Practical resources for Scout leaders, including badge guidance, activity ideas, teaching tips, safety advice and resources to help Scouts develop essential skills.
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 for routine care; 1–2 hours for washing and dryingLocation: Home, Scout hut or campsiteBest for: Cubs, Scouts, Explorers, adult volunteers and parentsSkills: Clothing care, organisation, personal responsibility, basic laundry and preparation The best way to look after a Scout uniform is to wash it regularly, deal with stains quickly,…
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…
Water can become significantly more difficult to assess after dark. Rivers, streams, lakes and ponds may be difficult to see, while slippery ground, uneven banks and hidden obstacles become harder to identify. Even a familiar campsite can present additional risks when visibility is poor. For Scouts, the safest approach is to treat darkness as an…
Crossing a stream can look like a simple outdoor challenge, but even shallow water can present serious hazards. Moving water can affect balance, slippery rocks can cause falls, and water levels can change quickly after rainfall. For Scouts, the safest crossing is often the one that has been properly planned rather than improvised. Do You…
Swimming outdoors can be an enjoyable activity, but natural water is very different from a swimming pool. Rivers, lakes, ponds and other outdoor water can contain hidden hazards, changing conditions and difficult exits. Swimming alone removes one of the most important safety measures: having someone nearby who can raise the alarm if something goes wrong….
Seeing someone fall into a river, lake or pond can be frightening, but the most important thing is to avoid becoming a second casualty. Scouts should understand that attempting to jump in after someone without the right training and equipment can make the situation much worse. The safest response is to raise the alarm, get…
Riverbanks can look solid and safe while hiding hazards that aren’t immediately obvious. Erosion, loose ground, slippery surfaces and undercut sections can all make getting close to the edge dangerous. Learning to recognise these warning signs helps Scouts make safer decisions around rivers and streams. Look at the Ground Before walking towards a river, look…
Rivers and streams can be beautiful places to explore, but moving water can be much more powerful than it looks. For Scouts, the safest approach is to understand the hazards, stay within agreed boundaries and avoid entering or approaching water unnecessarily. Understand the Current Moving water can push against your legs and make it difficult…
