Bushcraft Courses for Women: Why Do They Matter?

Here at Wilder Horizons CIC we specialise in bushcraft courses for women. But why do we feel women-only spaces in the bushcraft world are so important?

At the age of ten I was one of the first girls ever to join my local scout group. As a child who loved the outdoors my parents had first tried me in the Girl Guides; quickly frustrated by the fact the group spent more time learning to sew and bake cakes than get their knees muddy however, I decided the activities done by the boys on a Thursday night sounded more up my street.

At the time, I don't think I recognised what a big deal that was, I was out there learning how to light fires, tie knots, hike in all weathers, and pitch tents in sideways rain... all while being one of just five girls surrounded by over thirty boys.

Don’t get me wrong I learned a lot, and I loved it. But looking back, I realise I often felt like I had to prove myself. Like I had to work twice as hard to be taken seriously in those muddy boots. Fast forward a few years (okay, more than a few), and these days I run Wilder Horizons CIC – where I get to do one of my favourite things in the world: create space for women to explore bushcraft on their own terms.

So... why do bushcraft courses for women matter?

Let’s talk about it.

1. Because the outdoors hasn’t always felt like “our” space

Traditionally, bushcraft and outdoor survival in general, has been a male-dominated world. You only have to look at how it's often portrayed: rugged, bearded men with axes, building cabins with their bare hands and catching fish with some kind of homemade spear. That’s very cool and all, but it’s not the only way to be outdoorsy.

Women have always had deep, practical relationships with nature – we’ve just not always had the spotlight. Whether it’s foraging, hunting, tending fires, crafting tools, or navigating the landscape, women have done it all. It’s just that for a long time, we didn’t have our own spaces to explore those skills.

That’s why women-led bushcraft courses aren’t just a nice idea – they’re essential.

2. Because it’s not about bravado – it’s about confidence

One thing I hear all the time at my events is:"I’ve always wanted to do something like this, but I wasn’t sure I could." Let me tell you – you absolutely can.

Bushcraft isn’t about being the toughest person on the mountain. It’s about learning to work with nature, listen to your instincts, and trust your abilities. When we learn in an all-women space, free from judgement or competition, it’s amazing how quickly that self-doubt melts away.

You light your first fire with a spark. You carve a spoon with your own two hands. You sleep outside in a shelter you built yourself – and suddenly, you feel connected, capable, and empowered in a whole new way.

3. Because community matters

There’s something incredibly special about being in a group of women outdoors. The laughter, the chats around the fire, the quiet solidarity of walking through the woods together.

It’s more than just a course or a weekend together, it becomes a shared experience, a kind of modern-day circle that reconnects us to something ancient.

And honestly? That connection is just as important as learning how to use a flint and steel.

4. Because the world needs more wild women

We need more women leading hikes, teaching survival skills, running camps, and owning their space in the outdoors. Representation matters. When we see women doing these things – especially women of different backgrounds, body types, and life experiences – it shifts something.

It says: You belong here.

And that message? It’s unbelievably powerful. It opens doors for other women to take up space in the outdoors in whatever way they wish, it shows young girls that they are just as capable of pursuing careers in the outdoors as their male peers, and it provides opportunities for more women than ever before to experience the joy and healing that nature connection can provide.

So, where do we go from here?

At Wilder Horizons CIC, we run bushcraft courses and weekend adventures specifically for women – because we believe everyone deserves to feel confident, capable, and completely at home in the wild.

Whether you’re brand new to all this or looking to deepen your skills, there’s a place for you here. We hike, light fires, build shelters, carve wood, cook under the stars – and most importantly, we do it together.

So if you’ve ever felt curious about bushcraft but unsure where to start, come join us. You don’t need fancy gear or loads of experience. Just a willingness to show up, get your hands dirty, and reconnect with the wilder side of yourself.

Find out more about upcoming events here – I’d love to see you around the fire soon.

—Eva Outram Founder, Wilder Horizons CIC

Image from our Women's Bushcraft Bothy Weekend Event