life.

Why Bushcraft Skills Matter More Than Ever

Bushcraft isn’t about pretending to be in a survival show. It’s about building real-world skills that enhance your life, keep you grounded, and help you look after yourself and others. In a world that’s increasingly fast-paced and tech-dependent, bushcraft reminds us of the value of simplicity, community, and self-reliance.

The UKSN community thrives because its members share knowledge, work together, and grow stronger through shared experience. These five skills: firecraft, shelter building, water purification, foraging, and navigation are the backbone of bushcraft. They’re also the start of a much bigger journey.

Whether you're attending a UKSN camp, meeting up with your Charter, or practising in your own garden, take the time to learn these skills. They’ll serve you well in the woods and in life.

Getting Involved with UKSN

If you’re already a member, speak to your Charter about upcoming workshops or weekend camps. These are the perfect opportunity to learn, practise, and pass on knowledge to others.

There’s always something going on from family-friendly wild camps to overnight kit tests, navigation challenges to bush tucker cook-offs. UKSN is more than just a network, it’s a growing family of adventurers, learners, and doers.

Final Thoughts

The best way to learn bushcraft is by doing. So pack your bag, step outside, and start practising. Whether you're lighting your first fire, pitching a shelter in the woods, or cooking a meal over hot coals, you're not just surviving, you’re thriving.

And you’re never alone. With over 3,000 UKSN members across the country, help, guidance, and encouragement are never far away.

Bushcraft is a journey. Start yours today.