Discover outdoor activities for Cubs that develop practical skills, confidence and teamwork while encouraging exploration, adventure and a love of nature.
A woodland floor, hedgerow or patch of grass can look quiet until you start noticing the signs of life around you. A hole beneath a tree root, a nest tucked into a hedge or a web stretched between two branches can tell you that an animal has been using that spot for shelter, raising young…
Being able to follow simple directions is an important outdoor skill. Whether you’re walking with your family, taking part in an activity or exploring with a group, you need to be able to listen, understand what you’ve been told and use the information around you to work out where to go next. It doesn’t mean…
A woodland walk can be much more interesting when you stop simply walking from one place to another and start looking at what is happening around you. Woodlands are full of clues. Animals may be difficult to see, but they leave behind tracks, feathers, chewed nuts, droppings, nests and other signs. Trees, plants, fungi and…
Activity Overview Difficulty: ModerateTime: 20–30 minutes to learn the basics; applied throughout a pioneering projectLocation: Scout campsites and suitable outdoor activity areasBest for: Cubs, Scouts, Explorers, Patrol Leaders and adult leadersSkills: Risk awareness, ropework, lashings, teamwork, equipment care and safe construction Pioneering safety is about planning the project, using suitable equipment, constructing it correctly and…
Cooking is a brilliant outdoor skill for Cubs. It combines practical skills with teamwork, creativity and a little bit of adventure. A Cub who learns how to prepare a simple meal at a campsite is developing skills they can use long after they’ve left Cubs. Cooking doesn’t always need to involve a campfire or camping…
Navigation is one of those outdoor skills that becomes much easier when it’s taught through games. Cubs can learn to recognise landmarks, follow routes, understand maps and begin using a compass without needing to start with complicated theory. The key is to make navigation feel like an adventure rather than a classroom lesson. A campsite,…
Nature activities are a simple way to get Cubs outside and looking more closely at the world around them. A woodland, park, campsite or even the area around your meeting place can provide plenty to explore. The aim isn’t necessarily to identify every plant or animal. It’s about encouraging Cubs to notice things, ask questions…
First aid is one of those skills that can be genuinely useful outside the Scout meeting. For Cubs, it doesn’t need to be taught through long lectures. Games, scenarios and practical challenges can make the subject much easier to understand. The Scouts programme includes Emergency Aid Staged Activity Badges, and first aid also features in…
Camping gives Cubs the chance to put their outdoor skills into practice. Instead of simply talking about tents, cooking or campcraft, they can actually have a go. Camping is also an important part of the Cub programme. The Our Outdoors Challenge Award includes taking an active part in at least three nights away, along with…
⚠️ SAFETY & AGE-APPROPRIATENESS NOTE Cubs are 8–10½ years old, so activities should always be suitable for their age, experience and individual needs. Activities involving fire, knives, tools, water, climbing, cooking, camping and outdoor exploration should be properly planned and supervised by appropriately responsible adults. Progression doesn’t mean removing supervision. It means gradually giving young…
