What’s it about?
To meet a growing need in Outdoor Education, the Institute for Outdoor Learning provides a system of courses to equip those of you who are/aiming to use bushcraft skills as part of your programmes.
This IOL Bushcraft Competency Diploma course has been created by the IOL Bushcraft Professional Practice Group using some of the most experienced trainers of bushcraft in the country. This is provided by individual training organisations; Jack Raven Bushcraft is proud to be one of them.
The course has been designed for teachers or instructors to deliver a wide selection of progressive bushcraft learning experiences.
With that said, take a look at what we’ll be covering over the 5 days, and you have to agree that it’s a great course in it’s own right and we’re sure anyone with an interest in bushcraft will benefit from attending.
You must have prior bushcraft experience to attend this course as we won’t be covering the basics. If you’re not sure, get in touch with us for a friendly chat.
What will I do on this IOL Bushcraft Competency Diploma training course?
The syllabus meets the IOL Statement of Good Practice. On this course you will cover:
- Using an axe safely and effectively to limb, section and split wood,
- Use an axe to make feather sticks,
- Carve a spoon and small bowl using an axe, knife and crook knife,
- Learn how to maintain and sharpen your carving tools,
- Learn a variety of back country cooking techniques using a pit oven, dutch oven, grills and embers,
- How to manage a fire for an extended period of time,
- Learn how to skin and butcher rabbit, pigeon and fish,
- Find out about the various diseases that the animals must be checked for,
- Be shown meat hygiene techniques and methods,
- Cook with the meat you have butchered,
- How to make char cloth and birch oil,
- Put up a hammock and tarp using 4 simple knots that can be tied and untied wearing gloves,
- Adapt a tarp to different configurations to meet different conditions and environments,
- How to tie a square lashing and diagonal lashing,
- Identifying commonly occurring British mammal and bird tracks,
- Recognising other types of ground or aerial sign apart from animal footprints,
- Different stride patterns,
- The properties of different woods for fire lighting, carving etc.
- Identifying edible and medicinal plants as well as looking at potentially dangerous similar species,
- Preparing foraged plants for eating and making simple herbal remedies,
- Making a woven basket from willow wands,
- Making a plaited strap from bark,
- Manufacturing a simple fishing spear,
- Fashioning and setting different primitive traps,
- And of course, ensuring that we leave no trace.
Throughout the course we will provide advice and guidance on tools and equipment and how to teach the skills covered to other people, whether that be individuals or groups, all based on our own years of experience.
To be added to the register of holders of the IOL Bushcraft Competency Diploma you must already hold the IOL Bushcraft Competency Certificate. You will also need to attend a separate 2 day assessment.
Take a look at our ‘IOL Hall of Fame‘ to see photos of the people that we know have successfully taken their assessment. and gained the IOL Bushcraft Competency Diploma.
Book now
You can see our entire course schedule here.
Other information
Location: Westwell, Kent
Duration: 5 days
Start: 9am Wednesday
End: 4pm Sunday
Course size: Maximum of 6 – to make sure that you get the best possible tuition on this busy course
Catering: Fully catered
Note: There is a short walk from the meeting point to the camp. We’ll transport your bags in our 4×4.
You might also find these Frequently Asked Questions useful.
What our customers say
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My first time on the IOL course. I have attended many excellent 5 day bushcraft courses with Gary and Nicola so a lot of this course was new to me. As always with Gary, the pace is gentle yet covers a very wide range of subjects. His depth of knowledge is phenomenal and yet always covers a point in depth but without stress. 5 ticked boxes; instruction, content, knowledge, pace and FOOD! Plus everything Mel and Barry have said below.
Just completed the Bushcraft Competency Diploma Training with Jack Raven, an outstanding course, really well delivered.
Gary and the team deliver in a relaxed and engaging way, plenty of useful detail but not overwhelming with a deluge of information. Gary gives plenty of feedback on what you can do to improve and enhance your skills and this is delivered in a warm and friendly way which creates a great learning environment.
The location and camp is fantastic and the food is brilliant.
I've been to a lot of Bushcraft Schools over the years, Jack Raven sits up there among the best.
The Bushcraft Competency Diploma course is a fantastic 5-day learning experience, whether you're intending to go for assessment or not. It covers a lot of ground, suitable for an intermediate bushcrafter. The delivery of the course content is top notch - Gary, Nicola and Andy create a relaxed learning experience in a beautiful woodland. As always, the catering was wonderful - the preparation and cooking of the food interwoven into the course where possible and resulting in a welcoming, community feel during our 5 days together. Thoroughly recommend.
If you want to take your bushcraft skillset and knowledge to the next level then this is the course for you.
A broad range of topics is covered with a good balance between theory and practical application - you'll never get bored, there's too much to do and learn!
You'll need a good understanding of the core skills, if you haven't already got the IOL Bushcraft Competency Certificate it would certainly be of benefit to go on that course first.
There's a good focus on individual skills, providing the participant chance to practice and progress and learn to stand on their own, all in a supportive environment.
Gary, Nicola, Bob and Phil's knowledge is fantastic but most importantly you can tell that they are all really passionate about the topics and keen to share that excitement - even when you bombard them with endless questions.
It wouldn't be a proper review without mentioning the outstanding food provided, every mealtime would be eagerly anticipated to see what delicious meal it would be.
Thanks all - see you on the next course!
I really enjoyed this course despite some horrendous weather (storm Babet). Gary's knowledge and enthusiasm shone through, supported by other members of the Jack raven team who where experts in their own fields, Nicola for herbal remedies and cookery, Phil for game preparation and Bob as assistant instructor all of the topics were delivered in a clear understandable way, with the emphasis on hands on experience.
The course was well structured and rescored, with time allowed to practice each element without you feeling rushed at any point.
This was a fully catered course and Nicola's cooking was amazing, you will not go hungry.
I highly recommend this course.
This course is accredited by the Institute for Outdoor Learning. This means that it has been through a quality assurance process covering the experience and procedures of the organisation, the design of the course and the qualifications/experience of the trainers.
If you have any concerns about the quality of your IOL Bushcraft Competency Diploma course, please talk initially to the course staff and organisation. If there are still problems, please contact the IOL office.
The Institute for Outdoor Learning encourages outdoor learning by developing quality, safety and opportunity to experience outdoor activity provision and by supporting the good practice of outdoor professionals. Member benefits include professional journals and workshops, discounts on equipment, national and regional conferences, etc.
