Outdoors – Scout Life magazine

How to Buy a Safe and Comfortable Helmet

Picking (and wearing) the right helmet can be a life or death decision. Here's how to buy a safe and comfortable helmet.

Watch Out for These 5 Stinging Caterpillars

Some tiny caterpillars can sting. Learn how to identify them and what to do if you get stung.

How to Buy a Good Camping Air Mat or Sleeping Pad

Get a good night's sleep with the Gear Guy's recommendation for camping air mats and sleeping pads.

How to Choose a Backcountry Communication Device

No signal on your phone? Try a backcountry communication device.

How To Make a ‘Pack-out Kit’ for Carrying Human Waste

Packing out human waste requires preparation. You can make a pack-out kit. Here’s what you’ll need.

Tasty Treat or Fatal Fruit? Here Are 5 Dangerous Wild Berries To Avoid

Never eat wild plants unless you know for sure what they are and how your body reacts to them.

Be Prepared for These 5 Common Weather Hazards

Weather can change, sometimes at the last minute. Here are some common hazards you'll face in the outdoors.

Packing Checklists for Camping Trips

Need to know what to bring on your next outing? Every packing list starts with these items. They're called "Scouting Outdoor Essentials" for a reason.

How to Buy Rock Climbing Gear

Here's what you'll need to start exploring the vertical world of rock climbing.

How to Use Rope Tackle to Move a Log

Rope tackle allows you to move a large load with a small amount of force. Here's how to set up rope tackle to move a log.

Stay Warm and Dry This Winter With These Gear Tips

Staying warm requires the right combination of layers based on your body, wind speeds, temperature and how much you sweat.

Here Are 10 of the Best Places Around the U.S. To See Bats

Bat "emergences" are spectacular shows that can last for hours. Here are a few of the best bat-watching sites.

10 Fun Facts About Yellowstone

Here are 10 interesting facts about the world's first national park.

How to Buy Great Backpacking Gear on a Budget

Try these simple tips to outfit yourself for your next trek without breaking the bank.

Canoe or Kayak? Which is the Better Choice?

Choosing a canoe or kayak depends on how you want to travel and what kind of water you’ll encounter.

How to Avoid Heat Exhaustion and Heat Stroke

When your body loses too much water and salt, trouble follows. Know the symptoms and how to treat them.

How to Buy a Backpacking Stove For Your Next Camping Adventure

Enjoy a hot meal on your next backpacking trip with one of these recommended stoves.

9 Things to Know About the Night Sky

From stars to planets to meteors, there's lots to see if you know where to look. Here's how to start star gazing.

How to Make a Fuzz Stick to Help Start a Fire

You can create an effective fire starter, even with a wet piece of wood. Just grab your knife so you can make a “fuzz stick.”

Do These Five Campsite Items and Snacks Work as Fire Starters?

We put five potential "firestarters" to the test. Guess if each item will start a fire, then play the corresponding video to see if you’re right!

Man lighting a fire in a dark winter forest

Add to the Never-Ending List of Fire Starters

What "fuel" can you use to start a campfire? Check out this list of firestarters and add your own ideas to the list.

How to Escape From a Rip Current

When caught in a rip current, don't panic and don't exhaust yourself trying to swim against the current. Here's what to do.

How to Build a Cooking Tripod

Use your lashing skills to make this simple tripod to hang a pot over a cooking fire.

9 Things to Know About Wilderness Hazards

All backcountry activities come with a level of risk. How you prepare for it matters most.

How to Prevent and Treat Snake Bites

Snakebites present a potential danger in the outdoors. Here are steps to avoid a painful bite.

How to Prevent and Treat Tick Bites

Ticks are tiny, but they can case a lot of trouble. Here's how to be tick aware.

4 Tasty Foods To Cook Over Your Campfire’s Coals

You don’t need a camp stove to make a delicious camp meal. Just use a bed of hot coals.

9 Things to Know About Outdoor Ethics

When you're outside, it's your duty to be responsible and to Leave No Trace.

Choosing the Most Effective Bug Spray to Stop Mosquitoes

Mosquitos and other bugs can drive you crazy in the wilderness. Here's how to keep them away.

Scouts Explore Laurel Caverns

Can these explorers keep cool when their eyes play tricks on them and their headlamps go out?

7 Great Gadgets for Lighting Up Your Campsite

Keep your campsite bright at night with these great camping lanterns and lighting devices.

Discover the Spirit of Philmont With a 21-Day Adventure Like This One!

It’s the ultimate experience in Scouting’s ultimate location!

6 Inventive Gadgets to Make Camping More Fun

A little ingenuity and the right gadgets can add a great deal of comfort and convenience at camp.

How to Determine Distance On a Map

A map and compass can point you in the direction you wish to travel, but don't forget to also calculate the length of your route.

How to Measure Distance By Counting Your Steps

Counting your steps is a good way to estimate distances as you hike. Here's how to do it.

How to Whip and Fuse the Ends of Rope

The more you use rope, the more it frays. Here's how to make one of the most important tools in Scouting last a little longer.

How to Dispose of Dirty Water in the Backcountry

After you’ve washed your dishes and scrubbed your face and hands, what do you do with the leftover soapy water?

How to Start a Rock Collection

Becoming a rock hound -- an amateur collector of rocks and minerals -- is easy! Here's how to get started.

Take Care of Your Feet for Happier Hiking

It's easy to take your feet for granted on a day hike or backpacking trip. Take our expert's advice: Don't do it.

Answer One Question to See if You Have What It Takes to Survive

No one said survival is easy. Your fate in this scenario depends on how you answer only one question. Troop 16 of Parker, Colorado, took the Survivorman challenge with