Learn how to choose, use and care for essential camping and outdoor tools and equipment, including axes, knives, rope saws, maintenance and tool safety.
Activity Overview Difficulty: Easy–ModerateTime: 15–30 minutes for a temporary repairLocation: Campsite or homeBest for: Cubs, Scouts, Explorers, Patrol Leaders, campers and outdoor enthusiastsSkills: Tent pitching, equipment repair, problem-solving and outdoor maintenance A broken tent pole can often be given a temporary repair using a tent-pole repair sleeve, sometimes called a splint. The sleeve is placed…
Activity Overview Difficulty: Easy–ModerateTime: 15–60 minutes depending on the repairLocation: Home, campsite or suitable outdoor areaBest for: Cubs, Scouts, Explorers, Patrol Leaders, campers and outdoor enthusiastsSkills: Tent maintenance, repairs, sewing, problem-solving and equipment care Many minor tent problems can be repaired using a suitable tent repair kit, provided the repair is appropriate for the type…
Activity Overview Difficulty: EasyTime: 15–20 minutes to learn; ongoing during campingLocation: Campsites, woodland, hills and other outdoor camping areasBest for: Cubs, Scouts, Explorers, Patrol Leaders, campers and outdoor enthusiastsSkills: Tent pitching, knots, tensioning, campsite organisation and weather awareness Tent guy lines are cords attached to a tent to help stabilise and tension the structure. They…
Activity Overview Difficulty: EasyTime: 10–15 minutes to learn; ongoing during campLocation: Campsites, woodland, hills and other outdoor camping areasBest for: Cubs, Scouts, Explorers, Patrol Leaders, campers and outdoor enthusiastsSkills: Tent pitching, campsite management, weather awareness and outdoor problem-solving Tent condensation happens when moisture in the air inside your tent meets a colder surface, such as…
Activity Overview Difficulty: EasyTime: 30–60 minutes for a routine check; ongoing throughout the yearLocation: Home, garage, garden, campsite or suitable outdoor areaBest for: Cubs, Scouts, Explorers, Patrol Leaders, campers and outdoor enthusiastsSkills: Equipment maintenance, inspection, repair, storage, preparation and outdoor problem-solving Maintaining camping equipment means checking, cleaning, repairing and storing your outdoor kit so that…
Activity Overview Difficulty: EasyTime: 30–90 minutes depending on equipmentLocation: Home, garage, garden or suitable outdoor cleaning areaBest for: Cubs, Scouts, Explorers, Patrol Leaders, campers and outdoor enthusiastsSkills: Equipment care, cleaning, maintenance, drying, storage and outdoor preparation Cleaning camping equipment means removing dirt, mud, food and moisture from your kit and making sure it is properly…
Learning to use outdoor tools can be an important part of developing practical Scout skills. Knives, saws and other hand tools can help Scouts learn about woodcraft, campcraft, shelter building and practical problem-solving. They also introduce risks that need to be taken seriously. Good tool safety isn’t about being afraid of tools. It is about…
Good equipment can last for years if it is looked after properly. For Scouts, learning how to maintain camping and outdoor equipment is an important practical skill. Looking after a tent, cleaning a cooking stove, checking a compass or drying a sleeping bag may not seem as exciting as using the equipment, but it is…
Choosing the right equipment can make outdoor activities easier, safer and more enjoyable. Whether you’re preparing for camping, learning survival skills, heading into the countryside or building an outdoor skills kit, it can be tempting to buy lots of specialist equipment. In reality, good equipment selection is less about having the biggest collection and more…
⚠️ SAFETY FIRST Camping involves sleeping outdoors, cooking, handling equipment and dealing with changing weather. Always follow campsite rules, fire-safety guidance and the instructions of your activity leader. Check the weather before setting out and make sure your equipment is suitable for the conditions you’re likely to encounter. Your first camping trip can be exciting….
