Six-Day Bushcraft Course in Leersum — Learn Fire, Shelter & Outdoor Cooking

Read the full experience

On the edge of Leersum’s low ridge country, Basis Bushcraft runs a six-day, immersive skills course that turns beginners into confident outdoor practitioners. Based at Leersums Veld and meeting at Maarsbergseweg 18a, 3956 KW Leersum, Netherlands, the course runs from 10:00 on day one until 15:00 on the final day and is open to participants 14 and up (16+ unless accompanied by a parent). Over six days you learn practical woodland skills—firecraft, water sourcing and purification, shelter construction, outdoor cooking, and working safely with knives, saws, and axes—alongside plant identification and simple crafts built from local materials. The training ground is characteristic Utrechtse forest and heath: sandy soils, scattered pines and oaks, open heathland, and the compact patches of scrub and dune-like terrain around Leersums Veld. That varied terrain gives instructors a living classroom for techniques that depend on resource selection, site choice, and microclimate. Lessons move from demonstration to hands-on repetition; students practice friction and steel-based fire methods, test different shelter shapes, and rotate through cooking setups that emphasize efficiency and food safety. What makes this course stand out is the curriculum’s scope and pace. It’s not a one-off workshop but a concentrated foundation: by the end you will have built and slept in simple shelters, prepared multiple kinds of campfire meals, safely processed wood with saw and axe, and used local plant knowledge to identify edible or otherwise useful species. The emphasis on safe tool handling and stepwise skill progression prepares participants for overnight trips and independent backcountry travel. Practical details: the program is ideal for outdoor-curious beginners and people seeking a structured path into self-reliant camping. Group sizes vary; equipment lists are provided on booking. The meeting point is Leersums Veld and exact street address is Maarsbergseweg 18a, 3956 KW Leersum, Netherlands. Note age limits: 14+ generally, 16+ for solo attendance unless a parent accompanies younger teens. Why book this? For visitors to Utrecht province who want to move beyond guidebooks and reach a personal level of competence, Basis Bushcraft delivers concentrated practice in a compact, accessible landscape. The skills you gain are immediately transferable to weekend expeditions and longer wild camping trips. For anyone curious about hands-on survival craft, this six-day course is a logical, well-paced gateway into true outdoor independence. Expect daily modules that mix demonstration with deliberate practice: morning sessions on tool technique and plant ID, afternoon builds and firecraft, and evening cooking labs that teach efficient meal prep over embers. Instructors focus on low-impact techniques and leave-no-trace practices so you learn to travel lightly and responsibly. The course makes an excellent core for families, solo travelers, or small groups and often leads to confidence for solo overnight trips in the broader Utrechtse woods.

Trip highlights

Difficulty

moderate.

Duration

6 days (10:00 day 1 – 15:00 final day).

Fitness level

Average fitness with the ability to stand, bend, and carry moderate loads for several hours a day; some lifting and repetitive motions required.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need prior bushcraft experience?

No. The course is designed for beginners and builds skills from basic to practical over six days.

What is the minimum age?

Minimum age is 14; attendees under 16 must usually be accompanied by a parent unless otherwise specified.

Where do we meet?

The meeting point is Leersums Veld. The exact street address provided is Maarsbergseweg 18a, 3956 KW Leersum, Netherlands.

Are meals and accommodation included?

The listing does not specify included accommodation or meals; expect to cook outdoors as part of the curriculum and confirm logistics at booking.

Is the course suitable for solo travelers?

Yes. Solo participants are welcome and the program is structured to build confidence for independent overnight trips.

What safety measures are taught?

Instructors emphasize safe tool handling, fire safety, water purification, and leave-no-trace principles throughout the course.

Local insights

Wildlife

European robin
red squirrel

History

Leersums Veld is part of the wider Utrechtse woodland landscapes shaped by glacial sands and centuries of grazing that created open heath patches used for training and recreation.

Conservation

Courses emphasize low-impact techniques and leave-no-trace travel; students are taught to collect only deadwood and to respect sensitive heath and woodland habitats.

About Bushcraft Nederland

Bushcraft Nederland is a hands-on outdoor education provider based in Loosdrecht, Noord-Holland. The organization offers practical bushcraft and wilderness workshops focused on traditional skills, nature connection, and outdoor cooking. Sessions take place in local outdoor settings such as Leersums Veld and nearby forest locations, and are designed for hands-on learning and skill practice. Workshops include spoon carving (Lepel snijden), coiling basketry, outdoor cooking with Dutch ovens, bread baking over coals, primitive cooking techniques, cordage and fiber processing (Touw & Vezels), wild edible and medicinal plant walks, a four-part plant series (Eetbare en medicinale planten 4-luik), nature photography, and guided mushroom identification walks (Alles over paddenstoelen). Each experience focuses on practical instruction, safety, and hands-on skill practice. Instructors emphasize safe tool use, reading natural materials, and adapting traditional techniques for modern outdoor life. Classes are suitable for beginners and more experienced participants who want guided skill development. Equipment and materials are provided for many workshops; specific packing lists are supplied at booking. Bushcraft Nederland operates as a local, activity-based business in Noord-Holland, prioritizing outdoor stewardship and respectful interaction with natural areas. Booking information, availability, and session details are published on the provider’s booking channels and The Adventure Collective listing. For those seeking immersive, practical outdoor workshops near Loosdrecht, Bushcraft Nederland offers focused skill-building experiences rooted in traditional bushcraft and nature knowledge. Sessions are adaptable for family groups, corporate teambuilding, and solo learners seeking outdoor skills, with emphasis on sustainability, responsible foraging, and practical techniques that can be applied on future adventures.

Base locationLeersum, Utrecht

Tours offered

Adventure tips

Bring sturdy footwearExpect uneven, sandy trails and wood-processing work; ankle-supporting boots protect you during shelter builds and foraging.

Pack a personal water bottleAlthough water-sourcing techniques are taught, bring a refillable bottle and a small personal filter if you prefer to drink filtered water between lessons.

Practice basic knife safety beforehandInstructors teach safe tool use, but refreshing simple knife handling at home speeds your progress and reduces risk.

Dress in layers and durable clothingSandy soils and brush mean clothes that can take abrasion work best; layers help manage fluctuating daytime and evening temperatures.

Recommended gear

Sturdy hiking boots: Protects ankles and provides traction on sandy, uneven ground during builds and hikes.
Fixed-blade knife (if you own one) or small multitool: Useful for personal tasks and taught tool-handling practice; instructors cover safe use of communal tools.
Reusable water bottle and small filter: Keeps you hydrated during long practical sessions; filter useful for demonstrations and emergencies.
Layered, abrasion-resistant clothing: Durable clothes and layers help with morning chill, midday work, and evening cooling.