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Frequently Asked Questions
 HOW DO I BOOK A WOODSMOKE COURSE?
Please click on the links for course booking infomation and Kit List
ARE THERE ANY AGE LIMITS?
We have a strict lower age limit of 18 on all our courses, except the '13-17yrs - Woodlander', which is a five-day course based on the adult Woodlander syllabus.
There is no upper
limit. In the past, we have taught students in their
seventies. Provided you are in good physical health and have a
positive mental attitude, there is no reason why you should not
attend. If you are in any doubt, please consult your GP before
booking.
ARE THE COURSES TOUGH?
Our courses should be viewed as being a wilderness education experience
and not as an ordinary holiday. They are educational courses, but
just as importantly, they are a ‘hands on’ experience and at times can
be quite challenging. Due to the nature of the location and the
course content, you will be expected to take short hikes over uneven
terrain, therefore a good level of fitness is required – on occasion
you will be wet, muddy, tired, too hot, too cold, frustrated and
exhilarated! Our Nomad and Aboriginal Courses are designed to be very
challenging (see course details).
FOOD & DIET
Our courses are not designed to be ‘hard core’ military type survival
courses. We feel strongly that our students need to be well fed
and comfortable in order to become proficient at the skills
taught. All meals are cooked on site. Food preparation and
cooking will be a joint effort, involving both students and
staff. Breakfast, lunch and evening meals are provided and there
will always be a brew pot on the go so that students are free to make
tea and coffee at any time. The food provided will be more than
adequate, but feel free to bring extra provisions if you wish. We
are happy to cater for vegetarians but if you have any other dietary
restrictions, for example, nut or gluten allergies, please let us know
when you place your booking. All our courses are fully catered.
WILL I BE HUNTING & TRAPPING FOR FOOD?
On our standard courses you will not be hunting and trapping, although
we will teach you the techniques on the Woodlander course, as feeding
yourself from the wild is an integral part of the subject. On our more
advanced Aboriginal course you will be trapping and
fishing, as feeding yourself from the wild is an integral part of the
subject.
DO I NEED PRIOR EXPERIENCE?
Not at all. If you enjoy being outdoors and are keen to learn –
we will welcome your company. Although previous camping
experience can be an advantage on the overnight courses, it is not
essential. Some of our more advanced courses do have pre-requisites;
please see course details.
IS THERE SOMEWHERE TO PARK MY CAR & WILL MY STUFF BE SAFE?
Courses are conducted on a private estate, with limited access to the
general public. There are parking facilities provided within the
estate, and whilst we cannot guarantee the safety of your vehicle,
there have never been any incidents of theft  within the grounds.
We would recommend that you keep any valuable personal belongings in
your day sack. From your cars, you and your kit will be driven to our
base-camp location, therefore it is not essential that you pack all
your equipment into one rucksack, you will not be required to walk more
than 100m to the camping area. Please note, that once at base-camp you
will not return to your vehicle until the end of the course. Click here for more Frequently Asked Questions.
CAN I ATTEND ON MY OWN ?
Yes. Our courses are aimed at private individuals who have a passion to learn. Although some people attend in pairs or small groups, the vast majority of our groups are made up of individuals from a wide variety of backgrounds.
 WHAT ABOUT BAD WEATHER?
Courses will run in all but the most extreme weather conditions.
Bad weather makes learning the skills more challenging and harder to
master, but you will be rewarded with a higher level of ability and a
greater sense of achievement. The unpredictable weather in
Britain makes it one of the best training grounds in which to learn
Bushcraft.
IS IT SAFE?
“Adventure is a romantic name for trouble…” At Woodsmoke the opposite
is true, as you will get the opportunity to learn wilderness living
skills in a safe and controlled environment, where making mistakes will
not put you in danger. However you must come in the knowledge
that no outdoor activity is entirely without risk, as you may be using
sharp tools or walking across uneven terrain. Accidents can
happen.
CAN I BRING ALCOHOL?
Alcohol is strictly forbidden on all our courses, due to the obvious
health and safety risks. Alcohol and cutting tools don’t
mix! However, it is not unusual for students to get together at
the end of a course for a well-earned pint.
WHERE CAN I STAY BEFORE/AFTER MY COURSE?
If you are interested in spending some time enjoying the stunning
scenery of the Lake District, either before or after your course, you
can contact Windermere Tourist Information on 015394 46499, or for
campsites and B&B accommodation within walking distance of our
course meeting point in Far Sawrey, contact Hawkshead Tourist
Information on 015394 36525. For some B&Bs in Windermere click here. You may also find it useful to visit our 'Lake District Links' page for more information. Please note that campsites and B&B’s can book up
very quickly in the central Lake District, so please reserve your
accommodation early!
COURSE MEETING TIMES
For almost all our courses we meet at 19:30 hrs on the evening of the
course start date (19:00 hrs if you are arriving by train) and you will
be back to your cars by 16:00 hrs on the last day of the course (17:00
hrs at Windermere train station). Arrival details will be sent to you four weeks prior to the commencement of your course.
AXES & MOBILE PHONES
Axes must not be used at any time, unless the individual student has
permission from the instructor leading the course. Mobile phones are
permitted, but please use very quietly & discreetly!
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