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The Great Camp Upgrade

Use pioneering skills to solve real camp problems and build something useful for everyone.

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You’ll need

  • Pioneering poles
  • Ropes

 Before you begin

  • Use the safety checklist to help you plan and risk assess your activity. There's also more guidance to help you carry out your risk assessment, including examples.
  • 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. 

Planning and setting up the activity

  • Gather a selection of pioneering poles, ropes and any other pioneering equipment.  

Running this activity

  1. Gather everyone together and explain that good pioneering solves real problems. 
  2. Divide everyone into small teams.
  3. Tell teams they have been asked to improve camp life by designing and building a practical structure. 
  4. Give each team time to identify a challenge they want to improve. 
  5. Allow teams time to discuss their design and decide what materials they will need. 
  6. Encourage teams to think about stability, usefulness, safety, and ease of use. 
  7. Once planning is complete, teams should begin building their structure. 
  8. Leaders should circulate, offering support where needed while allowing teams to make their own decisions. 
  9. When the build phase is complete, ask teams to test their structure and make any improvements. 
  10. Invite teams to present their finished project and explain how it solves the problem. 
  11. Celebrate creative ideas, effective teamwork, and practical solutions. 

Reflection

Pioneering is often about finding practical solutions to everyday challenges. Ask everyone to think about the structure they built. What worked well? What would they change if they built it again? How did the team combine different ideas to create a final solution? 

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.

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.

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.

  • To make it easier, give teams challenge cards or suggested designs.  
  • To make it harder, limit available materials or introduce additional design requirements.  

Make it accessible

All Scout activities should be inclusive and accessible.

Explorers Pioneering Activity Badge