Building Skills, Deepening Roots: Bushcraft Training with Wilderness Expertise

At Wilderness Expertise, we don’t just lead from the front—we learn from the ground up. This week, our team stepped into the woods for two incredible days of Bushcraft training, guided by the endlessly knowledgeable Pippin and Gile, founded by the fabulous Lizzy Maskey, who also freelances with us.

We’re passionate about developing our own skills just as much as we are about developing those of the freelancers we work with. As we continue to grow and shape our bushcraft programmes, it’s vital that we equip ourselves with the best tools—not just in our kit bags, but in our minds, our hands, and our understanding of the natural world.

Across the two days, we immersed ourselves in the art of outdoor living. We built shelters from materials around us—structures that were practical, creative, and personal (check out Fee, happy as can be in hers!). We practised the slow satisfaction of fire lighting, learned to cook over open flames, and spent time understanding the rhythms of the land we were in—from animal tracks and woodland signs to the plants that surround and support us.

One of the most grounding moments came as we learned to whittle our own bread knives—crafting something functional and lasting from a simple piece of wood. It was a beautiful reminder of how much can be created with care, patience, and a little know-how.

This wasn’t just a skills course. It was about curiosity, connection, and confidence. About pushing our own learning so that we can lead others more meaningfully in the future. And it was a space to reconnect—to nature, to each other, and to the values that brought us to this work in the first place.

Huge thanks to Pippin and Gile for their insight, energy and guidance. We left the woods with muddy boots, full hearts, and renewed excitement for the bushcraft journeys we’ll be taking others on soon.

Because bushcraft isn’t just about surviving—it’s about thriving. And we’re just getting started.