Explore nature and wildlife skills for Scouts and outdoor adventures, including animal tracks, plants, trees, insects, conservation, observation and natural navigation.
Nature provides an endless supply of things for Explorers to discover. A woodland isn’t just somewhere to walk through. It’s a place to investigate wildlife, identify plants, understand habitats, observe changing seasons and learn how human activity affects the natural world. At Explorer level, nature activities can become more investigative. Instead of simply asking young…
Nature is everywhere. A woodland, campsite, park, beach or even the grounds around a Scout meeting place can become an opportunity to explore the outdoors. For Scouts, nature activities can go beyond simply identifying plants and animals. They can involve observation, navigation, photography, conservation, tracking and problem-solving. The best activities encourage Scouts to look more…
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…
Getting Squirrels interested in nature doesn’t need to involve complicated equipment or long walks. Young children are naturally curious about the world around them. A strange-looking leaf, an unusual insect or an interesting bird can be enough to start a conversation. Nature activities give Squirrels the chance to explore that curiosity while developing observation, teamwork…
⚠️ SAFETY FIRST If you lose your map, don’t simply carry on and hope you recognise the route. Stop and work out what you know before moving. If you don’t know where you are, don’t take unnecessary risks trying to find your way. Stay safe, contact your group or get appropriate help if necessary. What…
⚠️ SAFETY FIRST Natural navigation can be useful, but it shouldn’t be treated as a replacement for a map, compass, GPS or other appropriate navigation equipment. Natural signs can be difficult to interpret and weather, season, location and local conditions can all affect them. When heading outdoors, especially into unfamiliar or remote areas, carry suitable…
When you’re outdoors, the landscape around you can provide a surprising amount of information. Hills, valleys, streams, ridges, woodland edges and other natural features can all help you understand where you are and which way you’re travelling. Learning to read these features is an excellent way to develop your navigation skills. But there is an…
