Useful camp resources for Scout leaders and outdoor groups, including planning advice, campcraft, cooking activities, kit lists and bad-weather ideas.
Activity Overview Difficulty: EasyTime: 10–20 minutesLocation: Scout hut, campsite, field or meeting pointBest for: Cubs, Scouts, Explorers, Patrol Leaders and adult volunteersSkills: Communication, leadership, listening, planning, teamwork and situational awareness Quick Answer A good Scout briefing makes sure everyone knows what is happening, where they need to be, what they need to do and what…
Activity Overview Difficulty: EasyTime: 30–60 minutesLocation: Scout hut, meeting room, campsite or suitable outdoor areaBest for: Scouts, Patrol Leaders, Assistant Patrol LeadersSkills: Leadership, teamwork, planning, communication, decision-making and problem-solving A Scout Patrol meeting is a chance for the Patrol to plan, practise, make decisions and work together without relying on an adult to organise every…
Activity Overview Difficulty: EasyTime: 20–30 minutes to learn; roles develop through regular activitiesLocation: Scout hut, campsite or outdoor activity areaBest for: Scouts, Patrol Leaders, Assistant Patrol Leaders and adult volunteersSkills: Leadership, teamwork, communication, organisation, decision-making and responsibility A Scout Patrol is a small team within a Scout Troop. Each member has a part to play,…
Activity Overview Difficulty: EasyTime: 10–30 minutes to learn and practiseLocation: Scout hall, field, parade ground or other open areaBest for: Cubs, Scouts, Explorers and adult volunteersSkills: Parade discipline, teamwork, formation, communication, leadership and ceremonial skills Scout parade formations are organised ways of positioning Scouts for meetings, ceremonies, flag duties, inspections and formal parades. The horseshoe…
Activity Overview Difficulty: EasyTime: 10–20 minutes to learn; 5–10 minutes for a typical ceremonyLocation: Scout hut, meeting place, camp or suitable outdoor areaBest for: Cubs, Scouts, Explorers and adult volunteersSkills: Flag handling, ceremonial skills, teamwork, knots, leadership, respect and confidence Scout flag etiquette is about treating the flag with respect and following the appropriate Scout…
A well-organised camp kitchen makes outdoor cooking easier, cleaner and safer. Whether Scouts are using camping stoves or another approved cooking system, the cooking area should be planned before equipment is unpacked. Good organisation helps everyone understand where to work, where equipment belongs and how people should move around the area. Choose a Suitable Location…
A tidy campsite isn’t just easier to look at. Good organisation helps Scouts find their equipment, move around safely and work together more effectively. Camp can quickly become messy when tents, rucksacks, cooking equipment and outdoor gear are spread across the site. Developing simple routines helps keep everything under control. Give Everything a Place One…
Setting up a campsite is more than simply finding somewhere to put the tents. A well-organised campsite gives everyone enough space to move around, keeps equipment manageable and makes everyday camp jobs much easier. It also gives Scouts the opportunity to practise planning, teamwork and responsibility. The exact layout will depend on the site, the…
Campcraft is the collection of practical skills used to set up, run and look after a campsite. For Scouts, it can include everything from pitching tents and organising equipment to setting up cooking areas, managing camp routines and leaving a site clean and tidy. Campcraft isn’t about making camping complicated. It’s about learning how to…
Bad weather doesn’t always mean cancelling a Scout meeting. Rain, strong winds, cold temperatures and poor conditions can make your original outdoor plan unsuitable, but with a little preparation you can often switch to an indoor or lower-risk alternative without losing the purpose of the session. The key is not to try to recreate the…
