Starting an adventure in the Great Outdoors is a thrilling way to spend one’s time. There is something primal and exciting about exploring the natural regions of the world and reconnecting with our primitive roots. That is, of course, if you have a basic understanding of the knowledge and skills it takes to have an enjoyable experience.
Enter Kenny Brunswig, who founded his training company Grumpy Bushcraft with the sole purpose of ensuring those who venture outside come back with pleasant memories. Before asking for Kenny’s assistance in putting together coursework for us, I spent some time with Kenny to get to know who he is, how he got started, and what his company is all about.
Grumpy Bushcraft
Focusing on the basics, Grumpy Bushcraft is meant to be a launch pad for those new to the outdoors, or anyone looking for a refresher. Kenny offers a variety of skills training courses that can be customized and catered to the needs of whoever is taking them. Some of the training offered includes:
- Preplanning a trip
- Site selection
- Fire making
- Rope and knots
- What to do if you get lost
- First Aid
You can keep up with all of Kenny’s latest undertakings at grumpy-bushcraft.com, ask him questions directly at [email protected], or on his social’s:
- Facebook: @grumpbushcraftllc
- Instagram: @grumpybushcraft
Kenny Brunswig Highlights
Kenny has a slew of professional certifications, and wealth of lifelong knowledge and experience. Just for starters, he has earned:
- Structural Firefighter Certification
- Wildland Firefighter Certification
- Advanced Emergency Medical Technician (AEMT) Certification
- Wilderness First Aid Certification
- Master Naturalist Certification
And it doesn’t stop there. As an active duty Firefighter, and a retired Combat Medic, Kenny is a valuable source of real-world experience and is eager to share what he knows to anyone interested. When we decided to pick his brain, he obliged with a flurry of no-holds-barred answers!
Interview with Kenny
Vargöld: Can you share a brief overview of your professional background?
Kenny Brunswig: When my best friend and I turned 18 we, joined the Volunteer Fire Department. Graduated high school in 1994 and went to the fire academy in 1995. Being that all the Gulf War vets were getting the Fire Department jobs, I decided to enlist in the Army 1997 as a 51M (Firefighter).
Stationed in Ft. Wainwright, AK, I got into a bad spot thinking I was a bad ass Soldier and found out very quick that I was not. Picked up a few books by Kephart, Nessmuk and Kochanski. Took a few training courses and decided that a Civilian fireman was the way to go. Left the military in 2001 and moved out to GA. Jumped around a few departments until I ended up with Henry County Fire Department in 2005.
In 2009 I felt I had not had enough of the Army so I in reenlisted as a 68W (Combat Medic) in the GA National Guard attached to the 48th Brigade 2 BN 121 INF. Deployed a couple of times for different missions and whatnot. While all this is going on I met Hugh Coffee, the author of Ditch Medicine. He invited me out to a training course with Randall’s Adventure and Training.
After Ditch Medicine, I went headlong into camping, field craft and wilderness skills. As I learned more and more, and attended more training with the National Guard, I found that a lot of my newer Soldiers did not have an understanding of camping, and fieldcraft. They had become to reliant on convenience, and the older Soldiers had not taught them how to be comfortable in the woods. I would teach my Soldiers what I could, when I could, but the mission always came first.
Again while all this is going on, I started attending and volunteering at Georgia Bushcraft’s Fall and Spring Gatherings around 2017 or 2018, and was able to hang out with some awesome people and instructors. Then someone had the horrible idea that I could teach. That I have all this stuff floating in my head and that I should pass that along to the next generation so they can learn from the mistakes I have made. I thought what a horrible idea but why the hell not. I got nothing else better to do.
What motivated you to delve into this field?
As mentioned earlier, in case you were not paying attention, I was stationed in Ft. Wainwright, AK in 1997 around August I think. Once I got settled in and received what little gear the Army provides I was thinking I was some sort of badass. Found out really quick on my first hike in the Great North that I was the farthest thing from that.
Drove about 30-60 min north of Fairbanks and just thought, “This looks like a nice place to go for a walk.” Got out of the truck and started walking with only a backpack, poncho, and hopes and dreams. I was in Alaska, the Last Frontier. As I was hiking, I took in the beauty that was around me. The pines, the mountains… the tree limbs breaking…
About 25-50 yards ahead of me a cow moose and her calf darted out of the tree line. Of course I thought I scared them. Nope. It was the big ass grizzly bear that was chasing them. My first though was “This is cool. Just like National Geographic!”
Then realty hit me. I am not top of the food chain. I am on the food menu!
I dove into the wood line hoping that the bear still had a taste for moose and not human. I waited until the bear had his fill of moose and wandered off. I then proceeded, very quickly mind you, to head back to base. Thinking I was lucky to be alive, I told my Platoon Sergeant what had happen and then regretted it. After he ensured that I was physically fit to run from a bear again, he told me that I need to read some books and take a few classes before I did that dumb shit again.
How would you describe your teaching style?
My teaching style is straightforward and simple: Teach the concept, Show how it can be applied, Let the student apply the concept – discuss the subject, demonstrate how to do the subject, let the student do the subject. I don’t quit until the student understands the concept of the subject and can apply it.
What inspired you to create outdoor courses?
Pain. Lots of pain. Ultimately, my goal is to help prevent my students from getting sick or injured so they can enjoy their time in nature.
What advice would you give to someone just starting in this field?
Horace Kephart said it best “In the school of the woods, there is no graduation day.”
What is one piece of wisdom you’ve gained that has been invaluable?
Grizzly bears are bigger in real life than on TV!
Is there anything else you’d like to share with potential students or our audience?
Share your knowledge because it was shared with you.
Final Thoughts
Although he may describe his demeanor as “grumpy”, he is a fun-natured, kind instructor, and you will never find another person as unashamedly themselves as Kenny Brunswig. Any time you take a course from him, you can rest assured that he will always tell it like it is, and will exhaust every means necessary to ensure his knowledge has been passed along. He’s the type of person who is always thinking of the welfare of others, and his life’s endeavors reflect that compassion.
Definitely check out Grumpy Bushcraft for yourself and get signed up for his in-person classes! And if you haven’t taken his online course about Field Hygiene, be sure to register!
Before You Go!
Enhance your survival and self-reliance skills before attending an in-person course:
- Online Survival Courses: Dive into a range of topics with our comprehensive online courses.
- In-Person Training and Gear: Explore survival and self-reliance training companies, and stores that sell great gear.
- Gear Store: Gear up with the latest equipment from our ever-growing selection.
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