Practical Skills Training
Practical Skills Training
Delivering confidence
We want all of our leaders to feel confident delivering the exciting adventure experiences that are such a big part of Scouting.
But the wide-ranging practical skills needed to run activities and camps safely can seem daunting at first, and secondary skills, like risk assessment, are becoming more important all of the time.
To help out, we've put together this central resource to make sure that all of our leaders, regardless of background or experience, have the opportunity to learn new skills and are confident sharing them with their Scouts.
Over the coming weeks, we'll be posting regular updates to this page and hosting webinars and Q+A sessions, allowing you to test your knowledge and speak with real experts! If you aren't already, you can follow us on Facebook where we'll be sharing updates.
Calum Lorimer, Scouting Operations Officer
Bushcraft
Bush craft is a broad subject, so we've chosen a select few that we hope will inspire you to try something new!
Have you ever wanted to make fire with nothing but a couple of sticks? Or wondered what animal left those cute paw prints in your back garden? Then these videos are for you!
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Forest Skills Lesson 1: Making delicious bannock twisters over a fire!
Forest Skills Lesson 2: Carving a tent peg from wood
Forest Skills Lesson 3: Survival Hacks
Forest Skills Lesson 7: More Survival Hacks including Den Making!
Forest Skills Lesson 8: The Bow Drill
Forest Skills Lesson 10: How to Survive
Forest Skills Lesson 11: Learn the Fire Roll!
Forest Skills Lesson 12: Making Bushcraft tongs
Forest Skills Lesson 13: How to make a Grass Skirt
Forest Skills Lesson 14: How to poach an egg in an orange!
Forest skills 15: Cordage and tree uses
Camping
Camping is our bread and butter, and it's something our young people will be looking forward to when we can get outdoors as Groups again. These videos give hints, tips, and ideas to take the stress out of organising a camping trip. From putting up tent tips to building mound fires, there are lots of skills to refresh!
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Climbing
Want to start climbing outside when it's safe to do so, or need to brush up your skills after a long break? Get a head start with this video series brought to you by BMC TV.
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Hillwalking
Hillwalking is a great way to enjoy the Scottish mountains at a range of skill levels, but if you want to take it further and work towards your Mountain Leader Qualification you'll need to know your ropework.
Senior Instructor Helen Teasdale from Plas y Brenin shares some ropework knots, tips and techniques with a little help from some family and friends. If you'd like to get some practice in your garden, or even your front room, this video will show you how.
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Leave No Trace
Environmental protection is extremely important to our young people, and there is greater awareness and desire to protect and preserve our natural landscapes. Help promote a 'Leave No Trace' principle with these great videos from Leave No Trace Ireland.
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Mountain Biking
Biking has become more popular than ever, but does your group know how to stay safe and carry out safety checks? Whether keeping it local or hitting the nearest mountain bike trail, now is the perfect time to develop you and your Groups biking skills.
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Paddlesports
Do you know the difference between a kayak and a canoe? No? Our friends at PaddleMore are experts in paddle-sports and can teach you everything you need to know and more. A little more advanced? These videos bring you best practice straight from expert coaches working in the field!
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Knots
Do you know a bowline from a sheepshank? As scout leaders, there's an expectation that you'll be a knots expert. So if not it's time to learn! These great videos from BSA give clear instructions on how to tie knots but also how they may be used within Scouting and pioneering.
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