Outdoors & Gear

1. One of the BSA’s Rarest Awards Goes to the Scouts Who Make the Biggest Impact

   The Distinguished Conservation Service Awards recognize Scouts and adults who have produced long-standing, significant impacts on the environment.

2. How to Prepare For a Long Hike

   My troop is going on a 25-mile hike soon. What is the best way to prepare for it?

3. How To Buy a Great Hydration Pack For Water on the Go

   Hydration packs allow you to drink water while you're wearing the pack. Here are some factors to help you pick the right pack.

4. Where Can I Find a Healthy Energy Bar?

   Q: I’m having trouble finding a healthy energy bar that doesn’t have too much sugar and is filling. Do you have any suggestions?

5. Fun Facts About a Critter You Otter Get to Know!

   Do you enjoy swimming, fishing or sliding? Those are some favorite pastimes for otters, too.

6. How to Stop a Tent From Leaking

   Q: Every time it rains, the inside of my tent gets wet. Any tips?

7. Stuff We Like: FogBlock Spray

   Anti-fog spray helps prevent glasses from fogging when wearing a face covering.

8. 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. Does Rolling Your Clothes Save Space?

   Q: Does rolling up your clothes really work when packing?

10. Stuff We Like: Smart XXL Camping Cot

    OK, OK, this cot is heavy, bulky and pricey. But this is “Stuff We Like,” and we like this cot.

11. 3 Tough Phone Cases for the Outdoors

    Q: When I go camping, I don’t want my phone to get damaged. Can you recommend any good phone cases for the outdoors?

12. How to Buy a Great Pair of Hiking Boots

    Good footwear is a vital piece of outdoor gear. Here are six great boots and hiking shoes that have you covered on any type of trail.

13. 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.

14. 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.”

15. How to Buy Good Gloves or Mittens for Winter Activities

    Whatever your outdoor activities, the choice of handwear matters a lot. Here are the Gear Guy's five recommendations.

16. 8 Awesome Animals That Got Their Own Statue

    Whether fearless or funny, animals throughout history have inspired statues and memorials. Here are some animal monuments still standing today.

17. Does a Sleeping Bag’s Degree Level Matter?

    Q: When choosing a sleeping bag, does the degree level really matter or is it just a recommendation for comfort?

18. Scouts Find Adventure on the Peace River (Spoiler: It Wasn’t Totally Peaceful)

    Don't let the river's name fool you, Scouts saw alligators, shark teeth and more on this canoe trek.

19. Spice Up Your Camp Meals With These 8 Essential Spices

    Spices add flavor to your food, transforming bland dishes into delicious meals. Here are a few spices to use on your next campout.

20. Bow Saw or Folding Saw? Which Camp Saw Should You Get?

    A camp saw can be a handy tool for cutting firewood or clearing a trail of fallen timber. Folding and bow saws are the most popular types. Which one should you get?

21. Recommend a Durable Tent That’s Easy to Set Up

    Q: I don’t have a tent, and we might need to camp a lot. Do you have some good recommendations?

22. Stuff We Like: Max Shade Chair

    With the Max Shade Chair by Quik Shade, you can instantly have shade wherever you are.

23. Extra-Cool Camping Gear to Make Your Outing More Fun

    Camping is already a fun way to spend a weekend, but with extra-cool gear on the trip, it can be really fun. Check out these 6 gadgets for your next outdoor adventure.

24. 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!

25. 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.

26. 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.

27. How to Build a Cooking Tripod

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

28. Best Multitool That’s Both Useful and Affordable

    Q: What’s the best type of multitool that’s useful and affordable?

29. Take a Look at These 10 Intense Tents

    Check out this photo gallery of crazy, futuristic, unusual and awesome tents.

30. How to Make a First-Aid Kit for Your Dog

    Being prepared with the right first-aid supplies could save your pup's life in an emergency.

31. 9 Things to Know About Wilderness Hazards

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

32. How to Buy the Right Tent for Your Next Adventure

    Here are features to look for so you can choose the right tent for your trip.

33. High-Quality Rain Ponchos That Are Also Affordable

    Q: My troop camps a lot, and sometimes it rains. What is some quality rain gear that’s also affordable?

34. Gear up Your Pup! Make Hiking With Your Dog Safer With These Gadgets

    Itching to take your pup on a hike? Then be sure to get the right dog gear.

35. How to Prevent and Treat Snake Bites

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

36. How to Buy a Great Daypack for Hiking

    Get the best daypack for your daylong adventures. Here's how to pick one.

37. Best Water Bottle for a Long Camping Trip

    Q: I am going on a long camping trip. What is the best water bottle to bring?

38. Stuff We Like: SansBug Mosquito Nets

    If you’re sleeping under the stars or in a canvas wall tent, you might want to consider getting a mosquito net.

39. How to Whittle Your Own Tent Stakes

    Q: My troop is going camping, and we lost our tent stakes. Can we use whittled sticks?

40. Stay Clean and Healthy in the Outdoors With These Hygiene Tips

    A Scout is clean, even in camp. Here are important tips to keep you healthy in the outdoors.

41. Stuff We Like: NanoTorch Twist

    This powerful flashlight has a magnet on one end, so you can stick it to metal and free up your hands.

42. 5 Animals With the Weirdest Tongues

    Although tongues are important and useful, let’s admit it: They are a little weird. Here are some of the weirdest animal tongues out there.

43. How to Buy a Mess Kit and Camp Cooking Gear

    From stoves to cookware, these mess kits and cooking gear belong in your backpacking kitchen.

44. 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.

45. 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.

46. Did this Troop Backpack Into a Whole New World?

    Lava caves, rare plants and stark scenery — is this troop on another planet?

47. 9 Things to Know About Outdoor Ethics

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

48. How to Make a Monarch Butterfly Habitat

    To help out these beautiful monarch butterflies, you can build this protective habitat.

49. 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.

50. Where to Find a Good Fishing Pole for Backpacking?

    Q: What pole should I take that can handle being carried around and that will fit in my pack?

51. Go on a Virtual Safari to See Wild Animals

    Even if you can't travel to Africa or visit a world-famous zoo, you can still watch live webcams to see wild animals in action.

52. Can You Hang a Hammock in a Tent?

    Q: Is there a way to hang a hammock inside a tent?

53. Even at Yosemite, Prepare to Be Flexible!

    One troop makes the most of a chilly Yosemite surprise.

54. Scouts Explore Laurel Caverns

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

55. Expert Tips and Picks for Comfortable Hammock Camping

    If you're going to try hammock camping, find out how to do it the right way with these essential tips and picks for the best gear.

56. Ouch! 10 Animals With Incredibly Strong Bites

    You definitely want to avoid a crocodile's bite. Its bite strength is 3,700 pounds per square inch. An average adult human's is only 150 PSI.

57. Camping Blanket Instead of Sleeping Bag?

    Q: What is the best camping blanket? Have you ever used a Rumpl? They look cool.

58. How to Keep Patrol Cooking Gear Clean?

    Q: How can my patrol keep our cooking gear clean?

59. 7 Great Gadgets for Lighting Up Your Campsite

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

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

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

61. Move Over Summer Camp: Scouts Have a Blast at Blizzard Camp

    Earn merit badges, learn how to handle the cold and bond with friends at winter camp.

62. 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.

63. How Do I Keep Gear Dry in a Kayak?

    Q: I'm going on a six-day kayak trek. I know what to bring, but don't know how to pack it to keep it dry. Any suggestions?

64. How Do You Clean a Bugle?

    Q: How do you clean a bugle that hasn't been used for several years?

65. 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.

66. 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.

67. Expert Buying Tips to Help You Pick the Best Backpack

    The Gear Guy's backpack buying guide help you pick the perfect pack.

68. 10 Fast Facts About Platypuses

    The platypus is one of nature's most interesting animals. It has body like an otter, a bill like a duck, and a tail like a beaver.

69. How to Stop Rolling Off Your Sleeping Pad

    Q: I keep rolling off my sleeping pad. What can I do to sleep better?

70. The Truth About 5 of North America’s Most Misunderstood Animals

    From "friendly bison" to the "big bad wolf," these myths about North American wildlife just won't go away.

71. How to Buy a Good Pocketknife or Multitool

    Keep sharp in your Scouting endeavors with the best knife to fit your needs.

72. 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.

73. What is the Most Important Backcountry Skill?

    Q: What is the most important backcountry skill all Scouts should know?

74. 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?

75. No Cotton? Here’s the Best Clothing to Wear When Camping

    Q: My friends say I can't wear my normal cotton T-shirts when we go camping. What should I wear instead?

76. Meet the 7 Species of Sea Turtles

    Sea turtles are some of the most ancient and fascinating creatures around, their oldest ancestor having shared Earth with dinosaurs 120 million years ago. Today, seven species of sea turtles roam the world’s oceans. Five of those species nest in the U.S. LOGGERHEADS Found in the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans, loggerheads are the most abundant sea turtles in the U.S. Loggerheads are named for their large noggins, and their strong jaws help them eat hard-bodied mollusks, crustaceans and fish. Loggerheads are 2.5-3.5 feet long and typically weigh 155-375 pounds. GREEN SEA TURTLES Green sea turtles are real globetrotters, nesting in 80-plus countries. In the U.S., they are mostly found in Hawaii and Florida. Green turtles start out life as carnivores but switch to a seaweed and seagrass diet as adults. They are 3-4 feet long and weigh 240-420 pounds. LEATHERBACKS Leatherbacks are so different from other sea turtles that they’re in their own family. Named for their leathery skin, they lack a hard shell. As the largest turtles, they can be 10 feet long and weigh 2,000 pounds, but they’re usually between 4 and 6 feet and 660-1,100 pounds. Leatherbacks travel the farthest of any sea turtles — migrating [...]

77. How to Avoid Ticks on Hikes

    Q: I keep getting attacked by ticks on hikes! What can I do?

78. How to Treat Backcountry Water to Make it Safer

    You must treat all drinking water in the wild, no matter how clear and clean it appears to be. Here are the best water treatment options.

79. Can You Name These Official State Animals?

    Each state has an official state animal. Some have more than one. Can you match these creatures to their state?

80. Help! How Can I Stop Smelly Gear?

    All my gear reeks! How can I prevent that smell?

81. Which Lightweight Jacket is Best?

    Q. What kind of jacket do you recommend for a spring trip to Philmont? If possible, I need it to be lightweight and around $100.

82. 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.

83. How to Buy the Best Sleeping Bag

    Synthetic vs. down? Sleep better under the stars with the Gear Guy’s tips for choosing the best sleeping bag.

84. 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.

85. How to Buy a Good Rain Jacket

    Get expert tips to help you buy a rain jacket that's sure to keep you dry and warm in any type of downpour.

86. 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 real-life Survivorman Les Stroud. Together, they created survival situations like the one in the quiz above. Read more about their adventure. Agree or disagree with Troop 16’s scoring system? Share your thoughts in the comments!

87. How to Pack a Backpack

    VIDEO: Backpacking can be hard, but here are some ways you can make it easier by packing the right way.

88. The Rules of Fishing – How to Be a Good Neighbor While Angling

    Not only should you be familiar with your state and local fishing rules, there are also some other rules you should know.

89. 9 Things to Know About Wilderness First Aid

    Here's how to Be Prepared to treat injuries and ailments in the backcountry.

90. Have the Best Week Ever at One of These Chill Summer Camps for 2019

    Make plans for fun with our guide to eight amazing Scout camps.

91. How to Make a DIY Wilderness Survival Kit

    This 2-pound do-it-yourself wilderness survival kit could save your life for at least three days in the wild.

92. Venturing’s Epic 20th Birthday Party at the Summit Bechtel Reserve

    At the Summit Bechtel Reserve, Venturers learn you don’t have to face your fears alone.

93. How to Fuel Your Body in the Backcountry

    Q. What's the trick to having enough energy while on a big outing?

94. Don’t Freeze! Here’s How to Take Cooler Cold-Weather Photos

    Winter is a great time to take pictures

95. 3 Fun Wintertime Projects When It’s Cold Outside

    Don't stay indoors during the winter! Here are three fun projects that you can only do when it's cold outside.

96. How to Roast a Turkey in a Dutch oven

    Break out your Dutch oven and roast a turkey over coals using this delicious recipe.

97. 12 Tips for Sustainable Hammock Camping

    How to protect trees and leave no trace while hammock camping.

98. 8 Expert Tips for Comfortable Hammock Camping

    Whether you’re a veteran “hanger” or just starting out, here are eight tips to make the most of your hammock.

99. How to Start Hammock Camping Without Spending Too Much Cash

    With these expert tips, you can jump into hammock camping without breaking the bank.

100. How to Buy an Action Camera

     Ready to record YouTube-worthy video on your outdoor adventure? Here's what you need to know to buy an action camera.