www.ff-ruralcourses.co.uk What We Do The Four Feathers Rural Courses offer structured and bespoke, outdoor courses for all ages. Using the centuries old techniques of hunting and outdoor living we aim to re-engage individuals with these innate, multi-generational skills and their numerous benefits. Focusing on the development of hands-on, practical skills and improving knowledge and awareness of the countryside, our courses provide first-hand experience of every step of the hunting process, exploring the full web of connections we have with the natural world, our place within it and how our interaction influences it. www.ff-ruralcourses.co.uk Shooting Disciplines www.ff-ruralcourses.co.uk What we Believe Why do this - what’s the problem? Why does this matter? In the space of just one generation, the opportunity for children to experience the natural world and the accompanying rural skills has dramatically diminished. Not only has this led to the near extinction of many hands on skills but also reduced the physical, mental and philosophical benefits that the natural world provides. Through HSE, modern agricultural practices and commercialization of rural roles the opportunities to expose the young to the countryside have reduced to very few and will continue to be reduced. Many new texts have started to investigate the relevance of a natural connection in both young and mature persons. The overall finding is that a lack of meaningful connection has a fundamentally detrimental effect on the individual and the sooner it is re-established the better. The individuals who 30 years ago would have been available as mentors – gamekeepers, woodsman, rural craft practitioners – have been turned to a more commercial enterprise with little or no space for apprentices. This unnatural state of being is starting to show itself with the abundance of stress related illnesses and other contemporary ills. www.ff-ruralcourses.co.uk Current Research Where is the proof? Resulting Identifiable Personal benefits A reconnection with nature produces: After even a brief natural exposure the following improvements are often observed: - A noticeable improvement of our senses once out of the urban/technological lifestyle - Increased understanding of foods/dietary origins and natural connection - s enses provide enhanced interpretation/ enjoyment of experiences - dietary health benefits - self-sufficiency and contentment - R eduction in contemporary ills such as depression, loneliness, attention deficient disorders and autism. - first-hand skills development - Increased development of innate creativity, “Nature Intelligence (NQ)” and play - development of strong survival reflexes (from both physical and technological/ lifestyle challenges) - P ersonal ownership of thoughts and experiences - greater appreciation and respect for the natural environment - P ersonal development of risk- reward principles/responsibility/ autonomy - Development of dexterity and co-ordination Sources: Robert Louv - Last Child In the Woods Lorenzo Gonzales - Deep Survival www.ff-ruralcourses.co.uk Outdoor Living www.ff-ruralcourses.co.uk Why Choose Us? Four Feathers Rural Courses strongly believe that the natural world has an essential part to play in the lifestyles of both young and mature people and have tailored our courses to offer all the opportunities that are being closed off. Our instructors are all experienced practitioners of their disciplines with first hand knowledge of the environments. On top of this, all are experienced in teaching all age groups and are qualified in the relevant first aid requirements. Through skills such as tracking, shooting, bushcraft and butchery we allow our students to re-engage with the natural world in the most hands on format possible giving them a new perspective on the world around them. The courses are run in enclosed areas on a private estate with qualified staff members available 24hrs of the day. • Species Identification • Knife handling • Water sourcing • Natural Studies • Game dressing • Friction Fire & firecraft • Tracking & Awareness Skills • Skinning • Carving, cordage • Natural Camouflage • Butchery • Wild foods • Rifle Shooting • Navigation • Natural shelters/hides www.ff-ruralcourses.co.uk Tracking www.ff-ruralcourses.co.uk Example Itinerary Friday Saturday Sunday 2.00pm – Arrive & Set camp 6.30am – Sit spot 6.30am – Sit spot 4.00pm – Introductions & Theory 7.00am – Breakfast 7.30am – Breakfast 8.00am – Tracking 9.00am – Butchery/Bushcraft 5.00pm – Nature Awareness & Sensory Exercises 11.00am – Shooting / Firecraft 12.00pm – Wild Food Foraging 1.00pm – Lunch 1.00pm – Lunch 2.00pm – Shooting / Firecraft 2.00pm – Deer Run/Bushcraft 5.00pm – Game Dressing 5.00pm – Wrap Up & Depart 8.00pm – Supper 8.00pm – Supper www.ff-ruralcourses.co.uk Butchery & Field Dressing www.ff-ruralcourses.co.uk Further details: We are based on a private estate in South Wiltshire, between Salisbury and Warminster. Transport by road is recommended but train connections from London are available as well. Directions are forwarded after booking. Courses are booked on a first-come, first-served basis. If you have a group bigger than 4 then please ask about our Bespoke Course as we will likely need to structure something specifically for you. More details are available online at www.ff-ruralcourses.co.uk or by request at [email protected] www.ff-ruralcourses.co.uk Natural Studies www.ff-ruralcourses.co.uk