What is Woodsmoke ?
Woodsmoke is an attempt to put our version of Classic Camping into context by trying to identify its roots, explain where it fits in with historic outdoor traditions, and create a description that would help others explain what it is that we do. We were also aware that the terms regarding Tradition,
Traditional Camping and Bushcraft - also need to be defined.
Woodcrafts are the roots of modern Bushcraft
Here's what we came up with.; it's open for discussion. We, however, have begun a journey that we hope will let others understand the field better, provide a foundation that others can build on, and help promote the field for years to come.
Classic Camping
Rustic . Romantic . Real
- Steve Watts -
What Is Classic Camping ?
- Classic Camping Defined -
Classic Camping is the use of tools, techniques and traditions in the style of the Golden Age of Camping (1880-1930).
“Where the frontier skills of Daniel Boone meet the industrial age of Henry Ford.”
Classic Camping is a snapshot in time.
Classic Camping is:
• directly connected to it’s historic context.
• an understanding and appreciation for handmade craft.
• the use of classic style – timeless utility - aesthetic efficiency.
• a comfortable confessed relationship with romance and nostalgia.
• re-creative and fun.
- Steve Watts and David Wescott -
Classic Camping is a modern-day reflection of the Golden Age of Camping - between the years 1880 and 1930 - a time when the traditions of the frontier - skills from the land - and modern technology clashed, creating a fertile time and attitude for society to redefine it's need for reconnecting to the land by mastering skills and techniques, as well as utilizing simple technologies and crafts that provided them access and a return to the sylvan life.
Classic Camping is:
A Time - It's a time to re-create. The simple point of camping was to camp well - with style. It's a time when the traditions of the past were still accessible and mentors were available to teach the skills and guide the mastery of the crafts. It was a time when camping wasn't needed just to meet other ends - prospecting, exploring, war, etc. - it was the first time camping was undertaken for the simple joy of being in the outdoors in the woodsmoke.
A Place - Our modern view of the outdoors is through a set of eyes that sees everything the same. The eyes of the classic camper see patterns, variety, and magic. The wild outdoors is full of lessons to be learned on it's terms. When we separate ourselves from place, we lose a part of ourselves. The skills of the classic camper require a connection to place in order to survive.
Gear - There is no denying it - Classic Campers are gear heads; it's just that we choose to be obsessed with gear from a certain period of time. Outdoorsmen have always been seduced by new invention. Clothing is a part of our gear choice - it is shelter. Gear that forces us to apply technique as well as embrace the land enhances rather than impedes our return to it.
Nostalgic - Lots of people won't admit it, but a good dose of nostalgia is fun. Hearkening back to days when we camped as kids, read books that made us dream, and made things that connected our hands to our heads and hearts. It was a fine time. The glow of the oil lamp, the smell of canvas, leather and smoke, the taste of food cooked over an open fire are all keys to living back.
Authenticity is the goal!
Joe Flowers' Red Dirt Survival Interviews with Steve Watts
What is Traditional Camping?
- Traditional Camping Defined -
Traditional Camping is the adaptation of tools and techniques reminiscent of the classic style used
to camp in a modern world.
“When the skills of the Golden Age of Camping
meet the 21st century.”
Traditional Camping moves through time.
Traditional Camping is:
• romance with tradition that connects us to our heritage.
• skills and knowledge documented by the masters of the old style.
• a viable alternative to contemporary/emerging technologies.
• retention of skills and techniques over convenience and security.
• a reconnection of skills with place.
• a merging of past, present and future.
- Steve Watts and David Wescott -
Traditional Camping is the preservation of the camp skills and woods knowledge reminiscent of the Golden Age of Camping. Traditional Camping unabashedly bows to the sirens call of romance and nostalgia, while making a strong philosophical case for these same principles and woodsy wisdom as viable alternatives to modern outdoor pursuits. (For expanded explanation see The Definitions Project tab). Camping with style is the goal!
The 4 Pillars of Traditional Camping
• Campcraft - Skills used in camp and on trail to live safely and comfortably
in the outdoors.
• Woodcraft - Skills and knowledge applied to live simply and harmoniously
with the outdoors. Woodcraft implies working with materials
found in the environment.
• Fieldcraft - Woodslore - Skills and techniques informed by the land.
A working knowledge of the land.
• Trailcraft - Skills for the moving camp. Includes both what is done in camp -
campcraft - and the skills needed to negotiate the field
in order to get to camp - fieldcraft.
Why Should Traditional Camping Be Taught In the Modern World of Outdoor Education
Expanded from - Van Horn, 2002
I. Traditional Camping offers greater skill, competence.
A. Survival skills
B. Campcraft to Woodslore
C. Crafting / Gear construction
D. Less dependence on emerging technologies
E. Soft skills: problem solving, creativity, improvising etc.
II. Traditional Camping offers a greater sense of connection to nature.
A. Greater reliance on local resources
B. Greater awareness of local environment (i.e. weather, bugs, etc.)
C. Relates directly to specific location - place-based, bio-regional
III. Traditional Camping increases awareness of impact.
A. Localized impact
1. opportunities to learn about, and improve local environment
2. impacts are immediate and manageable
B. Reliance on renewable resources, simpler gear
1. cotton, wool, leather
2. simple, unprocessed foods
C. Less reliance on more, and newer gear, far-off locales for recreation
IV. Traditional Camping provides an important connection to heritage.
A. Part of our heritage
B. Insight into past lifeways and philosophies - context
C. Time tested - gear and techniques
D. Skills taught in sequence - bridges gap between Prim Tech and Tech-Rec
V. Traditional Camping meets goals of adventure / outdoor education.
A. Meets goals of Adventure Education
B. Meets goals of Outdoor Education
C. Spans the distance between disciplines
D. Explores the world just beyond your doorstep
E. Challenges the validity of current research
VI. Arguments against Traditional Camping include
A. Can create impact
B. It's unnecessary - an anachronism
What Is Bushcraft ?
Is it an Anachronism?
(anachronisim - a person, object, thing or event that is chronologically out of place, especially one appropriate to an earlier period. ...something that is not appropriate for the time) • Are these traditions out of place for our time? Research has shown that Traditional Camping skills and crafts are as effective in teaching the ideals of Adventure and Outdoor/ Environmental Education as any modern approach - more so in many ways. Even though dressing-out yourself and your camp in the "old style" may not be your "cup of tea," the skills and majority of the clothing and equipment are as appropriate for living in the outdoors today as they ever were - again, even more so in many ways. The growing field of Bushcraft understands this concept and has adopted many of the classic traditions and now applies them in a whole new genre of outdoor living skills. The Classic Camper is not only a re-eanactor, but also one who defers to these skills and technologies by choice to live comfortably and safely in the outdoors.
For the re-enactor - "Living History is not only about accurately portraying the past but also trying to gain insight into the mindset of our ancestors by exploring their written instructions (we have the manuals) about life’s activities as they survived till our times. Ideally this should be done with reconstructed clothing and equipment from those times."
Bushcarft is many things to many people. It may be best to start out by reflecting on definitions written by people who teach it on a daily basis.
Bushcraft is the term I employ to describe a deeper knowledge of the wild and of nature. It is a huge tree that branches out in many directions to botany, zoology, craft work, outdoors leadership and countless other divisions. At its root, though, is reliance upon oneself and on nature. In the study of bushcraft we step beyond survival and learn the subtlety that makes outdoor life both certain and enjoyable. Everyone who visits wild places will benefit from bushcraft knowledge.
Ray Mears, Woodlore
Bushcraft is the active component of our interaction with the natural world. Both art and science, bushcraft is doing, making, crafting, traveling, building and living in the natural world. It is an inclusive term for doing things outdoors and is comprised of activities such as, but not limited to, primitive skills, modern survival, classic camping, expeditionary skills, prepping, hiking, paddling, crafting and outdoor living, as well as more specialized disciplines such as hunting, fishing and trapping. Bushcraft has no political agenda or worldview, isn't about preparing for the end of the world, and isn't an "ism". It is made up of people of all ages, ethnicities and backgrounds who share a love for being active outdoors. Ultimately, bushcraft is defined by those who participate, but it is the sum of these definitions, not the individual parts, that define it as a whole.
Tim Smith, Jack Mountain Bushcraft
Based on these definitions, it's easy to see why the video is presented in a way that tries to clarify the parts by examining where they are similar rather than how they differ. The beauty of bringing classic campers, bushcrafters and survivalists together in one camp is that it removes arbitrary lines that separate us, and helps us see each other in a light of common interests and experience. Bushcraft is the common point where all three fields overlap. It is the skills that bring us together. Once we accept that, we can really begin to learn from each other. What we do with the skills and how we employ them, is of course up to the individual. But the coming together of these 3 diverse yet similar fields is an important step toward creating a strong foundation for our future development. The terms and tools we use in our individual fields may vary - fieldcraft, campcraft, woodcraft, trailcraft, woodslore, bushcraft - but they all emanate from a common point - the land and our relationship to it.