Survival Guides UK is designed to help young people develop practical outdoor skills, confidence and independence through learning, exploring and having a go.
Our Parent Resources help you understand the skills your child can learn, how they can develop over time, and how you can support them along the way. You’ll find guidance on everything from outdoor skills and equipment to safety, activities and ideas for learning together.
Many of the skills and activities can be explored by young people independently, while others are best enjoyed with an adult. We’ll help you understand what’s appropriate and how you can get involved, whether that’s supporting your child’s learning or having a go at an activity together.
You can explore our online resources for free. Members also have access to downloadable resources and additional materials designed to help children and families get even more from Survival Guides UK.
Browse the resources below to discover how you can support your child’s outdoor learning, build their confidence and encourage practical skills that they can use for life.
If your child is going on their first Scout camp, working out what they actually need to take can be surprisingly difficult. You don’t want them arriving without something important, but you also don’t want to fill their rucksack with things they won’t use. The good news is that most Scout camps don’t require huge…
Activity Overview Difficulty: Easy–ModerateTime: 30–60 minutesLocation: Woodlands, fields, hedgerows and other suitable outdoor areasBest for: Cubs, Scouts, Explorers, Patrol Leaders and adult leadersSkills: Observation, plant identification, outdoor awareness, responsible countryside access and risk management Wild plants can be useful and interesting to learn about, but never eat, touch or use an unfamiliar plant simply because…
Activity Overview Difficulty: ModerateTime: 30–60 minutes to learn and practiseLocation: Campsites, activity centres and outdoor campsBest for: Cubs, Scouts, Explorers, Patrol Leaders, adult volunteers, campers and outdoor enthusiastsSkills: Emergency response, communication, first aid awareness, evacuation, hazard management and decision-making Campsite emergency procedures are the agreed actions taken when something happens that could threaten people, equipment…
Activity Overview Difficulty: EasyTime: 10–15 minutes to learn; ongoing during campLocation: Campsites, woodland, hills and other outdoor camping areasBest for: Cubs, Scouts, Explorers, Patrol Leaders, campers and outdoor enthusiastsSkills: Tent pitching, campsite management, weather awareness and outdoor problem-solving Tent condensation happens when moisture in the air inside your tent meets a colder surface, such as…
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,…
Family challenges are a great way to turn an ordinary afternoon into a small adventure. You don’t need specialist equipment, expensive days out or a complicated plan. A local park, garden, woodland, beach or walking route can provide everything you need for a simple challenge that gets the whole family involved. The best family challenges…
Outdoor activities can give children some of their most memorable experiences. Camping, walking, exploring, building shelters, learning practical skills and spending time outside all provide opportunities to develop confidence and independence. For parents, however, it is natural to wonder how to keep children safe while still allowing them to enjoy those experiences. Safe practice doesn’t…
Packing for a Scout camp can feel surprisingly complicated the first few times. There are clothes, sleeping equipment, wash kit, food, waterproofs and all the little items that are easy to forget. Then there is the temptation to pack far too much “just in case”. The good news is that packing for a Scout camp…
You don’t need a campsite, expensive equipment or a long journey to give children a chance to enjoy the outdoors. A garden, driveway, balcony, local green space or even a short walk around the neighbourhood can provide opportunities for children to explore, build practical skills and have fun. Outdoor activities at home are particularly useful…
The Chief Scout’s Gold Award is the highest award a Scout can earn. It represents the culmination of a young person’s time in the Scout section and recognises the range of skills, experiences and challenges they’ve taken on. It isn’t intended to be completed in one big project. Instead, Scouts work towards it throughout their…
