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 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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Questions to Ask Your Child’s Leader Before Camp
Sending your child away to camp for the first time can be exciting, but it is also completely normal to have questions. Whether they are heading away with Scouts, Guides, school, a youth organisation or another group, speaking to their leader beforehand can help you understand what to expect and make sure your child is…
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Why Should Children Learn Survival Skills?
Survival skills are not just about knowing how to light a fire, build a shelter or find your way through the woods. For children, learning these skills can be a fun and practical way to develop confidence, independence and an understanding of the world around them. Outdoor survival skills give children the opportunity to learn…
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Why Do Scouts Learn to Light Fires?
Scouts learn to light fires because it teaches useful outdoor skills, responsibility, problem solving and fire safety. A fire can also be used for cooking, warmth and practical camping activities. Learning how to light one in a controlled and supervised setting helps young people understand both the benefits and dangers of fire. What You’ll Learn…
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How to Organise a Weekend Scout Camp
Organising a weekend camp becomes much easier when you break it into smaller jobs. Start by choosing a suitable campsite and agreeing the dates, then plan the group, activities, food, equipment, transport and safety arrangements. Finish by checking the weather and equipment before you leave. The key is to plan early and have a simple…
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The Ultimate Camp Planning Checklist for Leaders
Good camp planning starts well before you arrive at the campsite. Use this checklist to work through the important details, from choosing a suitable site and planning activities to checking equipment, food, transport, weather and emergency arrangements. You do not need to complete everything at once. Start early, work through the list and review your…
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