Escape & Evade

Escape & Evade is hide and seek for adults, played deep in the woods. Hiders scatter and find the best cover they can, while seekers hunt them down. Your job is to stay hidden, stay quiet and avoid capture for as long as possible. It's the game you loved as a child, with far better hiding spots and much higher stakes for your pride.

The phrase comes from military training, where escape and evasion means avoiding capture and slipping away from people who are looking for you. The skills behind it, like moving quietly, blending into your surroundings and staying calm under pressure, are also part of bushcraft and survival training. Don't worry, nobody expects you to live off berries for a week. This version is all about the thrill of the hunt.

Think about why things get spotted. Shape gives you away, so break up your outline by tucking in behind a fallen log, a bush or a tangle of branches. Shadow helps, so pick a darker spot rather than a sunny patch. Anything shiny or brightly coloured catches the eye, so cover up that neon jacket.

Above all, keep still. Movement is the fastest way to get found, and so is noise. Settle into a comfortable position before the seekers arrive, because shifting your weight onto a dry stick at the wrong moment is game over. If you do need to move, go slowly, stay low and use the cover.

Your Activity Leader explains the boundaries, the rules and how to stay safe in the woods. Then the hiders get a head start to disappear into the trees, and the hunt begins. Rules and twists vary from game to game, but expect a lot of crouching, a lot of holding your breath and a rush of adrenaline every time a seeker walks straight past you.

Yes. If you've ever played hide and seek, you already know how it works. You don't need to be super fit, but you'll be moving through woodland full of roots, branches, brambles and rabbit holes, so you need to be steady on your feet. Wear sturdy, closed-toe shoes and clothes you don't mind getting muddy. Dark or earthy colours are a sneaky bonus.

You might also like Capture the Flag, Orienteering and Survival Skills.

See all Camp Wildfire activities