Do I need prior experience?

No. The course is designed for beginners and covers foundational techniques like tinder selection, vuurslag and firesteel methods.

What is the minimum age?

Minimum age is 16; children aged 10 and up may attend when accompanied by a parent.

The meeting point is Leersums Veld; the listed address is Maarsbergseweg 18a, 3956 KW Leersum for reference.

Will the workshop run in rain?

Yes—expect practical training in varied conditions. Dress waterproof and check weather before arrival.

Instruction covers common tools and methods; expect hands-on practice with shared ignition tools and guidance on safe handling.

Is the focus safety or speed?

Safety and sustainability are primary; the course teaches reliable, repeatable methods while emphasizing full extinguishment and minimal impact.

Vuur de basis: Hands-On Firecraft Workshop at Leersums Veld | Workshop | Guided Tour

Vuur de basis is a hands-on firecraft workshop held at Leersums Veld near Leersum, Utrecht, Netherlands. In a half-day session located at Maarsbergseweg 18a, 3956 KW Leersum, participants learn to build reliable fires from scratch using firesteel and flint, find and prepare tinder, manage flames, and extinguish fires with a strict leave-no-trace ethic. The course runs 5,5 uur — Tijd 10:30 - 16:00 uur — and is aimed at people who want practical, emergency-ready skills for camping, winter preparedness, or simple outdoor self-reliance. This is not a demonstration. Instructors break the process into repeatable stages: identifying suitable tinder and kindling in heath and pine-edge terrain; crafting a tinder bundle that catches sparks; and establishing a stable combustion structure that will tolerate wind and damp. We practice two common ignition methods—vuurslag and firesteel—so you finish confident with both traditional and modern tools. The workshop also covers safe fire management and full extinguishment to prevent scarring the landscape. Set on the edge of Leersums Veld, the setting combines low heathland, scattered pines and sandy soils that make for excellent teaching examples of local tinder materials and fire behavior. The site’s compact scale means you’re never far from instruction, and groups are capped at 16 to keep coaching direct and hands-on. Minimum age is 16 (10 with a parent), making it suitable for committed teenagers and adults alike. Why this course matters here: the region’s mix of heath and pine demonstrates how small shifts in vegetation and moisture change fire technique, so skills learned here translate immediately to Dutch forests and campsites. The program emphasizes practical outcomes — starting a woodstove, reviving a cold grill, or creating an emergency warmth source — and couples that with a strong conservation ethic. Participants walk away with repeatable processes, muscle memory for spark-focused methods, and an understanding of when to avoid lighting a fire. Logistics are straightforward: meet at Leersums Veld; bring weather-appropriate clothing and a willingness to kneel and handle small tools. The pace is steady but thorough, designed for learners who want to move past gimmicks to reliable capability. Whether you’re a weekend camper, a winter traveller, or someone who wants basic survival competence, Vuur de basis offers clear skills, tested techniques, and an emphasis on leaving the land as you found it. Throughout the day instructors run short drills—spark-to-flame exercises, wet-wood strategies, and stove-start routines—so you can test techniques in realistic conditions. Expect one-on-one feedback during builds and a final supervised burn that reinforces safety and leave-no-trace extinguishment. After the workshop participants often report greater confidence around campfires and a clearer sense of when to choose an alternative to burning, making this a practical investment in outdoor competence. Good for novices and repeat practice.

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.