- It’s Official –

New Dates For Woodsmoke Kick-off

• We’re rescheduling the kick-off dates for the First Annual Woodsmoke Classic Camping and Bushcraft Rendezvous. The new dates will be July 8-14, 2012.

• The Classic Camping Re-encampment dedicated to Stewart Edward White will be held July 7-8, 2012 – the Saturday and Sunday prior to the opening of the event.

We apologize to those who had their hearts set on the event starting this year. We know you have been making plans for this August, and this is a real disappointment to those who have been chomping at the bit to be here. But, we have decided that it’s better to postpone and build even more excitement than to come out with a half-baked event that turns out to be a disappointment rather than contributing to a renaissance of our classic woodcraft traditions.

Here’s How It Will Work

July 6 Classic Camp set-up.

July 7-8 Teton Basin Re-Encampment – Dedicated to Stewart Edward White - A demonstration camp open to the public that will represent the Golden Age of Camping. This will be a 1920s re-encampment complete with canvas, cast iron, lanterns and brass, old cars, wagons and lots of classic woodcraft demonstrations. Join us in traditional dress and camping gear, and go Camping In The Old Style. (Note- Participants must apply to be a demonstrator and re-enactor. Those chosen will receive a reduced rate for the rendezvous. The classic camp will be the center of the event for the entire week).

July 8 Woodsmoke Welcome event Sunday evening. This will be an open hearth dinner and Keynote Address by Mors Kochanski.

July 9-11 The First International Classic Camping and Bushcraft Symposium – These two fields have a common ground – our classic woodcraft traditions. Monday thru Wednesday will focus on the presentation of papers, discussions, program models, as well as Bushcraft 101 – hands-on short courses on a variety of neat bushcraft skills and tricks. (Consider this a Call for Presenters to apply).

July 12-14 The University of Woodcraft – an in-depth exploration of the secrets of Campcraft, Trailcraft, Woodcraft, and Woodslore. You will choose one from over a dozen topics, and work with a mentor for 3 days to create a finished project. Courses will have limited capacities (10-12) and will fill on a first-come-first-served basis. A materials charge, for projects requiring it, will be in addition to the main rendezvous price.

University of Woodcraft Courses - Choose 1 of the 12 courses offered.

Woodcraft – Scandinavian Stacked Handle Knives and Sheaths

Understanding Wood – Spoons, Kuksa’s, Crafting Tools

Brain-Tanning Deer Hides

Woodslore - Tracking, Trapping, Processing Game

Plant Lore – Edible, Medicinal, Constructive

Navigation – Prehistoric, Historic, Modern methods

Campcraft - Wood Stove Making

Camp Clothing – Capotes, Mittens, Hats

Open Hearth Camp Cooking

Trailcraft - Trapper Nelson Pack making- Frames and bags

Canoe Equipment – Paddle carving, wannigans, tumps

Dirtbagger’s Deluxe – Scratch Kit making

If you have suggestions for the event, or University of Woodcraft classes you would like to see us offer, please contact us. The cost for the week will be $275 until March 1. After that it goes up to $325 and on June 1 it goes up to $350. This includes camping, Symposium workshop materials, 2 meals each day, and an amazing week of camaradrie and learning.

COS is back in print!

Go to amazon.com and get your copy today!

Mors Kochanski To Be
Woodsmoke Keynoter

Woodsmoke organizer, David Wescott (left ) and longtime friend, Mors Kochanski (right) invite you to attend this amazing event.

Mors Kochanski, author Northern Bushcraft and world famous master woodsman will be the Keynote presenter for the First International Classic Camping and Bushcraft Symposium. Mors is taking a 5 year leave to pursue his writing endeavors, so his appearances are limited for the next little while. If you want to spend time with Mors and get to hear his fantastic presentation, then sign up to attend Woodsmoke 2011 today.

We're busy getting the site ready before the snow flies and the spring runoff makes it impossible to do the repairs we need to do in order to host WOODSMOKE 2011. The entry bridge was replaced across the creek and new buck-rail fencing lines the entry road. A beautiful gateway is also going in to replace the old one that wasn't aging well. Contact Backtracks for information about this great new event.

Uncle Dan Beard would be so proud....Woodcraft in action.

- IT'S OFFICIAL!

We're rescheduling Woodsmoke

- ANNOUNCING THE NEW DATES -

The Woodsmoke Camp and Trail

Re-Encampment

July 8-14. 2012

Our Campsite

Looking east to the Teton Range from the parking area.

Here's another look at some great old timey camping. This was a re-encampment set up by Mike Powell and myself at the Grand Teton Council Jamboral (Idaho) last May (2010). It was a real hit, with lots of good comments and questions. People are always amazed to see how well this type of camping works - better than the new stuff - on a cold spring day. My tent was warm and dry, and we showed them a few tricks that had been lost to most modern scouters - too bad.

- Old Gringo

Cut and past the url address and check out the camp.

http://s1179.photobucket.com/albums/x382/David_Wescott/Grand%20Teton%20Jamboral%202010/?action=view&current=0ec328b9.pbw&t=1289429361

Watts and Wescott Re-Encampments

Here we are in Boone, North Carolina

Appalachian State University

with a 1932VL Harley Davidson.