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Volunteering at Scouts is changing to help us reach more young people

Volunteering is changing to help us reach more young people

Volunteering is changing at Scouts. Read more

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Scouts Survival Skills Activity Badge

Scouts Survival Skills Activity Badge

Survival Skills badge

Be prepared for the unexpected! Develop your survival skills to be self-reliant in tough conditions and an awareness of natural resources and how to use them.

How to earn your badge:

  1. Show that you know:
    1. first aid treatment you may need to use while on a survival event, considering you may have limited resources available
    2. how to construct different kinds of shelter
    3. how to build a fire and use basic lighting techniques

      You should not use man-made materials such as paper or firelighters.

    4. the various burning qualities of different woods
    5. how to maintain hygiene in a survival situation
    6. basic knife or multi-tool skills, including safety and sharpening
    7. the correct use of international distress signals, using a whistle, torch, mirror or markers
    8. some basic actions to take while waiting rescue that will both keep you (and your group) safe and will assist your rescuers in locating you
  2. Put together a personal survival kit.
  3. With a group of at least three Scouts, take part in a survival exercise.

    It should last about 24 hours and the group should:

    • construct a shelter of natural or salvaged materials and sleep in it
    • prepare a meal using raw ingredients that could have been found or caught
    • cook all meals over an open fire
    • cook without utensils, although you may use a knife.

March 2024.

Requirements can be adapted to suit each young persons abilities. See our guidance on flexibility.

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