Basic and advanced

In these courses, we'll work together to determine what you want to learn and when and how you'd like to do it—alone, with your family, or with a group (of friends). Want to experience bushcraft in a unique location in the Swedish wilderness? Then this is your chance! This is also the perfect opportunity if you're just passing through and want to gain some extra knowledge and skills!

We can, of course, create a ready-made program for you, but perhaps you'd like to delve deeper into a specific topic or leave it completely open to learn the basics. Or perhaps you'd prefer a short or longer hike, bringing your own gear and staying overnight at various locations? Combining a few days of on-site training with a subsequent hike is also an option.

These course(s) are suitable for both beginners and advanced students and the great thing is, you can choose your own time, how many days you want to have lessons, what you want to learn, experience what being outside all day (and all night) does to you, connect with your environment and much more!

Contact us to discuss the options available for you and your needs!

What can you learn?

• Knife and saw safety
• Carving techniques
• Buttons to hang/fasten your tarp, tent or hammock and much more
• Making fire safely in different ways
• Collecting wood, what to do and definitely what not to do
• Identifying wood types
• Making try-stick and feathersticks
• Tinder from mushrooms (Amadou)
• Rope made from plant fibers/tendon
• Making fire with fire steel
• Food and medicine from nature
• Wool felting
• Purify and treat water
• Building a shelter
• Building a primitive kitchen
• Preparing an animal with respect for food and more (subject to availability)
• Finding, preparing and storing food
• Making fire with the firebow
• Saving fire for later
• Working with bot
• Short or longer hikes
• Navigating in nature
• And many more topics we can cover!

Practical information

• As many days as you want
• Required prior knowledge: none
• Required physical condition: We'll probably be hiking for a few hours over the course of a day. The terrain isn't particularly challenging, but it's also not flat. With a good basic level of fitness, this is easily doable for anyone.
• Number of participants: 1-12
• Costs: from €175 per person per day for adults, children and larger groups receive a discount.
• A complete packing list will be sent after registration.
• Dogs are allowed, provided they are kept on a leash, are sociable and you always clean up after yourself on the field.

Included

• All (vegetarian) meals, for a 1-day course, lunch, multi-day courses from lunch on day 1 until lunch on the last day (we prepare our food together on the fire) and water, coffee, tea and fruit. 
• Stay at the location during the course (bring your own camping equipment)

 Not included in the course

• The journey there and back to the location
• Deviating dietary preferences
• Snacks for the evening or during the day
• If you want extra things such as meat or fish, you must bring them yourself.

Packing list: You'll receive a detailed packing list after booking. You can also count on our comprehensive guidance in selecting your equipment.

Necessary equipment (Minimum basis!)

• Fixed blade knife (e.g. Mora Companion)
• Sharpening stone (e.g. Fallkniven DC4)
• Saw (e.g. Silky Gomboy Outback 240)
• Tent or tarp with sleeping bag and mat that can reach around freezing point (comfort temperature 0°C)
• Headlamp with red light
• Eating utensils such as mug, plate (e.g. BillyCan 2 liter), spoon
• Suitable clothing for every season; preferably wool layers, no jeans!
• Waterproof and windproof jacket and wool or fleece sweater
• Suitable shoes/boots
• Rain gear (jacket and trousers)
• Personal hygiene and medication
• Notebook, pen and pencils
• Phone and power bank
• Any medication you may need. If necessary, please inform the instructors about the use of medication. 

Kurt Peeters

Kurt is your main instructor this week.

Kurt has been fascinated by nature, and especially the forest, since he was a little boy. At eight, he set off alone with his grandparents' dogs through the Kempen forests in Belgium, and at 19, he moved to the Netherlands to study tropical forestry. During his studies, he lived as a shepherd in the Pyrenees and worked on reforestation projects in Ecuador.
 
After many wanderings and experience in the jungle of offices, Kurt has been pursuing his passion and love for years: the forest. Staying there, embracing it, listening, and living. In 2021, he sold his house in Velp to fulfill his dreams and transitioned completely to a life from the "van," living everywhere but always in or around the forest.
 
Even before he'd set foot in Sweden, he knew he had to go there. One day, he and Ronja (his daughter) boarded a bus, traveling through Germany, Denmark, and finally to the bridge to Sweden. A song came to mind (which he didn't even like), and that was "Coming Home" by Dotan, played at the top of the bridge. It stuck with him, and from then on, the search for a place in Sweden began.
 
That spot now exists, on a mountain in Värmland, in the middle of nowhere. A place without human sound, without light pollution, but with moose, wolves, and bears. And a mountain of exciting challenges! Workshops will also be held there in the near future.
 
After several year-long training programs, including Faith in Nature and the bushcraft year-long program, a year of supporting the camp during those programs, and an expedition to Sweden without any modern tools like a knife and only homemade items like deerskin clothing, it was time for the instructor training program. Another year and a half immersed in bushcraft and primitive skills, and especially, how to teach these to others.
 
Kurt talks passionately about everything that comes with living with nature and he has endless patience to take you into that wonderful world.
 
In his endless wanderings through the woods (and offices), Kurt has not only become acquainted with the scientific world but also developed a spiritual connection with the forest. Besides facts and substantiation, you can also count on a genuine connection with the nature around you and the messages it holds for you.

Information
Want to know more or have any questions? Please contact Kurt: kurt@hogda-wilderness-wisdom.com or +46 (0) 767640782.