First Timer's Guide to the Georgia Bushcraft Gathering
If you’re heading to Georgia Bushcraft’s Fall Gathering in November, this is your resource for what to pack and what to expect. If you’ve thought about attending but haven’t taken the leap, this should serve as the push you need. The Gathering is a low-key event disguised as a community. You’ll find bushcrafter, car campers, homesteaders, and primitive skills practitioners at Georgia Bushcraft, and everyone is happy to share some knowledge and laughs. So, we hope to see you in Watkinsville, GA, November 6-8 for the Fall Gathering & Adventure Expo, and if you have any questions, please let us know.
Everything you need for the Georgia Bushcraft Gathering
The weekend is about learning, community, and good times. Don't overthink it. Start with a basic set up, and if you forget something we can almost guarantee it's available from a vendor or someone will loan it to you. Just like bushcraft, it's easy to overthink, but start simple and enjoy the process.
Come for the day, or stay for the weekend.
You can definitely enjoy the weekend with a day pass, but unless you’re super local, the best way to experience the Gathering is to camp. Don’t overthink your setup. A simple tent, a good sleeping bag and pad combo, and a backpacking stove are all you really need to stay the weekend. We also offer hammock camping sites along the tree line if that’s your jam.
Food wise we have you covered. There are foods trucks and the coffee is ready every morning. You can bring a simple grill or backpacking stove to pair with some snacks and have a good balance over the weekend.
Beyond shelter and a camp kitchen, a small hygiene kit, food for the weekend (we also have food trucks), drinking water, a receptacle for trash, and a headlamp for after-dark rounds out a good kit of basics.
Pack for adventurous conditions.
Georgia weather in November can be a little unpredictable so pack layers that you can add and subtract throughout the day to stay comfortable. We’re also a big fan of having a dry change of clothes reserved for sleeping.
Along with good clothing, we suggest a minimal kit to practice skills and to get the most out of classes. Of course, most of this is available from our vendors, but a good starting point is…
- Snacks
- Notebook and pen
- Sunscreen or other sun protection
- Small first-aid kit
- Work gloves
- A small fixed-blade knife and sheath
- A ferro rod
- Some cordage
This kit will help you practice some skills in classes and around camp, and folks at Georgia Bushcraft are always willing to share knowledge and gear.
Add in some comfort items.
While you can definitely get by and get a lot out of the weekend with the above items, adding in some comfort items is an exponential boost to your overall experience.
- Camp chair
- Spare batteries
- Small lantern
- Bug spray
- Small towel
- Earplugs
- Portable battery bank
- Trash bags
A game plan
The class schedule and vendor list is expansive. Check those out before you’re on site so that you’ll have a list of must-see and must-attend parts of the weekend. Also leave time to wander around. Without a doubt you’ll find some cool gear to check out and have tons of great conversations with other attendees.
What you don’t need.
This isn’t a survival trip or a bug out situation, and while it’s a great opportunity to practice skills and to experiment with gear, you don’t have to pack like you’re never returning. Bringing too much stuff just makes your weekend chaotic, so avoid the huge backpack, too many tools, a water filtration system, giant axes (no fires in camp, so no reason to split wood), a super complicated cooking system, and anything else that will distract from enjoying the weekend.
Your first Georgia Bushcraft Gathering isn't about having the perfect kit. Bring what you need to camp comfortably, stay dry, eat well, and spend the weekend learning. By Sunday afternoon, you'll probably have a much better idea of what you want to pack next time.