Nature Scout and Base Camp

Nature Scout and Base Camp

Nature Scout & Base Camp

A two-player outdoor expedition game for kids, played with Mission Mates Video Walkie Talkies

Ages: 5–11
Players: 2—siblings, friends or any pair of young explorers
Setting: Garden, backyard or local park
Play time: 20–35 minutes
Skills built: Observation, categorisation, nature knowledge, descriptive language and teamwork

The Premise

A real expedition needs two roles: someone exploring in the field and someone back at camp keeping the records straight.

Ranger Scout heads out to explore and report everything they find.

Ranger Base Camp remains at headquarters with the Field Log, watching the video feed, checking off discoveries and helping to identify anything tricky.

It’s a mini nature documentary in which the children become both the explorers and the crew.

What You’ll Need

  • Two fully charged Mission Mates Video Walkie Talkies

  • A Field Log checklist—print the downloadable version or copy it onto paper

  • A pencil for Base Camp

  • An optional nature identification guide or app for tricky discoveries

  • A garden, backyard or park with some natural variety, such as plants, insects, birds and interesting textures

Set Up Base Camp

  1. Choose Base Camp. Use a bench, picnic table or porch where Base Camp can remain throughout the expedition.

  2. Prepare the Field Log. Print the Mission Mates Field Log or create a simple checklist on paper.

  3. Set the boundaries. Agree on the area Ranger Scout is allowed to explore.

  4. Prepare the equipment. Give each ranger one walkie-talkie and give Base Camp the Field Log and pencil.

  5. Begin the expedition. Ranger Scout heads into the field, ready to explore.

Field Log Ideas

  • Three different leaf shapes

  • One flying creature, such as a bird, bee or butterfly

  • One crawling creature, such as an insect, worm or snail

  • Two different flower colours

  • One unusual texture, such as rough bark, a smooth stone or soft moss

  • One thing that makes a sound

  • One thing taller than Ranger Scout

  • One thing smaller than their thumb

How to Play

  1. Ranger Scout explores the area and points the walkie-talkie camera towards each discovery.

  2. When Scout finds something from the Field Log, they call it in: “Base Camp, I’ve found a flying creature—over!”

  3. Base Camp examines the live video, confirms the discovery and checks it off the Field Log.

  4. If the discovery is difficult to identify, the rangers use their guide or work it out together.

  5. Base Camp can send Scout on specific missions: “Scout, we still need a crawling creature. Head towards the flower bed and report back.”

  6. Continue until every item on the Field Log has been found and confirmed.

Completing the Expedition

The expedition is complete when every item on the Field Log has been found and confirmed by Base Camp.

For an added challenge, set a 15–20 minute timer and see how much of the Field Log the team can complete before time runs out.

Then swap roles and reset the log for a second expedition so each child gets a turn in the field and at Base Camp.

Ways to Level It Up

Documentary Mode: Ranger Scout narrates like a nature-show presenter while Base Camp watches the live feed.

Mystery Species: Base Camp gives Scout a one-line riddle about something specific to find: “I’m small, I’m red and I might have spots. Find me!”

Two-Camp Trade: Divide the search area into two sections. The children swap Scout and Base Camp duties every five minutes so nobody remains at the base for too long.

Junior Mode: For children aged 3–5, skip the checklist. Ranger Scout simply shows Base Camp anything interesting for an outdoor video show-and-tell adventure.

Expedition Safety

Set clear boundaries before beginning. An adult should supervise younger children and all expeditions in public places.

Avoid roads, water, dense bushes, unknown plants and areas where children cannot be seen safely. Observe insects and wildlife without touching or disturbing them.

🏆 EARN YOUR NATURE SCOUT & BASE CAMP BADGE

Once your Adventurer has completed this mission, ask a parent or guardian to simply reply to any Adventure Club email with the words "Mission Complete — Nature Scout & Base Camp and one thing you spotted, found, or achieved along the way. We'll send your special badge within 24 hours.

No photographs of children are required. We trust you.

Not an Adventure Club member yet? Join free — your Membership Badge is waiting the moment you sign up, and new missions arrive every Friday.

[JOIN THE ADVENTURE CLUB — button linking to signup]

Keep exploring,
The Mission Mates Team

Download the Field Log

Field Log - click to download

Click here to download the Field Log

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