Pure Bushcraft is designed to help young people develop practical outdoor skills, confidence and independence through learning, exploring and having a go.
Our Parent Resources help you understand the skills your child can learn, how they can develop over time, and how you can support them along the way. You’ll find guidance on everything from outdoor skills and equipment to safety, activities and ideas for learning together.
Many of the skills and activities can be explored by young people independently, while others are best enjoyed with an adult. We’ll help you understand what’s appropriate and how you can get involved, whether that’s supporting your child’s learning or having a go at an activity together.
You can explore our online resources for free. Members also have access to downloadable resources and additional materials designed to help children and families get even more from Pure Bushcraft.
Browse the resources below to discover how you can support your child’s outdoor learning, build their confidence and encourage practical skills that they can use for life.
You don’t need to travel to a campsite, climb a mountain or head deep into the countryside to practise outdoor skills. A back garden can be a surprisingly useful training ground. Many of the skills used while camping, hiking and exploring can be practised at…
Sending your child away to camp for the first time can be exciting, but it is also completely normal to have questions. Whether they are heading away with Scouts, Guides, school, a youth organisation or another group, speaking to their leader beforehand can help you…
Survival skills are not just about knowing how to light a fire, build a shelter or find your way through the woods. For children, learning these skills can be a fun and practical way to develop confidence, independence and an understanding of the world around…
Scouts learn to light fires because it teaches useful outdoor skills, responsibility, problem solving and fire safety. A fire can also be used for cooking, warmth and practical camping activities. Learning how to light one in a controlled and supervised setting helps young people understand…
Affiliate disclosure: This article contains affiliate links. If you purchase something through one of our links, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. Packing a rucksack for Scout camp can seem straightforward until you realise just how much equipment a child may…
Preparing your child for a Scout camp can sometimes feel like a military operation. There are clothes to organise, sleeping equipment to find, toiletries to pack and the inevitable question of whether they’ve actually remembered where their torch is. The good news is that packing…
Going away on their first Scout camp can be a big moment for a child. For some children, the idea of sleeping in a tent, spending time outdoors and being away from home is incredibly exciting. For others, it can feel a little daunting. As…
If your child is going on their first Scout camp, working out what they actually need to take can be surprisingly difficult. You don’t want them arriving without something important, but you also don’t want to fill their rucksack with things they won’t use. The…
Activity Overview Difficulty: Easy–ModerateTime: 30–60 minutesLocation: Woodlands, fields, hedgerows and other suitable outdoor areasBest for: Cubs, Scouts, Explorers, Patrol Leaders and adult leadersSkills: Observation, plant identification, outdoor awareness, responsible countryside access and risk management Wild plants can be useful and interesting to learn about, but…
Activity Overview Difficulty: ModerateTime: 30–60 minutes to learn and practiseLocation: Campsites, activity centres and outdoor campsBest for: Cubs, Scouts, Explorers, Patrol Leaders, adult volunteers, campers and outdoor enthusiastsSkills: Emergency response, communication, first aid awareness, evacuation, hazard management and decision-making Campsite emergency procedures are the agreed…
Activity Overview Difficulty: EasyTime: 10–15 minutes to learn; ongoing during campLocation: Campsites, woodland, hills and other outdoor camping areasBest for: Cubs, Scouts, Explorers, Patrol Leaders, campers and outdoor enthusiastsSkills: Tent pitching, campsite management, weather awareness and outdoor problem-solving Tent condensation happens when moisture in the…
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…
