Outdoors
Five great outdoor games
Got some free time during a camp-out? Don’t hide in your tent. Get out and play!
How to set a steady hiking pace
The key to a smooth hike: setting the right pace. Here’s how to find it.
Catch and release fishing tips
Here are a few tips for ensuring the fish you catch have the best chance of survival.
Compass tips and tricks
Get the most out of your orienteering tools by learning how best to use them.
Hiking through history
By exploring a historical trail, hikers can follow in the footsteps of the trailblazers who carved their own paths through the American wilderness.
Properly Portaging Your Canoe
Technique is more important than sheer strength when lifting your canoe.
Calls for climbers and belayers
When climbing or rappelling, it’s very important for the person on the rock to communicate well with his belayer. To do this, they use “calls.” Here are some of the generally accepted signals for belaying climbers and rappellers.
Taking Shelter
Being prepared to live — and live well — when you’re far from the comforts of home starts with being
able to take effective shelter from the elements.
How to build a quinzee snow shelter
A quinzee is a simple shelter made by hollowing out a big pile of snow. They can take several hours to build, but are an effective way to stay warm when camping in the winter. Here’s how to build one.
Unusual but effective cooking methods
Bread baked by mailbox? Fish roasted on a stick? North Carolina Scouts show off their unusual — but effective — cooking skills.
How to find fossils
Sometimes a rock’s just a rock … and sometimes it’s a fossil. How can you tell the difference?
Plan and run a Klondike derby
Planning a Klondike derby is a great team-building exercise requiring leadership and decision-making skills. The best derbies incorporate traditional Scouting skills into fun competitions.
Fun games to play in the snow
Staying safe on a winter outing is hard work, but that doesn’t mean there won’t be time for fun. Here are a few activities we came up with. Can you think of more?
How to avoid frostbite
Frozen flesh won’t kill you right away — but the pain might make you wish you were dead. Know the symptoms and how to treat them.
How to tie basic fly-fishing knots
Fly fishermen depend on knots and must know how to tie several different knots properly. Here’s how to tie some of the more common fly-fishing knots.
ASK THE GEAR GUY
Send in your question for the Gear Guy
- Choosing a kayak
- First pair of climbing shoes
- Compact first-aid kit
- Sharpening a pocketknife
- Carabiner’s maximum weight
- Choosing a hunting knife
- Repairing a sleeping bag
- Buying a surfboard
- Avoiding mosquito attacks
- Mountain bike gears are wrong
>> Click here to submit a Gear Guy question
ULTIMATE GEAR GUIDE
Check our buyer's guide before you shop
Here's the lowdown on how to buy great stuff:YOUR PHOTOS
Post your outdoor and nature pictures
>> Click here to upload photos
>> Click here to see all the photos
VIDEO TUTORIAL
Guide to sharpening tools or tying knots
Can't remember how to tie a bowline? Looking for an easy guide to sharpening your knife. Check out these videos.>> Learn to tie knots
>> Sharpen an ax or knife

