Dutch Oven Campfire Cooking Workshop in Leersum: Hands-On Outdoor Cooking Course

On the forest edge of Leersum in the province of Utrecht, Outdoor Cooking offers a focused, hands-on workshop that teaches campfire cooking with and without the Dutch Oven. Located at Leersums Veld near Maarsbergseweg 18a, 3956 KW Leersum, Netherlands, this five-hour workshop pulls practical bushcraft skills and flavorful, tasty recipes into a single afternoon. You arrive to an open clearing where pine and oak fringe stretches of heath and sandy soil shaped by the Utrechtse Heuvelrug ridge. The experience is practical and convivial: small teams of participants work from supplied recipes to prepare several dishes suitable for camp stoves, open flames and cast-iron Dutch Ovens. The organisers run two versions—Traditional and Deluxe—so whether you want a straightforward primer or a more involved menu with extra techniques, there’s a clear learning arc. Practical instruction covers fire management, layering coals, timing braises and stews, and when to use lids and coals for even heat in cast iron. The day is structured but informal: planned hours are 13:00–18:00 (times may shift to take advantage of daylight) and attendees receive a detailed PDF a week prior. Groups are capped at 20 people and the workshop is intended for ages 16 and up (children from 10 may join if accompanied by a parent), creating a focused learning environment that still feels social. Outdoor Cooking sits within a broader outdoor-recreation zone popular for hiking, mountain biking and seasonal foraging. That local access makes it easy to combine the workshop with a morning trail or an evening in Utrecht. The teaching team’s emphasis on practical skills —from safe firebuilding to recipe scaling for groups— makes this a useful course for campers, backcountry cooks and anyone who wants to expand outdoor hosting skills. Expect to practice searing, slow-roasting, braising and baking techniques adapted to coals and different pot arrangements. Safety and hygiene are covered, and participants work in small teams to run recipes from start to finish. The session description notes that work is done "aan de hand van een receptuur," underscoring the practical, recipe-driven approach. Organizers will share gear basics but recommend durable clothing, closed-toe shoes and a readiness to handle hot cast iron. What makes this workshop stand out is its combination of place and purpose: the sand, heath and forest of Leersum create variable conditions for fire and heat management, so the skills learned translate directly to real campsites and backcountry cooking situations. Whether you are building a meal for friends at a campground or planning to feed a small expedition, Outdoor Cooking in Leersum delivers practical techniques and recipes that will fit in your outdoor toolkit. Sign up through the booking link and arrive prepared for a hands-on, smoke-scented afternoon of lasting skills.