LATEST OUTDOOR GUIDES
Keep up to date with the latest guides, activities and resources from Survival Guides UK. Explore new articles covering outdoor skills, survival, Scout activities, camping, navigation, knots, fire safety and practical skills.
Our latest posts are designed to help Scouts, youth groups, leaders and anyone interested in outdoor learning develop practical knowledge and confidence. From new activity ideas and survival skills to useful how-to guides, check back regularly for the latest resources.
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SGUK Outdoor Skills Challenge: Something Big Is Coming
Something big is coming to Survival Guides UK. Not another short list of outdoor activities. Not a course that finishes after a few lessons. And not a challenge that stops when you reach number 100. We are building something much bigger. The SGUK Outdoor Skills Challenge is going to be a huge, ever-growing collection of…
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How to Make Cordage From Nettles
Nettles are probably not the first plant you’d choose when looking for something useful to make cord from. They sting, they grow almost everywhere and most people try to avoid brushing against them. They really don’t seem like much good for anything. Look a little closer, though, and nettles have a useful fibre running through…
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How to Collect Fallen Natural Materials Responsibly
Collecting things you find on the ground can be a useful part of spending time outdoors. Fallen sticks can be used for fire lighting, while leaves, pine cones, seed pods and other natural materials can be useful for identification, nature study and practical activities. The trick is knowing what is reasonable to collect and what…
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25 Hiking Tips for Beginners
Your first few hikes don’t need to be complicated. You certainly don’t need the most expensive equipment, an enormous rucksack or years of outdoor experience. What matters most is choosing a suitable walk, knowing what you’re getting yourself into and being prepared for conditions to change. Hiking gets easier as you gain experience, but there…
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How to Orientate a Map
Being able to orientate a map is one of those navigation skills that makes everything else much easier. Instead of trying to mentally turn the landscape around to match the map, you turn the map so that it represents the ground in front of you. Once a map is orientated, features on the paper should…
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How to Find North Without a Compass
If you find yourself outdoors without a compass, there are still ways to work out roughly which direction is north. The Sun, shadows and stars can all give you useful clues, although none of these methods should be treated as a precise replacement for a compass. The most important thing is to understand what each…
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How to Take a Back Bearing
Learning how to take a back bearing is a simple navigation skill that can give you a useful check on where you have come from. It is particularly helpful when you’re navigating across open ground, checking a route or trying to confirm that a feature you’ve identified is actually where you think it is. Once…
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How to Tell Whether an Area Has Recently Been Used by Animals
You don’t always see the animals that live around you. In fact, most wildlife is much better at avoiding people than people are at spotting it. What you can often find, though, are the little signs they leave behind. A footprint in soft mud, freshly nibbled vegetation or a narrow trail through long grass can…
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How to Walk Efficiently on Steep Ground
Steep ground can make an ordinary walk feel much harder than it needs to be. The temptation is often to push harder and try to get the difficult section over with, but that usually leaves you tired surprisingly quickly. Walking efficiently on steep ground is more about how you move than how strong you are.…
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How to Tell Which Direction You Are Travelling Without a Compass
You don’t always have a compass in your hand when you’re outdoors. Your equipment might have been left behind, you may be teaching someone the basics of navigation, or you might simply want to improve your ability to understand the landscape around you. There are several ways to work out roughly which direction you are…
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10 Outdoor Skills Challenges to Try This Weekend
There is a big difference between knowing how an outdoor skill works and being able to use it when you actually need it. That’s why challenges can be such a good way to learn new skills. Instead of simply reading another guide, give yourself something to achieve and see how you get on. It is…
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