Launch the e-edition
Subscription Service

Main menu

Skip to primary content
Skip to secondary content
  • Cub Scouts
        • How to head off homesickness before—and during—resident camp
        • Pro fisherman Tom Redington shares how to hook Scouts on fishing
        • The history behind the pinewood derby’s success
        More Scouting stories →
    • Cub Scout Activities
      • Uniforms & Insignia
      • Tiger Cubs
    • Webelos Scouts
      • Adult Training
      • Forms & Applications
  • Boy Scouts
        • Ten reasons why your Scouts and Venturers should try stand-up paddleboarding
        • How to head off homesickness before—and during—resident camp
        • Encourage mentoring between Eagle Scouts and new Scouts
        • Pro fisherman Tom Redington shares how to hook Scouts on fishing
        More Scouting stories →
      • Adult Training
      • Advancement & Awards
        • Merit Badges
        • Eagle Scout
        • Eagle Palms
      • Service
      • Order of the Arrow
      • Jamborees
      • Special Needs Scouting
      • Boy Scout activities
        • Outdoor activities
        • Indoor activities
        • Winter activities
        • Backpacking and hiking
        • Camporees
        • Intercultural activities
      • Uniforms & Insignia
      • Forms & Applications
  • Venturers
        • Ten reasons why your Scouts and Venturers should try stand-up paddleboarding
        • Pro fisherman Tom Redington shares how to hook Scouts on fishing
        • Learn more about religious emblems that aim to promote reverence
        More Scouting stories →
    • Adult Training
      • Advancement & Awards
      • Sea Scouts
    • Venturer Activities
      • Venturer Resources
      • Forms & Applications
  • Training
        • Why you should take Youth Protection Training today
        • How (and why) longtime Scouter Linda Case stays committed
        • Heat up winter camping with tips from Northern Tier's Okpik training
        More Scouting stories →
    • Wood Badge
      • Youth Protection
  • Leaders
        • A last-minute fitness routine to help you get in shape for summer
        • Launch a Sea Scouting program with this Mate's advice
        • Get your Scouts reading with tips from author Michael Gurian
        More Scouting stories →
    • Awards and Square Knots
      • Cub Scout Leadership
      • Money Earning
      • Recruitment
      • Venturing Leadership
      • Youth Protection
    • Boy Scout Leadership
      • Leader Advice and Inspiration
      • Scoutmasters
      • Volunteers
      • Wood Badge
      • Youth Leadership
  • Outdoors
        • Ten reasons why your Scouts and Venturers should try stand-up paddleboarding
        • How to head off homesickness before—and during—resident camp
        • A simple and hearty Dutch oven side dish
        • Waterproof the contents of your backpack using these expert tips
        • How to survive a bear encounter
        More Scouting stories →
    • Aquatics
      • Safe Swim
      • Paddle Crafts
      • Outdoor Awards
      • Camping
        • Backpacking & Hiking
        • Camping Advice and Tips
        • GPS Navigation & Geocaching
        • Leave No Trace
        • Orienteering
        • Outdoor Gear and Equipment
        • Understanding Nature
    • Cooking
      • Backpacking Meals
      • Campground Cooking
      • Stoves & Fire
      • Dutch Ovens
      • Kitchen Cooking
      • Health
      • High Adventure
        • Philmont Scout Ranch
        • Local Council Sites
        • Florida Sea Base
        • Northern Tier
        • The Summit
  • Life Skills
        • A last-minute fitness routine to help you get in shape for summer
        • Ten reasons why your Scouts and Venturers should try stand-up paddleboarding
        • Get your Scouts reading with tips from author Michael Gurian
        More Scouting stories →
    • Youth Development
      • 21st-Century Parenting
      • Character Building
      • Education
      • Mental Health
      • Physical Fitness & Sports
      • Technology
    • Emergency Preparedness
      • Reading
      • Technology
Scouting magazine > Boy Scouts > Boy Scout activities > Outdoor activities

Outdoor activities

Make sure your Scouts stay engaged and involved through exciting outdoor activities.

Post navigation

← Older posts

How to head off homesickness before—and during—resident camp

2
I-Want-To-Go-Home

Don’t let homesickness sidetrack your Scouts’ summer camp plans.

Continue reading →

Pro fisherman Tom Redington shares how to hook Scouts on fishing

2
Catch-It-If-YouCan

Get your Scouts hooked on fishing—especially when it comes to the science, technology, engineering, and math involved in the pastime—with tips from professional fisherman Tom Redington, father of a Tiger Scout.

Continue reading →

Gear up for a stand-up paddleboarding trip

1
12'6 Tour by Hobie

Get started in the sport of stand-up paddleboarding with this list of essential gear for beginners.

Continue reading →

The do’s and don’ts of wearing a helmet

Reply
MarApr13_TH_BikeHelmet

Illustrated examples of how to safely wear a helmet.

Continue reading →

Venturers explore the coastline of Catalina Island with ocean kayaks

2
Catalina Island Kayaking Banner

Grab a paddle and join this California crew as they explore the shores of Catalina Island with ocean kayaks.

Continue reading →

An expert’s tips for avoiding accidents in the wilderness

3
Ground Rules Safety Weather

Equip your Scouts with these expert-approved safety and accident-prevention tips before heading out into the wilderness.

Continue reading →

Former astronaut shares how to get Scouts hooked on STEM subjects

Reply
Dr Bernard A Harris Banner

Dr. Bernard A. Harris Jr. shares why Scouters must get boys interested in science, technology, engineering, and math topics and how the BSA’s new STEM-NOVA Award program can help.

Continue reading →

Rev up summer plans with personal watercraft

6
ReadyToRide

Read how a personal watercraft program can help rev up your Scouts’ summer plans.

Continue reading →

Camp in comfort using these handy tips

22
Camp Comfort Ground Rules 2

Brush up on your camping strategies—what you pack, how you travel—to help create a more comfortable camping experience.

Continue reading →

Learn how outdoor ‘free play’ helps Scouts grow

6
Nature of Boys Free Play

Scouting offers an ideal opportunity to restore some sanity to childhood. All we have to do is remember the words of Scouting founder Robert Baden-Powell, who wrote: “Play is the first great educator.”

Continue reading →

Post navigation

← Older posts
HELPFUL LINKS FROM SCOUTING.ORG

Boy Scout Training

  • BSA Online Training
    Login to MyScouting to take BSA online training courses, including Youth Protection, Fast Start, Position Specific and more. Requires a username and password.
  • Orientation for New Boy Scout Parents
  • Bullying Prevention Lesson Plan
  • Q&A on Youth Protection
  • Bullying Prevention Slideshow
  • Scoutmaster Conference Training
  • Beginning Cold-Weather Camping
  • How to Plan and Conduct a Safe Scout Outing Training
  • Cooking Without Utensils
  • How to Be a Mentor to Scouts and Scouters
  • Disc Golf for Scouts
  • Chain Saw Safety Training
  • How and Why You Should Conduct a Board of Review
  • How to Use Geocaching to Promote Scouting
  • Leave No Trace
  • Boy Scout Roundtable Guide
  • How to Recruit and Select Quality Leaders
  • Merit Badge Counselor's Instructor's Guide
  • How to Conduct an Interfaith Service

Boy Scout Activities

  • The Sweet 16 of BSA Safety
  • Winter Camping Safety Tips
  • Types of Outdoor Scouting Activities

Boy Scout Advancement & Awards

  • Tenderfoot Rank Requirements
  • Second Class Rank Requirements
  • First Class Rank Requirements
  • Alternate Early Rank Requirements for Special-Needs Scouts
  • Star Rank Requirements
  • Life Rank Requirements
  • Eagle Scout Rank Requirements
  • Religious Emblems
  • Alternate Eagle Scout Requirements for Special-Needs Scouts
  • Eagle Scout Palms Requirements
  • Selecting Leadership Service Projects
  • Facts About Eagle Scouts
  • Eagle Scout Rank Application
  • Eagle Palm Application
  • Eagle Scout Service Project Workbook
  • Merit Badge Requirements
  • List of Merit Badge Pamphlets

Boy Scout Uniforms & Insignia

  • Uniform and Insignia Guide
  • Boy Scout/Varsity Scout Uniform Inspection Guide

Order of the Arrow

  • Information about the Order of the Arrow, Scouting's Honor Society

Boy Scout Forms & Applications

  • Health and Safety Forms
  • New Unit Application
  • Transfer Form (Youth Member)
  • Tour Plan
  • Activity Consent Form and Approval by Parents
  • Incident Information Report
  • Meeting Place Inspection Checklist
  • Annual Health and Medical Record
  • Unit Advancement Report
  • Campfire Program Planner
  • Merit Badge Counselor Application
  • Unit Money-Earning Permit Application
  • Individual Boy Scout Record
  • First Class Tracking Sheet
  • Troop Resource Survey
  • Worksheet for Building a Merit Badge Counselor List
  • Application for Alternate Eagle Scout Rank Merit Badges
  • Troop Meeting Plan
  • Progress Record for the Boy Scout Leader's Training Award
  • Scoutmaster Progress Record for the Scoutmaster's Key
  • Varsity Scout Leader Progress for the Coach's Key and Varsity Scout Leader Training Award
  • Varsity Scout Leader Letter Scorecard

Videos

Pro fisherman Tom Redington discusses his partnership with the BSA and how he aims to help leaders hook Scouts on fishing.

View Now

Cub Scouts

Take the panic out of planning your Webelos’ activity badges.

Read More

Boy Scouts

Learn how to help your Scouts earn the brand-new (and wildly popular) Game Design merit badge.

Read More

Venturers

Start planning a summer hike along Michigan's Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore.

Read More

Outdoors

Learn how to prevent—and survive—a bear encounter.

Read More

Life Skills

Advice for parenting a strong-willed child or Scout.

Read More

Contests

Enter to win great prizes, including Hydrapak water reservoirs, RoadID armbands, free KOA camping, and more.

Enter Now

Back issues

  • Subscribe Now!
  • Subscriber Services
  • Scouting en español
  • Contact Us
  • Fundraising ads
  • Advertiser Information
  • Privacy Policy

Popular Topics:

  • Cub Scout Activities
  • Webelos Scouts
  • Camping
  • Boy Scout Activities
  • Cooking
  • Merit Badges

Copyright 2013 by the Boy Scouts of America.

All rights thereunder reserved; anything appearing in Scouting magazine or on its Web site may not be reprinted either wholly or in part without written permission. Because of freedom given authors, opinions may not reflect official concurrence.