SGUK Outdoor Skills Challenge 05: Make a Camp Gadget

A good camp gadget doesn’t need to be complicated. Sometimes the simplest ideas are the most useful, especially when you’re trying to keep equipment organised or make life around camp a little easier.

In the previous challenge, you learned how to tie a Bowline knot. For Challenge 05, you’re going to design and build a simple camp gadget of your own. It could be a small gear hanger, a washing-up station, a simple pot stand for use away from flames, or another practical item that solves an outdoor problem.

The important thing is that you make something useful, test it and then show us what you’ve created.

Your Challenge

Can you make a useful camp gadget from simple materials?

Choose one small problem that you might encounter at a campsite and build something to help solve it.

Your gadget could help you organise equipment, keep items off the ground, hang a towel, dry a cloth or make a camp task easier.

You don’t need to build anything elaborate. A simple, well-made gadget that does its job is a perfectly good result.

Before You Start

Think about the sorts of things that can make a campsite more comfortable and organised.

Could you make a small rack for lightweight equipment? Perhaps a simple tripod hanger for a water bottle, or a stand to keep your washing-up sponge off the ground?

Choose something that suits your available materials, tools and experience.

If you’re using a design from an SGUK guide or from our new camp gadget tool, read the instructions before you start. If you’re designing your own, sketch a quick plan so you know what you’re trying to build.

What You’ll Need

Your materials will depend on the gadget you choose, but you might need:

• Suitable sticks, timber or other materials
• String or cordage
• A suitable hand tool if required
• Measuring equipment, if useful
• Any safe fittings needed for your design
• A camera or phone for your challenge photograph

Reuse suitable materials where possible, and only collect natural materials where you’re permitted to do so. Don’t cut living trees or damage plants to obtain building materials.

Take the Challenge

The first step is to decide what your gadget actually needs to do.

Keep your first design simple. Think about its size, how the parts will fit together and whether it needs to support any weight.

Gather your materials and build the basic structure. If you’re using cordage, make sure your lashings or knots are secure. If you’re joining pieces of wood, check that the finished structure doesn’t wobble or have sharp edges that could cause injury.

Once you’ve assembled your camp gadget, put it in the location where you intend to use it.

Does it do the job you designed it for?

Is it stable?

Can you use it easily?

If something doesn’t work as expected, make a small adjustment and test it again.

The challenge isn’t about creating a perfect design first time. It’s about turning an idea into something practical and learning from the result.

Test Your Camp Gadget

Before you call your gadget finished, give it a sensible test.

Use it only for its intended purpose and start with a light load if it is designed to hold equipment. Don’t test it with people, heavy loads or anything that could cause injury if the structure failed.

Check that the joints, lashings and supports remain secure. Make sure the gadget doesn’t tip over easily and that it has no dangerous sharp edges or protruding points.

If it isn’t safe or stable, improve it before using it.

Complete the Challenge

Now it’s time to show us what you’ve made.

Take a clear photograph of your finished camp gadget. Try to include the whole structure and, if possible, show how it is being used for its intended purpose.

Then share your evidence through your SGUK member profile.

How to Submit Your Challenge

1. Go to your SGUK member profile.
2. Open your Social Activity area.
3. Upload your photograph to your activity wall.
4. Add #SGUKChallenge05 to your post.
5. Share your activity.

Your photograph should clearly show the gadget you’ve built.

Challenge 05 Checklist

Before you submit your evidence, make sure you have:

Once you’ve shared your evidence and it has been verified, the SGUK Outdoor Skills Challenge 05 is complete and the completed challenges figure will be updated on your profile.

Want to Push Yourself?

Now that you’ve built one gadget, think about how you could improve it.

Could you make it easier to pack away? Could you build a version using fewer materials? Could you design something that solves a different campsite problem?

You could even keep a record of your designs and gradually build up a collection of useful campcraft projects.

The best camp gadgets aren’t necessarily the most impressive ones. They’re the ones that solve a real problem reliably and safely.

What’s Next?

You’ve now designed, built and tested something practical for outdoor use.

You don’t have to complete the challenges in numerical order. Explore the SGUK Outdoor Skills Challenge collection and choose another challenge that interests you.

Learn the skill. Practise it. Then show us what you’ve done.

Learn. Practise. Master.

That’s what the SGUK Outdoor Skills Challenge is all about.