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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Tent Pegs: How to Use Them Properly
Tent pegs might be small, but they play an important part in keeping a tent secure. Using the right peg, putting it into the ground correctly and checking it after pitching can make a big difference, especially when the weather changes. Learning how to use tent pegs properly is a simple camping skill that Scouts…
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How to Choose a Good Tent Pitching Spot
Choosing the right place to pitch a tent is one of the simplest camping skills to learn, but it can make a big difference to comfort, safety and how well the tent performs. A good campsite isn’t always the flattest-looking patch of grass. Scouts should learn to look at the whole area before unpacking the…
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Tarp Shelter Equipment Checklist for Scouts
A tarp shelter can be built with surprisingly little equipment, but having the right kit makes a big difference. For Scouts, choosing and organising shelter equipment is about more than simply carrying as much as possible. The aim is to have a simple, reliable and manageable shelter kit that can be used safely in the…
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How to Repair a Damaged Tarp in the Field
A tarp can be one of the most useful pieces of outdoor equipment a Scout carries, but even a good tarp can become damaged. A sharp branch can create a small tear. A guy line can pull out an attachment point. A peg can rip a corner when strong wind catches the fabric. Knowing how…
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Tarp Shelters for Different Weather Conditions
A tarp shelter can be one of the most useful pieces of outdoor equipment a Scout can carry. It is lightweight, flexible and can be pitched in several different ways. However, a tarp that works well on a calm summer afternoon may be completely unsuitable when the wind picks up or heavy rain arrives. Learning…
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Tarp Shelter Challenge: Build, Test and Improve
Building a tarp shelter is a useful Scout skill, but building one once and declaring it finished doesn’t teach the whole story. A good shelter needs to be stable, practical, weather-aware and easy to use. The Tarp Shelter Challenge turns shelter building into a practical problem-solving exercise. Scouts work in teams to design and build…
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How to Build a Lean-To Emergency Shelter
Knowing how to make a simple emergency shelter is a useful outdoor skill for Scouts. A lean-to is one of the simplest shelters to understand. It uses a strong horizontal support with smaller poles arranged against it to create a sloping roof. Once covered, the structure can provide some protection from wind and light rain.…
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Printable Navigation Quiz: Build Essential Map-Reading Skills
Developing confident navigation skills starts with understanding how to read and interpret a map. This A4 printable navigation quiz provides a simple way for students to practise a range of essential map-reading skills in one worksheet. The quiz covers grid references, bearings, map symbols, contour lines, distance and directions, helping learners develop both their knowledge…
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Printable Knot Guide – 12 Essential Knots for Scouts & Outdoor Skills
Knowing how to tie a few reliable knots is a valuable outdoor skill. From securing a rope to a post to creating a fixed loop or joining two ropes together, the right knot can make camping, Scouting, hiking and other outdoor activities much easier. We’ve created this free printable knot guide as a quick reference…
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Campfire Safety Guide – Free Printable Poster
A campfire can be one of the best parts of a camping trip. It can provide warmth, light and a place to cook, but an open fire can also quickly become dangerous if it is poorly positioned, left unattended or not completely extinguished. Our free printable Campfire Safety Poster provides a simple reference for Scouts,…
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