Looking for exciting outdoor activities to keep your Scouts engaged and energised? Whether you’re planning a local gathering or preparing for your troop’s next big adventure, there are plenty of ways to bring the thrill of the outdoors to your group.
In this guide, we’ve rounded up six adventurous Scout activity ideas that are fun, skill-building, and ideal for working towards badge goals, all while creating lasting memories along the way.
Why are outdoor activities important for scouts?
Outdoor activities are at the heart of what makes Scouting so unique and impactful. They offer meaningful opportunities for young people to grow, learn, and connect with the world around them. From building resilience and practical skills to gaining friendships and a love for nature, time spent outdoors plays a vital role in shaping a Scout’s personal development.
Below are just some of the reasons why outdoor experiences are such a key part of the Scouting journey:
Building confidence and independence
Spending time outdoors helps Scouts learn how to navigate unfamiliar environments, solve problems, and make decisions independently with their peers. Whether it’s pitching a tent or cooking a meal on a campfire, these practical challenges boost confidence and self-reliance.
Encouraging teamwork and leadership
Activities like hiking, camping, and outdoor games such as survivor require Scouts to work together to succeed. This improves strong teamwork, communication, and leadership skills in a hands-on, supportive environment.
Developing practical life skills
Scouts learn valuable outdoor skills like map reading, first aid, fire safety (such as how to manage a campfire appropriately), and survival techniques (such as basic navigation without GPS or how to stay calm in a crisis). These aren’t just useful in the wilderness; they build resilience and a sense of preparedness in everyday life.
These activities teach responsibility, problem-solving, and decision-making under pressure. Whether it’s helping a friend who’s had a fall, staying safe during a family camping trip, or simply knowing what to do in an unexpected situation, Scouts are equipped with practical knowledge they can rely on throughout life. It’s all about building resilience, independence, and the confidence to take the lead when it matters most.
Promoting physical health and wellbeing
Being active outdoors is a great way to stay fit and healthy. It also supports mental wellbeing by reducing stress, improving mood, and encouraging time away from screens and indoor distractions.
Connecting with nature
Spending time in nature helps Scouts develop a deeper respect for the environment. Many activities also include sessions on conservation, sustainability, and the importance of protecting the natural world.
Creating memorable experiences
Outdoor adventures like night hikes, campfire evenings, and sleeping under the stars create lasting memories. These shared experiences often become the highlight of a young person’s time as a Scout.
5 Scout activity ideas for adventurous kids
Adventure is at the core of Scouting, and outdoor activities are one of the best ways to bring that spirit to life. Whether your group thrives on high-energy challenges or enjoys more reflective time in nature, there’s an adventure to suit every kind of Scout. These activities aren’t just fun, they’re packed with opportunities to develop new skills, build confidence, and work towards a variety of badges.
Here are six activity ideas designed to inspire adventurous Scouts and help them get the most out of their time outdoors:
Hike
Set off on a hiking adventure with your group and explore the natural world on foot, whether it’s through forests, over hills, along the coast or even through moorland. Hiking builds stamina, teamwork, and navigation skills. You can also mix things up by setting themed goals for the journey, such as spotting wildlife, identifying plants, or map reading.
What you’ll need:
- Comfortable walking shoes or boots
- Weather-appropriate clothing (e.g. waterproof jacket, hat, sunscreen)
- A backpack with water and snacks
- Map and compass (or GPS device)
How to go on a hike:
- Choose and plan a safe, suitable route in advance.
- Pack essentials and double-check weather conditions.
- Walk together as a group, staying on marked paths and watching for wildlife or points of interest.
- Take regular breaks and log discoveries in a group journal.
Hiking is a great way for Scouts to work towards badges like the Hikes Away Staged Activity Badge, Navigator Badge, or Naturalist Activity Badge. At PGL, groups can enjoy scenic routes like the Burn Walk at Dalguise in Scotland, or hikes through the Devil’s Punchbowl beside Marchants Hill in Surrey.
Birdwatching
This calm and focused activity helps Scouts sharpen their observation skills while learning more about local wildlife. All you need are a few pairs of binoculars and a notepad to get started. Encourage your group to identify and record the birds they spot, creating their own wildlife journal as they go.
What you’ll need:
- Binoculars (a few pairs to share)
- Bird ID guide or app
- Notepads or nature journals
- Pencils or pens
How to go birdwatching:
- Choose a quiet, natural area where birds are likely to be found.
- Keep noise to a minimum and stay still when observing.
- Use binoculars to spot and identify different bird species.
- Record sightings and sketches in a journal or group logbook.
Birdwatching supports nature-based badges like the Naturalist Activity Badge and Environmental Conservation Activity Badge, helping Scouts tune into the world around them. These badges promote patience and curiosity, encouraging young people to slow down, observe carefully, and appreciate the wildlife in their local area. Through birdwatching, Scouts learn to identify different species and understand the habitats they rely on, building a deeper connection with nature and a sense of responsibility for protecting it.
Geocaching
Add a modern twist to traditional orienteering with geocaching. Using GPS devices or a geocaching app, Scouts can search for hidden containers (“caches”) in the local area, following coordinates and clues. It’s exciting, rewarding, and great for developing map skills and problem-solving.
What you’ll need:
- GPS device or smartphone with a geocaching app
- Pen or pencil (to sign logbooks)
- Small swappable items (optional, for caches with tradeables)
- Charged devices and power banks
How to go geocaching:
- Choose a nearby geocaching route and download the app or coordinates.
- Brief Scouts on safety and how to use the GPS features.
- Work together to follow clues and search for the hidden caches.
- Sign the logbook inside and (optionally) swap a small item.
This activity helps Scouts work towards the Navigator, Geocaching, or Digital Citizen badges. It also builds teamwork and resilience by combining outdoor adventure with modern technology. As Scouts work together to solve clues, follow GPS coordinates, and track down hidden caches, they develop problem-solving skills, learn to adapt when things don’t go to plan, and support one another through challenges.
Geocaching encourages them to explore new areas responsibly and resourcefully, making the most of the digital tools available while staying connected to the natural environment.
Raft building
Raft building is a fantastic combination of teamwork, creativity, and problem-solving, all with a splash of water-based fun! At PGL, our activity instructors will help Scouts to design and build their own rafts using barrels, ropes and planks, before putting them to the ultimate test… floating them across the water!
What we’ll provide you with:
- Barrels, planks, and ropes
- Helmets and buoyancy aids
What you’ll need to pack:
- Water shoes or secure footwear
- Dry clothes and towels
How to build a raft:
- Split into teams and design a raft that will float and hold your group.
- Use lashings and knots to securely tie the components together.
- Carefully carry the raft to the water and put it to the test.
- Work together to paddle or steer the raft while staying safe.
It’s perfect for encouraging collaboration and can support badges such as the Teamwork, Pioneer, or Time on the Water staged badge. Raft building also gives Scouts the chance to build confidence in the water, connect with the outdoors in a memorable way, and learn to trust and support one another, especially when the raft wobbles! Whether their creation sinks or sails, it’s an experience full of laughter, learning, and lasting memories.
Star Trail
As night falls, turn your gaze to the sky for a slower-paced but awe-inspiring adventure. A star trail or night-time walk helps Scouts learn how to identify constellations, track the moon’s path, and understand the basics of astronomy, such as constellations or learn about the planets in our solar system. All you need is a clear night and a quiet space away from city lights.
What you’ll need:
- Warm clothing and torches with red filters (to protect night vision)
- A sky map or stargazing app
- Notebook or drawing pad
- Blanket or groundsheet for lying back
How to lead a star trail:
- Choose a clear night and a dark, open location away from city lights.
- Use maps or apps to identify stars and constellations.
- Encourage Scouts to lie back and observe quietly.
- Talk about what you can see, or write reflections in journals.
This can contribute towards the Astronomer Activity Badge and offers a lovely way to wind down after a day of active exploring. It can open the door to new curiosities and wonder, sparking big conversations on what is in the universe beyond our solar system!
Scout adventures with PGL!
We hope we’ve given you plenty of scout activity ideas! If you’re interested in booking a Nights Away event with PGL, why not check out our Scout residentials, suitable for Cubs, Beavers, Scouts and Explorers. Group adventure camps are a fantastic way to create new experiences with your unit, where they can also earn badges too!
If you have any questions, get in touch with our friendly and experienced team today. They’ll be more than happy to help!
