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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15 Signs That Wildlife Has Been Active Nearby
Wildlife spotting is not just about seeing animals. In fact, most wild animals are much better at avoiding people than people are at finding them. The good news is that animals leave clues behind. Tracks, feathers, chewed nuts, droppings, burrows and disturbed vegetation can all tell you that an animal has been active nearby. Learning…
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What to Do When a Hiking Route Is Blocked
You have planned your route, checked the weather, packed your bag and set off for a good day’s walking. Then you reach a footpath and discover that you cannot continue. It might be a fallen tree, flooding, a damaged bridge, a locked gate, a landslip, fallen branches or a temporary closure. The important thing is…
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15 Outdoor Skills You Can Practise in Your Back Garden
You don’t need to travel to a campsite, climb a mountain or head deep into the countryside to practise outdoor skills. A back garden can be a surprisingly useful training ground. Many of the skills used while camping, hiking and exploring can be practised at home. For children and young people, this can be a…
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How to Walk Quietly in the Woods and Spot Wildlife
Seeing wildlife in the woods can feel like a matter of luck. You walk along a path and see nothing. Someone else visits the same woodland a few hours later and spots a deer, fox, squirrel or dozens of birds. The difference isn’t always luck. Wildlife spotting is a skill. The more you learn to…
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20 Things to Look for on a Woodland Walk
A woodland walk can be much more interesting when you stop simply walking from one place to another and start looking at what is happening around you. Woodlands are full of clues. Animals may be difficult to see, but they leave behind tracks, feathers, chewed nuts, droppings, nests and other signs. Trees, plants, fungi and…
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15 First Aid Mistakes to Avoid in an Emergency
Knowing some basic first aid can make a big difference when someone is injured or becomes ill outdoors. However, knowing what not to do is just as important. In an emergency, people can panic, rush in without thinking or try something they have seen in a film or online. This can sometimes make the situation…
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Natural Signs of Changing Weather
When you’re outdoors, knowing what the weather might do next is an important skill. Weather forecasts are extremely useful, but scouts and outdoor explorers can also learn to notice changes in the world around them. The clouds may start to change. The wind might suddenly become stronger. The air may feel different, or the temperature…
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How to Explore Nature Responsibly
Getting outside is a great way to explore, learn new skills and see places you might never have visited before. You might go hiking through a forest, walk across open moorland, camp in the countryside or explore a local nature reserve. Wherever you go, you are sharing that environment with plants, animals and other people.…
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How to Retrace Your Route
Knowing how to retrace your route is an important outdoor skill. You might need to do it if you take the wrong path while hiking, miss a turning while scouting, or become unsure about where you are in the countryside. Retracing your route means going back the way you came until you reach a place…
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10 Easy Survival Skills for Squirrels
Survival skills do not have to be complicated to be useful. For Squirrels, simple outdoor activities can introduce important skills while keeping learning fun and age appropriate. At this age, the aim should not be to teach children how to deal with extreme survival situations. Instead, Squirrels can learn simple skills that help them become…
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