From mountain adventures to woodland wanderings, meet the saints who found something special beyond the church doors.

When we think of saints, we tend to picture people praying in churches, living in monasteries or giving every hour to religious work. But some saints were also keen adventurers, mountain climbers and nature lovers who simply enjoyed being outdoors.

Today is All Saints’ Day, when we remember all the saints, famous and forgotten alike. So I thought it would be fun to look at three who had a rather different connection with the great outdoors.

There’s a lovely link with Scouting too. Their stories remind us that faith isn’t only about what happens inside a church. It’s also about how we live, how we treat others and how we appreciate the world around us.

So grab your walking boots and let’s meet a few saints who would have felt right at home around a Scout campfire.

1. St Pier Giorgio Frassati: the mountain adventurer

If any saint could have joined a Scout troop, it’s Pier Giorgio Frassati.

Born in Turin, Italy, in 1901, he loved life. He enjoyed playing practical jokes, spending time with friends and, above all, climbing mountains. He regularly organised trips into the Alps, relishing the challenge, the scenery and the company.

But there was another side to him. Pier Giorgio was deeply committed to helping people living in poverty. He visited poor families, delivered supplies and gave away his own money, usually without any fuss or recognition. His faith wasn’t separate from everyday life. It shaped how he treated his friends, how he spent his time and how he cared for others.

He died suddenly in 1925, aged just 24, and was canonised in September 2025. His motto was Verso l’alto, “To the heights”. It’s a fitting phrase for a mountain lover, but it also captures his desire to aim higher in faith and in life.

The Scouting connection: adventure, friendship, helping others and pushing ourselves further than we thought we could go. Scout Leaders will recognise plenty here.

2. St Francis of Assisi: a love of nature and wildlife

You can’t talk about saints and the outdoors without mentioning Francis of Assisi.

Born in Italy in the late 12th century, Francis is best known for his love of animals and the natural world. Stories describe him preaching to birds, and he is closely associated with the Canticle of the Creatures, a poem praising God for creation.

Francis gave up wealth and possessions to live simply and help others. His love of nature wasn’t just about enjoying a pleasant view. He saw creation as precious and believed we have a responsibility to look after it. For Francis, caring for the world and caring for people went hand in hand.

The Scouting connection: whether we’re camping, exploring woodland, building shelters or learning about wildlife, Scouts have constant chances to appreciate the natural world and understand why protecting it matters.

3. St John Paul II: the outdoors was his happy place

You might be surprised to learn that John Paul II was a keen outdoorsman.

Before becoming Pope, Karol Wojtyła was a young priest in Poland who loved spending time with young people. Together they went hiking, skiing, cycling, camping and kayaking.

These weren’t just holidays. The trips included prayer, conversations about faith and plenty of time together. He understood that being outdoors, away from the usual routines, gave people a different space for friendship, reflection and learning. Even as Pope, he kept encouraging young people to discover their potential and make the most of their lives.

The Scouting connection: the best conversations often happen when we’re walking alongside someone rather than sitting opposite them. An outdoor adventure can open up friendships and discussions that might never happen around a table.

A quick word about St George

We can’t talk about saints and Scouting without mentioning St George, the patron saint of the Movement. His story is best known through the legend of the dragon, which represents courage, faith and standing up against evil. Historians debate the details of his life, and the dragon belongs to legend rather than established history.

But his place in Scouting is secure. Baden-Powell chose him as patron saint, encouraging Scouts to follow his example of courage, determination and doing what is right.

What can Scout Leaders learn from these saints?

A common theme runs through all these lives: faith isn’t just about what we say we believe, it’s about what we do.

• Pier Giorgio showed us the value of friendship, adventure and helping those in need.
• Francis showed us how to appreciate creation and care for the world around us.
• John Paul II showed us how adventure, time with others and faith can come together.

And isn’t that what we already try to do in Scouting? We take young people outdoors, encourage them to challenge themselves, build friendships, help their communities and grow into responsible citizens. Perhaps we can also invite them to think about the values behind those experiences.

Could this help with the Scouts My Faith Activity Badge?

I think so. The badge encourages young people to explore their faith, its history and its teachings, and to think about how beliefs shape the way people live. Learning about these saints is a good way into exploring influential people in the history of Christianity.

Try this with your Scouts: ask each Scout to choose one of the saints above and find out:

1. Who were they, and when did they live?
2. What did they believe?
3. How did their faith influence the way they lived?
4. What qualities or values do you admire about them?
5. Is there anything from their life you could put into practice today?

You could split the Scouts into small groups to share what they’ve learned with the rest of the Troop. It might even lead to a wider discussion about how different people put their faith into practice.

Of course, this is one activity rather than the whole badge, so Scouts will still need to complete the other requirements.

A final thought

I find it rather lovely that saints weren’t people living lives completely out of reach for the rest of us. Some loved climbing mountains. Some enjoyed time with friends. Some had a passion for animals and nature. Others gave themselves to helping people who needed it most. They were real people who lived out their faith through everyday things.

So the next time you take your Scouts camping, go for a hike or spend an evening exploring the countryside, take a moment to appreciate where you are and the opportunities you’ve been given. You never know, you might find a little inspiration along the way.

As Pier Giorgio Frassati would say: Verso l’alto! To the heights!