Cubs Camping Activities: Fun Ideas for Cub Scouts

Camping gives Cubs the chance to put their outdoor skills into practice.

Instead of simply talking about tents, cooking or campcraft, they can actually have a go.

Camping is also an important part of the Cub programme. The Our Outdoors Challenge Award includes taking an active part in at least three nights away, along with activities such as pitching tents, cooking, building a shelter and looking after a campsite.

The best Cub camping activities combine practical skills with plenty of fun.

1. Tent Pitching Challenge

Give each Six a tent and challenge them to pitch it correctly.

The aim shouldn’t simply be to finish first.

Cubs should learn how to identify the different parts, work together and make sure the tent is properly secured.

You can turn it into a friendly competition by awarding points for teamwork, organisation and a good final setup.

Tent pitching is specifically included in the Our Outdoors Challenge Award.

2. Campfire Cooking

Cooking outdoors can turn an ordinary meal into an adventure.

Depending on your facilities and risk assessment, Cubs could prepare a simple meal using suitable camping equipment.

Give different Cubs different responsibilities for preparation, cooking and clearing up.

Hot equipment and flames should remain under appropriate adult supervision.

3. Shelter Building

Challenge Cubs to build a shelter large enough for two people.

They can work together to decide on a design and then test whether their shelter is stable and weather-resistant.

This is another activity that directly supports the Our Outdoors Challenge Award.

4. Camp Gadget Challenge

Introduce Cubs to simple pioneering by giving them a challenge such as creating a flagpole, washing-up stand or another useful camp gadget.

They can practise suitable knots and lashings while working together.

The Our Outdoors requirements include completing a simple pioneering project or camp gadget.

5. Camping Treasure Hunt

Hide clues around the campsite and send Cubs on a supervised treasure hunt.

The clues could involve landmarks, simple navigation questions or camping knowledge.

For example:

“Find the place where we keep our cooking equipment.”

At each location they find another clue.

6. Campfire Games and Stories

A campfire doesn’t have to be all about cooking.

Once the fire is safely established and managed, Cubs can enjoy songs, stories, jokes, quizzes and simple group entertainment.

The Scouts’ Our Outdoors Challenge Award specifically includes taking part in a campfire sing-along or other entertainment.

7. Camping Skills Relay

Set up several short challenges around the campsite.

One station could involve identifying camping equipment.

Another could involve folding or organising kit.

Another could involve putting up part of a tent.

Another could test knowledge of camp safety.

Keep the activities short so everyone stays involved.

8. Tent Detective

Deliberately create a tent or sleeping area with several safe-to-correct problems.

Perhaps a sleeping bag has been left outside, equipment is blocking an entrance or rubbish has been left behind.

Cubs work in teams to identify what needs fixing.

Scouts has a similar Tent Detectives activity specifically linked to the Cubs Our Outdoors Challenge Award.

9. Wide Game

A camping trip is an excellent opportunity for a large outdoor game.

Try a tracking game, capture-style game, search game or another activity suited to the campsite.

Make sure the boundaries are clear and that leaders can supervise the whole playing area.

Wide games are also one of the optional activities listed for the Our Outdoors Challenge Award.

10. Camping Equipment Challenge

Give Cubs a collection of camping equipment.

Can they work out what each item is used for?

You could include tents, sleeping mats, waterproofs, water bottles, torches, cooking equipment and other suitable items.

For an extra challenge, ask:

“What would happen if you forgot this?”

11. Backwoods Cooking

For Cubs who are ready for a more adventurous cooking activity, try a suitable backwoods meal.

Keep the cooking method appropriate to the group and campsite, with adults managing higher-risk equipment and fire-related tasks.

Backwoods cooking is one of the optional activities within the Our Outdoors Challenge Award.

12. Camp Kit Challenge

Ask Cubs to organise their personal camping equipment.

Can they keep their sleeping area tidy?

Do they know where their waterproofs are?

Can they find their torch quickly?

This teaches an important camping lesson: looking after your own equipment makes life much easier.

The Our Outdoors Challenge Award includes keeping personal kit safe, tidy and secure.

13. Nature Night Walk

Take Cubs on a short, carefully planned walk after dark.

They can listen for sounds, look at the night sky and experience how different the outdoors feels at night.

Keep the route familiar and suitable for the conditions, with appropriate lighting and supervision.

14. Campfire Safety Challenge

Turn fire safety into a game before any fire is lit.

Ask Cubs questions such as:

“Where should you stand?”

“What should you do if clothing catches fire?”

“Who is responsible for managing the fire?”

“What should happen before everyone leaves the campsite?”

This reinforces safe behaviour without putting anyone near a fire unnecessarily.

15. Camp Cooking Relay

Give each Six a simple meal plan.

They need to work out:

What equipment they need.

Which ingredients they need.

Who will do each job.

How they will clean up.

It turns cooking into a teamwork and planning exercise rather than simply following a recipe.

16. Campsite Design Challenge

Ask Cubs to design their ideal campsite.

They need to decide where the tents, cooking area, activity area and other facilities should go.

Ask them to explain why they chose each location.

Scouts has an Open House activity where young people design an ideal campsite, and it can contribute towards the Cubs Our Outdoors Challenge Award.

17. Bivouac Challenge

For a suitable camp and an appropriately planned activity, Cubs can learn about bivouacking.

They can first construct a simple bivouac and discuss how it differs from a tent.

The Our Outdoors Challenge Award includes building a bivouac and sleeping in it as one of its optional activities.

18. Camping Standards Competition

Give each Six a list of things that make a good campsite.

Cleanliness.

Organisation.

Safe storage.

Tidy tents.

Good teamwork.

Responsible waste management.

They can score themselves against the standards and identify what they could improve.

19. Campfire Story Challenge

Give each Six a few random words.

Perhaps:

Forest — storm — map — owl — treasure

They have to create a short campfire story using all five.

It makes a great evening activity and doesn’t require much equipment.

20. The Big Camping Challenge

Bring several skills together into one activity.

Cubs could:

Pitch their tent.

Organise their kit.

Complete a navigation challenge.

Build a camp gadget.

Prepare food.

Take part in a wide game.

Finish with a campfire activity.

It can become a mini camping adventure where each Six has responsibilities.

Let Cubs Do the Work

One of the most valuable parts of camping is giving Cubs the opportunity to do things for themselves.

Where it’s safe and appropriate, let them:

Pitch tents.

Organise equipment.

Prepare food.

Keep their sleeping area tidy.

Help look after the campsite.

Work on camp gadgets.

The Our Outdoors Challenge Award is deliberately designed around Cubs taking an active role in these activities.

Adults should provide the supervision and support needed, particularly around higher-risk activities.

Make Camping About More Than Sleeping in a Tent

Camping doesn’t have to mean spending the entire weekend sitting around a campsite.

Use the opportunity to explore.

Go on a hike.

Play a wide game.

Try nature activities.

Build a shelter.

Cook outdoors.

Look at the stars.

Tell stories around the campfire.

The Our Adventure Challenge Award also encourages Cubs to take part in outdoor activities and hikes, so camping can easily become part of a wider programme of outdoor experiences.

Give Cubs Responsibility

Cubs are at a great age for gradually taking on more responsibility.

Give Sixes jobs to complete.

Let them decide how to approach challenges.

Ask them what they think would make the campsite better.

Let them help plan meals and activities.

The objective isn’t to make Cubs completely independent.

It’s to help them become more confident and capable.

Final Thoughts

Camping can bring together almost every outdoor skill Cubs learn.

They can practise teamwork, cooking, knots, shelter building, navigation, nature observation and campcraft while having a brilliant time with their friends.

The best camping activities don’t feel like lessons.

They feel like adventures.

🏕️ THE BIG IDEA

Let Cubs get involved.

Let them pitch the tent.
Let them plan the meal.
Let them build the shelter.
Let them solve the problem.

With good supervision and sensible safety arrangements, camping gives Cubs an opportunity to turn the skills they’ve learned at meetings into real outdoor experiences.