Backwoods Skills Weekend

Ready to take your Scouting skills to the next level?

Join us for a full weekend of bushcraft and survival skills at Squirrel Wood, designed to challenge Scouts aged 12 and over, build confidence and develop practical outdoor knowledge.

The Backwoods Skills Weekend provides Scouts with a unique opportunity to step away from modern comforts and immerse themselves in traditional woodland living, developing practical skills that will stay with them long after the weekend has finished.

Event Overview

The Backwoods Skills Weekend is a hands on experience focused on bushcraft and survival skills, giving Scouts the opportunity to learn and apply essential outdoor techniques in a real woodland environment.

Working in mixed patrols with Scouts from across the District, participants will develop resilience, teamwork and independence while learning practical skills such as shelter building, fire lighting, woodland cooking, navigation and campcraft.

Throughout the weekend, Scouts will live in survival shelters, prepare and cook their own meals over open fires and take part in a wide range of practical challenges designed to build confidence and self reliance.

What to Expect

• Bushcraft and survival skills activities.
• Shelter building using tarps and natural materials.
• Fire lighting and fire management.
• Safe knife, axe and saw skills.
• Preparing, cooking and eating wild game and fish.
• Practical woodland first aid and survival techniques.
• Glow stick night navigation challenge.
• Team based challenges and camp projects.
• Overnight camping in survival shelters.
• Skills development in a real outdoor environment.

Who Can Attend

• Scouts aged 12 years and over.
• Participants must have already achieved the Scout Outdoor Challenge Award.
• Participants must understand that this event includes preparing, cooking and eating wild game and fish. This includes handling, skinning, plucking, gutting and cleaning animals as a core part of the programme.
• Maximum 32 young people.
• Maximum 2 Scouts per Troop initially.

Key Details

• Venue: Squirrel Wood Scout Campsite.
• Dates: Friday 2 October to Sunday 4 October 2026.
• Arrival: From 6:00pm on Friday 2 October 2026.
• Collection: 2:00pm on Sunday 4 October 2026, following the presentation of results and badges.
• Cost: £45 per Scout.
• Accommodation: Survival shelters and tarps using survival bags.
• Food Included: All meals and refreshments throughout the weekend.

Kit List

Outdoor Clothing & Footwear

Each participant should bring:

• Waterproof shell jacket and waterproof trousers.
• Lightweight warm layer (fleece or pullover).
• Heavy warm layer (thick fleece, wool shirt or similar).
• At least two T shirts or lightweight shirts.
• Two pairs of sturdy outdoor trousers (jeans are not suitable).
• Belt.
• Several pairs of socks.
• Spare underwear.
• Warm wool or fleece hat.
• Walking boots (gaiters optional) or wellington boots.

Sleeping Equipment

Each participant should bring:

• Three season sleeping bag.
• Sleeping mat.
• Survival bag or military style bivvy bag.

Personal Equipment

Each participant should bring:

• Personal water bottle.
• Empty 2 litre drinks bottle.
• Small personal first aid kit.
• Head torch with spare batteries.
• Watch (non smart watch recommended).
• Mug.
• Large rucksack suitable for carrying all equipment.
• Plastic bags to keep clothing dry.
• Large bin bag for wet or dirty clothing.

Personal Wash Kit

Each participant should bring:

• Toothbrush and toothpaste.
• Soap.
• Small towel.
• Antibacterial hand gel (recommended).
• Insect repellent.
• Personal medication (please ensure details are included on the event consent form).

Uniform

• Group necker only.

Important Information

Participants will be placed into mixed patrols with Scouts from different Groups across the District. Each patrol will work together throughout the weekend, sharing responsibilities, completing practical challenges and developing teamwork.

All meals and refreshments are provided throughout the weekend. As part of the programme, Scouts will prepare, cook and eat many of their own meals over open fires using a variety of traditional bushcraft techniques and wild game.

The weekend is designed to be immersive, with participants sleeping in survival shelters and preparing meals over open fires.

Further joining instructions, including arrival details and a full kit checklist, will be issued approximately 30 days before the event.

Booking & Payment

• Bookings open: 10th July 2026.
• Bookings close: 11th September 2026.
• Bookings are made through the District website.
• The entry fee is £45 per participant.
• Initially, each Troop may book a maximum of 2 places. If places remain after the booking deadline, additional places may be offered to Troops on a first come, first served basis.
• Payment can be made using either of the following methods:
  • Pay online by card at the time of booking.
  • Pay by bank transfer:
    • Select Bank Transfer when making your booking.
    • Please forward the booking confirmation to your Group Treasurer to arrange payment.
    • Payment must be made within 7 days of the booking being made.
• Bookings are non refundable.
• Final joining instructions will be sent to the lead booking contact approximately 30 days before the event.

Leader Information

The event is fully planned, managed and delivered by the District Events Team.

Groups are not required to provide accompanying leaders unless specifically requested by the organisers.

The event is delivered under the District Nights Away Permit, and the District will submit the required Nights Away Notification (NAN).

No additional permits are required from attending Groups.

Risk Assessments

Risk assessments will be available to download from this page closer to the event. Groups should review these documents before attending and consider whether any additional Group specific control measures are required for their own young people, volunteers and equipment.

Event Photography

Photographs and video footage may be taken during the event and used by Doncaster Danum Scouts on our website, social media channels and in future promotional material, including leaflets and posters.

By making a booking, Groups confirm that appropriate photography permissions for all participants have been recorded and managed in accordance with The Scouts’ policies.

OSM Badge Information

The event also provides evidence towards additional badge requirements. Groups should update OSM where appropriate, subject to the Section Team being satisfied that the individual Scout has completed the relevant requirement(s).

This includes evidence towards:

• Survival Skills Activity Badge – Completion of all badge requirements.
• Nights Away Staged Activity Badge – Two qualifying nights away.
• Camper Activity Badge
  • Build and use a suitable shelter.
  • Cook outdoors over an open fire.
  • Demonstrate practical campcraft skills.
• Adventure Challenge Award – Take part in an adventurous activity.
• Skills Challenge Award
  • Prepare and cook food outdoors.
• Team Leader Challenge Award – Successfully lead a patrol or team during the weekend, where applicable.