Big Man in the Woods

Struggling for fresh Scout programme ideas? Learn how to turn everyday news stories into hands-on troop activities, using the Noah's Ark / Durupınar headlines as a worked example. Keeping your section excited week after week is a constant challenge, but you don't need to reinvent the wheel. Often the best inspiration is right in front of us. In this video, I take recent headlines about Noa...

Since I wasn't in Scouts as a kid (well, two weeks in Beavers!), I asked the Big Man in The Woods community: What patrol were you in when you were in Scouts? You sent in hundreds of fantastic answers—from classic Baden-Powell birds of prey (Eagles, Falcons, Owls) to animals, mythical beasts, and some truly unexpected choices. In this video, we dive through the most common, the rarest, and see...

Have you noticed a shift around the campfire lately? While watching the classic TV game show Catchphrase recently, a realization hit me about how our Scout campfire traditions might be evolving and why so many young people today are sitting in silence instead of singing along. In this video, I explore why traditional campfire songs and sketches might not be connecting with modern Scouts the way th...

It's my first night back at Scouts after the summer break, and we’re trying something completely different: Footgolf at London’s largest footgolf centre in Ealing! You might wonder what kicking footballs into giant golf holes has to do with scouting and that's the whole point. Sometimes the best Scout nights aren't about ticking off badge requirements, knots, or tent pitching. They&#39...

In this video, I visited Wings 2026 in Windsor Great Park, an international Scout and Guide jamboree bringing together thousands of young people from across the globe on royal grounds! Come along for a tour of the camp as I explain what Wings 2026 is all about and explore what makes UK jamborees so memorable.🏕️ Have you ever camped at Wings or attended an international jamboree? Share your stories...

A Brand New Scout Podcast is Here! 🎧⚜️ I sat down with one of the hosts to get the inside scoop on the brand-new podcast made for Scouts called https://www.youtube.com/@ScoutsMicdUp. We dive into the core idea behind the show, who it's really for, and why you won't want to miss what's coming up next. In this interview, I discuss:-The Vision: Why this podcast was created and what it br...

One hundred years of muddy fields, old friends, and camp blankets covered in badges, so when the Gilwell Reunion centenary badge finally dropped, the Scouting community had a LOT to say. A Facebook post asking whether this year's badge does justice to a century of history absolutely blew up, with hundreds of comments ranging from constructive criticism to downright savage takes. In this video,...

Consider this your official permission to take a summer sabbatical. I'm stepping away from my Scout Section for seven weeks this summer, and in this video, I'm sharing exactly why that's not "quitting." It's how you stay an effective leader for the long haul. Running a Section takes incredible energy. Even the most dedicated volunteers hit a wall. If you're overwhelme...

There's a particular kind of magic to a Scout camp evening. Tents up, campfire songs starting, marshmallows appearing from nowhere. It's the kind of moment young people remember for years. But this summer, before you strike that first match, it's worth asking honestly: should you skip it? With the UK facing repeated heatwaves and fire services already battling countryside blazes, we lo...

Is your Scout Group's AGM something people dread? In this video, I'm sharing the secret to transforming your Annual General Meeting from a boring, hour-long lecture into a fast, effective session. The highlight? The "120 Second Challenge." No one is allowed to take more than 120 seconds to read their report. It's a total game-changer for keeping the energy up and the meeting...

Can a single secret from the Belgian Scouts transform how your organization works? In this video, I’m diving into a fascinating discovery I made about the way Belgian Scouts operate. It’s a simple yet powerful "secret"!Whether you're a Scout Leader looking to improve your Troop or Scout Group. In this video, you’ll learn:The core "secret" behind the Belgian Scouts' succ...

We often talk about recruitment, attracting new volunteers, and growing our teams. But before we focus on bringing new people into Scouting, perhaps we should ask a more important question:Why are experienced volunteers walking away? In this video, I share four real stories of Scout leaders who left Scouting and the reasons behind their decisions. From personality clashes and feeling excluded with...

Scouting advice is broken because Scout Leaders are making it boring. I am banning three specific practices in 2026 to fix the program. This Podcast is for Scout Leaders who want to revitalize their sections and stop the common mistakes that drive members away. If you feel like your meetings have become stale or repetitive, this breakdown offers a direct look at the outdated methods that need to b...

I've been a scout leader for over 15 years and in this video, I'm getting honest about the anxiety that comes with leading young people. From surprising challenges to the moments that really test your patience (yes, Squirrel Scouts, I'm looking at you), this is the emotional side of volunteering nobody talks about.

🎙️ Scout Group Traditions We Still Do TodayEvery Scout Group has them, those little traditions that quietly define who we are, shape our young people, and keep the Scouting spirit alive. In this episode, Mark, Max and Colin share the unique traditions still happening in their own Scout Groups, from ceremonies and rituals to those slightly quirky moments that somehow just stick year after year. We...

Stuck for game ideas at the last minute? Don’t panic! All you need is a roll of duct tape. In this video, I dive into 6 incredibly simple, low-prep, and high-energy games that are perfect for Squirrels, Beavers, Cubs Scouts and Explorers. What we cover in this video: 🎯 Tape Tag: A sticky twist on a classic. 🕸️ The Spider Web: A team-building challenge that requires focus. 🏃 Line Jump: High speed...

On this week’s Scout Shed Live Catch-Up, we talked about how Scout Leaders can handle disagreements among Leaders without things escalating. We shared thoughts, experiences, and practical ideas for dealing with conflict while still keeping meetings positive, fun, and safe for everyone involved. We also discussed some games to play at Scouts this week, including:* Dragon’s Tail* Smelly Santa* The K...

As Scout volunteers, do we take on too many roles? It’s something I’ve been thinking about a lot lately. I honestly don’t know many leaders who only have one role in Scouting anymore. Quite often we’re helping in our Group, taking on District responsibilities, maybe even County roles too. And while it’s brilliant that so many volunteers are willing to step up and help… is it always a good thing? A...

I'm helping my son, who’s a Cub, develop his fire lighting skills using a FireSteel — but being left-handed has made it a bit more of a challenge for him. Then I remembered I’ve got the PolyStriker XL in my kit, and it’s actually really well suited to left-handed users like Thomas. This firesteel has a unique design that I’m hoping will make fire lighting a little easier for him. While it’s no...

Are Jumble Sales actually worth the effort? In this video, I chat to fellow Scout Leader Max about the reality of running a Jumble Sale for a Scout Group. We dive into the big questions: Do they make enough money to justify the stress? How do you organize a successful sale? And is it still a viable fundraising method for charities and nonprofits in 2026?In this video, we cover:-How much profit a S...

Join me in the Scout Shed with fellow Scout Leaders Max and Colin for another relaxed live catch-up, talking through the real ups and downs of running a Scout Group. This week we dig into the balance between experienced Leaders and new volunteers joining the team. There’s a real mix of value in both — fresh ideas, different perspectives, and years of hard-earned Scouting knowledge. The challenge i...

Is your Scout Group a "Movement" or just a "Club"? In this Podcast, we’re taking a trip down memory lane to the late 90s to look at the rise and fall of the iconic search engine, Ask Jeeves. You might be wondering: “Mark, what on earth does a digital butler have to do with running a Scout Troop in 2026?” The answer lies in the one word Robert Baden-Powell used to describe Scout...

A few days ago, something really sad happened on our doorstep in Golders Green here in London ,a man attacked both Jewish and Muslim people because of their faith. It got me thinking deeply about what Scouting is really about. In this video I talk about why now is the perfect time to dust off the My Faith Badge and remind our young people and ourselves that whatever you believe, you are welcome in...

Scout leaders, I've got a burning question for you! 🔥In this video, I make a case for what I believe is the most underrated Scout Activity Badge available in 2026: the Hobbies badge. Often overlooked in favour of high-adventure activity badges, this badge holds significant value for a Scout's personal development and long-term interests. I take a moment to reflect on everything from class...

This week’s Scout Shed Live, Mark and Max have an open discussion about the life of being a Scout leader. We talk through a mix of real Scout experiences from the week, including programme ideas that worked (and a few that definitely didn’t go to plan), plus the ongoing reality of trying to keep activities fresh, meaningful, and engaging for young people. The main discussion this week asks a simpl...