Ready-to-use scouting and outdoor activity plans for leaders, with ideas organised by duration, setting and activity type for easy session planning.
Knowing how to attract attention can be just as important as knowing where to go. In an emergency, shouting may not always work. A person might be too far away to hear, visibility might be poor, or the environment might make communication difficult. This activity…
Sometimes the best way to test teamwork is to take away the talking. The Silent Scout Challenge is a simple, energetic activity that gets Scouts working together without using their voices. They’ll need to communicate through gestures, eye contact and careful observation to complete a…
Activity Type: Fire Safety & Outdoor SkillsAge Range: Scouts and ExplorersDuration: 30 minutesLocation: Indoors or a suitable outdoor areaEquipment: Scenario cards, paper and pens Activity Overview This activity teaches young people to recognise when a fire is becoming unsafe and make sensible decisions before a…
Activity Type: Camping & CampcraftAge Range: Cubs, Scouts and ExplorersDuration: 30 minutesLocation: Indoors or outdoorsEquipment: A selection of camping equipment, or printed pictures/cards of equipment Activity Overview This activity challenges young people to decide what they actually need for a camping trip. The objective isn’t…
Activity Type: Teamwork & Outdoor SkillsAge Range: Beavers, Cubs, Scouts and ExplorersDuration: 30 minutesLocation: Suitable outdoor areaEquipment: Rope, a few natural or safe everyday objects, paper and pencils Activity Overview This activity gives young people a series of short outdoor problems to solve as a…
Activity Type: NavigationAge Range: Scouts and ExplorersDuration: 30 minutesLocation: Suitable outdoor areaEquipment: Maps, compasses and pencils Activity Overview This activity gets young people thinking about navigation rather than simply following instructions. The challenge is to give them a destination and let them decide how they…
Activity Type: Outdoor SkillsAge Range: Cubs, Scouts and ExplorersDuration: 30 minutesLocation: Suitable outdoor areaEquipment: Rope, tarpaulin or groundsheet, sticks or poles where appropriate Activity Overview This activity challenges young people to work together to create a simple emergency shelter. The emphasis isn’t on building the…
Activity Type: Outdoor SkillsAge Range: Beavers, Cubs, Scouts and ExplorersDuration: 30 minutesLocation: OutdoorsEquipment: None required, although paper and pencils can be useful Activity Overview How observant are your young people? This simple 30-minute activity encourages them to slow down and notice things they might normally…
Activity Type: Outdoor SkillsAge Range: Beavers, Cubs, Scouts or ExplorersDuration: 30 minutesGroup Size: Small groups or PatrolsLocation: Outdoors or a suitable indoor spaceEquipment: Paper, pens and a selection of basic outdoor equipment appropriate to the group Activity Overview This quick activity gives young people the…
⚠️ SAFETY FIRST Fire lighting should only be taught with appropriate adult supervision, suitable equipment, a properly prepared fire area and permission to have a fire at the location. Always follow current Scout guidance, local restrictions and the landowner’s rules. Keep water or another suitable…
⚠️ SAFETY FIRST Outdoor skills should always be taught in a way that matches the age, ability and experience of the group. Activities involving fire, tools, water, heights or other hazards need appropriate supervision and safety controls. Making an activity fun should never mean making…
⚠️ SAFETY FIRST Knots should be taught initially as a practical skill rather than for safety-critical applications. Children should not use knots to support people, climb, secure themselves at height or undertake other activities where a knot failure could cause serious injury unless they have…