Eequ · After school. In place of school. Beyond school.

Survival Bushcraft and Wilderness Living

A full weekend of wilderness survival

Mentored by

Mark Beckham

I find myself evermore drawn back to nature

Organisation links
Location address: Bury Saint Edmunds, IP30 0EN
Chosen age group:

For ages: 8 - 18+ years

Available tickets:
Standard £250
Next date: None - message Mentor to express interest
What we'll do
We are all born natural survivors, our purpose is to reconnect you with that way of being. Should you be unfortunate enough to find yourself lost or in an emergency situation, this course is specifically designed to teach you the necessary skills required to not only survive but thrive in the wilderness, you will cover a variety of subjects that will enable you to be more confident during your travels in an unfamiliar environment. This weekend is a complete and varied package of instruction covering the most important aspects of survival that are essential to increasing your chances of preserving life to a much greater level. Having a better understanding and knowledge of your priorities will enable you to function more efficiently, thus, reducing the chances of loss of life. When you arrive you will be taken to the main camp and we have a full briefing on the weekend's activities. Shelter is the first priority for wilderness survival so we will start by learning how to identify the best locations. We will then look at all the available natural materials and you will be responsible for constructing your own camp. You will learn how to make it warm, comfortable and waterproof. We will be hungry for our lunches. To solve this problem we will learn how to gut and fillet fish, rabbit or pigeon which will then be cooked over a campfire. In the afternoons we will undertake various activities and will likely include some scenario-based exercises. Imagine having to go and rescue a pilot from a downed helicopter. How would you find them? How long do you have? How will you coordinate with your team? What do you need to carry? Imagine there is a minefield and you need to traverse an area without touching the floor. As evenings draw in we will enjoy a barbeque and chill out around the campfire. On clear nights we will do some star gazing and learn about natural navigation. In the mornings, we will fill you full of bacon and eggs - you will learn how to make and cook damper bread. You will need to deconstruct your shelters, leaving no trace. Evaluating your situation and surroundings in an emergency can be a very daunting thought. This course will give you confidence in your ability and decision making. hot food, water, and a place to sleep, you will discover techniques of constructing a shelter and creating a place for rest and work. be guided by nature, the natural signposts are there you just need to know how to read them. What you will learn during this course are natural skills that have diminished over time but are deep inside our DNA. Useful to say the least, whether you are embarking on a hiking expedition to foreign lands or simply heading out for some wild camping, don’t go unprepared, extra knowledge is good knowledge and the responsible thing to do.
About your mentor
Mark Beckham
I find myself evermore drawn back to nature
Mark is the Owner and Director of Natural Survivor Ltd. Here is his story… Growing up in a small rural village in Suffolk, I always enjoyed the outdoors and what it had to offer. Luckily for me, it was all on my doorstep. I joined the scouts at a young age and loved every minute of it. I soon realised that being part of a team that worked well together was very important to me. Learning new skills, making new friends, training evenings, weekend camps, summer camps and all the new things I was learning really started me on a journey thats brought me to where I am today. Serving a long career in HM Armed Forces spanning from 1990 – 2018 I travelled extensiveIy over the years experiencing a side of life I wouldn’t have normally encountered, educating me about different cultures along the way. Now I have retired from military life I find myself evermore drawn back to nature and the calmness it brings. Having been on a personal recovery journey of my own and the realisation of the way my life has changed was the biggest part of my decision to start my own company. Even after all these years, there is still something magical about being out in nature and absorbing everything it has to offer. In today’s world, technology is distracting people from getting out there and making the most of life. It is all too easy to talk to people on social media and not even leave the house. Mark says.... Imagine this crazy idea, instead of talking to your friends on social media, you are all together, sitting around a campfire with food and a nice hot drink, chatting and laughing about the activities of the day or individual experiences in life. Not only do you feel the warmth of the campfire but you experience the true warmth of friendship. It is awe-inspiring for me to see how nature brings people together, and the way it brings something out from inside you that you wouldn’t normally experience in everyday life. We live in a fast paced life now and take for granted the very environment that surrounds us. Mother nature is working tirelessly to keep things ticking along nicely for us and our planet, and on the most part we don’t even see it or take advantage of what is right in front of us. That is why I invite you to come and join me around that fire, tell me your stories of life’s journey whilst at the same time building memories for the next one (story that is, not life ☺). I will share my experiences with you and teach you how you can live in the wilderness. I will teach you valuable skills that will aid you in the wild and show you that you too have inside what it takes to be confident in unfamiliar surroundings. The most beautiful thing about nature is it can be enjoyed by anyone, whilst the best thing about knowledge is it can be shared with everyone. I look forward to meeting you very soon. Mark
Suitable for
Age 8+. Under 18’s must be accompanied by a full paying adult (18+). Suitable for individuals, families, groups of friends etc. Skills needed: Novice Fitness levels: A standard level of fitness is all that is required although some elements can be physically demanding depending on individuals ability.
Learning aims
Aim 1
How to construct proper survival shelters
Aim 3
How to find, collect and purify water
Aim 5
To be able to handle cutting tools safely. How to sharpen knifes and the law around knifes.
Aim 2
How to light fires in a survival situation
Aim 4
How to navigate in the wilderness
Aim 6
How to prepare and good game such as fish, rabbit and pigeon
Kit list
All of the clothing and equipment that you bring must be appropriate to the environment and the time of year. This course will go ahead even in adverse weather. So pack sensibly. ESSENTIAL Individual First Aid Kit Antibacterial Hand Sanitiser knife Fork Spoon Plate/Bowl Cup Gloves for shelter building Whistle Warm clothing Spare clothing Waterproofs Sleeping bag Insulating Sleeping mat Water Bottle 1L minimum Head torch Wash kit Insect repellant spray Any medication you require OPTIONAL Sunglasses / Hat (for summer) Thermals / gloves / Hat (for winter) Notebook and pen Camera
Pricing information
Ticket nameStandard
Price£250
PHOTO GALLERY
Where we'll be
Linkwood (off Linkwood Road), What3words: evaded.history.masks, Bury Saint Edmunds, Suffolk, IP30 0EN
WHAT’S PROVIDED
Drinks
Snacks
Meals
Equipment
Safety
Risk Assessment
Public Liability Insurance
First Aid Training
First Aid Kit

Please note

Please note, it is the responsibility of the booker to satisfy themselves about the adequacy of the safety measures. This platform is merely an introducer and does not verify the items listed here.

Cancellation Policy
None of the aboveCancel more than 6 weeks before the start to receive a full refund.

My experience consists of a leisure activity, on a specific date(s), and therefore the 14-day ‘cooling off period’ under the Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013 does not apply.