LATEST OUTDOOR GUIDES
Keep up to date with the latest guides, activities and resources from Pure Bushcraft. 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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Scouts Survival Skills Badge – Requirements, Activities & How to Complete It
What Is the Scouts Survival Skills Badge? The Scouts Survival Skills Activity Badge is designed to help Scouts develop practical skills that could be useful when spending time outdoors. The badge covers a range of subjects, including: The badge finishes by bringing several of these skills together during a group survival exercise. Always check the…
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Squirrels Progression: A Guide to Skills, Badges and Moving On to Beavers
🌰 SAFETY & AGE-APPROPRIATENESS NOTE Squirrels are 4–6 years old, so activities should always be appropriate for their age, abilities and individual needs. Squirrels should be supported and supervised by appropriately responsible adults, particularly during outdoor activities, cooking, tool use, water activities and anything involving fire. The aim isn’t simply to complete as many badges…
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How to Treat Severe Bleeding: A First Aid Guide
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. What Counts as Severe Bleeding? Most cuts aren’t life-threatening. Severe bleeding is different. A wound may be particularly serious if: Severe blood loss can lead to shock and can…
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Basic Knots: A Beginner’s Guide to Essential Outdoor Knots
Why Learn Basic Knots? You don’t need to become an expert sailor or climber to benefit from knowing a few knots. A handful of useful knots can help with: Knots are particularly useful because they allow you to join, secure, tension and adjust cordage without needing complicated equipment. Unlike a tent, a tarp usually doesn’t…
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30-Minute Activity Plan: Survival Priorities Challenge
This 30-minute survival priorities activity teaches young people how to assess an unexpected outdoor situation, decide what matters most and make calm decisions before taking action. What Young People Will Learn By the end of the activity, participants should be able to: Before the Activity Prepare Your Scenarios Prepare several simple outdoor survival scenarios before…
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Tarp Shelters: A Beginner’s Guide to Building an Emergency Shelter
What Is a Tarp Shelter? A tarp shelter is a simple temporary shelter made using a waterproof or water-resistant sheet of material. Tarps are popular with: They’re lightweight, versatile and can be configured in several different ways. Unlike a tent, a tarp usually doesn’t have a built-in floor or enclosed walls. Instead, you use cordage,…
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Storm Safety: A Beginner’s Guide to Staying Safe Outdoors
Why Storm Safety Matters Storms are one of those hazards that can change an outdoor situation very quickly. A walk that started in sunshine can become cold, wet and windy. A campsite that seemed perfectly safe can suddenly be surrounded by falling branches. A stream that was easy to cross can become dangerously fast after…
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Survival Priorities: What Matters Most in an Emergency
What Are Survival Priorities? When something goes wrong outdoors, it can be tempting to start thinking about everything you might need. You need food. You need water. You need a fire. You need shelter. You need to find your way home. But trying to do everything at once can lead to poor decisions. Survival priorities…
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What to Do If You Get Lost Outdoors: A Beginner’s Guide
Getting Lost Outdoors Most people don’t expect to get lost. You set off knowing roughly where you’re going. You follow a path. You take a turning. Then another. And suddenly the landscape doesn’t look quite right. Perhaps the path has disappeared. Maybe visibility has fallen. Your phone battery is running low. Or you’ve simply realised…
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Compass Basics: A Beginner’s Guide
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. Compass Basics A compass is one of the simplest and most useful navigation tools you can carry outdoors. Unlike a phone, GPS device or electronic navigation system, a traditional…
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