Explore Scout skills by section, with activities, challenges, badges, outdoor activities, progression and practical skills for Squirrels, Beavers, Cubs, Scouts and Explorers.
What Is a Naturalist’s Field Notebook? A naturalist’s field notebook is simply a place to record things you notice outdoors. It doesn’t need to be fancy. A cheap notebook and pencil can be enough. The important part is learning to observe carefully and record useful details. Your notebook might contain: Choose the Right Notebook A…
Wildlife spotting is not just about seeing animals. In fact, most wild animals are much better at avoiding people than people are at finding them. The good news is that animals leave clues behind. Tracks, feathers, chewed nuts, droppings, burrows and disturbed vegetation can all tell you that an animal has been active nearby. Learning…
You have planned your route, checked the weather, packed your bag and set off for a good day’s walking. Then you reach a footpath and discover that you cannot continue. It might be a fallen tree, flooding, a damaged bridge, a locked gate, a landslip, fallen branches or a temporary closure. The important thing is…
You don’t need to travel to a campsite, climb a mountain or head deep into the countryside to practise outdoor skills. A back garden can be a surprisingly useful training ground. Many of the skills used while camping, hiking and exploring can be practised at home. For children and young people, this can be a…
Seeing wildlife in the woods can feel like a matter of luck. You walk along a path and see nothing. Someone else visits the same woodland a few hours later and spots a deer, fox, squirrel or dozens of birds. The difference isn’t always luck. Wildlife spotting is a skill. The more you learn to…
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…
Survival skills do not have to be complicated to be useful. For Squirrels, simple outdoor activities can introduce important skills while keeping learning fun and age appropriate. At this age, the aim should not be to teach children how to deal with extreme survival situations. Instead, Squirrels can learn simple skills that help them become…
Nature skills help Squirrels become more confident exploring the outdoors and noticing the world around them. Simple activities such as identifying leaves, listening for birds, spotting animal signs and learning about trees can turn an ordinary walk into an exciting nature adventure. What You’ll Learn Squirrels can learn how to: Equipment You can keep this…
Camping does not have to be complicated. Squirrels can learn a range of simple camping skills through short, fun activities that help them become more confident outdoors. Good beginner skills include putting up a tent with help, packing a rucksack, rolling a sleeping bag, using a torch, choosing suitable clothing and keeping a campsite safe…
Activity Overview Difficulty: IntermediateTime: 1–2 hoursLocation: Suitable woodland or outdoor training areaBest for: Scouts, Explorers and outdoor enthusiastsSkills: Shelter building, pioneering, outdoor survival, site selection, environmental awareness, teamwork Knowing how to create a basic shelter is an important outdoor skill. A good shelter helps protect you from wind, rain, cold ground and exposure to the…
