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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Is Wild Camping Legal in the UK?
Wild camping sounds simple enough: find a quiet spot, put up your tent and spend the night under the stars. The reality is a little more complicated that that. The rules around wild camping vary considerably across the UK. Scotland has a much more permissive approach, Dartmoor has its own specific arrangements, while much of…
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How Children Can Navigate a Short Route
Navigation doesn’t have to mean walking for miles with a map and compass. For children, learning to navigate can start with something much simpler: understanding where they are, knowing where they want to go and working out how to get there. A short route is a great way to practise. It might be a walk…
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How to Read a Basic Weather Forecast
Checking the weather before heading outdoors is a simple habit that can make a big difference. A forecast can help you decide what to wear, what to pack and whether your planned activity is suitable for the conditions. You don’t need to understand complicated weather charts to get started. A basic forecast gives you several…
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Responsible Bushcraft: How to Enjoy the Outdoors Without Damaging It
Bushcraft is about learning how to use practical skills and make the most of what the outdoors provides. You might learn to light a fire, build a shelter, identify useful plants or make things from natural materials. But learning bushcraft also means learning when not to do something. Responsible bushcraft is about enjoying these skills…
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How to Make a Simple Camp Gadget
One of the best things about campcraft is being able to make something useful from a few simple materials that you find around camp. A camp gadget doesn’t have to be complicated or impressive. Even a simple hanger can make life at camp a little easier. Making your own camp gadget also gives you a…
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How to Leave a Fire Site Safe
Having a fire outdoors can be one of the most enjoyable parts of camping, but the job isn’t finished when you stop cooking or decide you’re ready to leave. A fire that looks like it has gone out can still contain hot embers capable of starting another fire. Learning how to leave a fire site…
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How to Help Prepare a Campsite
A campsite doesn’t organise itself. Once you arrive, there is usually plenty to do before everyone can settle down and enjoy being there. Learning how to help prepare a campsite teaches children that camping is a shared job, and even small tasks can make a big difference. You don’t have to be the person in…
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How to Set Up a Tent: A Beginner’s Guide for Children
Setting up a tent is one of the most useful camping skills you can learn. The first few times it can seem confusing, especially when you’re faced with poles, pegs and a bundle of fabric, but it becomes much easier once you understand the basic process. You don’t need to do everything perfectly straight away.…
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How to Plan a Short Walk Outdoors: Navigation for Children
Planning a walk is part of the adventure. You don’t need to plan every minute or create a complicated route, but taking a little time to think about where you’re going, how long you might be out and what you need can make a walk much more enjoyable. Learning to plan a short walk also…
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How to Follow Simple Directions Outdoors: Navigation for Children
Being able to follow simple directions is an important outdoor skill. Whether you’re walking with your family, taking part in an activity or exploring with a group, you need to be able to listen, understand what you’ve been told and use the information around you to work out where to go next. It doesn’t mean…
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