Camping
What to expect
Your first night away as a Squirrel will probably look a lot different to your adventures away from home as an Explorer Scout, but the skills these experiences have in common will always be greater than the ways they change.
Nights away from home let young people build skills that set them up for the rest of their lives. Doing your own thing starts when you pack your own bag – and thinking on your feet starts when you get by without the things you’ve forgotten. Camping also helps everyone become a stronger team, as they work together to make sure everyone’s got a hot meal to fill their tummy and a comfy place to rest their head. Camping isn’t always easy, but the key is getting back up and trying again. At the end of the day, when you’ve put a tent up despite the wind and lit a fire despite the rain, you’ll go to bed with a warm glow inside, despite the cold.
Fun facts
- Some Scouts from Ontaria, Canada, hold the world record for the fastest time to erect a four-person tent. They managed it in a speedy 1 minute 58 seconds!
- The first tents were made mainly from mammoth hide, and evidence found in Russia can be dated back to around 40,000 BC.
Handy hints
- Selecting a good site to camp is really important, check out this advice from Scout Adventures for some ideas of what to look for and how to set up your camp.
- Can you tell the brailing from the beckets? Have a look at this information to learn more about the different types of tent.
Explore the different parts and pieces of a tent, then team up to pitch a tent together.
Suitable for: Beavers
Turn detective and make sure all your sleeping areas are clean, safe and tidy in this group activity.
Suitable for: Beavers, Cubs
Put up a mess tent then get creative with the shared space.
Suitable for: Scouts, Explorers
Safety
- Outdoor activities
You must have permission to use the location. Always check the weather forecast, and inform parents and carers of any change in venue.
You must always:
- Complete a risk assessment
- Have the right ratios of number of adults to provide suitable supervision
- Set up an InTouch process
- Know what to do in an emergency
- Share information with parents and carers with an activity information form
- Get approval from your commissioner
Be safe outdoors:
- Check the weather forecast
Nights away:
- All nights away activities involving under 18s must have a nights away permit holder present and follow the guidance for nights away activities.
- Check the prohibited and restricted campsite directory before booking your site.
Visits abroad:
- All visits abroad involving members must follow the visits abroad process.
- Members can participate in activities being delivered by host Scouts so long as a UK leader is present and the activity is being run using the host organisations rules.
- Members can only participate in group based hospitality experiences abroad, not those in private homes.
This activity can be led by you or someone else in Scouts:
- Acceptable instructor qualifications
- Nights Away Permits - to the level appropriate to the location being used (except for adult only groups)
Guidance
Reflection
Camping is a great chance to be more independent, regardless of your age. It can feel like a big step to spend time away from home, but it can be great fun too. Did you do anything for yourself for the first time (depending on how many times you’ve camped before, this may look like brushing your teeth by yourself, or it may look like setting up the campsite without any adults)? Did you try things that someone else usually does for you at home? Did you have to make decisions for yourself (for example, which clothes to wear each day)? Did you achieve anything for yourself?
Camping is also a chance to try new things. Had you camped before? Had you camped in this place before? Was it how you expected it to be? Did you get to try any new activities or foods when you were away?
Young people can take on different amounts of responsibility depending on their age and experience. They could split into groups responsible for their own set-up, cooking, and striking camp to increase the challenge – and their independence.
Consider everyone’s needs – if people have additional needs, you may need to talk to them and their parents and make sure your location and plan are suitable. For example, is the location wheelchair accessible, or what adaptations or support might a young person need?
All Scout activities should be inclusive and accessible.
Camping is just one way of having a night away that counts towards your Nights Away Staged Activity Badge.
Young people should get involved with planning their camp and help choose the location, theme, and activities. They could take responsibility for different aspects of camp life such as cooking, fire lighting, or games.