The podcast for outdoor professionals where we deconstruct the skills, attitudes and knowledge you need to help you earn a living in the great outdoors. Join us as we interview Forest School Leaders, discuss bushcraft philosophy, dive into nature as therapy, and dissect business structures. Hosted by Bracken Van Ryssen of Bracken Outdoors.com
…
continue reading
1
Episode 74 - Karen Price on Overcoming Barriers in Youth Work
1:09:10
1:09:10
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:09:10
In this episode, I interview Karen Price. Karen is a nationally qualified Youth & Community worker with over 30 years of experience in delivering youth work in a variety of settings for both voluntary and statutory sector organisations, focussing primarily on working with under-represented audiences facing barriers to accessing the outdoors and gre…
…
continue reading
1
Episode 73 - How to be a Highly Effective Forest School Leader Part 1 - Be Proactive
12:50
12:50
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
12:50
Stephen Covey's book 7 Habits of Highly Effective People is one of the most life-changing books I own. In this mini-series, I apply his principles to the world of Forest School starting with Habit 1 - Be Proactive. Get your copy of 7 Habits of Highly Effective People at https://amzn.to/3UIT6AN (This is an Amazon affiliate link, a cost-free way to s…
…
continue reading
1
Episode 72 - Giving credit where credit is due
12:21
12:21
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
12:21
In this episode, I discuss when to give credit for the skills, recipes and inspiration you receive from other Forest School Leaders, authors and bushcraft instructors. Learn how to build quick and effective tarp shelters with my online course Essential Tarps and Knots for Forest School Leaders https://www.brackenoutdoors.online/courses/essentialtar…
…
continue reading
1
Episode 71 - What to do if your Forest School sessions aren't earning enough
9:23
9:23
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
9:23
In this episode, I talk about the three things you can do if your Forest School sessions aren't working out financially. To get help with setting your rates, check out my complete guide to setting your rates as an outdoor leader https://brackenoutdoors.com/forestschoolrates/ The Bracken Outdoors Podcast is designed for Woodland Leaders from bushcra…
…
continue reading
1
Episode 70 - Three business lessons I have learned from Wilderness Tribe
6:53
6:53
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
6:53
As Tony Robbins says, success leaves clues. In this video, I take stock of the three things I have learned from the amazing people at Wilderness Tribe Listen to my full interview with Chris from https://wildernesstribe.org/ at https://thebrackenoutdoorspodcast.buzzsprout.com/1659643/13230444-the-bracken-outdoors-podcast-episode-21-chris-grice-wilde…
…
continue reading
1
Episode 69 - Tom Gerrard on the learning mindset
1:29:11
1:29:11
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:29:11
In this longer episode, I interview Tom Gerrard. Tom is a long-time scout leader and has turned his passion for the outdoors from a hobby into a business and trained both as an outdoor instructor and forest school practitioner. Alongside his day job as an engineer, he also runs a workshop creating outdoor objects and restoring old tools and equipme…
…
continue reading
1
Episode 68 - Defining the purpose of your sessions
9:38
9:38
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
9:38
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…
…
continue reading
1
Episode 67 - The Forest School skills framework
10:44
10:44
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
10:44
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…
…
continue reading
1
Episode 66 - Are you ready for the next step in your Forest School journey?
7:00
7:00
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
7:00
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…
…
continue reading
1
Episode 65 - The very real time costs of running Forest School sessions
6:45
6:45
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
6:45
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…
…
continue reading
1
Episode 64 - Managing your cashflow as a Forest School leader
8:07
8:07
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
8:07
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…
…
continue reading
1
Episode 63 - Building a legacy with Gary Marlow
1:10:00
1:10:00
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:10:00
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…
…
continue reading
1
Episode 62 - Finding your Forest School community
6:06
6:06
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
6:06
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…
…
continue reading
1
Episode 61 - Marketing your sessions to the right audience
10:39
10:39
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
10:39
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 …
…
continue reading
1
Episode 60 - Bridging the gap between Forest School and Bushcraft
9:55
9:55
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
9:55
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…
…
continue reading
1
Episode 59 - Managing the tension between Outdoor Learning and Forest School
9:05
9:05
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
9:05
By Bracken Outdoors
…
continue reading
1
Episode 58 - Emma Wiid on building a Forest School community
55:09
55:09
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
55:09
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 …
…
continue reading
1
Episode 57 - Should I offer a sibling discount for my Forest School sessions
10:39
10:39
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
10:39
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 …
…
continue reading
1
Episode 56 - When was the last time you were a beginner?
9:04
9:04
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
9:04
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…
…
continue reading
1
Episode 55 - Pace yourself before you burn out
5:17
5:17
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
5:17
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 …
…
continue reading
1
Episode 54 - Why you should have a personal brand as a woodland leader
11:56
11:56
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
11:56
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 …
…
continue reading
1
Episode 53 - Managing your impact on nature as a Forest School leader.
27:56
27:56
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
27:56
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…
…
continue reading
1
Episode 52 - Hourly vs Daily Rates as a freelance Woodland Leader
10:39
10:39
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
10:39
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…
…
continue reading
1
Episode 51 - How YouTube made me a better Bushcraft Instructor
9:34
9:34
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
9:34
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…
…
continue reading
1
Episode 50 - Should you raise your rates in 2024?
9:09
9:09
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
9:09
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…
…
continue reading
1
Episode 49 - Lessons I have learned from my breakthrough year
27:26
27:26
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
27:26
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 …
…
continue reading
1
Episode 48 - Should your run your Forest School sessions through the winter?
10:58
10:58
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
10:58
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…
…
continue reading
1
Episode 47 - Are you teaching tactics or principles?
11:37
11:37
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
11:37
By Bracken Outdoors
…
continue reading
1
Episode 46 - Adding buffers for a low-stress life
12:11
12:11
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
12:11
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…
…
continue reading
1
Episode 45 - Managing revenue streams as a self-employed Woodland Leader
11:40
11:40
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
11:40
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…
…
continue reading
1
Episode 44 - Why you should have a mailing list as a Woodland Leader
31:55
31:55
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
31:55
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…
…
continue reading
1
Episode 43 - Is there space for adult-led learning in Forest School?
9:10
9:10
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
9:10
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…
…
continue reading
1
Episode 42 - The value of teaching knots in Forest School
9:06
9:06
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
9:06
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 …
…
continue reading
1
Episode 41 - Should you apply for funding for your Forest School sessions
9:19
9:19
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
9:19
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…
…
continue reading
1
Episode 40 - Getting started as a Forest School leader - The first 7 steps.
22:42
22:42
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
22:42
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…
…
continue reading
1
Episode 39 - The hidden costs of being a self-employed Forest School leader
7:29
7:29
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
7:29
By Bracken Outdoors
…
continue reading
1
Episode 38 - Asking the right questions as a freelance woodland leader
9:22
9:22
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
9:22
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 …
…
continue reading
1
Episode 37 - What does Autumn mean for a Forest School Leader? - Wednesday Wonderings
6:56
6:56
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
6:56
By Bracken Outdoors
…
continue reading
1
Episode 36 - Work-Life Balance as a Self-employed Woodland Leader
11:50
11:50
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
11:50
By Bracken Outdoors
…
continue reading
1
Episode 35 - Starting new sessions as a Forest School Leader - Wednesday Wonderings
7:07
7:07
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
7:07
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…
…
continue reading
1
Episode 34 - Why you should develop your Bushcraft skills as a Forest School Leader
29:46
29:46
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
29:46
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…
…
continue reading
1
Episode 33 - Working solo as a Forest School leader
9:09
9:09
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
9:09
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 …
…
continue reading
1
Episode 32 - Should you follow your passion?
9:05
9:05
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
9:05
By Bracken Outdoors
…
continue reading
1
Episode 31 - Finding a woodland site for Forest School and Bushcraft
11:08
11:08
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
11:08
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…
…
continue reading
1
Episode 30 - Where is Bracken Outdoors going next
12:52
12:52
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
12:52
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…
…
continue reading
1
Episode 29 - Building a reputation as a Woodland Leader
10:51
10:51
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
10:51
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…
…
continue reading
1
Episode 28 - Managing Risk as a Woodland Leader
31:50
31:50
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
31:50
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…
…
continue reading
1
Episode 27 - What does Bushcraft mean to you?
11:07
11:07
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
11:07
By Bracken Outdoors
…
continue reading
1
Episode 26 - Economies of Scale as a Self-Employed Woodland Leader
9:57
9:57
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
9:57
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…
…
continue reading
1
Episode 25 - Things I love about working as woodland leader
5:57
5:57
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
5:57
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…
…
continue reading