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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How to Run a Scout Briefing UK
Activity Overview Difficulty: EasyTime: 10–20 minutesLocation: Scout hut, campsite, field or meeting pointBest for: Cubs, Scouts, Explorers, Patrol Leaders and adult volunteersSkills: Communication, leadership, listening, planning, teamwork and situational awareness Quick Answer A good Scout briefing makes sure everyone knows what is happening, where they need to be, what they need to do and what…
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How to Run a Scout Patrol Meeting UK
Activity Overview Difficulty: EasyTime: 30–60 minutesLocation: Scout hut, meeting room, campsite or suitable outdoor areaBest for: Scouts, Patrol Leaders, Assistant Patrol LeadersSkills: Leadership, teamwork, planning, communication, decision-making and problem-solving A Scout Patrol meeting is a chance for the Patrol to plan, practise, make decisions and work together without relying on an adult to organise every…
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Scout Patrol Roles UK: Patrol Leader, Assistant & Team Responsibilities
Activity Overview Difficulty: EasyTime: 20–30 minutes to learn; roles develop through regular activitiesLocation: Scout hut, campsite or outdoor activity areaBest for: Scouts, Patrol Leaders, Assistant Patrol Leaders and adult volunteersSkills: Leadership, teamwork, communication, organisation, decision-making and responsibility A Scout Patrol is a small team within a Scout Troop. Each member has a part to play,…
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Scout Uniform Care UK: How to Clean, Store and Look After Your Uniform
Activity Overview Difficulty: EasyTime: 10–30 minutes for routine care; 1–2 hours for washing and dryingLocation: Home, Scout hut or campsiteBest for: Cubs, Scouts, Explorers, adult volunteers and parentsSkills: Clothing care, organisation, personal responsibility, basic laundry and preparation The best way to look after a Scout uniform is to wash it regularly, deal with stains quickly,…
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Scout Parade Formations UK: A Guide to Horseshoes, Lines and Parade Positions
Activity Overview Difficulty: EasyTime: 10–30 minutes to learn and practiseLocation: Scout hall, field, parade ground or other open areaBest for: Cubs, Scouts, Explorers and adult volunteersSkills: Parade discipline, teamwork, formation, communication, leadership and ceremonial skills Scout parade formations are organised ways of positioning Scouts for meetings, ceremonies, flag duties, inspections and formal parades. The horseshoe…
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Scout Flag Etiquette: How to Handle and Respect the Scout Flag
Activity Overview Difficulty: EasyTime: 10–20 minutes to learn; 5–10 minutes for a typical ceremonyLocation: Scout hut, meeting place, camp or suitable outdoor areaBest for: Cubs, Scouts, Explorers and adult volunteersSkills: Flag handling, ceremonial skills, teamwork, knots, leadership, respect and confidence Scout flag etiquette is about treating the flag with respect and following the appropriate Scout…
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Cooking Over Hot Embers
When cooking over a campfire, the most useful heat often comes from hot embers rather than tall flames. Embers provide steady, radiant heat that can be easier to control for cooking. Learning to recognise and use them is an important campfire cooking skill for Scouts. What Are Embers? Embers are pieces of fuel that remain…
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How to Set Up a Campfire for Cooking
A cooking fire needs to provide controlled, steady heat rather than simply producing large flames. The way you arrange and manage the fire affects how evenly food cooks and how safely the cooking equipment can be used. Only light a campfire where fires are permitted and under appropriate supervision. Check the Fire Site Before setting…
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Campfire Cooking Equipment
Having the right equipment makes campfire cooking safer, easier and more enjoyable. The equipment you need will depend on what you’re cooking and how your fire is arranged. Scouts should learn to choose equipment that is suitable for the job rather than simply taking everything available. Cooking Pots and Pans Use cookware designed to withstand…
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Choosing a Safe Campfire Cooking Area
Campfire cooking needs more planning than simply finding a place to sit beside a fire. The cooking area needs to give everyone enough space to work safely while keeping food, equipment and people away from unnecessary hazards. Before lighting or using a campfire, choose and prepare the cooking area carefully. Check the Site Rules Before…
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