by David Wescott

Master Woodsman – A man is skillful at woodcraft just in proportion as he approaches this balance. Knowing the wilderness can be comfortable when a less experienced man would endure hardship. Conversely, if a man endures hardships where a woodsman could be comfortable, it argues not his toughness, but his ignorance or foolishness, which is exactly the case with our blatant friend of the drawing-room reputation.  SE White – Camp and Trail 1920 (p. 30)

Woodsman – one who works or lives in the woods or is versed in woodcraft; a forester.
Plainsman – an inhabitant or settler of the prairie regions
Frontiersman – a man who lives on the frontier
Guide – 1. One who shows the way by leading. Directing. Or advising, usually by reason of his greater experience with the course to be pursued.

Master Woodsman Training

Master Woodsman David Wescott has adapted an original training from the old American Camping Association Tripcrafter Certification last used in the 80’s into what you now see below.  This updated list is more refined and challenging than the original.  As a program, it can be found in Wescott’s book, Camping In The Old Style.

FIRECRAFT

Apprentice Camper

• Select and prepare a fire site for heat, light, cooking, and companionship.
• Choose and learn to operate and care for a wood fired camp stove.
• Learn how to light, utilize and extinguish various fuels.
• Select and store a supply of natural materials for a fire.
• Discuss and observe safety and conservation practices.
• Demonstrate ability to light a fire with one paper match and wooden kitchen match.
• Identify the Fire Triad.

Journeyman Camper

• Demonstrate ability to:
  • Build a stove fire or open fire and cook on it.
  • Light, use and care for several different camp stoves.  Cook on one.
  • Prepare hearth furniture for an open cooking fire.
  • Reclaim a single use fire pit so it leaves minimal trace.
• Identify sources of fat liter, resins and other fire lighting aids.
• Identify common woods of the area and know their burning qualities.
• Light a fire using a friction and/or percussion fire set.

Journeyman Woodsman

• Identify the most common fire “lays” and discuss the uses.
• Demonstrate ability to:
  • Build a wet weather fire.
  • Build a fire on snow.
  • Build a fire in the wind.
  • Build a safe fire in hazardous conditions.
• Discuss the factors affecting stove design, selection and operation in a tent.

Master Woodsman

• Build fires for a variety of camp tasks.
• Demonstrate the ability to prepare a set in the field, and kindle a fire without matches under a variety of conditions.
• Discuss factors concerning fire use in ecologically sensitive areas.
• Reclaim fire pits and obliterate duplicate sites.
• Present a clear understanding of the arguments for and against wood and fossil fuel fires.  Intelligently support your chosen fuel.  Define a “personal ethic.”

TOOLCRAFT

Apprentice Camper

• Select an appropriate knife for camp and trail use.
• Demonstrate ability to handle, care for and store a pocket-knife.
• Discuss and display knowledge of:
  • Need for careful use of tools.
  • Proper use of tools.
  • Local regulations concerning tool use.
• Demonstrate ability to sharpen a knife.
• Demonstrate knife handling skills by making a “try stick” displaying notches typically used in camp.

Journeyman Camper

• Select an appropriate axe and saw for camp and trail use.
• Demonstrate ability to:
  • Set up a chopping and sawing area.
  • Sharpen an axe.
  • Carefully use an axe and saw.
  • Saw a log into short lengths and split for kindling.
  • Cut off and trim a tree limb where possible.
  • Make fuzz/feather sticks.
• Work in a manner that reduces waste, and is easy to clean up.
• Use a knife to make simple camp tools, a spatula, spoon, and folk toys.

Journeyman Woodsman

• Demonstrate ability to:
  • Sharpen a saw and set the teeth.
  • Identify woods for various purposes.
  • Select vegetation for removal and use.
  • Make a handle and/or sheath for an axe and knife.
  • Select and use specialized tools for your type of trip.
• Display ability to work and live by showing stewardship and minimal impact.
• Build a saw frame from natural materials.
• Use a knife to make netting needles and carving projects.

Master Woodsman

• Select, use and maintain specialized tool used for woodcraft: Spoke shave, Draw knife, Adze, Maul or beetle, Rasp, Crooked Knife, Wedges, Scraper, Froe, Shaving horse, Awl, Gouges and Chisels.
• Build a wooden tool box or portable canvas storage pouch for tools and sharpening gear.

ROPECRAFT

Apprentice Camper

• Know various types of rope used for camping and demonstrate its proper care.
• Identify different rope fibers and their uses, and know strengths and weaknesses of each.
• Know specialty terms used in rope work.
• Know the characteristics of a good knot.
• Demonstrate ability to:
  • Whip a rope end – use 2 methods.
  • Make a length of rope with 2- 3- and 4 ply construction.
  • Coil, throw and care for a rope.
• Identify two each of the following types of knots: joining, stopper, loop, end-securing.
• Tie and use a: sheet bend, taught line hitch, bowline, overhand knot.

Journeyman Camper

• Demonstrate ability to use ropes and knots to secure gear for transport to camp – parbuckle, trucker’s hitch, etc.
• Demonstrate ability to Anchor a tent by securing to pegs, deadmen, and weights.
• Attach a line to a tarp shelter.
• Use knots and lashings for basic camp items such as shears, poles, tripods.
• Tie and use a: square knot, fisherman’s knot, clove hitch, figure 8 on a bite.
• Use 3 types of lashing.  Use for a project or in setting up a campsite.

Journeyman Woodsman

• Demonstrate ability to:
  • To sling a load.
  • Select the best types of rope used in different types of trips.
• Add these “Bush Knots” to the previous eight: jam knot, constrictor, prussic hitch.
• Use knots and lashes to make items for a long term camp: portable furniture, hitches and tie logs, tent frame.
• Use parachute shroud line in a variety of projects.
• Make three different splices –end, eye, short/long – in a line.

Master Woodsman

• Make thread, string, and cord from a variety of local fibers: plant and animal.
• Demonstrate ability to make repairs or meet needs using local binders and adhesives.
• Use knots and lashing for pioneering tasks: bridge building, moving or retrieving heavy objects, creating anchors.
• Use cord and knots for projects such as: Netting, trapping, snaring.

NATURE AND CONSERVATION

Apprentice Camper

• Consider the effects of your outdoor living practices upon the environment.
• Indicate good conservation practices in immediate camp or trip area.
• Indicate violations of good conservation.
• Make a daily observation journal of signs pertaining to:
  • Weather
  • Geology
  • Flora and fauna
  • Natural systems

Journeyman Camper

• Identify several types of useful native material for:
  • Fuel and Shelter
  • Fiber
  • Medication
  • Tools and weapons
• Demonstrate interest in and awareness of the common natural resources of area.
• Indicate knowledge of weather signs significant to good camping in the area.
• Compile and learn from a collection of insects, plants, rocks, etc.

Journeyman Woodsman

• Demonstrate an in depth appreciation for the environment when:
  • Wildcrafting
  • Traveling
  • Camping
• Complete projects that will benefit the campsites and trails in your area.

Master Woodsman

• Demonstrate skill in creating wild craft projects from natural materials:
  • Baskets, sheaths and containers
  • Toys, games and dolls
  • Musical instruments
  • Tools and more

GEAR & CLOTHING

Apprentice Camper

• Demonstrate selection, packing and carrying of personal gear suitable for locality including clothing and safety items for 1-day or an overnight trip.
• Share in selecting, packing and carrying group gear for a 1-day or an overnight trip.
• Make an item of individual gear.
• Make a list of all items, including cost and weight of each item.

Journeyman Camper

• Demonstrate ability to:
  • Select, pack and carry personal gear for a week-long camping trip.
  • Share in the making or refurbishing of an item of group gear.
  • Select pack for the type of trip to be taken.
  • Select individual gear to be taken on the trip and how it should be packed.  Be able to pack it for a variety of forms of transport.
  • Select proper footwear for the style of trip.

Journeyman Woodsman

• Know how to select personal and group gear needed for a particular style of travel.
• Demonstrate ability to make an improvised pack and/or travel gear.
• Make a personal gear check list for a specific seasons expedition.
• Demonstrate ability to maintain and make home and field repairs to all selected gear.

Master Woodsman

• Know the principals of dressing for long-term wilderness living.
• Demonstrate ability to maintain clothing, footwear and gear for extended periods of wet and snowy conditions.
• Design and produce with quality an item of specialized gear or clothing for 4 season living.
• Demonstrate ability to improvise and/or make field replacements for all items taken into the field, using natural materials.

SHELTER & BEDDING

Apprentice Camper

• Select the best shelter and sleeping gear for 1-day or an overnight trip.
• Share in setting up 3 types of trail tents or shelters without fire needs.
• Demonstrate care and use of sleeping gear.
• Demonstrate knowledge of how to produce, conserve and/or relieve heat.
• Discuss the importance of ground insulation systems.

Journeyman Camper

• Demonstrate ability to:
  • Set up a simple shelter from materials you brought with you.
  • Improvise improvements for inadequate bedding.
  • Identify the main components of a shelter.
  • Set up a “hot tent” camp layout.
  • Set up a shelter to benefit from an open fire.
• Discuss the importance of restful sleep.

Journeyman Woodsman

• Describe the use and care of shelters while traveling.
• Demonstrate ability to:
  • Build/make shelters for specific seasonal concerns.
  • Pest-proof a shelter or tent.
  • Make a winter shelter in both loose and packed snow conditions.
  • Maintain and make repairs on tents and bedding.
  • Manage a tent during heavy rains.

Master Woodsman

• Demonstrate ability to:
  • Use natural materials for shelters and ground beds.
  • Build a long and short-term shelter from natural materials.
  • Build a simple lighting and heating tool from natural materials.
• Construct a base camp complete with shelter, furnishings, sanitary and food storage systems.

CAMPSITE

Apprentice Camper

• Learn to locate a suitable site for the number of people camping.
• Show good conservation and safety techniques in selection of camp sites.
• Consider all the functions you will need and set up a site to take best advantage.

Journeyman Camper

• Demonstrate complete knowledge of campsite selection requirements.
• List local/seasonal techniques for minimizing impacts for group and personal camping.
• Discuss techniques needed to minimize impacts from kitchen, fire, and sanitation set-ops.

Journeyman Woodsman

• Demonstrate skills needed to stabilize a fragile site or rehabilitate a damaged site.
• Conduct post-season service work on commonly used campsites.
• Rotate or modify use in areas showing obvious impacts.

Master Woodsman

• In some established or outpost sites it is best to use the same fire scar, waste water and latrine sites all season.  In such cases, leave them intact until the last use.  Justify your decisions.
• Assess campsites and areas of use to determine proper techniques to be used for minimum environmental impact.  Become a steward of your territory.

HEALTH AND SAFETY

Apprentice Camper

• Discuss simple health and safety practices in relation to outdoor living.
• Demonstrate use of:
  • Health and safety practices.
  • Basic signaling techniques.
  • Survival preparation and priorities.
• Outline principals to consider in human needs for food and water.
• Describe benefits and health factors in personal cleanliness.
• Identify harmful plants and animals and know proper precautions.

Journeyman Camper

• Develop pre-trip list of potential precautions and hazards.
• Demonstrate a method of purifying water supply for drinking and for cooking.
• List common emergencies possible in outdoor living in your locality.
• Construct a first aid training to deal with long-term concerns and medical emergencies.
• Demonstrate ability to:
  • Use emergency procedures.
  • Maintain personal cleanliness.
  • Assess and avoid hazards of traveling on ice, snow and water.
  • Evacuate sick or injured campers.
  • Make do without toilet paper and flush toilets.
• Explain trail sanitation and acclimatization.
• Identify harmful plants and animals and know protection and treatment.
• Display knowledge of seasonal food and water concerns.

Master Woodsman

• Construct a field sauna or steam bath.
• Demonstrate skill in dealing with issues concerning long-term:
  • Human waste.
  • Waste and refuse.
  • Animal and pest invasions.
  • Food storage.
  • Water quality.
• Discuss the use of herbs and remedies in dealing with field illness and injury.

NAVIGATION AND TRAVEL

Apprentice Camper

• Demonstrate ability to:
  • Read a compass by giving bearings to designated objects.
  • Find direction by sun and stars.
  • Give and follow simple directions using sketch map, trail signs, etc.
  • Use compass in field project.

Journeyman Camper

• Make a simple topographic map of your campsite.
• Layout and follow a compass course of several points.
• Demonstrate ability to:
  • Orient and read a topographic map and 4 other kinds of maps.
  • Measure heights and distances by personal measurements.
  • Interpret all basic map symbols, margin details, and terrain features.

Journeyman Woodsman

• Be able to interpret and follow navigation and trail markers.
• Demonstrate ability to:
  • Use of charts, map and compass under trip conditions.
  • Travel at least 4 miles over trailless terrain.
  • Identify your location along the trail at any time.
  • Travel at night.

Master Woodsman

• Demonstrate ability to travel under a variety of conditions with varied modes of transportation.
• Display mastery of trail time planning techniques and leadership.
• Plan and conduct a trip using traditional travel methods:
  • Snowshoes/skis and toboggan
  • Canoe / kayak
  • Horse pack
  • Foot trekking
• Travel cross-country using only natural direction indicators.

FOOD

Apprentice Camper

• Plan, prepare, and pack balanced trail meals requiring no cooking.
• Prepare a well-balanced meal demonstrating 3 types of simple outdoor cooking.
• Share in setting up a trail kitchen for overnight or longer.
• Share in planning menu and food list for 2-day trip including dehydrated and easily packed foods.  Consider the quantity of water needed and its sources.

Journeyman Camper

• Dry a variety of foods for use and long-term trail storage.
• Share in:
  • Planning a trail food menu for 8 persons for 4 days.
  • Preparing at least 8 types of trail foods.
  • Bake bread.
• List the trail food items found on the shelves of a supermarket.
• Assist in purchase of food items for the trip, packing and storage.

Journeyman Woodsman

• Demonstrate skills for providing food from the outdoors – in season:
  • Fishing.
  • Hunting/Trapping
  • Gathering
• Discuss factors regarding avoidance of bear confrontations.

Master Woodsman

• Discuss factors concerning fasting when food is unavailable.
• Demonstrate ability to make and use tools and techniques for obtaining food:
  • Nets and snares
  • Fishing rigs
  • Bows and arrows
  • Digging stick
• Demonstrate ability to:
  • Cook without utensils
  • Fashion cooking vessels