OUTDOORS
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They might annoy us or amaze us, but there's no question about it: Bugs are an essential part of the natural order of things. Here's how to make your own nature museum to display them.
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Going without a shower on a long camping trip? Here are 7 hygiene tips to keep you healthy and relatively clean. -
A stone skipping expert shares tips to help you successfully skip stones. -
On treasure maps of old, X marked the spot. Today’s treasure might be marked N 41 51.649 W 085 46.433. Confused? Then you probably haven’t heard about geocaching, a modern-day treasure hunt activity. -
Fishing after dark takes skill. Here are tips to help you catch your limit. -
Ready to put more "outing" into "Scouting"? You will be, once you ace this quiz on camping basics. -
Venturers from the Lone Star State take significant steps toward earning the Ranger Award during a week at Sid Richardson Scout Ranch in north Texas. -
Whether you're on the trail or just having fun in the park, it's easy to get into trouble. Accidents happen. People don't think ahead -- or just plain don't think. Here are 12 such situations. Would you know how to handle them? Take this quiz and compare your answers to those Boys' Life got from the experts. -
Need to know what you need to bring on your next trip? Here are gear checklists and expert tips for all kinds of outdoor adventures. -
The best-known snow shelter is the igloo. A brilliant use of engineering and resources, this simple dome made out of snow blocks is both strong and versatile.
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How well can you identify animal tracks? Take our quiz and find out! -
When Old Man Winter bares his cold, sharp icicle fangs, don't turn into an indoor flake. Bite back! Here's how to sink your teeth into winter and walk away with a few cool souvenirs." -
If you curve some aluminum foil just right, you can cook hot dogs with the sun's heat. -
Got some free time during a camp-out? Don't hide in your tent. Get out and play! -
Want a natural nightlight? Catch some fireflies and make a firefly lantern. Here's how. -
The key to a smooth hike: setting the right pace. Here's how to find it. -
Maintaining your bike is your responsibility, both for your safety and that of the friends you ride with. Luckily, tuning up your bike isn't as hard as it might seem when you first try. Here's how to maintain some of the components on your bike. -
Here are a few tips for ensuring the fish you catch have the best chance of survival. -
Looking for a unique and fun way to cook for your troop? Do what this North Carolina troop does: Cook in a mailbox. -
Get the most out of your orienteering tools by learning how best to use them. -
By exploring a historical trail, hikers can follow in the footsteps of the trailblazers who carved their own paths through the American wilderness. -
Technique is more important than sheer strength when lifting your canoe. -
When climbing or rappelling, it's very important for the person on the rock to communicate well with his belayer. To do this, they use "calls." Here are some of the generally accepted signals for belaying climbers and rappellers. -
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. -
With the right pioneering skills, you can create all kinds of contraptions that come in handy at a campsite. -
A quinzee is a simple shelter made by hollowing out a big pile of snow. They can take several hours to build, but are an effective way to stay warm when camping in the winter. Here's how to build one. -
Bread baked by mailbox? Fish roasted on a stick? North Carolina Scouts show off their unusual -- but effective -- cooking skills. -
Sometimes a rock's just a rock ... and sometimes it's a fossil. How can you tell the difference? -
Planning a Klondike derby is a great team-building exercise requiring leadership and decision-making skills. The best derbies incorporate traditional Scouting skills into fun competitions. -
Staying safe on a winter outing is hard work, but that doesn't mean there won't be time for fun. Here are a few activities we came up with. Can you think of more? -
Frozen flesh won't kill you right away -- but the pain might make you wish you were dead. Know the symptoms and how to treat them. -
Fly fishermen depend on knots and must know how to tie several different knots properly. Here's how to tie some of the more common fly-fishing knots. -
Losing body heat happens in all seasons, and it can kill. Know the symptoms and how to treat them. -
You're ready for fishing. You've got everything ... but bait. And no cash to buy any. Well, forget throwing money at minnows. Gather your own! It's simple with this easy-to make trap. -
Hunt the night sky for heroes, beasts and more and have a party while you're at it! -
No matter how well-prepared you are, injuries can strike anywhere on the trail. Know what to do when they strike. The next time you see one of these five common problems, you can spring into action.
Submitted by Paul G. Gill Jr. , M.D. -
Which lure is right for catching a fish? Check out these descriptions of some common lures and then go out and give it a try. -
Thin air can put a deadly squeeze on your brain and body. Know the symptoms of altitude sickness and how to treat them.
Submitted by Buck Tilton -
Your body is more than half water. If you don't hydrate, you can cook your brain -- and die. Know the symptoms and how to treat them.
Submitted by Buck Tilton -
Learn how to catch fish with these simple and easy steps!
Submitted by Don Wirth -
Several techniques you can use to find true north if you don't have a compass. -
Use these paddling techniques at your next canoeing adventure.
Submitted by Rich Haddaway -
Use these simple steps to build a fire at your next campout. -
Walking sticks make hiking more fun. Next time you go hiking, step out with a personal walking stick that you made yourself. -
These Scouts see the good, the bad, and the ugly of camp-out cooking. But what about the taste? -
These important tips can help you get found if you get lost. -
Nothing’s worse than a soaked sleeping bag or a wet change of clothes after a day in the canoe. Here are some quick tips to keep all your stuff dry. -
Watch as this unusual hummingbird spins his long tail feathers to attract the attention of females. -
In stream fishing, 90 percent of the fish are found in 10 percent of the water. Here’s how to find out where that is. -
You don’t need four burners and a gas line to make some great-tasting trail food. -
These simple steps help your bike take you places...and get you home again.
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Not sure which gear to buy? Need tips for maintaining your equipment?
Just send in your questions and check back here for the answers.
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Or check out his most recent answers:
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Can't remember how to tie a bowline? Looking for an easy guide to sharpening your knife. Check out these videos.
>> Learn to tie knots
>> Sharpen an ax or knife
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