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Ditch The Screens! 6 Awesome Outdoor Projects To Keep Kids Active This Summer
The six week summer holidays have officially arrived. For parents across the UK, that usually means a constant battle against tablet screens, endless gaming sessions, and the inevitable chorus of "I'm bored" by day three.
If you want to pull your family away from digital distraction and spark a bit of proper adventure, you do not need expensive theme park tickets or elaborate holidays. All you need is a patch of green space, a few basic supplies, and a touch of UKSN spirit.
Jul 244 min read


The Ultimate First-Time Family Camping Survival Guide: 6 Secrets Nobody Tells You Before You Pitch Up
You packed up the boot until the car suspension groaned, joined UKSN for some expert backing, and headed out into the great British countryside. But here’s the thing: those glossy holiday brochures are a beautiful lie. Nobody ever shows you the hilarious reality of surviving your first 48 hours under canvas with the kids. Before you pitch up and find out the hard way, we are blowing the lid off the stuff nobody actually tells you about your very first family camping trip.
Jun 154 min read


How to Get Your Kids Off Screens and Into the Outdoors (Without the Arguments)
It is easy to see how it happens. A quick bit of screen time after school turns into an hour, then a routine, and before long it feels like the default way your kids relax, learn, and spend their free time. There is no dramatic moment where the outdoors disappears, it just quietly fades into the background.
Apr 205 min read


Spring Walks in the UK: How to Make the Most of Longer Days
Spring is a magical time in the UK. As the days grow longer and the weather becomes milder, there’s no better opportunity to get outdoors and enjoy a refreshing walk. Whether you are a family looking for a weekend adventure, a bushcraft enthusiast seeking to reconnect with nature, or a UKSN member exploring your local area, spring walking offers something for everyone.
Apr 133 min read


Family Winter Camping: How to Make Every Cold Trip a Warm Memory
Winter camping with children can be magical. Imagine crisp mornings, frosty breath, campfires crackling, and the thrill of seeing wildlife tracks in the snow. It’s the kind of adventure that can create memories your family will treasure forever. But here’s the catch: if you don’t prioritise warmth and comfort, what should be a magical experience could quickly turn into a stressful ordeal for everyone.
Feb 164 min read


Why More Families Are Turning to Prepping and How UKSN Is Leading the Way
If you have noticed more families getting into prepping, bushcraft, and self-sufficiency, you are not imagining it. Across the UK, people are looking for practical skills, community support, and a healthier relationship with the outdoors. This is exactly where UKSN, one of the UK’s most active outdoor, prepping, bushcraft, and survival communities, comes in.
Dec 3, 20253 min read


Essential Autumn Bushcraft Skills: Fire, Shelter and Staying Warm
When the leaves start to fall and the days shorten, the outdoors changes character. Autumn in the UK brings its own set of challenges and opportunities for bushcraft enthusiasts, wild campers, and families looking to spend time in nature. Crisp mornings, golden woodlands, and the smell of wood smoke in the air can make this one of the most rewarding times to be outside, but the season also demands that we sharpen some essential skills. Fire lighting, building a reliable shelt
Sep 10, 20256 min read


Keeping Bugs at Bay: Natural Ways to Avoid Being Eaten Alive
Few things ruin an otherwise perfect bushcraft outing or UKSN camp faster than relentless midges, mosquitoes or creepy crawlies. For our outdoor-loving community, including families, prepping enthusiasts and self-sufficiency aficionados, learning how to keep bugs at bay is essential. In this guide, we have gathered tried-and-tested, natural methods to repel insects and relieve bites without resorting to any potentially harmful chemicals.
Aug 18, 20254 min read


Campfire Safety in the UK: A Family-Friendly Guide for UKSN Members
Campfire safety is crucial, especially when children are involved. A moment’s inattention can turn a fun night into an emergency. That’s why, as part of the UKSN community, it’s essential that we all uphold a strong culture of safe firecraft, ensuring our camps remain enjoyable, secure, and respectful to the environment.
Jun 30, 20255 min read


UK Power Cuts In Summer: Why Heatwaves Trigger Blackouts And How To Prepare
When we picture a major power cut in the UK, our minds automatically drift to classic winter emergencies. We picture heavy snow snapping overhead lines, howling December gales, and freezing dark nights. But there is another side to the story that catches thousands of Brits completely off guard every single year: the summer heatwave.

UKSN
Jul 137 min read


Survive the Sizzle: Clever Ways to Stay Cool in a UK Heatwave
Survive the Sizzle: Clever Ways to Stay Cool in a UK Heatwave

UKSN
Jun 247 min read


UKSN Founders: 3D Printer Project - Help Us Build UKSN Gear In-House
Today we’re launching the UKSN Founders: 3D Printer Project, a focused push to bring the design and production of UKSN gear in-house. This means more control, faster development, and the ability to create practical, field-ready equipment built specifically for our community.

UKSN
Apr 293 min read


The Ultimate UKSN Project LoRa / Meshtastic Buyer's Guide *Updated*
As we all know, staying connected and informed can be crucial. This is why the UKSN launched its Project LoRa initiative, offering a robust communication solution tailored for its members. This guide aims to delve into Meshtastic / Project LoRa, detailing the components, applications, and recommended setups to empower UKSN members in optimising their communication capabilities.

UKSN
Apr 2816 min read


The Emergency Biscuit Structural Integrity Guide
In a survival situation, morale is everything. Few things maintain morale like a hot drink and a decent biscuit. But what many overlook is the very real risk associated with improper biscuit dunking.

Glyn Smith
Apr 12 min read


UKSN Social Camps Are Back in 2026 – Book Tickets Now!
Step away from screens, schedules, and the everyday routine at UKSN social camps - our weekend events at Rough Close Scout Camp, Coventry, are all about connection, camaraderie, and enjoying the outdoors. Whether it’s sharing a story around the campfire, exploring woodland trails at your own pace, testing your B.O.B, or simply relaxing in nature, the weekends are yours to shape.

UKSN
Feb 62 min read


How to Prepare Your Home for Winter Storms: A Guide to Staying Safe and Warm
Winter storms in the UK can bring freezing temperatures, snow, and power outages, making preparation essential for keeping your family safe!

UKSN
Jan 84 min read


Goodbye 2025… Hello Adventure! A Huge Happy New Year from UKSN
As the final hours of the year tick away, we wanted to take a moment to say a massive thank you to every single UKSN member. Whether you joined us this year or have been part of the community for a long time, you have helped make UKSN what it is today.

UKSN
Dec 31, 20252 min read


Unlock the Best Amazon Black Friday Deals: Smart Shopping Tips Every Prepper, Bushcrafter, Camper & Adventurer Should Know
At UKSN, we know that every penny saved can be put towards better kit, emergency gear, or that next big adventure. So, here’s how to make the most of Amazon Black Friday and find the best deals without getting caught up in the chaos.

UKSN
Nov 17, 20257 min read

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UKSN Recommended Camping Gadgets Under £50 for Camping, Bushcraft & Outdoor Adventures
Discover UKSN’s Best Camping Gadgets Under £50, featuring practical, affordable outdoor gear for camping, bushcraft, EDC, and emergency preparedness.
The Best Portable Power Stations & Solar Generators for Camping, Emergencies & Off-Grid Living
Discover UKSN’s recommended portable power stations and solar generators, featuring the best EcoFlow and Anker SOLIX models for camping, overlanding, emergencies, off-grid living, and backup power.

NEWS, OFFERS, & GUIDES


LifeSaver Lifeline: Portable Water Filtration for Preppers and Bushcrafters
LifeSaver has just released the Lifeline, a new portable water filtration system designed for outdoor enthusiasts, bushcrafters, and preppers. It provides a lightweight, versatile way to turn rivers, streams, or collected rainwater into safe drinking water without the bulk of a traditional filter bottle.

UKSN
Mar 22 min read


Another Outdoor Retailer Enters Administration: Alpkit and What This Means for the UK Outdoor Scene
The UK outdoor retail world has taken another knock. This time, it’s Alpkit, a brand many people genuinely care about, that has entered administration.

UKSN
Jan 303 min read


LifeSaver Jerrycan Graphene:Ultra – A New Era in Portable Water Purification
When it comes to clean drinking water, the stakes are high. Whether you’re wild camping, travelling through remote areas, or preparing for emergencies, you need a system you can trust. LifeSaver have just raised the bar with the Jerrycan Graphene:Ultra – the first portable water purifier to combine proven ultrafiltration with revolutionary graphene-enhanced technology.

UKSN
Aug 11, 20255 min read
LATEST UKSN NEWS


This Is Why Buying From the UKSN Store Actually Changes the Community (More Than You Think)
When most people buy outdoor kit online, they are usually just looking for the cheapest option that turns up quickly and does the job. Nothing wrong with that. But the UKSN store works a bit differently, and that difference is the whole point.
Every purchase from the UKSN store feeds directly back into the community. Not into adverts, not into shareholders, and not into layers of corporate overhead, but into actual UKSN projects, member resources, events, and new in-house ca

UKSN
May 273 min read


UKSN Founders Wall: Recognising the People Building the Community
UKSN has always been about one thing above everything else: the people behind it.
Every idea, every project, every improvement, and every step forward exists because of the members who choose to support, contribute, and get involved.

UKSN
May 222 min read


UKSN Out of Office Notice (21st May to 1st June 2026)
Some of the UKSN team are heading off on a well deserved holiday from 21st May to 1st June. It’s a chance for them to take a proper break, recharge, and get ready for what’s coming next - including the social camp (19th June) and further upcoming UKSN plans.

UKSN
May 191 min read
PREPPING


50 Survival Secrets the Average Brit Doesn't Know (That Could Save Your Family in a Crisis)
Whether it is an unexpected heatwave, a prolonged power outage, or a sudden supply chain hiccup, true self-sufficiency is not about waiting for a Hollywood apocalypse. It is about being ready for Monday morning when the modern world hits a major speed bump. This is why we have compiled 50 rock-solid, beginner-friendly survival tips tailored specifically for life in the UK.

UKSN
4 hours ago6 min read


More Than Just Fuel: How to Turn Wood into Survival-Grade Charcoal
Think charcoal is just for summer barbecues in the back garden? Think again. For off-grid survival, prepping, self-sufficiency, and bushcraft enthusiasts across the UK, homemade charcoal is the ultimate multi-tool. It burns hotter than wood, produces virtually no smoke, and has dozens of uses that could save your skin in an emergency.

UKSN
Jul 314 min read


Why TCP Has Mysteriously Vanished From Supermarket Shelves (And How UK Preppers Can Adapt!)
For the UK prepping, bushcraft, and self-sufficiency community, TCP has long earned its spot as a holy grail item. It is versatile, long-lasting, and virtually indestructible on the shelf.
However, if you have tried restocking your emergency bug-out bag or camp first aid kit recently, you may have run into a brick wall. High street chemists and major supermarket shelves across the country are barren, with online pharmacy listings displaying "out of stock" banners.

UKSN
Jul 274 min read
BUSHCRAFT


More Than Just Fuel: How to Turn Wood into Survival-Grade Charcoal
Think charcoal is just for summer barbecues in the back garden? Think again. For off-grid survival, prepping, self-sufficiency, and bushcraft enthusiasts across the UK, homemade charcoal is the ultimate multi-tool. It burns hotter than wood, produces virtually no smoke, and has dozens of uses that could save your skin in an emergency.

UKSN
Jul 314 min read


They Are Tracking Your Smoke: The Survival Blunder That Will Give Away Your Location
In a long-term survival or disaster scenario, operational security is everything. If you cannot control your fire signature, you cannot protect your family or your supplies. Here is the harsh reality of how smoke betrays preppers, and the specific bushcraft techniques you need to master to stay completely invisible.

UKSN
Jun 194 min read


Free UKSN Field Log System - Track and Log Your Outdoor Adventures
Most people head out, enjoy the fresh air, maybe learn something new… and then forget half of it a week later. That is exactly why we created the UKSN Field Log System, and it is available completely FREE to all UKSN members.

UKSN
Mar 302 min read
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At UKSN, our mission is to provide valuable information and resources for our community, helping you stay prepared and informed. To support this mission and keep our content accessible, we use affiliate links throughout our website.
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