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Florida O.A.T.S.

Florida O.A.T.S.

Outdoor heritage, Florida waterways, the backcountry kitchen, and stories worth passing on. Learn. Preserve. Share.

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  • Journal & Storiesread my thoughts on several Florida things from the water to the palmetto and pine woods
  • Heritage & the Old WaysWhere the canoe builder, camp cook, Sea Scout skipper, wilderness medic, recipe keeper actually live — profiles, oral histories, interviews on applying Bushcraft, Scouting, oral stories, camp traditions, old Florida culture, and conservation history
  • Florida WatersExplore Florida’s rivers, coastal waterways, forgotten passages, and maritime heritage. Discover the people, traditions, and historical journeys that shaped life along the Sunshine State’s waters.
  • Backcountry KitchenDiscover traditional campfire cooking, Dutch oven recipes, cast iron techniques, and the stories behind outdoor meals. Explore culinary heritage, time tested equipment, family traditions, and the wisdom shared around the fire.
  • Outdoor ReflectionsPersonal essays exploring fatherhood, family, faith, philosophy, and the deeper meaning of outdoor life. Discover reflections on adventure, solitude, gratitude, stewardship, and the wisdom gained through time spent in nature.
  • Self Reliance & StewardshipExplore traditional wilderness skills, outdoor safety, emergency preparedness, and responsible adventure. Learn how sound judgment, practical knowledge, conservation, and Leave No Trace principles help us care for ourselves, others, and the natural places entrusted to future generations.
  • About the AuthorMeet Jeffrey Fabiszewski, outdoor writer, expedition paddler, educator, and founder of FloridaOATS. Discover how his experiences in Scouting, Florida’s waterways, family adventures, history, and philosophy inspire his mission to preserve traditional outdoor knowledge for future generations.
  • Contribute a StoryHelp preserve Florida’s outdoor heritage by sharing personal stories, traditional skills, family memories, and local history. Nominate a waterman, camp cook, Scout leader, craftsman, or community elder whose experiences and knowledge deserve to be remembered and passed to future generations.
  • Paddling LessonsLearn practical sea kayaking skills with Liquid Rhythm Kayaking. Explore group classes, private lessons, Greenland paddling, rescue techniques, and expedition training on Florida’s Gulf Coast.

Author: Jeff Fabiszewski

a motivated outdoor professional inspiring others to be conservation mindful by way of history
Self Reliance & Stewardship

🩹Wilderness First Aid for Kayakers: Be Ready, Not Lucky

23 Apr 202514 Oct 2026
Kayaking offers a gateway to remote, beautiful places—but with that solitude comes responsibility. Out on the water, especially in coastal or backcountry environments, help isn’t minutes away. It could be…
Florida Waters & Forgotten Places

🛶Suwannee River, Florida

20 Jun 202214 Oct 2026
If you have five days to relax check out the 91 miles section of the Suwannee River. Start at White Springs and paddle to the town of Branford. Sean Fitzgibbon…
Heritage & the Old Ways

🃏1000 bornes card game

6 Jun 202214 Oct 2026
This past campout Sean introduced me to an old card game 1000 Bornes.  This game has existed since 1954 and goes by many names, and there is even a Cars…
Self Reliance & Stewardship

🩹Skin ‘tastic thinking First Aid

30 May 202214 Oct 2026
Knowing First Aid is one of the ten essentials that every outdoor enthusiast should know.  Survival is about your mind working with skill to live.  It's about staying calm in…
Self Reliance & Stewardship

🌀hurricane calm survival plan

28 May 202214 Oct 2026
Hurricanes bring many possibilities into the minds of people.  There are feelings of awe to panic.  And the people who live within the cone of probability their focus is more…
Outdoor Reflections

🎦The Summit A Chronicle Of Stones to Serenity

23 May 202214 Oct 2026
The Summit: A Chronicle Of Stones to Serenity (2009) is a beautiful film.  It is a movie that showcases why adventures go beyond the possible and make the improbable a…
Self Reliance & Stewardship

🏕️hammock comfort

16 May 202214 Oct 2026
There are many advantages to hammock camping in Florida.  Many people think that the heat, humidity, and biting insects are a deterrent to camping.  That does not need to be…
The Backcountry Kitchen

🥪Reuben sandwich

16 May 202214 Oct 2026
Tasty food options are endless with a Snow Peak❄🗻 Gigapower stove and a hot sandwich maker. The results are always yummy 😋⛺ Cooking Tools With the GigaPower stove, on a…
The Backcountry Kitchen

🍗Florida Fried Chicken

31 Mar 202214 Oct 2026
To make fried chicken for dinner in a Dutch Oven while camping your prep time begins just after you have eaten lunch start the process to brine the chicken in…
The Backcountry Kitchen

🥗Bean Salad

31 Mar 202214 Oct 2026
Here is a yummy 😋 and filling backcountry dish. A bean salad drizzled with a brown mustard & olive oil dressing goes will with a hot 🐷ham & 🧀cheese 🍔sandwich…

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Florida Trail

The Florida Trail is calling you

Posts On:

  • Florida Waters & Forgotten Places
  • Heritage & the Old Ways
  • Outdoor Reflections
  • Self Reliance & Stewardship
  • The Backcountry Kitchen

Often I am asked “why take a class” when retailers, people, and electronic media give information away for free. There is a lot of misleading, bias, and misinformation that can confuse and cause harm. A class allows for guided discovery and opportunity to practice skills without causing damage or harm to oneself.

My goal is to share the love and knowledge of the outdoors with others. I focus on you. Information can be lost in large groups and often there are questions left unanswered. Having a personal understanding of our local and unique parts of Florida enables me to customize a class to a student’s needs.

I can use the knowledge, training, and certifications I earned, and the school of hard knocks to enhance a fun learning environment for the new and experienced student. Being outside is a dream, passion, and means of relaxation for all.

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