It is recommended before attending any of my outdoor events, workshops or guided walks, that you take the time to look at what seasonal weather is expected and dress or pack accordingly for that, this is also appropriate when it comes to tents and wet weather gear. 

Many items can be purchased secondhand from marketplace and charity stores, as some intrepid travellers will do a one-off trip, and then offload their gear for a budget price, looking at unbiased reviews on particular brands is always a good idea, borrowing equipment from friends is also a great way to determine if this is suitable to your needs into the future. 

A detailed list of what to bring will also be made available to you, upon booking your event.

As all of my Survival/Bushcraft events, workshops and walks are outdoors, if we are overnighting then the choice of tent or sleeping arrangements are up to you, on some occasions I will strongly discourage the use of swags, as they are not practical to walk with. nor are they appropriate for some scenario-based activities. 

Once again borrowing a tent (after checking that it is complete with Poles, Pegs, fly! etc) this can be a great way to look at the pros and cons of future purchases.

Once again look at the season, expected weather and conditions and function required, room for your pack and boots to keep them out of the weather at night.

Meals Snacks, Water, Coffee, Tea, and Hot chocolate or equivalent will be catered for in our workshops, Blokes back to Basics Father and Son events. 

Please understand that this is not a “retreat” and our range of global herbal infusions is sure to disappoint.

You may be presented with food that is unfamiliar to you and not a regular supermarket selection both with its preparation and presentation. Some local vegetation will be provided for you to sample and eat should you choose, ultimately we all choose what we put into our mouths.

The majority of food provided will be generic in nature, meeting most dietary needs, should you have particular medical food intolerances feel free to let me know and I will attempt to cater for your needs, If not disclosed it cannot be catered for. If it is a lifestyle choice or many of the modern fad diets, then be sure to pack additional snacks to cater to your lifestyle choice.

Keeping in mind real survival situations don’t cater to sensitive palate’s, fad diets or allergies. 

Meat and vegetables will be prepared, cooked and served on all of our multi-day survival / Bushcraft events if you find this menu offensive, then this may not be the event for you.

Participant assistance is required with Camp routine and food preparation along with cleaning of cooking equipment and utensils.

*Note no illegal trapping or snaring of native wildlife will occur on any of my events.

It is imperative that you notify us of any known allergies on the documentation provided prior to attending one of our events, along with your anaphylaxis and medication plan.

Every attempt will be made to cater to your medically significant allergy.

A confidential medical questionnaire will be provided to you upon booking for the event. Should you have medical conditions or medication prescribed by a doctor, please ensure you have ample supply for the duration of the event and self-medicate as per your doctor’s advice.

A comprehensive First Aid Kit will be on-site at all times with qualified First aider to administer assistance if required. I strongly recommend each individual carry their own small First aid kit, to cater for your own splinters and minor abrasions and whittling nicks (coughs, cold, and sore holes!)

A safety vehicle and reliable communication are available at the Survival / Bushcraft events for contingency situations.

Emergency medical assistance (ambulance) is well within 1 hr drive time of our Survival/ Bushcraft event.

As we are in a bush setting, there are no showers currently available on any of my Survival/Bushcraft events. If you wish to bring wipes you may but they are to be taken out as rubbish, not buried or burnt on the campfire.

Toileting in the bush may well be your first experience of remote toileting correctly. One of society’s greatest flaws has been its ability to spread harmful disease, often through bad hygiene practices. We are a domesticated animal, and as a result, we do not just “piss and crap” anywhere we choose!

We will construct a bush toilet or (latrine) with a basic screen, where the best toileting and Camp hygiene practice techniques will be adhered to, for both you and the group’s health and well-being, along with that of the environment and waterways.

Of all the things we fear in a group survival situation, personal hygiene is not generally one, yet it should be given a higher priority than it often is, as it is generally invisible and has been known to go through a group very quickly, even the fittest.

We will dedicate education on this subject early in the event.

A good general level of health and fitness is required for the events, if in doubt, please consult your doctor before attending the event.

The consumption and or possession of any alcohol or illegal drugs is prohibited on any of my Survival / Bushcraft events, should you be found to be in possession of or consuming these on my event you will finding your own way from the event location back to your point of pick up at your expense with no refund of the event fee.

Father and Son events:  I ask 11-16 years of age, pending maturity level for the sons. 

Blokes Back to Basics:  The age limit is at a mentally and physically mature 16 years and above for the blokes event

Gender, I am currently only conducting events for males.

The Mothers and Daughters/Sons, Fathers and Daughters events etc, are in the planning phase and will be incorporated into the year calendar later this year.

Survival and Bushcraft events are primarily conducted in Queensland; requests in other states can be discussed on application.

Queensland events are conducted on private property within 1.5 hours from Caloundra on the Sunshine Coast; the exact location is kept restricted until close to the event date for logistical and scenario-based reasons.

However, a drop-off and pick-up location will be provided from where participants will depart the Caloundra area, by bus to the event site, and be returned to, from the event site.

Next of Kin will be notified before commencement as to the location to where their loved ones are (Google Maps) along with emergency contact details. 

Details of event timings will be listed on each event. 

We do encourage being diligent with timings to assist with the flow of the weekend, and we will endeavour to have participants back at their drop off point on time. 

Please consider traffic flow and allow contingency time, when planning arrival and departure.

Should you wish to clarify eligibility or other doubtful points, drop me an email at info@rickjpetersen.com and I will endeavour to answer your question ASAP.

Cancellations made within 6 weeks of a course start date will be refunded less 10%

Cancellations made within 2 weeks of a course start date will be refunded less 25%

Cancellations made less than 72 hours before a course commences will be refunded less 50% or offered a spot at an alternative event to the same value