Rewilding… “this is exactly what the world needs,” said Ray Mears

Rewilding Drum at the very first Bushcraftfest in Ommen: a weekend of nature, connection and inspiration

From Friday May 15 to Sunday May 17, 2025, Rewilding Drum was present at a unique event: the very first Bushcraftfest in the beautiful town of Ommen, the Netherlands. Three full days dedicated to outdoor living, wilderness skills, and the deep connection between humans and nature — right where we feel most at home.

Our place at the festival

With our own Rewilding Drum stand, we were proud to be part of this premiere edition. The atmosphere was warm and welcoming, and we had the pleasure of speaking with a wonderfully diverse audience. Many enthusiastic visitors stopped by to talk to us about our START TO REWILD project and our book Rewilding – Herontdek je Natuurinstinct (Rewilding – Rediscover Your Nature Instinct). The conversations were deep and meaningful — about the longing for simplicity, the need for nature connection, and how we can relearn to live in tune with the rhythms of the Earth.

Encounters that linger

What made the festival truly special were the people we met. We reconnected with familiar faces from the outdoor world and met inspiring new kindred spirits. Two people we’d like to highlight are Anton van den Heuvel and Daan Timmerman — men with a passion for nature and a mission that closely aligns with our own. Encounters like these fuel the fire behind what we do.

Ray Mears: an icon in the forest

A true highlight came on Saturday at 2 PM, when none other than Ray Mears delivered his long-awaited keynote. Ray, a living legend in the bushcraft community, shared how his deep passion for the natural world began in his youth. Step by step, he built his knowledge and skills — leading to collaborations with the BBC, the founding of his own bushcraft school, and numerous documentaries that have inspired millions.

The audience hung on every word. After his talk, he was surrounded by people offering thanks and questions — a sincere and warm recognition of his life’s work.

An unexpected moment

Just before the end of Ray’s keynote, we returned to our basecamp to keep the stand running. And then something happened we hadn’t dared to dream of: Ray Mears himself showed up at our stand.

He listened with genuine curiosity as we shared what Rewilding Drum is all about and what drives our mission. And then came a moment we’ll never forget. With a smile and a sparkle in his eyes, he said:

“This is exactly what the world needs.”

Those words were like balm — a heartfelt recognition and encouragement from someone we deeply admire. And if Ray says it…

Gratitude and inspiration

We look back on a weekend full of wonder, connection and affirmation. The first Bushcraftfest in Ommen was a beautiful gathering of people who share a passion for nature and simplicity. We’re grateful to have been part of it — and filled with renewed energy to keep working toward a world where rewilding has a place again.

Thank you to the organizers, to everyone who stopped by, and especially to Ray Mears for his time, his words, and his inspiring presence.

See you in the wild,
Bert – Rewilding Drum