Expanding inclusivity with bushcraft
Details:
211:30 am – 12:20 pm
5th of December
Room: 1S 103
Dakota Klein
Challenging outdoor adventure activities are not always aligned with everyone’s capabilities or interests, or appropriate in volatile weather conditions. After the devastating impacts of the Black Summer bushfires Outward Bound has been expanding and diversifying its portfolio of program activities to include bushcraft.
This session will share our four year journey of bushcraft innovation, experimentation and change. It will describe our broad interpretation of bushcraft, expanding beyond classic bush living skills (shelter and fire making), incorporating Indigenous and colonial heritage craft skills using natural and recycled products (rope making, felting, weaving, butter making and woodfired baking), and creative environmental art and interpretive activities.
We will share our experience of how to: find and learn from international and local practices – connecting with crafts people and upskilling; develop bushcraft workshop facilities and integrate activities into program learning design; overcome hurdles and be ok with ongoing trial and error! Most importantly we will explore the question – why bushcraft? What does it have to offer and where does it fit in contemporary outdoor education?
About the Presenter
Dakota Klein is the inaugural ‘Program Co-ordinator – Bushcraft’ at Outward Bound Australia. As an outdoor educator, Dakota has a unique combination of expertise and experience, bringing her love of art and craft, and a Fine Arts degree to outdoor education practice. Originally from Florida, USA, Dakota is widely travelled and passionate about the way in which art and craft connects people, culture and place in natural settings. Dakota has been leading the establishment of bushcraft at Outward Bound Australia for the last two years.
