The Outdoor Skills Expedition

🧭 Intermediate Challenge: The Outdoor Skills Expedition

🎯 Your Mission

Plan and complete a 2–5 km outdoor route (or an equivalent route suitable for your age and ability).

Along the way, complete eight skill missions.

You can do this during a Scout activity, with a responsible adult, or as part of a properly planned outdoor walk.

🗺️ Mission 1: Plan Your Route

Before setting off, study your map.

Record:

Starting point: __________

Destination: __________

Distance: __________

Estimated time: __________

Choose at least four checkpoints.

For example:

• Woodland edge
• Bridge
• Hill
• Stream
• Road junction

Your challenge:

Explain why you chose each checkpoint.

🧭 Mission 2: Navigate Yourself

Don’t simply follow someone else.

At each checkpoint, answer:

1. Where am I?
2. Where have I come from?
3. Where am I going next?

Use your map and the landscape together.

If something doesn’t match your map:

STOP.

Work out the problem before continuing.

🌦️ Mission 3: Watch the Weather

Before leaving, check the forecast.

Write down:

Temperature: ______

Rain: ______

Wind: ______

Visibility: ______

During the route, make at least three observations.

For example:

• Wind increasing
• Cloud thickening
• Temperature dropping
• Rain starting
• Visibility changing

At the end, compare the forecast with what actually happened.

Were there any differences?

🌿 Mission 4: Nature Detective

While walking, find evidence of five different natural features or wildlife signs.

Examples include:

• Animal tracks
• Feathers
• Different trees
• Fungi
• Bird calls
• Insect activity
• Streams
• Rock formations

Record what you found.

Bonus:

Choose one item and explain how it helped you understand the environment.

🎒 Mission 5: Equipment Check

Halfway through your route, stop and look at your kit.

Choose five items.

For each one, explain:

• Why did I bring it?
• Have I used it?
• Could I still need it?
• What would happen if I didn’t have it?

This helps you understand the difference between carrying equipment and actually planning your kit.

🧠 Mission 6: The Unexpected Problem

Before starting, ask a leader, parent or friend to give you one unexpected scenario.

Examples:

• The path ahead is closed.
• It starts raining heavily.
• Someone in the group is getting tired.
• You realise you’re behind schedule.
• Visibility starts to decrease.
• You’ve missed a checkpoint.

You must explain:

What has changed?

How does it affect your plan?

What options do you have?

What would you choose to do?

Why?

You don’t have to continue the route if your new plan says you shouldn’t.

🆘 Mission 7: Emergency Information

At one point on your route, stop.

Imagine someone needs help.

Without looking at your phone first, write down:

Where are you?

What nearby landmark could help identify your position?

What grid reference or map information could you provide?

How would emergency services reach you?

Then check your answer using your map.

🔄 Mission 8: Review Your Plan

When you’ve finished, compare your plan with what actually happened.

Then answer:

What went well?

What surprised you?

What would you change next time?

This final part is one of the most important parts of the challenge.

🏆 Scoring

Give yourself one point for each mission completed.

⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4–5 Points

Developing Adventurer

You’re starting to combine different outdoor skills.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 6–7 Points

Confident Explorer

You’re making thoughtful decisions and using several skills together.

🏆 8 Points

Outdoor Skills Expedition Complete!

You’ve planned, navigated, observed, adapted and reviewed your adventure.

⭐ Make It Harder

Once you’ve completed the challenge, try one of these upgrades.

Level 2

Increase the distance.

Level 3

Take responsibility for navigating the whole route.

Level 4

Plan two alternative routes before leaving.

Level 5

Teach another person one of the skills you used.

🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Team Version

This challenge works especially well with a Scout group.

Split into small teams.

Give each team the same route.

Each person takes responsibility for one area:

• Navigation
• Weather
• Equipment
• Nature observations
• Emergency planning

Swap roles halfway through.

At the end, discuss:

• Did everyone notice the same things?
• Were there different route choices?
• Did anyone spot something the others missed?
• What made the best decisions work well?

This helps everyone see how different skills combine into a successful outdoor activity.