Paddle & Fire
Canoeing, Camping & Bushcraft Weekend
Escape the routine and reconnect with adventure.
Join us for an unforgettable weekend of canoeing, camping, and bushcraft along the beautiful River Great Ouse in Bedford. Travel by canoe through stunning waterways, learn practical outdoor skills, and spend your evenings gathered around the warmth of a campfire beneath the stars.
Whether you're paddling through peaceful stretches of river, mastering essential bushcraft techniques, preparing meals outdoors, or sharing stories by the fire, this weekend is designed to help you slow down, challenge yourself, and reconnect with nature.
No distractions. No screens. Just the river, the fire, and the timeless adventure of outdoor living.
Grab a paddle, embrace the outdoors, and experience a weekend you'll remember long after the campfire fades.
Description
Building on the success of our fathers and children camps, Paddle & Fire is designed as a more challenging expedition-style adventure for men who want to take the next step in their outdoor journey. Over the weekend, participants will travel by canoe along the River Great Ouse, navigating a self-led route after a full safety and expedition briefing. We'll establish a riverside base camp where we'll cook our own meals outdoors, gather around the campfire, and take part in practical bushcraft workshops and skill sessions. Expect a more rugged and immersive experience than a traditional campsite, with an emphasis on self-reliance, teamwork, outdoor living, and embracing the challenges and rewards that come with life on the trail. This is an opportunity to disconnect from the comforts of modern life, develop new skills, and experience the adventure, simplicity, and camaraderie of an expedition in the outdoors.
Level: Grade 0 - This means it is a flat paddle and should be within most people’s abilities.
Duration: 3 days and 2 nights
Timings: Arrival at meet up point on Sat 29th at 10:00 and arrive back by apprx 16:00 on Mon the 31st.
What’s Included
• All paddling equipment (Canoes, paddles, buoyancy aids)
• Dry bag for personal kit
• Access to private wild woodland campsite
• Bushcraft sessions – orienteering, fire-lighting, campfire cooking.
• Navagation Map
• Safety briefing Session
• Great company and plenty of laughs
What’s Not Included
• Tents
• Camping Equipment
• Food (Except for Dinner on the first night)
• Cooking Equipment on Gas stove
Trip Itinerary
Day 1
The weekend begins with an expedition briefing, kit checks, and a short introduction to navigation before launching onto the River Great Ouse. Using the skills you've been taught, you'll navigate your canoe along the river towards our riverside camp.
Once at camp, you'll set up your shelter, prepare meals outdoors, and take in the natural beauty of the woodland.
As evening falls, we'll gather around the campfire to share food, stories, and reflections before settling in for a night under canvas.
Day 2
After a night under canvas, we'll start the day with breakfast by the campfire before taking part in practical bushcraft workshops, including fire-lighting skills and other essential outdoor techniques.
Soon after we'll continue our journey along the River Great Ouse, navigating the next stage of the route and enjoying the peace and beauty of the river as it winds through the countryside. Keep your eyes open for local wildlife and enjoy the unique perspective that only a canoe expedition can offer. We then return to camp for another incredible night under the stars.
Day 3
On our final day, we'll focus on one of the most rewarding aspects of outdoor living: cooking in the wild. Through practical workshops and demonstrations, you'll learn simple and effective campfire cooking techniques that can be used on future adventures.
After a final meal, we'll pack down camp, load the canoes, and begin the journey back to our starting point. Expect to leave with new skills, greater confidence in the outdoors, lasting memories, and the satisfaction that comes from completing a genuine canoe and bushcraft expedition.
Please note: The itinerary may vary depending on river and weather conditions.
Who It’s For
Perfect for men seeking adventure, challenge, and meaningful time in the outdoors.
This is a men-only expedition, open to adults and young men aged 16+ when accompanied by a parent or responsible adult.
No previous canoeing or bushcraft experience is required—just a willingness to learn, get involved, and embrace the adventure.
Participants must fit and able as a significant portion of the expedition involves travelling by canoe on open water.
Whether you're looking to learn new outdoor skills, build resilience, disconnect from the demands of daily life, or simply enjoy a memorable weekend of canoeing, camping, and bushcraft, Paddle & Fire offers an experience you won't forget.
FAQs
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Yes, there will be activities and workshops which are included in the price of your booking.
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In the event that you get wet. You can change into the spare clothes that you have been advised to bring.
Provided you have followed the advised clothing even if you get a little wet from the weather or some paddle splash back you should dry off quickly with just your body heat.
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As we all know, the UK weather is very changeable. Unless you hear from us then your booking will run on the day agreed.
The Outdoor Muslim runs adventurous activities throughout the year and we strongly believe in the importance of doing things outdoors regardless of the the weather.
These trips are organised in conjunction with our partners Canoe Trail. On rare occasions (it only happens a couple of times a year) they may need to reschedule or change our bookings.
This will be in freak weather conditions such as extremely high river flows in spate or during heavy storms with lightning.
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Yes the campsite has several compostable toilets you are advised to bring your own degradable tissue roll or wet wipes.
Compost toilets are what we lovingly call “loo with a view.” They have a simple screen and toilet seat on a wooden frame.
Try to leave them clean and as you would wish to find them. There is usually a citronella air freshener and some hand sanitiser. DONT forget your toilet roll!
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Once you have booked there are several locations that will be shared with you where you will be able to park
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If you are booking alone, you will be allocated to another canoe and if you book as a group, we will do our best to ensure you are in the same canoes as other members of your booking (subject to canoe sizes, availability and health and safety requirements )
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For any solo bookings you will be allocated to a 2 man or 3 man canoe .
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The Camp site is located in a natural wild woodland and not a field so we cannot accommodate large family tents.
We would advise regular 2-4 man tents as a maximum size.
Alternatively you can bring hammocks and tarp shelters, there are plenty of trees you can use for this type of set up.
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You will be issues with a dry bag that help keep your bag and equipment dry. This should be used to store your sleeping equipment, spare dry clothing and any non water resistant electronics at the very least.
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Item description
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No food is not provided, in the booking information pack you will receive a list of suggested foods to bring.
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All attendees should be generally fit and able to attend this event. Although swimming is not a requirement, it is important that you are confident both in and out of the water.
We, along with out specialist partners, will provide all safety briefings and equipment for the day, including a buoyancy aid for all paddlers which must be worn at all times.
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You will need to bring a black bag with you for your rubbish and store it with you whilst we travel on the river, you will need to take this with you or dispose of it at the end of the trip. We believe in the principles of Leave No Trace (LNT).
The 7 Core Principles of Leave No Trace
Plan Ahead and Prepare: Minimize risks and environmental damage by researching the area, checking the weather, packing proper gear, and ensuring group sizes are small.
Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces: Stick to established trails to prevent soil erosion and fragile vegetation damage. Camp on pre-existing, hardened sites or durable ground like rock, gravel, or dry grass.
Dispose of Waste Properly: Pack it in, pack it out. Bring all trash, leftover food, and litter back home. For human waste, dig a 6–8 inch cathole at least 200 feet from water sources, trails, and campsites, or pack it out depending on local regulations.
Leave What You Find: Preserve the landscape by leaving rocks, plants, historical artifacts, and natural objects as you find them. Avoid picking rare flowers, carving into trees, or building unapproved rock cairns.
Minimize Campfire Impacts: Campfires can cause lasting scars. Use established fire rings, keep fires small, and burn only dead/down wood that can be broken by hand. Better yet, use a lightweight camp stove. Extinguish fires completely until ashes are cold to the touch.
Respect Wildlife: View wildlife from a safe distance, and never approach, touch, or feed animals. Feeding wildlife alters their natural behaviors and can cause them harm. Secure your food and trash in approved storage lockers or bear-resistant containers.
Be Considerate of Other Visitors: Respect other outdoor users and the environment by yielding on trails, stepping aside for pack stock, keeping noise levels down, and letting nature's sounds prevail.
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We advise you to bring your own camping stoves or Jet boil stoves.
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For this event the minimum age will be 16, with parental consent. We will look to expand the age ranges of such events in the near future.
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LOL! Only if you are bringing a solar panel.
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No you will not need to bring firewood there will be a communal fire on both days provided by The Outdoor Muslim for people that want to use it for cooking.
We also encourage people to bring their own gas stoves for cooking.
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There will be times that you can fish if you have your own equipment and valid fishing license. These will not be provided by the Outdoor Muslim.
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As part of the equipment list you will need to bring a 5 liter bottle of Water per person. This will be for drinking, cooking. ( And for wudu if you don’t want to use the river water).
Additionally 20 Liter containers of water can be purchased for an additional cost when you are making your booking. This water will be waiting for you on your arrival at the campsite.
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For this trip no, however we are actively working on providing trips for women and girls. sign up to our mailing list to keep up to date with our full event schedule.
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Once you have confirmed your booking, it is not then transferable and non-refundable in the same way you book an airline seat. There will be no refunds for early returns, poor weather, or non-usage.