Koebel soon became a leader in the movement, inventing the Kohte, a tent design that consists of several smaller canvas panels that are carried by individuals and then assembled when they reach the campsite.

In 1926 Koebel joined the Deutsche Freischar, a fusion of Wandervogel and Scout organizations; a year later, he advocated the formation of a unified German youth association for boys.

During the Night of the Long Knives of 30 June 1934, Koebel narrowly missed being murdered by fleeing via Sweden to London.

On his travel to Sweden Koebel visited a Scout group of the Sturmtrupp-Pfadfinder, which was led by his university friend Erich Mönch.

Koebel returned to Berlin in 1948 and worked as a writer and author in East Germany until his death on 31 August 1955.