Dacia and the Scouts

At Dacia we’re known for our love of the great outdoors and producing robust vehicles that
are made for fun and exploring.

At Dacia we’re known for our love of the great outdoors and producing robust vehicles that
are made for fun and exploring.

About the partnership

We’ve partnered with the Scouts, the UK's largest youth movement, to make adventures
affordable and accessible to young people throughout the UK. To make it happen, we’ve
established an Outdoor Adventure Fund, which is available to any young person or volunteer
who is involved in Scouting. In addition, we’ve also co-designed exciting new activities to
help Scouts of all ages prepare for an adventure and reduce the environmental impact of going
on one.

Badges and Resources

We’ve sponsored the Adventure Challenge Award Badge which requires Scouts to complete
four outdoor activities, all of which represent Dacia’s outdoor spirit. To symbolise the
partnership between us and the Scouts, the badge features the eye-catching Dacia logo design.
To earn the badge, Scouts will need to demonstrate their skills in a range of activities that
could include mountain boarding, gliding, hillwalking and traditional rafting. The activities
enable Scouts to fully connect with the potential of the great outdoors, while also providing a
thrilling and memorable experience.

Mountain boarding will see Scouts enjoy an exhilarating combination of skateboarding,

snowboarding and BMXing, testing their co-ordination and skill as they ride on a variety of
challenging terrains.

Gliding proves that the sky really is the limit when it comes to Scouting, while hillwalking
brings participants back to earth as they build their stamina and route planning skills while
hiking around the country’s hilly and mountainous regions.

Finally, traditional rafting could see Scouts conclude their badge-earning activities by taking
to the country’s lakes and rivers on a craft they’ve made themselves from wooden poles,
ropes and barrels. A true test of teamwork, traditional rafting will also put Scouts’ knotting
skills to the test as they work to make their craft as durable as a Dacia!

When they’ve earned their Adventure Challenge Award Badge,

Scouts will have enhanced their personal skills, pushed themselves to their physical limits and
can rest assured they’ve fully explored the outdoors’ potential for adventure – whether on the
ground, in the air or on water.
By partnering with the Scouts, Dacia is delighted to make outdoor adventures possible for a
whole new generation, helping them to make lasting memories and get back to nature in every
sense.

 discover Scouts

Scouts can conquer new heights with Dacia!

We’re proud sponsors of the Adventure Challenge Award Badge, which Scouts can earn by
mastering a range of thrilling outdoor activities, from traversing challenging terrains to
building their own transport that’s as robust as a Dacia!
Discover the details and ignite your child's passion for adventure

Did you know 73% of teens spend entire winter weekends indoors*? We’re helping change
that.
Dacia has teamed up with the The Scouts to make adventures accessible to young people
throughout the UK, starting with an Outdoor Adventure Fund.
Say hello to real-life adventure this winter
Find out more https://www.dacia.co.uk/partnerships/scouts.html
#DaciaScoutsAdventure #RealConnections #AffordableAdventures
*YouGov research commissioned by Dacia and The Scout Association.
We've joined forces with Dacia to make adventure affordable and accessible to young people
throughout the UK.

Their Outdoor Adventure Fund, is available to all sections looking for financial support for
an adventure, and they are also funding towards the cost of young people and volunteers
getting permits and training.

Plus, we've co-designed exciting new activities to help Scouts of all ages prepare for an
adventure and help them reduce the environmental impact of going on one.

Badges and resources

Have a look at some activities and get your Scout group working towards their Adventure
Challenge Award.

Outdoor Adventure Fund

Making outdoor adventure affordable and accessible with grants of up to £100.

Status: Open for applications

Last updated: 8 January 2024

 IMD criteria changed to include meeting place location.

Overview

This grant scheme helps young people take part in adventurous activities.

Expand each section below for further information. Our definitions may help to clarify some
terminology.

We'd love to hear from you if you have any questions.

Who can receive this grant?

Any of the following where the regular meeting place or the majority of young people taking
part in the project reside in IMD 1-3:

 A Section
 A Scout Unit
 Young people forming an informal group for a recognised purpose, such as
completing the King's Scout Award

Applicants can receive one grant per funding period.

Who can be founded?

Young people taking part in an activity which requires an Adventurous Activity Permit,
including any reasonably related costs.

Applications can be made for one project. A project constitutes any number of activities
occurring in one continuous period of time, such as an evening trip, an away day, or a camp.

Example 1: Climbing and caving in the same evening or at a camp would be considered one
project.

Example 2: Climbing and caving a week apart would be considered two projects.

How much can we get?

The maximum grant amount is the lower of:

 50% of the project cost

 £100

Examples

 Where the project cost is £50, a grant of £25 could be offered.

 Where the project cost is £120, a grant of £60 could be offered.
 Where the project cost is £300, a grant of £100 could be offered.

There is no maximum project cost.

You may be offered less than the maximum grant amount.

Conditions of the grant

All conditions of any relevant previous grants must be completed.

Applications for grants from UK Headquarters must have the relevant approvals:

 Applications from groups (including sections) must have the approval of the Group
Chair and the District Commissioner.
 Applications from districts (including explorer units) must have the approval of
the District Chair and the County Commissioner.
 Applications from counties, areas, regions, branches, active support units must
have the approval of the Chair and lead Commissioner.

Where one of the roles named above is vacant, approval should be sought from the relevant
acting volunteer as per POR.

Grants must be paid into a Scouting bank account. This doesn't have to be the applicant's.

Projects must be completed within 6 months of grant approval.

A brief report about how the grant was used will be due upon completion of the project. The
report will ask the same questions as the application form.

Grants can be used solely for the project they were applied for. Should changes to the project
be required, our approval must be obtained in writing before they occur.

How to aplly

An appropriate volunteer who is related to the applicant should submit an application.

The application form asks for evidence to be uploaded and details about the:

 Applicant
 Project
 Scouting bank account

You'll need to upload:

 A postcode log for the young people participating in the activity

 Proof of project costs
 An email from the relevant Chair and Commissioner approving the application
o The email must be timestamped and clearly show the email address of the
relevant volunteers
 A bank statement in PDF format dated within the past three months, clearly
showing the following information:
o Name of bank or building society
o Name on account
o Sort code
o Account number

Aplication time frame

Applications must be submitted at least 28 days before your project is due to start
We'll respond within 14 days.

What happens once we’ve applied?

Please note that missing information may cause delays.

1. We assess your application. We'll contact you if we have any questions.

2. If you're eligible for a grant, we'll send you a grant offer by email
3. You'll accept (or decline) our offer by clicking a link in the email
4. We'll approve your grant and send you confirmation by email. At this stage, you're
free to begin spending towards your project.
5. In advance of your grant report being due, we'll send you a few reminders
6. You'll submit your grant report
7. We'll approve your grant report and complete your grant

This scheme is wholly funded by our partnership with Dacia. Changes to the Grant
Scheme's purpose, limits, and restrictions may be made at any time.

This grant is available only through Scouts. Please do not apply to Dacia directly.
Activity: Adventure responsibly
(Cubs, Scouts)
30
mins

Value the outdoors

Be responsible
Enjoy being outside, feel comfortable in nature, and feel
Believe in doing the right thing, being trustworthy, and
connected to the natural environment.
doing your best

Safety alerts
Online safety

Supervise young people when they’re online and give them advice about staying safe. Take a look at our online safety
or bullying guidance. The NSPCC offers more advice and guidance, too. If you want to know more about specific social
networks and games, Childnet has information and safety tips for apps. You can also report anything that’s worried you
online to the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Command. As always, if you’ve got concerns about a young
person’s welfare, including their online experiences, follow the Yellow Card to make a report.

Scissors

Supervise young people appropriately when they’re using scissors. Store all sharp objects securely, out of the reach of
young people.

Learn about how adventures can impact the environment and make some
pledges to be more aware on your next adventure.

Equipment
Coloured pens or pencils
A4 card
String
Scissors
Craft materials (for example, tissue paper, pipe cleaners, stickers)
Sticky tape
Poly pockets
Computer or device with internet access, as needed

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.

This activity works best if you’ve already completed some adventurous activities. Newcomers will need some idea
of what activities the group have completed as part of your programme, so try to fill them in.
 This activity could also be run in the run-up to an adventurous activity you’re doing, to prepare everyone.

Plan your pledge

1. Introduce some different adventure activity or action examples, like climbing a hill, to the group by running a
quick game.

You could try Okay, no way!, Recreation stations, charades or Pictionary.

2. Once this is finished, split everyone into small groups and have each group choose an activity that they’ve all taken
part in.

This could be hillwalking, camping, climbing or kayaking, or even something like hovercrafting or mountain boarding, so long
as it’s something they’ve done recently or that they’re planning on doing soon.

3. Give each group paper and writing materials, and have them find a space to work. They should now think about
the ways the activity they’ve chosen might affect the environment. This should account for all aspects of running
the activity, from getting ready to taking part. Note down each stage of how the activity was run and have a think
about them.

4. Start making environmental responsibility pledge cards. Each person should take a sheet of card and use their list
of actions to come up with a way of reducing the impact on the environment caused by the activity. They could
use the examples below or go online and do some research. Remember, it is about making better environmental
choices, not about being perfect.

5. On one side of the card, they should write a checklist of things to do while packing or before they set off on the
adventure. This could include planning to carpool, cleaning and mending equipment or packing food in containers
to stop any rubbish being dropped.

6. On the other side of the card, they should divide it into a 2x2 grid by drawing central horizontal and vertical lines.
In each square, write an action that they should do while taking part in the adventure. This could include picking
up any litter or sticking to footpaths. Everyone should be creative with this and try to think specifically about the
activity their group is working on.

7. Decorate the cards and slot into clear poly pockets. Seal the open tops of the pockets with some sticky tape.

8. Thread through string, so that the cards can be tied securely onto a rucksack.

9. Run the game from the beginning again (step 1), but this time use actions or activities that are good or bad for
the environment in the game.

10. Encourage everyone to remember to look at their card on their next adventure, both while they’re packing and
getting ready, and while they’re taking part to make sure they reduce their impact.

Environmental impact examples

Check out the seven leave no trace principles or the countryside code as a starting point.

There’s some great information from the Canal and River Trust, British Canoeing and the British Mountaineering
Council.

Think about what actions might do damage during the activity, anything you might take along that you won’t
bring back, and whether anyone could see where you’ve been after you’re done.

Here’s some more ideas:

 Travel to the activity location together or use public transport

Repair old clothing or find some suitable second-hand clothes you could

use Stick to footpaths and set routes

Don’t overcrowd popular locations

Take litter home and compost it if it’s

biodegradable Don’t feed the wildlife

Keep the noise down – don’t disturb wildlife or other people

Get rid of any single-use wrappers before you leave so you don’t

litter Keep a safe distance from wildlife

Check the access rights to the land you’re using

Take care not to trample plants, fungi or animals

Only take photos away with you, don’t remove other

stuff Clean your boots before you set off

If you’ve been on the water, clean your equipment afterwards

too Donate to organisations who look after the land you’re using

Don’t build any cairns (piles of stones) or damage any wildlife habitats

Do a two-minute litter pick while you’re out

Relection
Spending time outdoors with friends is very important. It’s one of the most entertaining parts of being in Scouts, but it’s
also a responsibility. You don't want to be the last people who are able to take part in that adventure. Pledge cards are a
simple way to remember this responsibility. Following an activity, reflect on how everyone has used their cards, and ask
whether another group could come along now and take part in the same exact adventure, and enjoy it just as much.

As Scouts, we should strive to leave the world a little better than we found it. How can we apply this when we’re out on
adventures? Is the place you’re going pristine to begin with, or can you do something to make it even better for the next
people to come along? This might require you to pick up some litter and not leave anything you’ve brought along behind.
Did you lower emissions by carpooling to the activity? You might want to consider how many Scouts can you fit in your car
the next time you head out. Remember, it is often most effective to make impacts simply and tangibly, with no need for
what’s over the top.

Change the level of challenge

Make larger cards with 3x3 grids for more detail. You could also colour-code your cards for different activities or activity
locations. Both of these will make your finished cards even more useful for everyone to refer to.

Make it accessible
 When picking a game, make sure that everyone has everything they need to take part to the full extent. This
might require you to play this in smaller groups or over a smaller area.

Make sure that everyone has everything they need to complete the tasks in this activity. Everyone could
work together to create one card to make copies of after, if this is easier.

Take it further
Collating the cards created by the group for each specific activity into one, big environmental impact guide could be another
way to go. This could be kept by the person leading the adventure for everyone to refer to when getting ready and taking
part. It could also help the group undertake some practical action to use towards their Scouts Environmental Conservation
Activity Badge.
Activity: Everything you need,
nothing you don’t (Scouts, 1 hr
30

Explorers)
Value the outdoors
Be active
Enjoy being outside, feel comfortable in nature, and feel
Look after your body by being physically active.
connected to the natural environment.

Safety alerts
Active games

The game area should be free of hazards. Explain the rules of the game clearly and have a clear way to communicate that
the game must stop when needed. Take a look at our guidance on running active games safely.

Decide what essentials you need to pack for your adventurous activity in this fun
group game.

Equipment
Winter gear, such as thermals, a flask, hand warmers, fleeces, woolly hats, woolly gloves and winter overcoats.
Summer gear, such as sun hat, shorts, T-shirts, sunglasses and sun cream.
All-weather gear, such as waterproofs, toothbrush, hiking boots, gaiters, survival bag, rucksack, tent, sleeping bag,
snack bars, roll mat, hiking poles, water bottle, flask, first aid kit, whistle, torch, a map and a compass.
Unneeded items, such as a dressing gown, slippers, a wheely suitcase, a tv remote, or trainers.
Hoops, cones or markers.

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.

Setting up this activity

Spread out all the clothing and equipment in the middle of the meeting place.

There needs to be enough of the same item for one per group, though they don’t need to look or be the same. For
example, if there are 4 groups, make sure you have 4 rain jackets for a rain-based scenario.

If there's not enough clothing or equipment for one per group, consider printing out pictures or writing the names
of items on pieces of paper. You can then put these in the middle of the room.

Put out a marker, such as a hoop or a cone, for each group to stand or sit by.
 Create a list of scenarios that might be experienced during an adventurous activity, including what the weather
or time of day might be. You should think about including different lengths of time too, with anything between a
couple of hours and a two-day expedition.

Scenario suggestions

Scenarios could include:

A week-long summer cycle trip around Bath and Bristol

A cloudy day walking in the Cairngorms

A night stargazing in spring on a beach in Devon

An autumn day climbing in Snowdonia

A night hike in the Lake District

A spring afternoon canoeing in The Wye Valley

A day snowboarding in Aberdeenshire in the winter

Weather conditions could include:

Sun

Clouds

Rain

Wind

Snow

Hailstones

Introducing the activity

1. Gather everyone together in a circle.

2. Tell everyone that you’re going to play a game about packing for an adventure.

3. Ask everyone to name one thing they recently took on an adventure day, camping or on a holiday.

4. Explain that when we go on an adventure, we have a choice between the items we want to take and the items
we need to take.

5. Tell everyone it’s important to prioritise packing the things we need first. We always need to have the correct
equipment for the environment we’re going into and the activity we’re doing. We also need to have the right
equipment for the season and the weather, including any changes to them. Taking time to think about and pack
for these things will help us to stay safe and healthy when out and about.
 6. Explain that there are always some bonus things we may want, but don’t necessarily need, so we need to be careful
when it comes to packing.
Explaining the game
1. Explain that everyone will be divided into groups.

2. Each group will be based in a corner or space at the side of the meeting space.

3. A scenario for going on an adventurous activity will then be read out.

4. From the information given, each group will need to decide what they’d need take with them from the equipment
provided. Before you begin, you may want to chat through the items spread out across the meeting place and
what they are or could be used for.

5. When the scenario has been read out, one or two people from each group should go to the centre of the activity area.

6. The pair or person will have a certain amount of time, such as two minutes, to collect the equipment that they
think is needed for that scenario. The rest of the group could help by shouting out items they can see.

7. Tell everyone that some items are there as ‘wants’, rather than ‘needs’ to trick them, so they shouldn’t be prioritised.

8. When chosen, the equipment should be taken back to the group. It should be laid out in front of them.

9. Once time is up, ask each group what items they collected.

10. For each correct ‘need’ item for the scenario, the group could get a point. The team with the most points could win.

11. Any ‘want’ items that could be well explained by the group as to why they’re a ‘need’ could also get a point.

12. Bonus points could be given for correct items, as well as creativity, logic, problem solving, imagination, teamwork and
communication.

Playing the game

1. When everyone is ready, give everyone their first scenario and start the timer.

2. Groups have two minutes to collect their equipment and take it back to their area.

3. When the time is up, ask each group about what they've chosen and why.

4. Give out the points for each team and make sure there is a way to record the scores.

5. When finished, everyone should put everything back into the middle of the room

6. Read out the next scenario and repeat the process.

7. Each group should now send one or two different people to collect the ‘need’ items from the centre of the
activity area.

8. Groups should continue to swap roles for each subsequent scenario, so everyone gets a go.

9. The group with the most points could win.

Relection
Understanding how to pack appropriately for an adventurous activity helps you stay safe, healthy and comfortable when
you’re out and about. It’s always important for us to choose what we need over what we want.

It can be easy to overpack when thinking about an adventurous activity, as never guarantee what’ll happen when you’re
outdoors and the weather can change quickly. However, it’s important to only take the essentials, especially if you are
carrying your own bag. A heavy bag with too much stuff can become uncomfortable!

Did you see or pack any items in this game that you'd have usually taken that you won’t on your next adventure?

What should you do if you lose a piece of essential equipment on an adventure? How about a piece of non-
essential equipment?

You had to discuss and work together to decide on the correct items for each scenario. How did your group agree upon the
best equipment?

Sometimes the most suitable equipment isn’t available. How did you solve this to help your imaginary hiker cope with the
scenario?

Change the level of challenge

To make the game harder, you could reduce the time people have to collect the items. You could also limit the number
of items people can collect.

To make it harder, you could add changes to the scenario halfway through.

Make it accessible
Make sure all equipment is accessible for everyone. Anyone who’d prefer not to take part could take on another role, such
as scorekeeper, time keeper or reading out the scenarios.

Take it further
Everyone could draw or collage an image of the clothes and equipment they’d take for an imaginary, scenario-based
weekend expedition or camp. You could then have your young people go through all their items and decide what they really
need and what they don’t.

Youth Shaped guidance

Young people could come up with some of the scenarios.
Activity: Mountain boarding 1
hr

(Scouts, Explorers)

Try new things

Be active
Find it easier to meet new people, go to new places, and do
Look after your body by being physically active.
new things.

You don’t need snow to race downhill with this exhilarating adventure.

What to expect
If you’ve never heard of mountain boarding, imagine a cross between skateboarding and snowboarding with a bit of
BMXing thrown in.

Mountain boards are designed for all terrain so you can ride on a grassy bank, a forest track, or on the beach. It started as a
way of snowboarding in the summer months (when there’s no snow) but now it’s a separate sport. The boards are stable
and relatively easy to ride so you can get to grips with the basics and be up and running in no time.

What you’ll learn

There’s more than one way to mountain board: some people like to ride quickly down mountain trails, others learn tricks
over jumps or explore their local area. Whatever you try, it’ll put your coordination and balance to the test as you push
yourself out of your comfort zone.

Fun facts
James Stanley pioneered the idea of mountain boarding in the 1900s, during a visit to the Alps where there wasn’t
any snow.

Mountain boarding began in the UK in 1992 when the ‘noSno’ board was prototyped using snowboard bindings and
boots.

Handy hints
Wear comfy clothes. As well as choosing something suitable for the weather, make sure that you can easily move
around in your clothes.

Be prepared to fall. Even the best mountain boarders fall sometimes. The instructors should provide any safety
equipment you need, but it’s up to you to be responsible and make sure it’s all fitted before you ride.

Relection
Mountain boarding is a different way to get outside, get active and have fun with your friends. Did anyone learn anything
surprising? What were people’s highlights? Can anyone think of a skill they learned that would be useful in other sports or
activities. People might think about balance, coordination, or the ability to get back up and try again.
Was it people’s first time trying mountain boarding? How did people feel about trying a new adventure? Some people find
learning new things exciting, while others may find it makes them feel a bit nervous or worried. How can people help each
other when they’re trying something new?
Change the level of challenge
Chat to your instructor before the session and let them know where your group’s at. If they’ve got a lot of experience
skating or snowboarding, then the instructor may be able to offer some extra challenges.

Make it accessible
Many outdoor centres have facilities that cater for people with additional needs and experienced instructors to help
everyone achieve their goals. Get in touch with your local provider to chat through the needs of people in your group – make
sure you give them plenty of notice.

Take it further
Enjoyed mountain boarding? Maybe you’ll be a natural at skateboarding or snowboarding. Check out the Scouts Street
Sports Activity Badge or Snowsports Staged Activity Badge next.
Activity: Gliding (Scouts,
Explorers)
4
hrs

Try new things

Be courageous
Find it easier to meet new people, go to new places, and do
Be able to face your fears, overcome worries, and not back
new things.
down.

Soar through the skies in an unpowered plane as you get a new perspective on
things around you.

What to expect
Gliding uses a small plane to take advantage of the same natural air currents used by birds to soar across the open
countryside. These planes typically don’t have engines, or cut the engine off once in the air. Gliders can be towed into the
air behind another powered plane or using a long cable and a winch and once up they can fly almost silently through the air
offering breath taking views and an exciting adventure like no other.

What you’ll learn

Gliding is a great chance to try something brand new, you might even get a chance to control the plane! It’s also a great
chance to be courageous as you strap in and head to the skies. Gliding can make some people feel a little nervous so
making sure you are helping and supporting anyone who is a little worried is a great way to make sure everyone has an
enjoyable experience too.

Fun facts
There are different sorts of rising air currents used by glider pilots. Often you’ll see gliders circling in ‘thermals’,
columns of rising air created when the sun warms particular patches on the ground.

Glider pilots also use movements in the air caused by the wind being deflected upwards when it blows onto hills or
mountains. In 2018, a specially designed glider was flown in rising air to over 76,000 feet, twice as high as a
commercial jet!

Handy hints
Keeping busy – Gilders can only take one passenger so there’s lots of waiting around to be done. Consider running
other activities at the same time or take something to keep everyone entertained.

How’s the weather up there – The perfect gliding day is strong sunshine with a flew clouds, but there’s no shade up
in the glider so make sure everyone has plenty of sun cream.

Relection
While gliding might be an exciting adventure for some, it could cause lots of worry and nervousness for others. Try and take
this opportunity to offer support and encouragement to anyone feeling a little nervous and see what you can learn from
helping out.
Some people like lots of loud support to help them overcome their fears, while others might need some space and a little
time. Gliding is a great way to learn how those around you can manage and overcome any nervousness, and remembering
this will help you to be a more supportive member of the group in the future.
Make it accessible
Gliding can often be adapted so more people can give it a go. Many outdoor centres have facilities that cater for
people with additional needs and experienced instructors to help everyone achieve their goals. Get in touch with your
local provider to chat through the needs of people in your group – make sure you give them plenty of notice.

Many gliding clubs have adapted gliders to allow them to be controlled in different ways to suit different people. More
information around accessible gliding can be found through the British Gilding Association.

Take it further
Gliding is a great way to get experience up in the skies. To learn for about aircraft and how they work try out the Air
Activities Staged Activity Badges.

Youth Shaped guidance

Gliding is a thrilling adventure suitable for lots of people, just remember to involve everyone in the decision to try out gliding
to make sure it is suitable and exciting for everyone involved.
Activity: Hillwalking (Scouts,
Explorers)
5
hrs

Value the outdoors

Persevere more
Enjoy being outside, feel comfortable in nature,
Learn to work hard, stay focused, and refuse to let
and feel connected to the natural environment.
setbacks stop you achieving your goals.

Safety alerts
Hiking and walking

Follow the guidance for activities in Terrain Zero, or the guidance for each the adventurous activity.

Nearly at the top! Dig deep when it gets steep and think about the
view from the peak.

What to expect
Hillwalking is as simple as it sounds – it’s the term used to describe when you hike around hilly or
mountainous regions. Hillwalking has been around as long as there’s been hills. The main changes
have been the equipment we take out and about with us and how many more marked, documented
and maintained trails exist all over the world.

What you’ll learn

Hillwalking is a great way to increase your stamina, endurance and route planning skills. First, you’ll need
to be patient and careful, as you plan the trip with your group. Then, when it’s time to get out there, and if
you’ve prepared properly, you’ll be able to reap the rewards as you take in some beautiful views.

Fun facts
Did you know that almost 60% of Scotland’s land mass can be classed as hills or mountains? That’s a lot of
space for hillwalkers to explore!

Handy hints
Layer up. The weather conditions can vary greatly when you’re in the hills. One leg could see you
walking through the shady meadows of a valley and the next could have you walking along a
winding ridge. Prepare for this by bringing plenty of lightweight clothing that can be layered up.

Wear in your boots first. Be sure to wear your hiking boots plenty of times before heading out hillwalking.
If you’re wearing your boots from straight off the shelf then you could experience some nasty rubbing,
as the boots can feel pretty stiff.

Don’t rely on your apps. It’s great to make the most of some of the amazing phone apps out there to
help aid your outdoor experience. But be wary: there has been an increase in incidents related to
hillwalkers who’ve been let down
 by their technology. Make sure to bring a paper map and compass too and be sure that you know how to
use them!

Relection
Hillwalking is an amazing opportunity to get outdoors, get up high and experience some breathtaking views.
However, it’s not always easy for everyone to get to the top. Have a chat as a group about what can help
keep everyone motivated along the way. Share some morale-boosting tips with one another to help you
persevere on your long journeys.

When it’s all over, think back and reflect on how many of you listened to your own advice and which
techniques in particular helped you to reach the finishing line. They’ll come in handy on the next big
hill!

Make it accessible
Hillwalking can often be adapted so more people can give it a go. Many outdoor centres have
facilities that cater for people with additional needs and experienced instructors to help everyone
achieve their goals.

Hillwalking can be experienced in all sorts of locations, but sometimes these can be pretty remote
and hard to get to for your group. Be sure to find out how you’re going to reach the beginning of
your walk before you start route planning. A quick search online should be able to tell you whether
the trail is accessible via public transport or whether there’s parking nearby.

Take it further
A big part of a successful hillwalking trip is thorough route planning. Everyone can further develop these
skills by taking part in more expeditions. How about mixing it up and using a different kind of map as you
head out on a cycle as part of the Scouts Cyclist Activity Badge?
Activity: Traditional rafting
(Beavers, Cubs, Scouts, Explorers)
2
hrs

Try new things

Be a team player
Find it easier to meet new people, go to new places, and do
Learn to work better with others, achieve shared goals, and
new things.
put the team first.

Use your pioneering skills to craft a raft from barrels, poles, and rope, then head
out onto the water.

What to expect
Traditional rafting is about paddling along on a raft made from wooden poles, rope, and barrels. They’re simple crafts, so
you’ll need to paddle a bit differently compared to how you’d paddle something like a canoe.

You often build your own raft before setting out on the water. Building your own raft is a really common pioneering activity,
so get practising those knots and lashings.

What you’ll learn

Traditional rafting is a great way to try something new as traditional rafts are very different to other crafts. It’s also a true
test of teamwork, as you’ll all need to play your part to get the raft moving in the right direction.

The best pioneering projects are the ones that are plenty of fun. Traditional rafting is about putting your knotting skills to the
test and trusting your teammates’ techniques. After all, if it all falls apart, you’ll be the ones getting wet!

Fun facts
People have been building rafts for hundreds of years. The basic design involves tying things together to create a floating
platform – more modern crafts tend to use sealed barrels or polystyrene blocks to help them float.

Handy hints
Give it a go in the warm (and dry). Before you put your trust in a raft to carry you across the water, why not practise
on a smaller scale? Teeny tiny twig rafts is the perfect way to learn how to make a raft before your adventure.

Practise your knots. A raft is only as strong as its weakest knot. Before you put your skills to the test, make sure you
know how to keep your raft shipshape. Scout Adventures have got your back – they’ve put together a great guide to
lashings. Once you’ve learned the basics, make practising fun with Knot a race or To eat or knot to eat.

Don’t wear your best shoes. When you sit on the raft, your feet will probably be in the water – whatever you’re
wearing on your feet will get very soggy. It’s best to wear an old pair of shoes, and bring a spare pair to get you home.

Relection
Building (and paddling) a traditional raft relies on everyone playing their part. In the most successful teams, everyone has
an important job to do. Did different people have different roles to keep the raft afloat and moving in the right direction? Did
people have favourite (or least favourite) jobs?

How did people’s teams work – did everyone just get on with their jobs separately, or did they keep chatting and checking
in with each other? The most successful team players put themselves in their teammates shoes so they can offer a helping
hand and ask for help when they need it. Did anyone stand out as a great leader? How did they help everyone to make or
paddle the raft?

Make it accessible
Traditional rafting can often be adapted so more people can give it a go. You can adapt the shape and size of the raft. Many
outdoor centres have facilities that cater for people with additional needs and experienced instructors to help everyone
achieve their goals. Get in touch with your local provider to chat through the needs of people in your group – make sure you
give them plenty of notice.

Take it further
Rafting is a great way to put a pioneering project to the test and have fun on the water. What did people enjoy most about
this activity? If they loved the crafting, you could try another pioneering project. If they loved being on the water, why not
step it up and try white water rafting?
Scouts’ Guide to
Winter Adventure
Getting out in the cold and loving
every minute. (Hot chocolate not
included).

scouts.org.uk
#SkillsForLife

Compiled by Scouts. Charity numbers 306101/SC038437

Contents

1. Welcome 2
2. Camping in the cold 3
3. Fire lighting 5
4. Outdoor cooking 7
5. Winter weather 9
6. Wildlife watching 11
7. Shelter building 12
8. Hiking and navigation 13
9. Geocaching 16
10. Winter cycling 17
11. Volunteering and fundraising 19
12. Getting to your winter adventure safely 21
13. Keeping the adventure going 23

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1. Welcome
The great outdoors doesn’t close for winter. In fact, that’s when nature can be at its most spectacular.
But it’s easy to get caught out in the cold. That’s why you need to be prepared for outdoor adventures with
the right equipment and clothing. And hot chocolate, of course.

In this guide we’ve provided some great tips to make the most of the outdoors this winter, from a winter
camp complete with some tasty cooking ideas to shelter building and fire lighting. Start planning your
winter adventures (and don’t forget to wrap up warm!).

Please remember that safety is always your first priority when attempting any activity in this guide. See
here for more: Stay safe | Scouts

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2. Camping in the cold

If you’re setting out on a winter camping trip, then you need to protect yourself against sudden drops in
temperature.

Choose the right equipment

A cheap tent won’t feel so much of a bargain on a windy Scottish hillside with broken poles and no shelter
for miles. Likewise, your sleeping bag should be right for the conditions. Most sleeping bags have a
minimum temperature marked on the packaging. Check this when buying your gear. To save money, you
can use one sleeping bag inside another to improve the insulation, but think about the weight if you’re
hiking and check with an expert (or knowledgeable shopkeeper) to make your sleeping bag will be warm
enough. You’ll also need a good ground mat to prevent contact with the cold ground.

Heating
The only safe source of heat in a tent is your own body, so conserve it by wrapping up well. Don’t light a fire
or stove inside a tent, or drag in a barbecue – apart from the fire risk, these can generate deadly Carbon
Monoxide fumes that will become trapped in the tent.

Food and drink

As your body is your key heat source, make sure to use the right fuel. In cold weather, your body needs
sugars to generate heat. Make sure you eat plenty of butter and pasta for example. Drink hot tea or other
hot drinks, especially before going to bed. Always stay hydrated.

Clothing
Most of your heat will be lost through your head and extremities (your hands and feet), so wear a hat, even
in bed if necessary, as well as gloves, scarf and two pairs of socks! Don’t be too proud to use a hot
water bottle, which you should place at the foot of your sleeping bag some time before going to sleep. In
addition, wear light, wick layers close to the skin beneath your other winter clothing. Black clothing will
help attract sunlight.

Signs of hypothermia
Hypothermia happens when a person’s body temperature drops below 35 degrees. In this state, excessive
shivering confusion, slurred speech and clumsiness will result. If you suspect someone becoming
hypothermic, try and warm them as quickly as possible, Ideally, this means getting them to a warm shelter,
but at the very least, they should huddle up with others, drink a warm drink and wear dry clothes. Seek
emergency medical attention.

Signs of frostbite
An early signs of frostbite is a whitening of the skin that doesn’t return to its normal colour after applying
pressure. Seek immediate emergency medical attention for this.

Sleeping bags
Legend has it that Treasure Island author, Robert Louis Stephenson, invented the first ever sleeping bag,
during his adventures in France described in Travels with a Donkey in the Cevennes. He wanted a practical,
self-contained and portable sleeping blanket. However the fleece lined sack produced was so heavy it could
only be carried on his donkey! Fortunately sleeping bag technology has improved since then.

Sleeping bags work by trapping warm air within the bag while you sleep. They use the heat generated by
your body to circulate warm air without releasing it. The best kind of sleeping bags are those with features
that help retain this heat, whether it's a top of the range filling, ‘baffles’ that keep drafts out, or a hood that
stops warmth escaping from around the head.

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 Scouts’ Guide to Winter Adventure
Sleeping bags have ratings so that you get an idea of what’s comfortable in the summer and which
are better in winter. When buying a sleeping bag, look carefully at the rating and the maximum and
minimum temperatures that it is claimed that the bag will keep you warm in. Here’s a rough guide of
how sleeping bags are rated:

 1 season
Really only for use in the summer; usually around +4/5 degrees
 2 season
Good for later spring to early autumn when it’s not sweltering, but when you are unlikely to be on
the receiving end of cold snaps or snow; around 0 degrees
 3 season
Best for mild to cold nights, but with a very low temperature; 0 to -5 degrees.
 4 season
These are made for very cold winter nights in the outdoors and are typically more bulky and weigh
more, but they do keep you exceptionally warm. To -10 degrees
 5 season
Specialist bags for expedition use, these are probably too warm for most activities in the UK.

Sleeping bags should be well aired and dried when the trip is over. At home your sleeping bag should be
stored out of its stuff bag if possible, as this avoids the filling becoming compacted and less effective.

Packing your rucksack

There’s an art to packing your rucksack. Do it the right way and it’ll make life a lot easier on your winter
adventure:

 Put the items you need easy access to at the top of the rucksack
 Spread the weight so it’s easy and comfortable to carry
 Take care to ensure that easily damaged items are stowed carefully in the pockets
 Keep clothes in a waterproof liner bag to keep them dry
 Carry mats can be carried beneath the rucksack in a plastic bag, or be secured to the top.
 Light bulky items should be placed near the bottom. Heavier items are best placed at the top. This
will make the rucksack easier to carry.
 Check you have everything on the kit list.

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3. Fire lighting
Everyone heading into the great outdoors needs to know how to build a good fire. The size and type of fire
you build depends on what you want to use it for: warmth, cooking, or light.

Remember a fire needs three things: Heat, oxygen and fuel. Gather sticks of different thickness and start
with the smallest. You can light a fire with matches, or, if you’re feeling more adventurous you can use a
flint and steel. These create a show of sparks – have some cotton wool ready to catch these, then start your
fire with dry wood shavings or pieces of tinder and kindling (such as small and very dry twigs).

Whatever you build, you must do it safely and consider the impact you have on the land. Don’t dig a hole in
the ground unless you have permission from the landowner.

Here are some types of fire for you to try:

Wigwam fire
As the name suggests, this takes the form of a wigwam or tepee shape and is the classic campfire. To
make it, find a large stick and embed in the ground. Surround with a couple of handful of small kindling. Now
lean a series of smaller sticks against the stick all the way around. Repeat, with larger sticks to create
another layer, ensuring you leave enough space for air to circulate. Light the fire in the centre then blow as
necessary until it catches.

Altar fire
This is an excellent fire to use when the ground must not be scorched, dug or otherwise disturbed. There
are many variations on this, however one of the simplest is to make a double layered platform using similar
sized logs placed at right angles, lashed together. Now create a top level made of smaller sticks. Cover with
soil to prevent the altar itself catching fire. Now make your fire on top.
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Star fire
This is a way of making a fire using kindling and small sticks. Now add the ends of four logs next to the fire
to create a star shape. These logs will act as fuel, so the fire will burn for a long time.

Crane fire
Find two stout sticks of a similar size, each with a fork at the same level. Now find a longer stick to rest on
these forks. Using a steel hook you can now suspend a pot to hang above your fire.

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4. Outdoor cooking
Once you’ve got your fire going, it’s time to test your outdoor cooking skills. Here are some simple recipes
that can be rustled up on an open fire. Just pack plenty of tin foil!

Knife safety
Outdoor cooking requires a sharp knife. Knives should be stored and carried carefully (in the middle of a
rucksack) and only taken out when you’re ready to use them. If you’re sitting, make sure the ground, chair or
log is stable and level. Always cut away from the body.

Different countries have different laws for carrying and storing knives. Legally you must have a good reason
to be in possession of a knife in a public place. In the UK, the legal length for a folding blade that does not
lock is 7.62cm (three inches). Always check first and remember ignorance of the law is not an excuse.

Spud eggs
Cut the top off a potato, hollow it out, crack an egg into it, replace the lid and wrap in two layers of foil. Put
in hot embers for 40 minutes.

Campfire casserole
Wrap sausages (or finely chopped beef/chicken, or no meat at all), chopped onion and any choice of other
vegetables in one layer of foil and put into embers for around 30 minutes.

Baked fish
Clean and gut your fish thoroughly beforehand. Wrap your fish in newspapers, wet thoroughly and place on
the embers. Turn the fish several times at intervals of about 3-4 minutes until the newspaper is dried and in
about 15 mins it is done.

Kebabs
Peel the bark from a long ‘green’ (i.e. living) stick (not laurel or yew as these are poisonous) and push a
mixture of chopped sausages, onion, mushroom, peppers and tomato onto it. Cook over hot embers until
the sausage is browned.

Twists or dampers
Mix self-raising flour, water, milk
and an egg (or just plain flour,
water and vegetable oil), to make
a thick dough. Roll into a ‘snake’
and wrap it around a green stick
(see above). Toast over embers
until lightly browned and serve
with butter and jam.

Chocolate banana
Slice an unpeeled banana in half
lengthways and push chocolate
buttons inside. Close it up, wrap in
two layers of foil and cook in hot
embers for up to 15 minutes.

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Baked apple
Cut out the core of an apple, place the apple on foil and fill the hole with raisins, sultanas, sugar and/or,
chocolate. Wrap in two layers of foil and cook in hot embers for 20 minutes or so. Eat with care as the sugar
gets very hot!

Campfire sausage rolls

Cook sausages in the normal way i.e. on a stick or in a pan. Mix flour and water with a pinch of salt to make
a dough (twists). Wrap the dough around the sausage put on a stick and turn slowly over a camp fire until
light brown. Hey presto- sausage roll.

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5. Winter weather
Believe it or not, but you can get a good indication of the weather just by taking a deep breath. If the air is
very pungent, for example with compost like odours as plants release their waste, then wet weather is on
the way. When the air contains more moisture, scents are stronger.

Watch what animals do

Most people know that cows lie down before a thunderstorm. They also tend to huddle together before bad
weather. You will also notice fewer seagulls in the sky at the coast if a storm is on the way. Almost all
animals become subdued before rain. Rows of birds on telegraph wires usually indicate low pressure, and
therefore fair weather.

Look down
If you see dew on the grass in the morning, it is an indicator of fair weather – there is little breeze to bring
rainclouds your way. If it is dry, this means that it has been dried by a breeze, which can often bring
inclement weather. Forget all of the above if it rained during the night!

Look at a pine cone

Why not use this favourite to predict the weather. If there is moisture in the air, the scales on the pine cone
will close – this means that rain is on the way. If it is fine, the scales will dry up and open.

Cloudspotting
Cloud spotting has become recognised as an art in its own right; it’s easier than you think and allows you to
predict weather conditions with surprising accuracy.

Stratus
These stretch over a wide area and can often cover the sky for as far as the eye can see. Stratus are low
lying clouds (fog is actually stratus cloud) and do not often result in much rain.

Cirrus
These fine, feather-like clouds are not likely to produce rain either. They can indicate a change in weather
conditions.

Nimbus
You don’t need to be a weatherman to know that these clouds spell rain. They are the classic gathering
storm cloud.

Cumulous
When you see a cloud in a child’s picture book, it is more than likely to be a cumulous – they are the classic
fluffy cloud and indicate fair weather if white, and rain if dark.

Altocumulous
Patchy cloud, at medium height; low chance of rain.

Cumulonimbus
An oversized cumulous cloud, which can indicate storms, rain and hail.

Altrostratus
This cloud acts like a screen over the sun and usually indicates a deterioration in the weather

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Stratocumulus
Low, lumpy cloud, which indicates light rain.
Nimbostratus
Sheets of dark grey cloud, which indicates heavy rain.
Cirrocumulus
This is what is sometimes referred to as ‘mackerel sky’ and is most often seen on cold winter days. Little
chance of rain.

Weather proverbs
For centuries, people have looked to the skies for indications of the weather to come. Here are some of the
most popular saying for predicting the weather.

 Rain before seven, fine before eleven

 When sea-gulls fly to land, a storm is at hand.
 When smoke descends, good weather ends.
 Dew on the grass, rain won’t come to pass.
 Red sky at night, shepherd’s delight.
 Red sky in the morning, shepherd’s take warning
 When stars shine clear and bright, we’ll have a very cold night.
 Clear moon, frost soon.
 Halo around the sun or moon, rain or snow coming soon.

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6. Wildlife watching
We share our countryside with a huge variety of animals. Take some time to get to know some of these
woodland creatures.

Stoat
Stoats are surprisingly large, fierce creatures with a reputation for thievery; they will swipe anything from
mice and rabbits to game as well as eggs. While usually quiet, which assists their stealthy behaviour they
make a trilling sound before mating, hiss when anxious and are even known to bark when aggressive. Not
to be confused with the smaller weasel (although confusingly, the female stoat is smaller than the male
stoat).

Wood Mouse
These rodents are found mostly at night in fields, forests and grasslands. They feed mostly on tree seeds
which are taken back to their burrows and nests rather than eaten on the spot. Fruit berries and even small
snails also form part of their diet. They breed between February and October. If you have any trouble telling
the difference between a wood mouse and a House mouse – look out for the larger ears and eyes.

Muntjac deer
Found mostly in southern England, the Midlands and South Wales, the Muntjac deer is small, russet brown
variety of deer. Introduced from China a century ago, they have spread from private ownership at Woburn
Park into the wild. They feed mainly on small shrubs and plants such as brambles, heather and small
shoots. Listen out for their distinctive bark - they can be seen mostly at dusk or dawn.

Squirrel
The now rare red squirrel was a native to Britain for thousands of years. While they didn’t directly fall victim
to the grey squirrel (contrary to popular belief) when they were introduced from North America in the
late 19th century, the grey has proved more adaptable and versatile of the two.

Carrying more body fat, which helps them survive harsher winters, the grey squirrel is also quite content to
forage on the ground. The more secretive red squirrels prefer the safety of high confer branches.

Life has not been easy for the red squirrel in recent times. Losing numbers during an outbreak of the
paraprox virus in the 1920s, they were also actively hunted for their pelts. The red squirrels can still be seen
in significant numbers, mingling with peacocks on Brownsea Island, Poole Dorset – the birthplace of Scouts.
They produce two litters each year – in spring and summer.

Red deer
This beautiful animal is also the UK’s largest land mammal. While famously associated with the Scottish
highlands, they can also be seen in the Lake District, East Anglia and south west England. Feeding on
grass and tree roots, stags can grow up to 190kg, while hinds grow up to 120kg. While browner in colour
despite their name, their coats are more reddish in summer and greyer in winter.

Badgers
Badgers (named from the French ‘Becheur,’ meaning digger) are among the UK’s most iconic animals;
immediately recognisable from their black and white markings, small heads they are nocturnal by nature
and are more at home underground than overground. While they were once more populous, there are now
300,000 badgers in the UK, two thirds of which are in England. They make their homes in setts (networks
of tunnels and chambers) in groups of five or so on sloping sandy, easy to dig soil, often near fields with
good drainage. Badgers are omnivores, eating both animals and plants and their diet varies depending on
available food, with earthworms as their principle foodstuff, supplemented with fruit and berries, insects,
frogs and even bird

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7. Shelter building
Before heading out into the cold, learn how to build a shelter in an emergency. Here’s how to make an A-
frame shelter, one of the best and easiest to make.

Prepare the ground

Before you begin work on your A-Frame, check that the site is suitable. For example, don’t build it near an
animal trail or ants nest. Check that there aren’t any dead branches above you. Think about where the sun
rises and sets and the direction of the prevailing wind. You can use the terrain and surrounding flora to help
minimise the latter. Avoid lower ground between two high points as cold air can collect in such places and
rain runoff may be a problem too.

 To start the frame you’ll need a straight and sturdy ridgepole and two forked supports. Make sure
the supports are locked together and that the ridgepole is also secured through the middle. You
should be able to rest your weight on the entrance end of the ridgepole at this point. You can used a
sharpened digging stick to create small depressions in the ground for the supports.
 Next clear any debris inside the frame and check for any sharp stones.
 Before going any further, lie inside the frame to check you can fit inside without your head sticking
out and your feet touching the ridgepole.
 Now start to build the sides by using more sticks which you should rest on the ridgepole. Aim to get
fairly straight sticks, avoid rotten ones and trim them to size so that they don’t exceed the ridgepole
excessively. This will help to funnel rain. If you find that some sticks won’t stay in, weave very
thin branches or plants such as nettles between them for support but again, don’t have them
sticking out.
 Once the frame is finished the thatching can start. To make the available leaf litter go further,
consider ‘tiling’ the frame with something like bracken if available (never pull bracken as you’ll find
the stems can give you a nasty paper like cut), Birch bark or further woven twigs.
 Finally, add lots of leaf litter, starting at the base of the frame and working upwards towards the
apex. Using a coat or old tarp will speed up collection, and keep checking in the entrance for chinks
of daylight. If there is no chance of wind and rain a minimal covering will make a surprisingly cosy
shelter. If it’s going to be wet then look to put on in excess of a foot of leaf litter all over. Try not to
scoop up soil and small debris as it can fall on you in the night.

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8. Hiking and navigation

Getting off the beaten track and hiking is one of the most inspiring ways to see the countryside. There’s no
better feeling than pulling off your boots at the end of a long walk with a good mate. But like anything else,
it pays to be prepared.

Safety first
Before setting off anywhere, let someone know where you’re heading and when you expect to return.
Check your phone is fully charged and that you have a compass and map with you.

Now, make sure you’re wearing a good pair of boots (preferably water proof) or comfortable shoes. Take
time to plan your route, and think carefully about how long it will take you to walk it. If there are hills it
will take longer! If you’re heading into unfamiliar territory or terrain, training in how to use a map and
compass and hiking skills is essential. Remember your phone can lose signal and charge, leaving you
stranded.

The five Ds of Navigation

In Scouts, we’ll help you learn how to use a map and compass, as well as the five D’s of navigation –
Distance, Duration, Direction, Description and Destination:
 Distance – (how far)
 Duration – (how long)
 Direction – (which way)
 Description – (What does it look like and what we I see?)
 Destination – (What will I see at the end?)

Distance
This is the total length of your walk from start to finish (your destination). This can be measured in advance
using the map, following the scale (which will be marked on the map):
 1:50 000 scale map - 1mm = 50 metres in real life
 1:25 000 scale map 1mm = 25 metres in real life.

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Duration
Once you know how far you’ll be travelling, you can start to estimate how long it will take you.
This will depend on:
 how quickly you walk
 the kind of terrain you’ll be travelling over (remember, hills take longer!)
 how tired you are
 what sort of load you’re carrying.

This is a rough guide for walking speed and time taken:

 Slow walking is 12 minutes per kilometre
 Medium pace: 9 minutes per kilometre.
Direction
When it comes to navigation, this is the most important ‘D’ of all. To do this, you’ll need a map, and a
compass, a simple device that can take quite a lot of time to master.

First you need to set your map, lining up north on the map with the north direction on the ground. You can
do this by finding landmarks in front of you, then locating them on the map. This means your map is now
‘set’ for your direction of travel. You can also do this by take a bearing on your compass.

Description
Good navigators are very observant, always looking around them to make sure that what they see in ‘real
life’ matches what’s on their map. It’s important to visualise what your route will look like in advance. Look
out for forests, hill and especially rivers, which can be used as ‘handrails’ – for example, you’ll know
before you set off if you’re following a river, that it should always be on your right or left.

Destination
Finally, make sure you know what your end point will look like. Is it a car park, a village, or landmark? Try
and find a photo so you don’t overshoot. Try and make it an obvious feature, such as a tower or hill, which
means it will be easier to spot and harder to miss.

This is just an introduction to navigation. It can take a lifetime to learn. Find out more using this factsheet.

Navigation using the stars, sun and moon

In an emergency, you can also find your way in dark using the stars, at least when the sky is clear. The
North Star is directly above the North Pole, so if we can find it then it will show us the way north, because
‘north’ means ‘towards the North Pole’.

Finding the North Star

Look for a group of seven stars known as the Plough or Big Dipper, although they actually look a bit more
like a saucepan to many people. This saucepan shape never changes although it does rotate anti-clockwise
around the North Star in the sky, so it will sometimes appear on its side or even upside down.

Now find the two stars known as the ‘pointers’. If you think of the shape as a saucepan on the cooker then
these would be the two stars at the far right. Imagine a line from the bottom of these two stars through the
top one and then continue five times that distance you will find the North Star. You are now looking north.

The Sun
The easiest star to find is the one we see during the day, the sun. It rises in the eastern part of the sky and
sets in the western part although the exact points vary over the year. It rises and sets north of east and
west in the summer and south of east and west in the winter. In the middle of the day, when the sun is
highest in the sky it will be due south from the UK (all of Europe and North America.)

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9. Geocaching
Geocaching began when someone wondered what would happen if they hid a container of trinkets and a
log book out in the wilderness and posted the coordinates on the internet. Would people go and look for it?
They did, and it’s now grown into an activity enjoyed across the world. Participants seek out hidden
containers (caches) using published coordinates. When found, they record the find in the log kept in the
container and on the website that listed the location.

Although other websites do exist, the activity is dominated by www.geocaching.com Within the United
Kingdom, there are other websites that supplement the provisions of geocaching.com and provide essential
information and rules specific to the UK.

It’s important to remember that this activity is based on locating a hidden container, while making sure that
non-geocachers don’t find the cache.

Follow the code of conduct

A Geocache may be of any size from Micro (simply large enough to hold a paper log) to regular containers
of several litres capacity. For the rural environment, a new cache category is appearing, the Nano cache,
a specialist container just large enough to hold only a long thin strip of paper, often magnetised and
secured behind road signs etc. Weather sealing is very important too.

Geocaching - Glossary of terms

 Bearing - The direction to the selected Waypoint.
 CITO - Cache In Trash Out. A principle that should be followed by all cachers which can result in
specific CITO Events. All cachers should try to do their bit to keep the countryside clean by collecting
litter, but a CITO Event is organised with that specific goal. A community clean-up usually followed
by a social gathering of geocachers with a cache hunt or two
 Geocache - Often called simply a ‘Cache’, the actual container placed at the waypoint. From ‘Geo’
for Earth and ‘Cache’ being a store of goods or supplies, often left by explorers.
 Geocaching - A recreational activity that entails seeking a container hidden at specific coordinates.
Finding it, recording your details on the log within and then concealing it for the next person.
 A Geocoin has a tracking number allowing them to be moved and tracked in a similar manner to
Travel Bugs.
 GPSr/GPS - A Global Positioning System receiver, more regularly referred to as a GPS, even
though in reality the satellites and the receiver make up the system.
 Heading - The direction in which you are travelling.
 Latitude - The North/South component of determining a location on the Earth.
 Longitude - The East/West component of determining a location on the Earth.
 Multi-Cache - A type of Cache that requires several waypoints to complete. The first waypoint
may contain a small cache containing the coordinates of the nest stage. Or several waypoints
might each contain components of the coordinates for the final waypoint.
 Route - A path between two or more waypoints.
 Trackback - The ability to reverse a route on a GPS to enable the user to return to their starting
point.
 Track Log - The ability of the GPS to automatically record track points; an electronic ‘breadcrumb
trail’.
 Travel Bug - An item with an Identity Tag attached, which through a unique tracking number can be
tracked on the internet as it is moved from Cache to Cache by Geocachers.
 Waypoint - A specific point defined by coordinates, which may be programmed into a GPS in
advance or marked along a route whilst at the location, for example to return to the same point later.

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10. Winter cycling

Cycling is still one of the best (and cheapest ways) of heading out on an adventure. But in colder conditions,
with the possibility snow and ice, it’s more important than ever to do it safely. Here are ten safety tips we’ve
developed with Scouts’ partner, GO Outdoors.

Check your bike lights (they’re a legal requirement)

Not only do bike lights help your visibility, but you’re also legally required to have them when you’re out
when it’s dark or turning dark.

You always need a rear reflector when you’re riding on roads. It’s essential to have:
 a white front light
 a red rear light
 a red rear reflector
 amber pedal reflectors
 white wheel reflectors (to be seen from the side)

Before setting out on your next ride, make sure your bike has lights set up and check they’re working. Even
if you think you might not be riding in the dark, it’s much better to be prepared – you never know when your
plans might change.

In case something breaks, our Repair shop runaround activity can teach you all you need to know about
bike repairs.

Check your brakes and tyres

No matter the season, you should regularly check your bike brakes. If they’re not working as well as usual,
get them fixed before you head out on your next ride.

It’s especially important during autumn and winter, when there might be frost or ice on the ground. When
it’s more slippery, it takes longer for us to brake and come to a stop, putting us at more risk of a collision.
Make sure both brakes work properly, so you can stop quickly and safely if you need to. Using both brakes
is much safer than using just one, as you might skid or go over your handlebars.

Also, check your tyres have enough grip (tread) to help you brake safely. Get them changed if they’re
looking a little worn. The tread on tyres keeps them gripping when it’s damp, wet or muddy. Why not
give our Ready to ride activity a go to check your bike is safe?

Put on some reflective/luminous clothing

While you’ll no doubt be wrapped up in scarves and jumpers when braving a chilly bike ride, it’s important
to throw on some reflective and luminous clothing on top so you’re as visible as possible (especially to car
drivers).

Luminous, bright colours can make it much easier for you to be seen in the day, and reflective clothing
reflects car lights, street lights or torches, so you’ll be seen much better at night.

There’re plenty of different items to choose from, including jackets, helmets, rucksacks, covers, reflective
bands and gloves. Gloves in colder weather are a great addition, because keeping your hands warm means
you’re always able to use your brakes/gear and handlebars properly.

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Change your road position

If you move out slightly further when you’re passing a junction, you’ll be able to see better, and drivers will
have more chance of seeing you. Keep an eye on other drivers and make sure they’ve seen you before
you make a turn.

Our Road cycling activity can help prepare you for cycling on the road.

Make your signals visible

This is where hi vis gloves come in handy. It’s important to make your signals extra clear and visible during
autumn and winter, so make an extra effort to stick your arm out further and wear something reflective
to make your signal clearer.

Be extra wary of turning vehicles

It’s even more important in the darker months to keep an eye out for turning vehicles. Lots of collisions
happen when a driver is turning left and there’s a cyclist alongside them. Even if the driver isn’t indicating,
make sure you approach with caution and hang back until you’re completely sure which way they’re
turning. Let them go ahead before you proceed – don’t try to undertake them.

Always follow the Highway Code

When the weather conditions change, it’s a great time to remind yourself of the Highway Code. Follow all
stop and give way signs, and always stop at red lights.

Use cycle lanes and joint cycleways

Even though cyclists can use the road, lots of towns and cities have special cycle lanes or joint
pedestrian/cyclists pavements. They’re not only less busy than roads, but they’re usually easier to ride on,
as roads often have extra obstacles such as grids, speed bumps, or parked cars. Remember to always give
way to pedestrians on shared cycleways.

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11. Volunteering and fundraising

Helping other people is part of the Scout Promise. It also makes you feel great. And you’ll feel even better if
you’re doing it outdoors. There are so many charities and organisations looking for willing volunteers. Or
why not plan a sponsored winter adventure to raise funds for a charity close to your heart? Here are some
top tips on how to be a great volunteer.

Find a cause you’re passionate about

Whether that’s being a young leader in Scouts helping younger children get opportunities to get
outdoors , or supporting a charity that’s tackling an issue that affects you or a family member, you’ll give
more if you’re fired up about it.

Be safe
If you’re a young person, take a parent or carer with you. Check in advance that the organisation has
all relevant safety and safeguarding procedures in place. In Scouts, everyone must follow the Yellow
Card, safeguarding code of conduct for volunteers.

Be reliable
Although you’re not being paid, people will still be relying on you. Keep your promises, turn up on time and
do your best. If you do that, you’ll end up with more interesting opportunities.

Don’t be too proud

Remember there’ll all sorts of things that need
doing – not all of them glamorous. So don’t turn
your nose up to opportunities. If you do some of
the mundane things, more challenging things
are bound to turn up. Be prepared to muck in.

Keep an open mind

Welcome new experiences and different ways
of looking at the world. They’ll help you develop
as a person as well as a volunteer. There’s
nothing more interesting than finding out how
others live their lives.

Put yourself in other

people’s shoes
Empathy is one of the greatest qualities a
volunteer can have – the ability to understand
what someone else is feeling. It makes you
understand why people do things. This will also
help you help them.

Listen
This is one of the greatest skills a volunteer can have. Let’s not give people the support we think they need.
Let’s ask them, and then give them the support they really need. There are lots of ways to be a great
listener. The most important is not to speak until the other person has finished.

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Learn from others

You’re bound to meet volunteers who’ve been helping longer than you. Ask them questions. Find out what
they like doing best and try to get to know them as a person. They’re sure to have some really useful
tips that will make your volunteering life easier (even it’s just how to find the coffee machine!)

Be respectful
One of the great things about volunteering is that you meet and work with people who are different to
you. They might come from a completely different background and culture. If you’re not sure how to
act, or if you’re afraid of offending someone, then ask the person to help you.

Be a team player
Remember you’re not on your own. As a volunteer, you’ll be part of a team and you should have someone
there to guide and help you along the way. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. That can be bravest thing to do
of all.

Be kind
You’ll meet all sorts of people as a volunteer. You might not like or get on with all of them. But they could be
going through all sorts of things you don’t know about. So whatever you do, do the kindest thing.

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12. Getting to your winter

adventure safely
Remember, don’t just plan for your winter adventure. You need to think how you’re going to get there too.

Setting out on a winter outing can be a journey in more ways than one. The season’s harsh weather and
shorter, darker days often making for difficult driving conditions.

With a bit of preparation, though, plus some handy tips from Dacia, travelling to your destination can be a
hassle-free experience. This will mean that your winter adventure starts in the best way possible and is
memorable for all the right reasons.

Better still, doing a few little things can go a long way to making sure you arrive safe and sound, whatever
winter may throw at you and your family’s car. For fuss-free driving adventures during the colder months,
Dacia recommends that you:

Check your fluids

Just like us, a car needs fluids to function properly. The engine’s oil and water levels need regular checks
during winter. It’s also more important than ever to make sure the screen wash is topped-up. With the
season’s rain and dark and the increase in road grime and salt, it’s more important than ever that you’re
able to keep the windscreen clean.

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Inspect your tyres

Your family car’s tyres must be in good condition if you’re to stay safe on the road during winter. As well as
checking the pressures, look for damage and signs of perishing. The legal limit of tread depth is 1.6 mm, but
during the winter it’s best to have at least 3 mm.

Look at your wipers and lights

Checking windscreen wiper blades is often overlooked, and it’s especially important that you inspect them
during winter. Make sure the rubber isn’t split and that they’re still able to clear the windscreen effectively.
Likewise, make sure all the lights are functioning correctly and that the lenses are clean.

Remember your de-icer and scraper

Plummeting temperatures mean your windows can often be covered in ice when your car’s been parked
overnight or even during the day. Make sure you have a good ice scraper and a bottle of de-icer.

Stay warm and seen:

pack for winter
If your car breaks down or you
become stranded, make sure you
have the essentials to stay warm
and seen. This means having warm
clothing, a blanket, a shovel, a
torch, and a high visibility vest
packed in your car.

Don’t forget food

and drink
Again, being stranded is bad
enough, but it’s doubly worse if
you’re hungry! Be sure to carry a good supply of food, water and a flask of hot tea or coffee with you.

Wear your shades

Sunglasses are arguably even more essential for winter driving than during the hotter months. The low sun
can dazzle drivers, making it very hard to see the road.

Keep your phone charged

Most people have a mobile phone with them, but don’t forget the charger! If you need to call for assistance,
now isn’t the moment to discover that your battery is flat or low on charge.

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13. Keeping the adventure going

Scouts is the UK’s biggest youth movement. We welcome all young people aged 4-24. We’ll help you get
started on some great outdoor adventures, step up and dream big. And along the way, you’ll gain skills
that’ll stay with you for life. We have over 7,000 Groups across the UK in almost every community. Adult
volunteers (including parents and carers) are very welcome too and have just as much fun. Come and join
the adventure.

Find out more at www.scouts.org.uk

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