Introduction to bushcraft in the PACA region

Before your departure, check with the embassy or consulate regarding the entry and stay requirements for your destination country. You can also find this information on the France Diplomatie website ( https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/fr/dossiers-pays/ ).

In the case of flights with stopovers operated by different airlines, also check the entry requirements of the countries you are transiting through.

It is your responsibility to ensure you are in compliance, particularly regarding the validity of your identity documents (for example, some countries require your passport to be valid for at least six months after your return) , visa requirements, necessary vaccinations, and health recommendations. And don't forget to consider any customs restrictions and other potential requirements of your destination or transit country.

ℹ️ Information may change up to the departure date, remember to regularly check official websites.

A materials kit will be provided to you (one kit per pair) during the experiment, containing:

• 1 compass
• 1 firesteel
• 1 tarp, sardines, string
• 1 headlamp
• 1 heavy survival blanket
• 1 fixed blade knife
• 1 IGN map of the area

A complete list with a visual and checkable PDF sheet will be sent to you by email upon registration.

1. Required equipment

This equipment is necessary to ensure your safety. If you have any difficulty obtaining it, please contact us: we may be able to lend you the missing piece of equipment or direct you to where you can get it.

• One hiking backpack of at least 45L. Comfortable, ideally with a waist belt. If it's larger, no problem, just be careful not to fill it completely.
• 1 floor mat , floor insulation such as an inflatable mattress or a foam square.
• 1 sleeping bag suitable for the forecasted nighttime temperature. Check the comfort temperature (the highest temperature rating) to determine if the bag is appropriate.
• 1 pair of hiking shoes or trail running shoes. They should be comfortable, not too new, and have good grip.
• 1 metal cup that can go on the fire.
• 1 water bottle that can hold 2L for 36 hours.

2. Optional equipment for a survival course

We provide this equipment, but if you already own this equipment, or are planning to invest in it, please bring it with you; for educational reasons, it is much more instructive to work with your own equipment.

• 1 compass
• 1 firesteel
• 1 notebook
• A tarp is a sheet approximately 3x3m with attachment points. Avoid agricultural tarps, which are not well-suited for this purpose.
• 1 headlamp, or a flashlight, with fresh batteries.
• 1 heavy survival blanket
• 2 to 6 meters of cord, string or paracord
• 1 first aid kit, optional as all our supervisors are equipped.
• 1 fixed blade knife, with a single blade approximately 10 to 15cm long.
• 1 small folding saw
• One pair of cut-resistant gloves is strongly recommended.

Your clothing must be suitable for life in the forest :

• Durable clothing made of natural, non-synthetic materials (synthetic clothing may be damaged by fire)
• A pair of walking shoes , high-top or low-top, preferably waterproof, but above all comfortable and already broken in: avoid brand new shoes. Trail running shoes can also be suitable.
• A spare pair of socks
• A change of clothes to leave in the car for the return trip if you wish.

The 3-layer principle allows for the management of almost all situations:

• a long-sleeved base layer in breathable fabric (hollow fibers) and merino or thermal leggings
• a warm fleece jacket, durable hiking pants
• A windproof, waterproof, and breathable jacket such as Gore-Tex. If you take a down jacket, bring a loose-fitting cotton overshirt to protect yourself from embers.