Skip to main content

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

Discover what this means

Take on the Outdoor in 24 challenge

There’s lots to do in 2024, including our Outdoor in 24 challenge.

The aim is to get Scouts outside, so we’ve put together a list of 24 exciting things to do outdoors.

It can be completed throughout the year to earn the Outdoor in 24 blanket badge. We’ve included some suggestions on this page, linked to our Scouts Activity Finder, but you can complete each activity however you want to. 

Or, why not use our blank bucket list and come up with your own challenge to complete for the badge instead? You could complete 24 new outdoor activities, have a sleepover over for 24 hours, or learn 24 new skills. It's up to you!

A Scout in a white helmet and blue t-shirt climbs up an outdoor wall.

   

  

Planning safe outdoor activities

From example risk assessments to hot weather guidance, find lots of support and guidance for planning safe activities on our Safety pages.

Go to the Safety pages

Get your Adventurous Activities Permit

The Adventurous Activity Permit Scheme is an internal assessment scheme designed to make sure that all those leading adventurous activities in Scouts have the skills, experience and personal suitability to do so.

Discover the scheme

Nights Away and camping

Find everything you need to know when you're planning a night away or a camp, including details of how to gain a Nights Away permit. 

Discover more about Nights Away

Outdoor in 24 blanket badge

Order the Outdoor in 24 blanket badge to celebrate completing the Outdoor in 24 challenge.

Order your Outdoor in 24 badges
Build a den

Work with your friends to make a strong and interesting den from natural materials. What will you create?

Den building >
Sit round a campfire

Learn how to build and light a campfire, then sing campfire songs, to give everyone a warm welcome to a Scouts tradition.

Creating the perfect campfire >
Sleep in a tent

Sleeping in a tent gives you the chance to connect with nature and build your independence. Remember, you can camp indoors too!

Camping >
Cook something outdoors

Whether it’s on a campfire, barbecue or camp stove, try cooking something tasty outside.

Try our campfire recipes >
Go fruit picking

Forage for some brilliant blackberries and create a fantastic fruity crumble.

Fruity crumbles >
Make some wild art

Look at leaves in a different way and use them to make an animal collage.

Leaf animals >
Go forest bathing

Forest bathing is becoming popular across the world. In Japan, they call this shinrin-yoku (or ‘forest bath’). It’s about experiencing the trees around you with all your senses. You can walk slowly be­ tween the trees or sit quietly with them.

Mindfulness walk >
Go stargazing

Wrap up warm then head outside to explore the night sky. What can you spot high above you?

Eyes to the skies >
Watch the clouds

The clouds in the sky are way up high. One, two, three – how many can you see?

Clouds in the sky >
Get as muddy as possible

Connect with the earth and get stuck into the mud, either with a muddy adventure walk, a mud kitchen, an obstacle course or some muddy art.

Mud mugs >
Play a wide game

From Capture the Flag to Escape the Jail, wide games are lots of fun! Why not pick a few favourites and try playing them?

Play a wide game >
Try an activity with snow or sand

You could wait for winter and build something out of snow - or find a beach or sandpit and have a building competition to make the perfect sandcastle!

The perfect sand castle >
Have a picnic

Host a picnic, full of tasty snacks, either as a chill time with friends for older sections or invite some teddies along for younger sections!

Tasty teddy bear's picnic >
Plant something

Whether it’s a pack of seeds, a tree or even a vegetable garden, get digging and plant something that you can watch grow.

Get planting >
Fly a kite

Let your kite soar into the air and try to fly it as good as you can! Why not try making your own kite too?

Go for a walk in the rain

Go for a walk in the rain to admire nature. Pop on wellies and have a puddle jumping competition to make a splash.

Nature hunt >
See a waterfall

Go for a walk to watch a waterfall. If you’re feeling extra brave, why not try an adventurous activity, such as Gorge Walking?

Gorge walking >
Have an adventure on wheels

Whether it’s on a bike or a scooter, why not get outdoors and try one of our wheel-y good activities?

Bike and scooter activities >
Go paddling

Be careful and dip your toes in to go paddling in the sea or safe water source, such as a river. Or, why not go one step further and paddle a canoe, kayak, raft or paddle board?

Try swimming, paddling or a watersport >
Hike or walk with a journey stick

Create your own scrapbook or journey stick to hold your memories and to share your adventures with family and friends.

My adventure scrapbook >
Watch the sunrise or sunset

Wake up early or stay up later to watch the sunrise or sunset. Can you see both in one day? 

Learn to recognise 10 leaves

Explore a wood like a detective and see if you can recognise trees by their leaves in this outdoor hunt.

Leaf spotters >
Do something good for wildlife

From making bird feeders to create a bug house, how will you help local wildlife?

Help local wildlife >
Spot 10 different birds

Learn about the natural world by making a bird feeder packed with delicious treats for our feathered friends. Who will visit?

Feed the birds >