Campcraft

Develop practical campcraft skills for Scouts and outdoor adventures, including campsite setup, shelters, equipment, sleeping arrangements and essential outdoor living skills.

  • Building a Pioneering Tower: Scout Pioneering Guide

    Activity Overview Difficulty: ChallengingTime: 3–5 hoursLocation: Scout campsites and suitable pioneering areasBest for: Scouts, Explorers, Patrol Leaders and experienced pioneering teamsSkills: Pioneering, knots, lashings, teamwork, planning, structural awareness and campcraft A pioneering tower is a temporary structure made from poles joined with rope lashings. It is an advanced pioneering project requiring careful planning, sound construction…

  • Managing Campfire Smoke

    Activity Overview Difficulty: Easy–ModerateTime: 15–30 minutesLocation: Scout campsites and outdoor campsBest for: Cubs, Scouts, Explorers, Patrol Leaders and adult leadersSkills: Fire lighting, campcraft, observation, fire management and environmental responsibility A smoky campfire is usually caused by damp fuel, poor airflow, unsuitable fuel or a fire that isn’t burning hot enough. A well-built fire with dry,…

  • Building a Pioneering Bridge

    Activity Overview Difficulty: ChallengingTime: 2–4 hoursLocation: Scout campsites and suitable outdoor activity areasBest for: Scouts, Explorers, Patrol Leaders and experienced pioneering groupsSkills: Pioneering, knots, lashings, teamwork, planning, ropework and structural awareness A pioneering bridge is a structure built from poles and rope using traditional knots and lashings. For a Scout pioneering project, the safest approach…

  • Camp Security

    Activity Overview Difficulty: ModerateTime: 20–30 minutes to set up; maintained throughout campLocation: Scout campsites and outdoor campsBest for: Scouts, Explorers, Patrol Leaders and adult leadersSkills: Campcraft, awareness, organisation, communication and responsibility Camp security is about protecting people, equipment and the campsite from avoidable risks. A secure camp doesn’t need to feel like a fortress. Good…

  • Camp Kitchen Hygiene

    Activity Overview Difficulty: ModerateTime: 15–30 minutes to set up; maintained throughout campLocation: Scout campsites and outdoor campsBest for: Cubs, Scouts, Explorers, Patrol Leaders and adult leadersSkills: Food hygiene, campcraft, outdoor cooking, organisation and teamwork Good camp kitchen hygiene means keeping hands, food, equipment and preparation areas clean and preventing food from becoming contaminated. Outdoor cooking…

  • Camp Kitchen Setup: How to Set Up a Scout Camp Kitchen

    Activity Overview Difficulty: ModerateTime: 30–60 minutesLocation: Scout campsites and outdoor campsBest for: Scouts, Explorers, Patrol Leaders and adult leadersSkills: Campcraft, food hygiene, outdoor cooking, organisation and teamwork A good camp kitchen should have separate areas for food preparation, cooking, eating, washing up and waste, with enough space to work safely. Set the kitchen up on…

  • Camp Hygiene UK: Staying Clean and Healthy Outdoors

    Activity Overview Difficulty: EasyTime: 15–30 minutes to learn; ongoing practiceLocation: Campsites, Scout camps, woodland, countryside and outdoor basesBest for: Cubs, Scouts, Explorers, Patrol Leaders and outdoor enthusiastsSkills: Personal hygiene, food hygiene, campsite management, sanitation and outdoor living Camp hygiene means keeping yourself, your food, equipment and campsite clean enough to reduce the spread of germs,…

  • How to Set Up a Camp Kitchen

    A well-organised camp kitchen makes outdoor cooking easier, cleaner and safer. Whether Scouts are using camping stoves or another approved cooking system, the cooking area should be planned before equipment is unpacked. Good organisation helps everyone understand where to work, where equipment belongs and how people should move around the area. Choose a Suitable Location…

  • How to Organise a Campsite

    A tidy campsite isn’t just easier to look at. Good organisation helps Scouts find their equipment, move around safely and work together more effectively. Camp can quickly become messy when tents, rucksacks, cooking equipment and outdoor gear are spread across the site. Developing simple routines helps keep everything under control. Give Everything a Place One…

  • How to Set Up a Scout Campsite

    Setting up a campsite is more than simply finding somewhere to put the tents. A well-organised campsite gives everyone enough space to move around, keeps equipment manageable and makes everyday camp jobs much easier. It also gives Scouts the opportunity to practise planning, teamwork and responsibility. The exact layout will depend on the site, the…