Forest School is a valuable tool for learning but do our sessions actually have deeper value or are we just doing Forest School for the purpose of Forest School? The Bracken Outdoors Podcast is designed for Woodland Leaders from bushcraft instructors to Forest School practitioners, helping you build a life in the great outdoors. With weekly short e…

Are you consciously competent, unconsciously incompetent or just confused by it all? In this episode we take a look at the Forest School framework for skill development. The Bracken Outdoors Podcast is designed for Woodland Leaders from bushcraft instructors to Forest School practitioners, helping you build a life in the great outdoors. With weekly…

Planning your career progression is an important part of any job, but it is especially vital as a Woodland Leader. The Bracken Outdoors Podcast is designed for Woodland Leaders from bushcraft instructors to Forest School practitioners, helping you build a life in the great outdoors. With weekly short episodes on all aspects of life as a freelance W…

As Forest School leaders, we often underestimate the time we spend preparing for and clearing up after sessions. In between planning activities, learning new skills, preparing resources, answering emails and all of the cleaning and maintenance tasks after a session, there is often very little time left for ourselves. The Bracken Outdoors Podcast is…

Managing money as it comes in and goes out of your business is one of the trickiest things to manage as a freelance Woodland Leader. In this epsiode, I share my best tip for smooth cash flow and stress-free account management. The Bracken Outdoors Podcast is designed for Woodland Leaders from bushcraft instructors to Forest School practitioners, he…

In this episode, I interview Gary Marlow of Marlow Sports on equipping children for freedom, building a legacy, developing businesses, Big School Camp, using technology outdoors and more. Resources mentioned: Woods for Learning - Website + Facebook Marlow Sports - Website + Facebook Big School Camp - Website + Facebook Woodland Escape Rooms - Websi…

Being a Forest School leader can feel pretty isolating but you don't have to face things alone, in this video I talk about how to find your woodland community. The Bracken Outdoors Podcast is designed for Woodland Leaders from bushcraft instructors to Forest School practitioners, helping you build a life in the great outdoors. With weekly short epi…

As a Forest School leader, the way you describe your sessions (e.g. outdoor play, bushcraft, wellbeing in the woods) informs your audience. Are you using the right packaging when marketing your sessions? The Bracken Outdoors Podcast is designed for Woodland Leaders from bushcraft instructors to Forest School practitioners, helping you build a life …

I don't think you need to be a master bushcrafter to lead Forest School sessions or have 30 years of experience in education to teach bushcraft skills, however, there are still complementary skills that every Woodland Leader should have. The Bracken Outdoors Podcast is designed for Woodland Leaders from bushcraft instructors to Forest School practi…

The Bracken Outdoors Podcast is designed for Woodland Leaders from bushcraft instructors to Forest School practitioners, helping you build a life in the great outdoors. With weekly short episodes on all aspects of life as a freelance Woodland Leader, from business tips and advice to philosophy of outdoor education, as well as monthly deep dives int…

In this episode, I interview Emma Wiid of The Outdoor Club CIC. We talk about the Mental Health First Aider qualification, how to build a community around a CIC, creating supportive sessions, obtaining funding for your organisation and more. Resources: The Outdoor Club CIC Muddy Toes on Facebook Muddy Toes on Instagram The Bracken Outdoors Podcast …

In this episode, I talk about pricing structures for Home-ed Forest School sessions. The Bracken Outdoors Podcast is designed for Woodland Leaders from bushcraft instructors to Forest School practitioners, helping you build a life in the great outdoors. With weekly short episodes on all aspects of life as a freelance Woodland Leader, from business …

Join me as we talk over dealing with learning frustrations as both a leader and a learner. The Bracken Outdoors Podcast is designed for Woodland Leaders from bushcraft instructors to Forest School practitioners, helping you build a life in the great outdoors. With weekly short episodes on all aspects of life as a freelance Woodland Leader, from bus…

The reality of working as a freelance woodland leader. The Bracken Outdoors Podcast is designed for Woodland Leaders from bushcraft instructors to Forest School practitioners, helping you build a life in the great outdoors. With weekly short episodes on all aspects of life as a freelance Woodland Leader, from business tips and advice to philosophy …

In this Wednesday episode, I talk about the value of creating a personal brand. The Bracken Outdoors Podcast is designed for Woodland Leaders from bushcraft instructors to Forest School practitioners, helping you build a life in the great outdoors. With weekly short episodes on all aspects of life as a freelance Woodland Leader, from business tips …

In this episode of the Bracken Outdoors podcast I discuss leave no trace, whether harvesting resources from nature should be part of Forest School and how to manage your impact on the land. The Bracken Outdoors Podcast is designed for Woodland Leaders from bushcraft instructors to Forest School practitioners, helping you build a life in the great o…

In this episode, I discuss whether you should charge an hourly or daily rate for your sessions. The Bracken Outdoors Podcast is designed for Woodland Leaders from bushcraft instructors to Forest School practitioners, helping you build a life in the great outdoors. With weekly short episodes on all aspects of life as a freelance Woodland Leader, fro…

1 year and over 70 videos later, I reflect on the results of my 2023 resolution to post at least one video a week for 12 months. The Bracken Outdoors Podcast is designed for Woodland Leaders from bushcraft instructors to Forest School practitioners, helping you build a life in the great outdoors. With weekly short episodes on all aspects of life as…

In this episode, I talk through my thoughts on raising your rates as a self-employed Woodland Leader. The Bracken Outdoors Podcast is designed for Woodland Leaders from bushcraft instructors to Forest School practitioners, helping you build a life in the great outdoors. With weekly short episodes on all aspects of life as a freelance Woodland Leade…

In this Saturday episode, I share the lessons I have learned from my breakthrough year as a self-employed woodland leader. Essentialism - Greg McKeown The Bracken Outdoors Podcast is designed for Woodland Leaders from bushcraft instructors to Forest School practitioners, helping you build a life in the great outdoors. With weekly short episodes on …

In this Wednesday vlog, I discuss the different points of view and factors that affect whether you run your sessions through the winter months. The Bracken Outdoors Podcast is designed for Woodland Leaders from bushcraft instructors to Forest School practitioners, helping you build a life in the great outdoors. With weekly short episodes on all asp…

The Bracken Outdoors Podcast is designed for Woodland Leaders from bushcraft instructors to Forest School practitioners, helping you build a life in the great outdoors. With weekly short episodes on all aspects of life as a freelance Woodland Leader, from business tips and advice to philosophy of outdoor education, as well as monthly deep dives int…

In this episode, I talk about how creating buffers in both your business and personal life can help smooth the hills and valleys of life as a Woodland Leader. The Bracken Outdoors Podcast is designed for Woodland Leaders from bushcraft instructors to Forest School practitioners, helping you build a life in the great outdoors. With weekly short epis…

In this episode, I talk about important things to think about when managing your revenue streams and funnels as a self-employed outdoor instructor. The Bracken Outdoors Podcast is designed for Woodland Leaders from bushcraft instructors to Forest School practitioners, helping you build a life in the great outdoors. With weekly short episodes on all…

In this longer Saturday episode I talk about marketing, why mailing lists are a great way to go and how to set up a mailing list. The Bracken Outdoors Podcast is designed for Woodland Leaders from bushcraft instructors to Forest School practitioners, helping you build a life in the great outdoors. With weekly short episodes on all aspects of life a…

In this video, I talk about the balance between child-led and adult-led learning and our role as a Forest School leader. The Bracken Outdoors Podcast is designed for Woodland Leaders from bushcraft instructors to Forest School practitioners, helping you build a life in the great outdoors. With weekly short episodes on all aspects of life as a freel…

In this episode, I discuss one of the necessary building blocks to move bushcraft skills forward - knots and how to tie them. The Bracken Outdoors Podcast is designed for Woodland Leaders from bushcraft instructors to Forest School practitioners, helping you build a life in the great outdoors. With weekly short episodes on all aspects of life as a …

In this video I cover diversifying your income as a self-employed Forest School leader, funded vs. direct-to-customer sessions and more. The Bracken Outdoors Podcast is designed for Woodland Leaders from bushcraft instructors to Forest School practitioners, helping you build a life in the great outdoors. With weekly short episodes on all aspects of…

In this episode, I take you through the 7 steps to becoming a Forest School Leader and launching your first sessions. 1. Connect and explore - https://youtu.be/4dpHQXxuW5U?si=ntqotnCHwLKLrlBf 2. Find your why - https://youtu.be/9-vI1DBb7dE?si=2wks4X2JAWSO3gTH 3. Get trained 4. Protect yourself 5. Find a venue - https://youtu.be/SKnaWzXBRDI?si=IliQ6…

The Bracken Outdoors Podcast is designed for Woodland Leaders from bushcraft instructors to Forest School practitioners, helping you build a life in the great outdoors. With weekly short episodes on all aspects of life as a freelance Woodland Leader, from business tips and advice to philosophy of outdoor education, as well as monthly deep dives int…

It is easy to get wrapped up in the day-to-day running of sessions and activities and lose sight of the purpose of what you do, in this episode I discuss what you can do to move yourself forward purposefully. The Bracken Outdoors Podcast is designed for Woodland Leaders from bushcraft instructors to Forest School practitioners, helping you build a …

The Bracken Outdoors Podcast is designed for Woodland Leaders from bushcraft instructors to Forest School practitioners, helping you build a life in the great outdoors. With weekly short episodes on all aspects of life as a freelance Woodland Leader, from business tips and advice to philosophy of outdoor education, as well as monthly deep dives int…

The Bracken Outdoors Podcast is designed for Woodland Leaders from bushcraft instructors to Forest School practitioners, helping you build a life in the great outdoors. With weekly short episodes on all aspects of life as a freelance Woodland Leader, from business tips and advice to philosophy of outdoor education, as well as monthly deep dives int…

It's easy to get a bit nervous before your first sessions with a new group or on a new site, in this edition of Wednesday Wonderings I discuss some of the best ways to deal with those nerves. The Bracken Outdoors Podcast is designed for Woodland Leaders from bushcraft instructors to Forest School practitioners, helping you build a life in the great…

In this episode, I discuss adding bushcraft skills and knowledge to your Forest School skillset. The Bracken Outdoors Podcast is designed for Woodland Leaders from bushcraft instructors to Forest School practitioners, helping you build a life in the great outdoors. With weekly short episodes on all aspects of life as a freelance Woodland Leader, fr…

Having an assistant or co-lead is great but it is possible to work solo if you have to, in this video I talk about the pros and cons of working solo as a Forest School leader. The Bracken Outdoors Podcast is designed for Woodland Leaders from bushcraft instructors to Forest School practitioners, helping you build a life in the great outdoors. With …

The Bracken Outdoors Podcast is designed for Woodland Leaders from bushcraft instructors to Forest School practitioners, helping you build a life in the great outdoors. With weekly short episodes on all aspects of life as a freelance Woodland Leader, from business tips and advice to philosophy of outdoor education, as well as monthly deep dives int…

In this video, I discuss how tricky it can be to find a woodland that you can use to run sessions and give you some tips on how to find your perfect woodland. The Bracken Outdoors Podcast is designed for Woodland Leaders from bushcraft instructors to Forest School practitioners, helping you build a life in the great outdoors. With weekly short epis…

In this extra episode, I reflect on the last year as well as the future of Bracken Outdoors. The Bracken Outdoors Podcast is designed for Woodland Leaders from bushcraft instructors to Forest School practitioners, helping you build a life in the great outdoors. With weekly short episodes on all aspects of life as a freelance Woodland Leader, from b…

In this instalment of Wednesday Wonderings, I give you three steps to help you build a network of leaders and customers. The Bracken Outdoors Podcast is designed for Woodland Leaders from bushcraft instructors to Forest School practitioners, helping you build a life in the great outdoors. With weekly short episodes on all aspects of life as a freel…

How much risk is acceptable? Are injuries inevitable as part of the learning process? What happens when you eliminate risk entirely? In this episode, I answer these questions and more as I dive into managing risk as a Forest School Leader and Bushcraft Instructor. The Bracken Outdoors Podcast is designed for Woodland Leaders from bushcraft instruct…

The Bracken Outdoors Podcast is designed for Woodland Leaders from bushcraft instructors to Forest School practitioners, helping you build a life in the great outdoors. With weekly short episodes on all aspects of life as a freelance Woodland Leader, from business tips and advice to philosophy of outdoor education, as well as monthly deep dives int…

Economies of scale don't just apply to big companies but can also be relevant to small businesses and even freelance instructors. Are you working with or against economies of scale in your work? The Bracken Outdoors Podcast is designed for Woodland Leaders from bushcraft instructors to Forest School practitioners, helping you build a life in the gr…

It's not always all raindrops and marketing, in this episode I talk a bit about what I love about being a woodland leader. The Bracken Outdoors Podcast is designed for Woodland Leaders from bushcraft instructors to Forest School practitioners, helping you build a life in the great outdoors. With weekly short episodes on all aspects of life as a fre…

Join me as I talk about how I recovered from burnout while working as a woodland leader. The Bracken Outdoors Podcast is designed for Woodland Leaders from bushcraft instructors to Forest School practitioners, helping you build a life in the great outdoors. With weekly short episodes on all aspects of life as a freelance Woodland Leader, from busin…

In this episode, I interview Chris Grice of Wilderness Tribe. We cover, men's mental health, building long-term therapeutic programmes, training as a therapeutic bushcraft practitioner and much more. Resources Wilderness Tribe Website Nature Therapy UK Podcast The Nature Therapy UK Conference The Certificate in Advanced Wilderness Therapeutic Appro…

Join me as I discuss the four core markets we have for our services as a Forest School leader and the advantages and disadvantages of each. The Bracken Outdoors Podcast is designed for Woodland Leaders from bushcraft instructors to Forest School practitioners, helping you build a life in the great outdoors. With weekly short episodes on all aspects…

In this episode, I interview Luschka from Wild Therapy Isle of Wight and Woodlearn Forest School. We discuss working with home-ed families, Beach School, involving men in the raising of kids, being a guide rather than a leader, the power of mud and much more. Resources: Wild Therapy Isle of Wight Facebook Page Woodlearn Forest School Men with Kids …

What makes us leave our modern conveniences behind, pack a rucksack and go live like a (well-equipped) homeless person in the woods? What is the unique value behind the teaching and learning of traditional skills? How do we market ourselves effectively as woodland leaders? I answer all of these questions and more as I unravel my thoughts on what th…

In this episode, Mark Cox returns to the show to talk about his experiences in training for his Summer Mountain Leading qualification in the mountains of North Wales. Join us as we discuss: How to prepare yourself for the ML training course. Getting in Quality Mountain Days. What to expect during the ML training. and much more... Resources mentione…