Skip to main content

Survive the rain test

Test tents and shelters to see how waterproof they really are!

Back to Activities

You’ll need

  • Pens or pencils
  • A4 paper
  • Clipboards
  • A range of tents, tarps, bivvy bags or improvised shelters
  • Watering cans, spray bottles or hoses

Before you begin 

  • Use the safety checklist to help you plan and risk assess your activity. Additional help to carry out your risk assessment, including examples can be found here.  Don’t forget to make sure all young people and adults involved in the activity know how to take part safely.
  • Make sure you’ll have enough adult helpers. You may need some parents and carers to help if you’re short on helpers.
  • Check the weather conditions before you run the activity.  

Planning and setting up the activity 

  • Gather a range of shelters (tents, bivvy bags, tarps or homemade shelters). 
  • Make sure you have a water supply to simulate rain.  

Running the activity  

  1. Explain that the group will be testing how waterproof different shelters are in controlled conditions.
  2. Put up and prepare your tents or shelters for testing. 
  3. Agree as a group how each shelter will be tested using a consistent method (same amount of water, same test time where possible), and how they will be scored. 
  4. Split Explorers into small groups and assign each group a shelter.
  5. Before testing, ask groups to predict how well their shelter will perform.
  6. Carry out the “rain test” using watering cans or spray bottles, applying water evenly over each shelter.
  7. Check inside the shelters together to check for leaks, damp patches, or weak points.
  8. Record results and discuss what worked well and what didn’t.
  9. Spend time improving the shelters (tighten guy lines, reposition tarps, add extra layers) and test again. You could also compare different tents for their waterproof rating, and see if this makes a difference. 
  10. Finish by discussing how this links to real camping situations and why checking kit before camp is important. 

Reflection

Camping isn’t just about putting a tent up — it’s about making sure it works when you need it. Talk about what the group discovered about waterproofing, what surprised them, and what changes made the biggest difference. Encourage them to think about how small adjustments can improve comfort and safety on camp.

Safety

All activities must be safely managed. You must complete a thorough risk assessment and take appropriate steps to reduce risk. Use the safety checklist to help you plan and risk assess your activity. Always get approval for the activity, and have suitable supervision and an InTouch process.

You must run your activities in line with the Safeguarding Code of Conduct for Adults (Yellow Card) and report any concerns to the UK HQ Safeguarding Team.

Poles and long objects

Be careful when moving poles or long items. Take care if the ends are sharp. Have appropriate supervision for this activity.

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.

Heavy and awkward objects

Never lift or move heavy or awkward items alone. Ask for help or, if possible, break them down into smaller parts.

  • To make it easier test one type of shelter, and focus on obvious leaks and good tent technique.   
  • To make it harder consider design improvements between the groups, or introduce more technical testing such as thinking about hydrostatic head, snow vs rain.   

Make it accessible

All Scout activities should be inclusive and accessible.

Explorers Camper Activity Badge