Not what I expected. I wanted to like this better because Brian was so nice.
What was I expecting- what to do when lost, how to find some bush foods and water, how to make shelter or find suitable spots to shelter.
What to do in a bushfire, basically how to survive will little or no equipment. Basic map reading. How to locate dry tinder, what plants you can make cordage with (and identify them) medicinal plants, improvise with what you have, etc etc.
whilst we did some of these things- for instance that a mushroom can be used as medicine- but not what the fresh mushroom looked like or where to find and identify them or how to apply them and we did use a plastic bag for water harvesting from a branch, but that was the only water harvesting shown- we also put up a tarp- perfect if your lost in the bush with a massive tarp- not much good if youve got hopelessly lost on a 3 hr hike- and have to overnight with a day bag- it was all very very basic, and obvious.
The orienteering part was informative but not very practical for being lost in the bush which would be the only time I would need it.
We also were exposed to the sun most of the day. And whilst I diligently applied sunscreen several times I still got burnt.
With all the beautiful shady spots in the area I don’t understand why this exposed not particularly attractive spot was chosen in the middle of summer.
Having said all that- Brian was great, friendly and seemed to know what he was teaching.
I was just bored for a vast majority of it, and so was my son- and I didn’t really learn much of what I wanted the course for, but that’s possibly my fault for picking the wrong course.