Prepare for hikes and expeditions with practical guidance on clothing, footwear, packing, route planning, preparation and staying safe while walking outdoors.
Walking pace control is the ability to maintain a steady, controlled walking speed over a set distance or period of time. It is a useful outdoor skill for Scouts because it helps you manage energy, stay together as a group and make better progress on hikes and expeditions. Walking too quickly at the beginning of…
Activity Overview Difficulty: BeginnerTime: 45–60 minutesLocation: Suitable outdoor training areaBest for: Scouts and ExplorersSkills: Navigation, route planning, situational awareness, map reading, decision-making, group management The best way to deal with becoming lost is to avoid becoming lost in the first place. Good navigation is not simply knowing how to use a compass. It means continually…
Activity Overview Difficulty: IntermediateTime: 30–45 minutesLocation: Indoors for planning and equipment checks; outdoors for practical useBest for: Scouts and ExplorersSkills: Clothing selection, weather awareness, layering, preparation, mountain safety Mountain clothing should be selected according to the weather, terrain, season, duration and difficulty of the activity. The aim is to stay warm, dry and comfortable while…
Activity Overview Difficulty: AdvancedTime: 45–60 minutesLocation: Indoors for planning, followed by a suitable mountain or hill environmentBest for: Scouts and ExplorersSkills: Weather awareness, route planning, navigation, risk assessment, decision-making Mountain weather can change quickly, so a good plan considers what the forecast says, how conditions may change with height and exposure, and what you will…
Activity Overview Difficulty: ModerateTime: 30–45 minutesLocation: Campsites, woodland, open countryside and suitable outdoor training areasBest for: Scouts, Explorers, Patrol Leaders and adult leadersSkills: Emergency communication, signalling, situational awareness, emergency planning and outdoor safety A distress signal is used to show that you need help in an emergency. For Scouts, useful methods include a whistle, torch,…
Activity Overview Difficulty: EasyTime: 15–30 minutes to learnLocation: Countryside, farmland, woodland, villages and rural areasBest for: Cubs, Scouts, Explorers, Patrol Leaders, walkers and outdoor enthusiastsSkills: Navigation, map reading, countryside awareness, route planning and responsible access A public right of way is a route that the public has a legal right to use, subject to the…
Good footwear is one of the most important pieces of equipment a Scout can have outdoors. Whether you’re walking across a muddy campsite, hiking through woodland, exploring countryside or spending a day outdoors, the right footwear can make the activity much more comfortable. Poorly chosen footwear can cause blisters, discomfort, wet feet and tiredness. In…
Packing for a hike is an important outdoor skill. A well-packed rucksack is easier to carry, easier to organise and much less frustrating when you need something along the way. For Scouts, learning how to pack efficiently is also a useful lesson in preparation and decision-making. You need to think about what you actually need,…
⚠️ SAFETY FIRST Modern navigation tools are extremely useful, but they should not be your only navigation method in the outdoors. Phones can lose battery, GPS devices can fail, signals can be unavailable and digital maps can contain errors or outdated information. For walks where getting lost could have serious consequences, carry an appropriate map…
⚠️ SAFETY FIRST A route that looks easy on a map may be much more difficult on the ground. Before setting out, consider the weather, terrain, distance, daylight, your group’s ability and any specific hazards along the route. If conditions change or the route becomes unsafe, turn back or change your plans. Reaching the end…
