A trail is a path for walking in nature. People go hiking on a trail, usually in the hills, mountains, or forest. For a day hike, people often wear boots with strong soles and carry a backpack with food, an extra layer, and a water bottle. At night, people camp in the open air or in a camp area. They pitch a tent before dark, then cook a meal on a stove or fire. People often roast food like marshmallows over the fire. The main actions go with clear objects: hike a trail, carry a backpack, drink from a water bottle, pitch a tent, cook dinner, and roast marshmallows.

Common hiking and camping gear words

Word	Definition	Example
trail	A trail is a path for walking in nature.	We followed the trail through the forest.
boots	Boots are strong shoes for rough ground.	My boots kept my feet dry.
backpack	A backpack is a bag you carry on your back.	She packed snacks in her backpack.
water bottle	A water bottle is a container for drinking water.	He always carries a water bottle on long walks.
camp	A camp is a place where people stay outdoors for a night or more.	We set up camp near the lake.
pitch a tent	To pitch a tent means to put up a tent.	It took us ten minutes to pitch a tent.
cook	To cook means to prepare food using heat.	They like to cook pasta at camp.
roast	To roast means to cook food over heat or an open fire.	We roasted marshmallows after dinner.
hike	To hike means to walk for exercise or pleasure in the outdoors.	We hiked up the hill before lunch.

Scramble

Rock climbing means climbing natural rock, usually outdoors. Bouldering is climbing on short rock walls or large rocks without ropes, close to the ground but still very physical. In climbing, a harness goes around the waist and legs, a helmet protects the head, and ropes help keep the climber safe on taller routes. A climber ties into the rope and climbs with a partner below. The basic gear words often appear together: wear a helmet, put on a harness, clip into ropes. For more sports words, see Team Sports, where many action words work differently.

Main climbing types and equipment words

Word	Definition	Example
rock climbing	Rock climbing is climbing on natural rock surfaces.	She started rock climbing last year.
bouldering	Bouldering is climbing short rocks or walls without ropes.	We tried bouldering at the gym.
harness	A harness is a safety strap that supports a climber.	The instructor checked my harness first.
helmet	A helmet is protective head gear.	Always wear a helmet when you climb.
rope	A rope is a strong cord used for safety and support.	The guide tied the rope carefully.
belay	To belay means to hold the rope and help keep a climber safe.	My partner will belay me on the wall.
wall	A wall is a climbing surface made by people or nature.	The indoor wall was very high.
grip	A grip is a place to hold with your hand or foot.	Find the next grip before you move.

Scramble

A bike is another word for bicycle. When you ride a bike, you wear a helmet and often use a cycling path or bike lane. The handlebars are the bar at the front that you hold to steer. Gears help the bike move more easily uphill or faster on flat roads. For running, people jog at an easy speed and sprint when they run very fast for a short distance. A route is the path you follow, and a track is a marked place for running laps. Pace describes how fast someone runs or cycles. Common patterns are ride a bike, follow a route, run on a track, and keep a steady pace.

Key cycling and running words

Word	Definition	Example
bike	A bike is a vehicle with two wheels that you ride.	I ride my bike to the park.
helmet	A helmet is protective head gear for riding or sports.	He always wears a helmet on his bike.
cycling path	A cycling path is a road or lane for bikes.	We stayed on the cycling path the whole way.
gear	A gear is a setting that makes pedaling easier or harder.	She changed to a lower gear on the hill.
handlebars	Handlebars are the part you hold to steer a bike.	He held the handlebars tightly.
jog	To jog means to run at a slow steady speed.	I jog every morning before work.
sprint	To sprint means to run very fast for a short time.	The runner sprinted to the finish.
route	A route is the path you follow to get somewhere.	This route is shorter than the other one.
track	A track is a marked path for running or racing.	We practiced laps on the track.
pace	A pace is the speed at which you move or run.	Try to keep a steady pace on the long run.

Scramble

In a kayak or canoe, you move with a paddle. A kayak is usually narrow and often used alone, while a canoe is often wider and may hold more than one person. On a river, safety matters, so many people wear a life jacket. Fishing uses special tools. A rod is the long pole you hold. You put bait on a hook, and the fishing line connects the hook to the rod. Many people keep small tools in a tackle box. The usual combinations are cast a line, use bait, set the hook, and carry a tackle box.

Words for paddling and fishing activities

Word	Definition	Example
paddle	A paddle is a short tool used to move a boat.	She used a paddle to steer the kayak.
life jacket	A life jacket is a vest that helps a person float safely.	Put on your life jacket before you go out.
river	A river is a long stream of moving water.	We kayaked down the river.
rod	A rod is a long flexible stick used for fishing.	He held the rod and waited quietly.
bait	Bait is food used to attract fish.	The fish took the bait quickly.
hook	A hook is a curved metal piece that catches fish.	She checked the hook before casting again.
fishing line	A fishing line is the thin cord that connects the rod and hook.	His fishing line floated near the rocks.
tackle box	A tackle box is a box for fishing tools and small items.	He kept the hooks in his tackle box.

Scramble

Outdoor team sports often use a ball or disc. In soccer, players kick the ball. In frisbee, players throw a flying disc. In softball, players hit a ball with a bat and run around the bases. In volleyball, players hit the ball over a net. Winter sports take place on snow or ice. People ski down snowy slopes, snowboard on a board, ice skate on frozen ice, and go sledding on a sled. These words often pair with the activity: play soccer, play frisbee, play softball, play volleyball, go skiing, go snowboarding, go ice skating, and go sledding. For more on these kinds of activities, see Team Sports.

Outdoor team sports and winter activity words

Word	Definition	Example
soccer	Soccer is a team sport played with a ball and feet.	We played soccer in the park.
frisbee	A frisbee is a light plastic disc you throw to others.	They threw a frisbee on the beach.
softball	Softball is a game like baseball with a larger ball.	Our class played softball after school.
volleyball	Volleyball is a team sport where players hit a ball over a net.	We watched volleyball at the beach.
skiing	Skiing is moving over snow on skis.	They went skiing in the mountains.
snowboarding	Snowboarding is going down snow on one board.	He learned snowboarding last winter.
ice skating	Ice skating is moving on ice with special shoes.	We went ice skating at the rink.
sledding	Sledding is riding down snow on a sled.	The children loved sledding on the hill.

Scramble

Outdoor activity words often follow a few clear patterns. Use go with many activities that do not have a ball or direct competition: go hiking, go cycling, go skiing, go kayaking. Use play with games and team sports: play soccer, play volleyball, play frisbee. Use do with some activities that are treated like exercise or training: do climbing, do yoga, do gymnastics. The verb changes the phrase, but the activity word stays the same. You can also say try climbing when someone is starting the activity for the first time, or go for a hike when the outing is the main plan. Common sentence patterns are go + activity, play + sport, do + activity, and try + activity.

Common sport phrase patterns and forms

Usage	Explanation	Example
Go plus activity	Use go with many outdoor activities that end in ing to talk about doing them for fun or exercise.	We go hiking every Saturday.
Play plus game	Use play with team sports and ball games to say that someone takes part in the game.	They play soccer after school.
Do plus activity	Use do with some sports and exercise activities when the activity is treated as a general practice.	I do cycling with my friends on weekends.
Try plus activity	Use try when you want to say that someone is testing a new sport or activity.	She wants to try climbing this summer.
Sport with go	Use go for activities that are often done outdoors or as motion based hobbies.	We go running before breakfast.
Sport with play	Use play for sports with rules, teams, or a ball in many common everyday expressions.	My brother plays volleyball on the beach.
Sport with do	Use do for sports and exercise where the activity itself is the main focus.	She does yoga to stay flexible.
Steady pace	Use pace to talk about the speed you keep during a sport or workout.	I kept a steady pace on the long route.