Core Skills
Bushcraft	Bushwalking (Camp Site Programs, Patrol Activity Camps)	Camping
Land Skills
Alpine	Cycling	Vertical Abseiling, Caving, Rock Climbing
Water Skills
Aquatic	Boating	Paddling

The Outdoor Adventure Skills framework promotes youth members’ exploration of, and progression through key outdoor pursuits. Designed for all ages and abilities, the Outdoor Adventure Skills reinforce what Scouting is well known for, and compliments other personal progression opportunities provided by Scouting. Scouts’ have the opportunity to continuously build on these skills throughout their Scouting journey, starting with foundation skills all the way to specialist skills.

For more information take a look at our Resources and FAQs or head to Scouts|Terrain for stage specific information.

Tell us about your adventures!

We would love to hear about your Outdoor Adventure Skills adventures! Click on the button below to fill out our submission form. Fell free to include text, photos or even videos!

Submit here!

Who Can Oversee Activities?

Whilst it is important that Scouts are encouraged to lead outdoor adventures it is important for us to remember that Adult Leaders in Scouting have a duty of care for all activities that youth members undertake. Please refer to the below for guidance on who can oversee/supervise each Outdoor Adventure Skill stream in line with the National Adventurous Activity Framework.

Don't forget to keep an eye out on the Adventurous Activity Teams’ pages for details of upcoming activities and training courses. There are lots of opportunities and ways to get involved, pursue activities that you are interested in and even gain qualifications if you wish to.

Bushcraft

Stages 1-3 - Scouting Adventure Course (previously sectional outdoor course)

Pioneering

Stage 4-5 - Previously completed a Basic Outdoor Skills course or be a Safe Participant Pioneering (RoP available)

Stage 6 - Trained Participant Pioneering (RoP available)

Stage 7 - Assistant Guide Pioneering

Stage 8-9 - Guide Pioneering

Survival

Stage 4-5 - Previously completed a Basic Outdoor Skills course or Safe Participant Survival (RoP available)

Stage 6 - Safe Participant Survival

Stage 7 - Trained Participant Survival

Stage 8 - Assistant Guide Survival

Stage 9 - Guide Survival

Bushwalking

Stages 1-3 - Scouting Adventure Course
* in line with the snowline and track grading requirements

Stage 4-5 - Previously completed a Basic Outdoor Skills course or Safe Participant Bushwalking (RoP Tracked Environments available) * in line with the snowline and track grading requirements

Stage 6 - Trained Participant (level 2 course) (RoP Difficult Tracked Environments available)
* in line with the snowline and track grading requirements

Stage 7 - Guide Bushwalking Difficult Tracked
* in line with the snowline and track grading requirements

Stage 8-9 - Activity Specialist Bushwalking
* in line with the snowline and track grading requirements

Please refer to Bushwalking specific policy and information here.

Camping

Stages 1-3 - Scouting Adventure Course

Stage 4-5 - Previously completed a Basic Outdoor Skills course or Safe Participant Camping (RoP available)

Stage 6-9 - Hold a Wood Badge in a section or Trained Participant Camping

Alpine

Stage 1-2 - Scouting Adventure Course

Stage 3 - Safe Participant in relevant area (level 2 course or RoP)

Snow Camping/Hiking

Stage 4 - Trained Participant

Stage 5-9 - Guide Overnight

Cross Country Skiing

Stage 4 - Trained Participant Cross Country

Stage 5 - Assistant Guide Cross Country

Stage 6-9 - Guide Cross Country

Downhill Ski

Stage 4 - Trained Participant Downhill Skiing

Stage 5 - Assistant Guide Downhill Skiing

Stage 6-9 - Guide Downhill Skiing

Downhill Snowboard

Stage 4 - Trained Participant Downhill Snowboard

Stage 5 - Assistant Guide Downhill Snowboard

Stage 6-9 - Guide Downhill Snowboard

Cycling

Stage 1-2 - Scouting Adventure Course

Stage 3 - Safe Participant in relevant area (level 2 course or RoP)

Stage 4-6 - Trained Participant in relevant area (level 2 course or RoP)

Stage 7-9 - Guide Mountain Biking or Cycle Touring

Please refer to Cycling specific policy and information here.

Vertical

Stage 1 - Scouting Adventure

Stage 2-3 - Safe Participant Abseiling/Caving/Rock Climbing (or refer to local climbing gym)

Stage 4 - Trained Participant Abseiling/Caving/Rock Climbing (level 2)

Stage 5 - Assistant Guide Abseiling/Caving/Rock Climbing

Stage 6-7 - Guide Abseiling/Caving/Rock Climbing

Stage 8-9 - Guide Multipitch Abseiling/Caving/Rock Climbing

Please refer to Abseiling specific policy and information here.

Please refer to Caving specific policy and information here.

Please refer to Rock Climbing specific policy and information here.

Aquatics

Stage 1-3 - Scouting Adventure Course

Snorkeling

Stage 4-5 - Safe Participant Snorkeling

Stage 6 - Trained Participant Snorkeling

Please refer to Snorkelling specific policy and information here.

SCUBA

Stage 7-9 - Guide SCUBA

Please refer to Scuba specific policy and information here.

Surfing

Stage 4-6 - Trained Participant Surfing

Stage 7-8 - Guide Surfing

Stage 9 - Activity Specialist

Life Saving

Stage 4-5 - Safe Participant Life Saving

Stage 6 - Guide Life Saving

Swift Water Rescue

Stage 7-8 - Guide Swift Water Rescue

Stage 9 - Activity Specialist Swift Water Rescue

Boating

Stage 1-2 - Safe Participant

Stage 3 - Trained Participant

Sailing

Stage 4-5 - Trained Participant Sailing

Stage 6-7 - Guide Sailing

Stage 8 - Sailing Activity Specialist Moderate to Fresh conditions

Stage 9 - Sailing Activity Specialist Open Coastal

Windsurfing

Stage 4 - Safe Participant Windsurfing

Stage 5 - Trained Participant Windsurfing

Stage 6-7 - Assistant Guide Windsurfing

Stage 8-9 - Guide Windsurfing

Please refer to Sailing and Boating specific policy and information here.

Paddling

Stage 1-5 - Trained Participant Canoe/Kayak/Sea Kayak

Canoe/Kayak

Stage 6 - Guide Canoe/Kayak

Sea Kayaking

Stage 6 - Sea Kayaking Guide Enclosed Conditions

Stage 7 - Activity Specialist

Stage 8 - Sea Kayaking Guide Sheltered Conditions

Stage 9 - Sea Kayaking Guide Exposed Coastal Waters

White Water Canoe

Stage 7-8 - Guide Grade 2 White Water Canoe

Stage 9 - White Water Canoe Activity Specialist

White Water Kayak

Stage 7-8 - Guide Grade 2 White Water Kayak

Stage 9 - White Water Canoe Activity Specialist

White Water Rafting

Stage 7 - Guide Rafting Grade 2 Water

Stage 8 - Guide Rafting Grade 3 Water

Stage 9 - Guide Rafting Grade 4 Water

Please refer to Paddling specific policy and information here.

What do these terms Mean?

Safe participant = is a member who has undergone entry level training in an activity area and can operate under direct or indirect supervision depending on the activity area. On completion they possess elementary skills to participate safely with directions, understand the risks associated with the activity, and form part of an operational team.

Trained participant = is a member who holds all the Safe Participant requirements and has advanced through to the next level completing core units (VET or Scouting Skills) and having logged additional experience in more than one environment. e.g. different locations, weather conditions, or ages of participants.

Assistant Guide (Branch Appointment) = is a member, having completed the requirements of Safe and Trained Participant who can assist with leading adventurous activities in their area of experience under supervision, as part of their recognition pathway to a Guide appointment.

Guide (Branch Appointment) = is a member who, having met all the requirements of Assistant Guide, can lead adventurous activities in their area of experience. They have the skills, knowledge, and experience to assist youth members with planning and undertaking activities under indirect or remote supervision.

About the Outdoor Adventure Skills

Core Skills

Land Skills

Water Skills