Whether you're a Beaver, Cub, Scout, Explorer, Scout Leader or simply enjoy the outdoors, bushcraft teaches essential skills for camping and wilderness living. Activities can include lighting fires safely, building shelters, tying knots, using tools responsibly, cooking over an open fire, identifying trees and wildlife, finding your way with a map and compass, and understanding how to care for the natural environment.

At Scout Bushcraft, our guides are designed to support the Scout programme with easy-to-follow instructions, practical tips and activity ideas suitable for all experience levels. Every article aims to promote safe outdoor adventure while encouraging a lifelong appreciation for nature and the skills needed to enjoy it responsibly.

By learning Scout bushcraft skills, young people develop problem-solving abilities, teamwork, resilience and confidence—qualities that stay with them long after the campfire has gone out.

Scout Section Age Suitable Bushcraft Activities
Squirrels 4–6 years Nature exploration, collecting natural materials, simple shelters, identifying plants and wildlife.
Beavers 6–8 years Basic fire safety, simple knots, mini shelters, outdoor games, cooking on a campfire with adult support.
Cubs 8–10½ years Fire lighting using safe methods, camp cooking, knife safety demonstrations, shelter building, navigation and tracking.
Scouts 10½–14 years Knife skills, saw and axe use, advanced fire lighting, pioneering, tarp shelters, camp cooking, survival skills and navigation.
Explorers 14–18 years Advanced bushcraft, expedition skills, leadership, wilderness survival, natural navigation, campcraft and teaching younger sections.

All bushcraft activities should follow The Scout Association's safety guidance, be led by suitably experienced adults and use equipment appropriate for the age and ability of the participants.

The aim isn't simply to teach survival skills—it's to build confidence, teamwork, resilience and a lifelong appreciation for the outdoors through fun, safe and adventurous experiences.

Yes. Bushcraft is an important part of the Scout programme and supports many of the skills and activities that help young people enjoy adventure, build confidence and develop practical outdoor knowledge.

While there isn't a specific Bushcraft Badge, bushcraft activities contribute towards a wide range of Scout badges, staged activity badges and challenge awards across all sections. Skills such as fire lighting, shelter building, camp cooking, navigation, knot tying, tool use and campcraft are regularly included in Scout camps, expeditions and outdoor activities.

Bushcraft can help Scouts work towards badges including:

• Camp Craft
• Outdoor Challenge Award
• Adventure Challenge Award
• Expedition Challenge Award
• Navigator Staged Activity Badge
• Backwoods Cooking Activity Badge
• Pioneer Activity Badge
• Survival Skills (where included in adventurous activities)

Beyond badges, bushcraft encourages young people to develop valuable life skills including:

• Teamwork and leadership
• Problem-solving and resilience
• Risk awareness and safe decision-making
• Respect for wildlife and the environment
• Self-confidence through hands-on learning

At Scout Bushcraft, our activities and guides are designed to complement the Scout programme by providing practical ideas, step-by-step tutorials and safe activity suggestions that Scout Leaders can use during meetings, camps and outdoor events. Whether you're teaching basic fire lighting or advanced shelter building, bushcraft offers exciting opportunities for learning through adventure while supporting the values and aims of Scouting.

You don't need expensive equipment to get started with Scout bushcraft. A small selection of reliable, easy-to-use kit is enough to learn the basic outdoor skills safely and confidently.

Essential beginner's equipment includes:

• Fixed-blade or folding knife (used only with appropriate training and supervision)
• Fire steel and striker for learning traditional fire lighting
• Tinder, such as cotton wool, birch bark or natural materials
• Tarp and guy lines for building simple shelters
• Tent pegs and mallet
• Paracord or strong cordage for knots and shelter building
• Camping mug, bowl and spoon for outdoor cooking
• Water bottle or hydration flask
• Small first aid kit
• Compass and map for navigation activities
• Head torch with spare batteries
• Work gloves for handling wood and outdoor tasks
• Rucksack to carry your equipment

For camps and longer adventures, you may also want:

• Sleeping bag and roll mat
• Waterproof clothing
• Warm layers
• Kelly Kettle or camping stove (where appropriate)
• Small folding saw (for trained users under supervision)

Remember, bushcraft is about skills rather than equipment. Learning how to safely light a fire, build a shelter, tie useful knots and work with natural materials is far more important than owning lots of expensive gear.

As your experience grows, you can gradually add more specialised equipment, but starting with a few quality essentials will allow you to enjoy most beginner bushcraft activities with confidence.

If you're new to bushcraft, it's best to start with the fundamental skills that form the foundation of safe and enjoyable outdoor adventures. These core skills build confidence and prepare you for more advanced techniques as your experience grows.

Beginners should focus on learning:

• Fire Safety and Fire Lighting – Understand the Fire Triangle, choose safe fire sites and learn to light a fire using matches, a fire steel and natural tinder.
• Basic Knots – Master useful knots such as the Clove Hitch, Bowline, Taut-Line Hitch and Round Turn and Two Half Hitches for shelters and camp tasks.
• Shelter Building – Learn how to pitch simple tarp shelters like the Lean-To and A-Frame to provide protection from the weather.
• Knife Safety – Understand how to carry, use and maintain a knife safely before attempting any carving or woodcraft.
• Camp Cooking – Prepare simple meals and boil water safely over a campfire or using a Kelly Kettle.
• Navigation – Learn to read a map, use a compass and recognise natural features to find your way outdoors.
• Tree and Plant Identification – Identify common UK trees and useful natural materials for bushcraft while learning which plants to avoid.
• Leave No Trace – Respect the countryside by minimising your impact, protecting wildlife and leaving campsites as you found them.
• First Aid Basics – Learn how to deal with minor cuts, burns, blisters and other common outdoor injuries.

Once you've mastered these essentials, you'll be ready to explore more advanced skills such as natural fire lighting, carving, tracking, pioneering, tool use, water purification and wilderness survival techniques.

The most important thing to remember is that bushcraft is about developing practical skills through experience. Start with the basics, practise regularly and always put safety first. Before long, you'll have the confidence to tackle more challenging outdoor adventures.

Are you passionate about bushcraft and enjoy sharing your knowledge with others? Scout Bushcraft welcomes experienced bushcrafters, Scout Leaders and outdoor enthusiasts who would like to help inspire the next generation of adventurers.

Whether you're an expert in fire lighting, shelter building, wood carving, camp cooking, natural navigation or traditional woodland crafts, we'd love to hear from you.

Ways You Can Contribute

• ✍️ Write a Guest Article – Share your knowledge with step-by-step guides, tutorials or outdoor tips.
• 📸 Submit Photos – Send us your original bushcraft and camping photographs to help illustrate our guides.
• 🎥 Share Videos – Demonstrate techniques through instructional videos or link to your own content.
• 🪓 Review Equipment – Recommend and review bushcraft gear you've personally used and trust.
• 🏕️ Activity Ideas – Share fun and engaging activities suitable for Scout meetings, camps and events.
• 🌿 Traditional Skills – Teach crafts such as spoon carving, cordage making, basket weaving, tracking or natural shelters.
• 👥 Become a Regular Contributor – Help build one of the UK's best free bushcraft resources by contributing regularly.

What We're Looking For

We value content that is:

• Original and based on real experience.
• Safe and suitable for Scouts and outdoor learners.
• Easy to follow with clear instructions.
• Encouraging responsible outdoor practices and respect for nature.
• Supported by your own photographs where possible.

Why Contribute?

By sharing your skills on Scout Bushcraft, you'll help thousands of Scout Leaders, volunteers and outdoor enthusiasts discover new activities and develop practical skills. Your experience could inspire young people to gain confidence, learn new techniques and enjoy the outdoors safely.

We'll always credit you for your work and, where appropriate, include links to your website, social media or bushcraft organisation.

Get in Touch

If you'd like to become a contributor, we'd love to hear from you. Tell us a little about yourself, the bushcraft skills you'd like to share and include examples of your work if you have them. Together, we can build a free, high-quality resource that helps more people discover the enjoyment of bushcraft and outdoor adventure.

Contact Derek To Share your knowledge. Inspire others. Help grow the Scout Bushcraft community.FAQ's About Joining Scout Bushcraft