Ground Rules Archives - Scouting magazine

Building a campfire requires know-how and good judgment

By Robert Birkby

Learn how and when to build a fire — and when not to build one.

Keep Your Head In The Clouds

By Robert Birkby

They’re not just for daydreaming: Clouds can provide signs for future conditions.

On your feet: How to prevent, treat blisters

By Michael Freeman

Blisters can quickly turn an outdoor odyssey into a pity party. Follow these tips to keep your feet happy and healthy.

Help youth find their way without GPS devices

By Michael Freeman

Mysterious and elusive, the Magnetic North Pole has helped adventurers stay on the straight and narrow since the days before even Baden-Powell.

Tips for teaching Scouts how to sharpen a knife

By Scouting magazine

Keep your knife razor-like with these sharpening suggestions.

Secrets for improvising in the out-of-doors

By Scouting magazine

Why do I love camping? In spite of the obvious reasons, there’s always something new to learn. No one has a monopoly on good ideas, even those who’ve spent a lifetime outdoors. Here are some tricks I’ve stolen from friends and acquaintances.

How to help inexperienced Scouts with a fear of camping

By Scouting magazine

Longtime Scouters say you can’t take the outing out of Scouting, but some Scouts would be happy to try. While most kids take to camping like dogs take to car rides, others consider sleeping in a tent (at night! in the dark!) to be intimidating, the say the least.

How to start a fire in the rain

By Scouting magazine

How to start a fire in the woods, even when it’s wet.