Carolina Bushcraft Spring Gathering

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Join us for a primitive camping weekend in Uwharrie National Forest. All skill levels are welcome! PM or post any questions you may have, we'll be glad to help out.

Kids and well-behaved dogs are welcome. If you can't come until Saturday, its no problem, and some us will be there for a few days before and after. This is primitive camping, so there are no facilities on the site, though Arrowhead Campground is nearby.

Most people will bring a hammock and a tarp or a small tent. Bring food and water, though we usually share group meals in the evenings. Please comment below if you'd like to cook something over the campfire or bring something to share.

Schedule

We are making these events a bit more organized. Also we are bringing in guest instructors to teach longer, in-depth classes for $20/class. Despite rising costs and a lot of time spent organizing, these events are still free to camp, so please support the group by attending classes.

The contests are free to enter -- there will be prizes. If you have any Campbell's Chunky or Progresso soup cans (or similar), or flint&steel sets we could borrow, we need them for the fire building contest.

We still need contributions/volunteers to cook the two group meals for 25-30 people. Sometimes we've had two meals cooked at once for 10-15 people each, which is great too.

Friday
All day: Arrive, set up camp, camping is free
~7 pm: Group Meal, still needed
Dusk: Group Campfire

Saturday
10:00 -12:00: Wayfinding with Magnetic Forces and Symbols, guest instructor Charly Aurelia, $20, 10 people max, description below
12:00 - 2:00: Lunch Break
2:00 - 4:00: When There is No 911: Patient Assessment, guest instructor Charly Aurelia, $20, 10 people max, description below
4:30: Archery Contest
5:00: Ferrorod / Flint & Steel Fire Building Contest: Boil 1 cup of water in an 18-20oz can. Bring cans if you have them. Wire bails OK.
~7pm: Group Meal, still needed
Dusk: Group Campfire

Sunday
11:00: Tailgate Tradeblanket, parking lot. Drop your tailgate or spread a blanket and buy / sell / trade your bushcraft kit and crafts.

Class Descriptions:

Wayfinding With Magnetic Forces and Symbols
Wayfinding is a primary skill/relationship. Knowing where you are and perhaps, at least a little about where you may be headed. If you hold the belief that you "have a poor sense of direction" this class is for you! But it is also for everyone, whether experienced or inexperienced. Please bring a compass, baseplate style preferred, if you have one (if you are buying one, I suggest a baseplate compass with adjustable declination), and any maps you may have. There will be a few compasses for you to borrow or buy at the event.

When There Is No 911: Patient Assessment
Learn the skill for the Right Now emergencies. There is no time to google for the answer, you can't consult your mentors, the stars, or your power animal, you need to act now. Now what?

This class will start you off in the fundamental skill of patient assessment in urban, suburban, rural, wilderness, and disaster emergency situations.

Directions

At Hwy 109 about 10 miles North of Troy, NC, turn West on Reservation Rd. This is a little south of the Eldorado Outpost store. Then turn on the first Right just past Hunt Camp on Moccasin Creek Rd/576. Cross over the river and take the next Left on Cotton Place Rd/555. Follow this road for about 1 mile. On the right will be an OHV parking lot (35.4143, -80.0232), park there. Find a trailhead across the street to the right. Take this trail, turn right where it meets another trail at a clearing. Just before the trail goes through a thicket there will be a fork to the right which goes along the creek. Follow this creek. If you miss this fork just keep to the right, both trails go to the same place. The trail will cross the creek and continue towards the river. Near the mouth of the creek you will find a fire circle, lots of mature shade trees for hammocks and an open meadow for tents.

Rules, Guidelines and Suggestions

Skill Sharing: We are informal and group-oriented, so any instruction is drawn from the skills and knowledge of the group. Anyone who has a topic they feel experienced enough in to share with the group is welcome to do so. Expect others to respectfully contribute to the topic as well. The exception to this is the subject of edible and medicinal plants, as this topic can be especially dangerous. If you want to teach a more formal class on a particular subject, let me know.

Fire: We will have one central, group campfire. Use this one fire whenever possible. You may use the other, nearby fire rings, or make one in your area if necessary (but don't use river rocks, they can explode). In the evenings we like for everyone to gather together for the evening meal and socializing.

Camp Tools: In the campfire area will be a 'Tool Tree' at which will be axes, saws, and other camp tools. These are for the use of the group in processing firewood and other camp tasks. Please don't use these unless you are experienced with them and can use them safely without harm to yourself or the tool. For example, never split wood on the ground, as you will inevitably hit a rock and damage the axe. If you wish to allow your tools to be used by the group, place them at this tree.

Electronic Devices: Some people do have phone signal now at Uwharrie, but please move away from the group campfire to use your device. The campfire area should be a phone-free zone.

Noise: The campfire area may be quite loud well into the early hours of the morning. This means we are having fun and enjoying our time in the woods. Keep this noise level in mind when choosing the spot you pitch your tent or hang your hammock.

Trash: Paper and other natural materials can be burned in the campfire. Pack out everything else. Do not burn plastic, this generates toxic fumes.

Alcohol: Not allowed in state parks, but is allowed in national forests like Uwharrie. Be aware that our gatherings are family-friendly and use good judgement.

Light Discipline: Pay attention to where your flashlight is shining, use your low/red setting around other people and be careful not to shine it in people's eyes.

Firearms, hunting and fishing: Many of us open-carry. Hunting is allowed at Uwharrie in season, fishing all year. Please follow all applicable laws and regulations.

Human Waste: Sometimes we have a tarped-off area with a camping commode, sometimes not. But this is primitive camping and the normal method is to walk a good distance from the camping area and bury your waste at least 6" deep, then mark the spot with crossed sticks.

Suggested Kit

Sleeping bag rated for 20 degrees below expected temps

Shelter: small tent or hammock & tarp

Water: figure 1 gallon per day per person, or filter/boil water from the river

Food: breakfast, lunch & snacks

Cookware: pots & pans for cooking over the group campfire

Dishes & Silverware: paper or reusable plastic or metal

Flashlight: headlamp preferred

Clothes: more warm clothes than you expect to need

Raincoat or poncho

Boots (trails can be muddy)

Camp Chairs

First Aid: waterproof band-aids, antibiotic lotion, etc.

Toiletries

Bushcraft knife

Optional:

Cooler

Bush tools such as axe, saw, etc.

Fishing gear (if you have a fishing license)

Coffee / tea