EVERYDAY BUSHCRAFT

SMEAC: The 5-Part Order Format Civilians Can Use Every Day (Situation – Mission – Execution – Admin/Log – Command & Signals) In the military, confusion kills momentum. That’s why we use simple, repeatable formats for orders and briefings. One of the most useful is SMEAC — a five-part structure that forces clarity fast. And here’s the thing: you don’t need a uniform to benefit from it. Whether you’re leading a family hike, running a Scout activity, coordinating a work job, or

Resilience is the ability to absorb a hit, adapt, and keep moving—without pretending the hit didn’t happen. It’s not “toughness” in the chest-thumping sense. It’s not being unbreakable, never upset, or always confident. Resilience is what helps you recover, regroup, and respond well when life gets messy: when plans fall apart, when stress spikes, when you make a mistake, when you’re tired, when things aren’t fair, when you’re under pressure. Resilience is a skill set—and like

Foundations course recap: three nights under canvas, one cracking community We just wrapped up our Foundations (Everyday Bushcraft) course and I’m still smiling about it. Originally, we were meant to kick off on the Friday evening — but Friday’s heat and the broader fire situation pushed us back a day. So instead of starting Friday night, we rolled in Saturday morning and adjusted the program to suit the conditions. That change turned into one of the best reminders of what we

How to keep your family or team on course with simple mid-course corrections Getting to the moon isn’t one perfect launch and a straight line to the target. Whether you’re navigating in the bush, flying an aircraft, or steering a project at work, you’re constantly making small corrections to stay on track. Wind shifts. Terrain changes. Priorities move. People get tired. Life happens. A Moon Talk is a deliberate check-in designed to do exactly that: adjust course early, while

Most problems don’t explode all at once. They seep. A loose bolt becomes a broken bracket. A small leak becomes rotten timber. A hard conversation you avoid turns into resentment you can’t ignore. A minor admin task becomes a mess of penalties, catch-up, and stress. That’s why the old saying survives: a stitch in time saves nine. It’s not just about sewing. It’s about the brutal arithmetic of delay. The cost of “later” When you leave something undone, you don’t freeze it in p

Imagine stepping into the wild, surrounded by the whisper of leaves and the crackle of a campfire. You’re not just surviving; you’re thriving. That’s the magic of bushcraft. It’s about connecting with nature, learning practical skills, and gaining confidence that stays with you long after you leave the forest. Whether you’re planning a family outing, a school camp, or a community adventure, mastering some introductory bushcraft skills can turn any outdoor experience into a m

Why I Take Military-Grade Gear on Solo Bush Trips (And Why You Might Too) There’s a certain romance in “ultralight everything” and minimalist kit lists. And I’m not here to knock it—light gear has its place. But when I’m heading out on my own, especially into rough country or uncertain weather, I lean hard toward something a bit less trendy and a lot more dependable: military-style field gear. Not because it’s “tacticool.” Not because it’s camo. But because it’s built for har

Why Discomfort Builds Capability (and Why Civilians Need It Too) There’s an old military idea that sounds simple, but hits hard the first time you live it: Train how you will fight. Not “train when it’s convenient.” Not “train when you’re fresh, warm, well-fed, and everything is going your way.” Train under pressure. Train in bad weather. Train when you’re tired. Train when it’s hard. Because that’s when the real test arrives—whether you wear a uniform or not. Why the militar

5s and 25s: The 10-Second Habit That Cuts Risk in Everyday Life Most accidents and “bad moments” don’t happen because people are stupid. They happen because we’re human. We rush. We scroll. We daydream. We walk from one environment into another (car to carpark, street to shop, home to driveway) and our brain is still back in the last place. That’s where 5s and 25s comes in: a simple, repeatable scan you can use at everyday transition points to sharpen situational awareness (S

Sometimes the path appears after you step. And sometimes that step becomes the moment you realise: “I can do hard things. I can rebuild”

Start 2026 the Everyday Way: Outdoor Survival Skills, Real Confidence There’s something about the first few weeks of a new year that feels like a reset button. Fresh calendar. Fresh intentions. Same life. If you want a start to 2026 that actually sticks, get outside. Not because the bush is magical (though it can feel that way). But because the outdoors strips things back to what matters: clear thinking, simple systems, calm action, and the confidence that comes from knowing

A Very Merry Christmas, the Everyday Bushcraft Way Merry Christmas, everyone. Whether today is loud and joyful, quiet and reflective, or a bit of a mix of everything—my hope is that you feel safe, seen, and surrounded (in person or in spirit) by people who genuinely care about you. Christmas has its own kind of wilderness. It’s not a forest or a ridgeline—but it can still be full of weather: expectations, old memories, family dynamics, travel plans, tight budgets, busy calend

Forging high performance teams happens under heat, pressure, and shared challenge, structured in a way that builds confidence and trust.

Using the PACE method to prepare for bush trips and everyday life.

Foundations for Resilient Living - Kicking Off 2026 with a Weekend that Actually Makes a Difference

Life is a bit like a bushwalk through the Australian outback. Sometimes the path is smooth and sunny, other times it’s rocky, steep, and full of surprises. What keeps us moving forward? It’s our resilience and skills. These are the tools that help us navigate challenges, adapt to change, and come out stronger on the other side. Today, I want to share some insights on resilience skill development and how you can nurture these qualities in yourself and those around you. Why Re

1. Ikigai – The Fire That Keeps You Going Bushcraft skill: 🔥 Fire Ikigai is often translated as “a reason for being.” It’s the intersection of what you love, what you’re good at, what the world needs, and what you can be rewarded for. But at its heart, ikigai is much simpler: A reason to get out of bed in the morning. In bushcraft, fire is life. It warms you, cooks your food, boils your water, and lifts your spirits when the night feels too big. But you don’t just have a fir

A Time for Everything Under the Sun Remembering Pixie and the Seasons of Love and Loss There’s a verse in Ecclesiastes that has echoed through centuries of human experience: “To everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven.” (Ecclesiastes 3:1) It’s a beautiful reminder that life moves in cycles—joy and sorrow, beginnings and endings, growth and letting go. Today, that verse sits heavily on my heart, because today my wife and I had to say goodbye to

Everyday Bushcraft Inclusion Statement At Everyday Bushcraft, we believe the outdoors belongs to everyone. Our mission is to create safe, welcoming, and empowering experiences where all people—regardless of background, identity, or journey—can learn, grow, and thrive. “Bushcraft for All” means: Respect We respect every person’s individuality, identity, culture, and lived experience. We use inclusive language, honour people’s chosen names and pronouns, and uphold dignity in e

How Christian Wisdom Shapes Everyday Bushcraft There’s something unmistakably spiritual about stepping into the Australian bush. The noise fades, the distractions fall away, and suddenly you’re left with the simple essentials—shelter, water, fire, and the people around you. For me, bushcraft isn’t just about surviving in the wild; it’s about remembering what matters. And as a Christian, I often find that the lessons I teach in Everyday Bushcraft echo the same truths found thr