Outdoors & Gear - Scout Life magazine

9 Amazing Animal Architects

Some animals are natural artistic engineers.

Cot or bedroll?

Q. On camp-outs I see some boys with cots and others with bedrolls. Which should I use?

How to clean a sticky knife

Q. Whenever I go camping I always cut oranges with my knife. But then my knife sticks and is hard to get open. What is the best way to de-stick my knife?

Propane canister or liquid fuel stoves?

Do you recommend a propane-canister or liquid-fuel backpacking stove? I've heard good things about both.

Find a Good Sleeping Bag for Under $100

I need a good summer sleeping bag. What should I get with $100?

Use an LED Light to Make a Firefly Lantern

Want a natural nightlight? Use an LED light to catch some fireflies and make a firefly lantern.

Stand-Up Paddleboarding Buying Guide

The Gear Guy gives you the lowdown on SUP, one of the world's fastest-growing outdoor sports.

How to Identify and Deal with Dangerous Bugs

Here's how to recognize biters and stingers. And how to treat their bites and stings.

Wear cowboy boots on a hike?

Is it OK to wear cowboy boots on a hike? I have a pair that is very comfortable.

How to stake out tents on a sandy beach

We went camping on the beach last weekend. The wind blew all night long and made our tents flap like crazy. Any advice?

Waterproof bandage for badly sliced finger

Q. We were on a backpacking trip when my buddy badly sliced the tip of his finger. What, Gear Guy, would you have done?

How to buy a skateboard

Want to try skateboarding but don't know where to start? Never fear -- the Gear Guy has you covered with this skateboard buying guide.

How to prevent chafing on the trail

My troop just went on a weekend camp-out. After we climbed this big hill, I started chafing in my groin area. How do I prevent chafing?

How to Dig a Cathole in the Backcountry

How we go to the bathroom in the backcountry is important. Assuming there are no existing facilities, you have two choices: Use a cathole or pack it out.

Contents of a bike emergency kit

I go biking with my friends all the time. Is there anything I should be carrying, like a Swiss army knife?

How to Cook With a Reflector Oven

Learn to cook some of Troop 1570's favorite reflector-oven recipes.

How to Tie a Taut-Line Hitch

To create an adjustable loop for staking out guy lines, use the taut-line hitch.

How to Tie the Two Half-Hitches Knot

Use two half hitches to tie a rope to a tree, ring or dock.

How to tie the timber hitch

The timber hitch is the perfect knot to use for dragging a log across the ground.

How to Tie the Clove Hitch

The clove hitch is used to begin and end many lashings. Here's how to tie it.

How to tie the sheet bend knot

Here's how to use the sheet bend knot to tie together two ropes of the same or different diameters.

How to Tie a Bowline Knot

The bowline knot is useful for tying a rope around your waist or around someone requiring rescue. Here's how to tie one.

How to prevent pots from tipping over

Q. The pot on my backpacking stove tipped over and burned my brother. How do I solve this problem?

How to Tie a Square Knot

Tying a square knot is as easy as right over left, left over right. Watch our tutorial to learn how.

How to Remove a Fishhook From Your Hand Without Making it Worse

Those fishhooks are sharp. If one gets stuck in your skin, here's how to remove it.

How to buy fishing gear

The Gear Guy brings you some of the best new rods, reels and other fishing tackle.

Quality polarized sunglasses at a good price

Q. I'm looking for quality polarized sunglasses at a good price. Do you know of any?

Count your steps to stay in shape with these devices

Experts say that most boys should average 12,000 steps per day to stay healthy.

How to Build Your Own First-Aid Kit

What should you include in your first-aid kit? Be prepared with advice and checklists to help you get the best first-aid kit for your next adventure.

How can I keep ticks away?

Every time I go hiking, I always get attacked by ticks! What can I do?

Prepare for Hiking With These 4 Simple Foot Exercises

Simple exercises to reduce the risk of ankle sprains, aching arches and other foot-related injuries.

Frozen Fishing: Cub Scouts go ice fishing

Just because a lake is frozen, it doesn’t mean there aren’t fish to catch.

How to Enjoy Camping in the Snow

With only some basic knowledge and inexpensive gear, you can have a safe, fun outdoors experience in even the coldest weather.

Recommend a snowboarding backpack

A. The Dakine Heli Pro DLX 20L isn't cheap, but it could be exactly the pack that fits your needs.

How to use a camp saw

Camp saws are helpful for cutting firewood or clearing trails. Here's how to properly use one.

Explore Philmont’s backcountry camps

At Philmont Scout Ranch's staffed backcountry camps, you don't just learn about history. You live it.

10 great cases and covers for your electronics

Gear Guy reviews electronic armor designed to protect your smartphone, GPS unit, tablet or other electronic device.

How to Build a Quinzee Snow Shelter

A quinzee is a simple shelter made by hollowing out a big pile of snow. Here's how to build one.

How to replace a skateboard’s grip tape

Q. Help, Gear Guy! The grip tape on my skateboard is starting to fall off. How do I remove it?

How to buy and use a trail camera

A motion-triggered camera can capture photos of animals visiting your camp or backyard.

How to stuff a sleeping bag back in its sack

Q. Every single time I go camping, I have trouble rolling up my sleeping bag and can never get it back in the bag. Help!

How to Sharpen a Pocketknife

A pocketknife is only useful if you keep it sharp. Here's how to sharpen a knife using a whetstone.

How to Build a Survival 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.