InsaneScouter News
| Volume: 5 | Issue: 2 | May 2003 |
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Fun Activities
Stream/Pond Study
Approach a pond quietly. Walk slowly and keep your body low. When you get to the edge of the pond, sit quietly. Any animal you may have disturbed will resume its normal activities when it feels no more movements. Close your eyes and listen for the different sounds, then open your eyes and look for ripples on the waters surface. Before long you may see turtles and bugs that need oxygen. They come to the surface, take a gulp of air, then dive back under. To make exploring along the waters edge FUN, take along a strainer (like a fish net), a magnifying glass, some jars with lids, plastic cartons and a pond viewer (water scope) to use as you look down in the water.
Use your pond viewer for a clearer view of underwater life. Go on a pond safari. Watch the surface for movement. Many creatures are able to use the surface film to support their bodies. Look for water striders skimming along and tiny springtails bouncing on the surface. Whirligig beetles spin around like dodgems on the water as they search for food. All these creatures dart away the moment the surface of the water is disturbed.
Look for free-swimming pond creatures like water boatmen, backswimmers and red water mites. Daphnia and Cyclops swim rapidly in bursts to jump through the water, which is why they are often called water fleas. These are the skimmers. Diving beetles and backswimmers come regularly to the surface to replenish the bubble of air they carry on their bodies. They do this because they cannot get enough oxygen to breathe from the water, although their larvae have gills and live entirely in the water.
Different animals keep to particular areas of the pond. If you dip with your net half in the water, you will collect those animals which live on or hang just below the surface. Sweep your net through the water and empty the contents into the large container of water. Sort out your catch by transferring the bugs to a jar. Pond creatures like to hide, so dont put any weeds, dead leaves, sticks or stones into the containers. Now the bugs are easier to view, take closer look using a magnifying glass.
Other insects like dragonflies, damselflies and mayflies also lay their eggs in the water. On hatching these become nymphs which have gills to absorb oxygen dissolved in the water. Snails lay eggs all spring and summer. Frogs lay eggs only in early spring. You can find them close to the shore in big clumps with thousands of eggs in them. Each egg is coated with jelly. At first the eggs are round and black. Then they change in shape and look like commas.
The commas twitch - they are tiny tadpoles. Within ten days, they will wiggle out of the jelly. Use a strainer to scoop up some frogs eggs. Put them in a big jar with pond water and cover the jar. Then take it home and watch the eggs develop. It takes two to three months for a tadpole to become a frog. Hind legs grow first, then front legs. As the tail gets shorter, the tadpole stops breathing under water like a fish. It starts breathing air, like a land animal and soon becomes a grown up frog. Catch a frog, if you can, and watch it breathe. Its throat goes up and down while it takes in air through its nose.
When you have finished looking at the animals and bugs always return them to the pond by floating them on to a spoon. Do not pick them up with your fingers.
Life Ring Toss
This game is a test of and a chance for improvement in a water safety skill for the boys. Materials needed include a good nylon rope, a weighted "anchor," and a target. The weighted anchor can be an old sock with sand or dirk in it. Tie the anchor to one end of the rope and coil the rope carefully (no tangles!).
The target can be anything from a hoola-hoop to a series of rings on the ground made from flour or lime. Have the boys stand back a fair distance from the target (fair being determined by their age). Each one tosses the anchor (as if a life ring) at the target.
Accuracy is what were looking for here. You can set up a point system for multiple tries (like darts) or just have "closest one" wins.
Cup And Bottle Relay
This is a very wet relay, so play it outside. Form two teams. Place a bucket of water and a cup at the head of each line. At the end of each line is a bottle. On signal, the first player dips his cup in the water and passes the cup down the line. The last player pours
the water carefully into the bottle. Then he runs to the head of the line. Repeat until the bottle is filled to the line marked.
Seashell Slide
You will need Attractive shell, glue and PVC pipe piece (1/2")
After choosing an attractive shell the boy should choose the front and which way he wants it to display. Glue the pipe piece to the back and let it dry.
Octopus Slide
On plywood circle, draw eyes and mouth. Also drill holes for legs. Tie colored pipe cleaners (2 colors) or strings for legs. Glue PVC pipe to the back and let dry. A great site with lots of slide ideas:
Another variation:
Materials needed: green yarn, matching color thread, wobble eyes, hot glue, plastic curtain ring for the slide.
Instructions:
Cut twelve 6" long strands of yarn for each slide. Fold in half and tie at the neck area, leaving about two inches for the tentacles. Next divide the strands into sections of three. There will be eight sections) Braid each section, and tie off with thread. Hot glue on the wobble eyes. Put octopus down over the curtain ring with a few tentacles inside the ring and rest over the front to cover it. Hot glue in place.
Pond Viewer
Cut a big hole in the bottom of a plastic carton. Cover the top with clear plastic wrap and hold it in place with a rubber band. You lower this end into the water and look through the other end. Instead of a plastic carton, take a large can and use a can opener to remove the top and bottom. Tape the cut edges and use a rubber band to hold a piece of clear plastic over one end.
Balloon Volley Ball Game
You will need: * A volleyball net or a rope over which the balloons can be tossed * An endless supply of balloons a quarter filled with water This is a very messy game and is therefore ideal for hot days at camp. Your net or rope is stretched between two poles or trees just above head height. You have two teams and one balloon a quarter filled with water. If you put too much water into the balloons then they tend to burst too easily. The object of the game is to lob the balloon over the net and try and soak the opposing team. There is a lot of strategy in this game on such things as catching the balloon without bursting it and ways of lobbing the balloon to make it difficult to catch. When the balloon bursts on one side then a point is awarded to the other side, and a new balloon is brought into play.
Water Balloon Toss Game
You will need: * An endless supply of balloons one-quarter filled with Water. Players form two lines facing each other about 2 meters apart. Players in line 1 each toss a water balloon to opposite players in line 2. Any players who have a balloon burst are out. After each balloon bursts, a new balloon is brought into play, both lines take one step backward and toss again. Repeat until only one pair of players remain. There are on the market very tiny balloons known as water bombs. If you are going to use vast quantities, then these may be more economical to buy than regular balloons.
Water Race
You will need: * A bucket of water, a table spoon, and a plastic drinking cup Form the players into teams (number and size of teams depends on number of players available). players form parallel lines. Lead player of each line has a bucket of water next to him and a table spoon in his hand. At some distance (10 - 30 meters) from each line is a drinking cup sitting on the ground. Lead player gets a spoonful of water and quickly takes (walk or run) the water to the cup and dumps it in. He then RUNS back to his line and hands the spoon to the next player in the line who is now the lead player. The former lead player goes to the end of the line. The whole process is repeated until one team fills its cup to overflowing.
Watermelon War Game
This is a fun game played with floating watermelons in the swimming pool. Players form two teams. One or more watermelons are then placed into the middle of the pool. The object is to get the watermelon to the opposite side of the pool without lifting them out of the water. The melons can only be pushed.
Sponge Relay
Two teams face a relay race or obstacle course together. Balance a wet sponge on your head and run to and back from a goal. If you drop the sponge you must return to the front of your line and start over again.
Fill The Cup Relay
This is a fun relay race. Give each team a spoon. They must race and fill a cup up with water. The first team to do so wins!
Cold Toes Ice Cub Relay
Using a childs wading pool throw some large ice cubes in and have a relay with teams as to who can take the most ice cubes out using only their feet in a designated time period.
Fashion Show Game
Using only wet cloth towels or wet paper towels (some kids use toilet paper) have your own crazy fashion show! Awards for creativity, color, and most humorous! Be sure to clean up your mess
Blind Mans Bacon Game
What youll need: 2 blindfolds, 2 water pistols.
This is a variation of the Steal The Bacon game which plays best in a circle shape with each team forming half a circle. The two teams are of equal size so that there is a player on each team with the same number. When a number is called, the corresponding player for each team puts on a blindfold. After hearing the signal, the two blindfolded players move toward the center where a squirt gun is located. The object is to reach the squirt gun and squirt the other guy before he came make it back behind the protection of his team. Teams are allowed to shout instructions to the blindfolded players.
Dampeners Game
What youll need: Two wet sponges or rags.
Two players sit about 2 feet apart on chairs in the centre of the area. They are blindfolded, face each other and each hold a wet sponge. The rest of the players must creep up, as directed by a Leader and pass between the seated Cubs. The seated Cubs can say freeze at any time (within reason) and dab down with the sponge between the chairs. If hit places are changed. This can also be played outdoors on a fine day, using larger quantities of water, or water pistols.
Balloon Toss Game
Fill up water balloons. Have one balloon for every two persons. Form into teams and form two lines facing each other about 10 feet apart. Partners will throw water balloons to each other to catch. If they drop the balloon they must exit the game. After each toss step back by one foot. Winners are the remaining partners.
Sponge Pass Game
Same Instructions, except you use sponges.
Fill up water balloons. Have one balloon for every two persons. Form into teams and form two lines facing each other about 10 feet apart. Partners will throw water balloons to each other to catch. If they drop the balloon they must exit the game. After each toss step back by one foot. Winners are the remaining partners.
Waves in a Bottle
Materials:
A flat, clear glass or plastic bottle such as a 20 oz. soda bottle
Water
Food coloring
Vegetable oil
A cork to fit the bottle or its own capDirections:
Wash out the bottle, and remove the label by soaking the bottle in warm water. Fill ½ of the bottle with water. Add a few drops of food coloring (stop when you like the color). No need to stir it. Fill the remaining space in the bottle with vegetable oil. Cork the bottle. If you have a screw-on cap for the bottle, put the cap on tightly. Turn the bottle on its side, and let it settle for a few minutes. The water should sink to the bottom, and you should be able to see clearly the line between the colored water and oil. Now begin to tip the bottle back and forth. Experiment to see what kind of waves you can make. If the oil starts to get bubbly, let the bottle rest for a few minutes.
Sailboat
Materials:
Plastic soda bottle
Sand or soil
Colored construction paper
Stapler, tape, scissors
Marking pensDirections:
Experiment a little to find out how much sand you need to put into your bottle to keep it floating upright. If it tilts in the water, try adding a little more sand. Once upright, screw the lid on firmly. Cut out boat and sail shapes from the construction paper and add details with marking pens. Staple the pieces around the bottles, and tape securely. Make several boats or a flotilla, and fill up the backyard wading pool. You night want to add a Mayflower, Noahs ark, the Jolly roger. . .maybe even the Titanic!
Recycled Boats
Materials:
Styrofoam clamshell burger containers
Pencil, straw, or dowel
Construction paperDirections:
Separate the top from the bottom and put a mast in the center with glue or low temp heat hot glue. Tape a triangle to mast and give a toy a ride! Keep halves together and poke the mast through the top half of the container and fill with sand or dirt and SAIL AWAY!
Hula Hoop Sprinkler
Materials:
Hula hoop
Washer
Water hose
PVC fitting
Hose connector
Hammer
Long nailWith the help of an adult, take a hammer and nail and punch holes all around one side of the hula hoop, about 1 or 2 inches apart, being careful not to hammer through to the underside. Cut through the hoop and attach each open end to the PVC fitting. Hook it up to your garden hose, and you'll be ready to have fun in the sun. This could also be hung upside down for an outdoor shower.
Crafts With Rocks
Have the fun collecting many shapes and sizes of rocks, then turn them into lots of different things: PAPERWEIGHTS; with characters painted on, or dress them fancy with tissue paper, paints, and foil. Wash stones clean and dry. Plan simple designs. Stones may be painted with Tempera (optional).
ROCK CHARACTERS; Paint the rock a solid color, then paint the features with a magic marker or paint. Add other features, such as yarn hair, moustaches, hats, etc. Then cover with clear varnish.
TISSUE ROCKS: For each rock, cut or tear tissue paper into small pieces (smaller than rock to be worked on). Brush a little polymer medium on small area of rock. Before it dries, place piece of tissue paper on moist area. Be sure each part of tissue adheres to rock. Cover with polymer medium. Repeat until entire rock is covered. Additional designs in contrasting colors may be applied following the same procedure.
FOIL ROCKS: Cut simple designs (hearts, flowers, dots) from several layers of foil. Rocks may be painted if desired. Glue foil designs smoothly to rocks, dull side down. Let dry. Apply two coats of clear nail polish.
Explore A Tree Game
Blindfold the Cub Scouts, one at a time, and ask them to explore a tree. Ask them to think about how it feels, smells etc. Is the bark rough or smooth? Are the leaves damp or dry? What does it smell like? While one boy does this, the others observe, by sight, things about the tree such as color, height, etc. After all have explored let them compare the results. Help them identify the tree.
Slithering Snake Game
Divide the Cub Scouts into two teams. Each team lies down on their stomachs, side by side, with the first player at the starting line. The other team members are packed tightly together. On signal, the last player rolls over the others until he is first. Then the player who is now last in line follows, and so forth, The Snake continues to "slither" until all members cross the finish line 20 feet away. (Have glasses-wearing boys remove glasses before playing).
Blind Man Nature Game
Blindfold the Cub Scouts and have a tray with about ten items on it. Use items such as: pine cones, acorns, moss, shells, feathers, milkweed pod, or other things that are found in nature around the area where the Pack Meeting is held. See how many items from Nature the Cub Scouts know. Have them feel each object and, after everyone has finished, try to identify each object.
Deer, Shelter, Water, And Food Game
Divide Cub Scouts into two teams. One team will be the deer while the other team will be either shelter, water or food. Place the teams about 30 feet apart and have them turn their backs toward each other. The team that are deer decide if they are in need of shelter, food or water; and, the other team will decide what they are. Cubs that are shelter put their hands over their heads like a house roof, those that are food put their hands on their stomach, and those that are water cover their mouths with their hands. When all players have decided what they need or are, have them turn around. The deer that need shelter run to a Cub Scout who is shelter. The water-needing deer runs to the water Cub Scout, and so on. Only onedeer per shelter, water, or food. Any shelter, water, or food that does not have a deer becomes a deer. Any deer that do not match up with the shelter, water, or food are out until the leader explains this natural 'thinning of the herd'. Continue playing and explain that this "over-population" of deer herds occurs naturally. Then have some of the boys become hunters tagging the deer as they run for shelter, food, or water. The "tagged" deer become hunters. This can be played for as long as wanted/needed.
Jump The River Game
Two parallel lines are drawn to represent the river. They should be 12 inches apart. The players line up on one side and run in a group to jump across the river. Then, they turn around and come back across the river with a standing jump. Anyone who falls in the river by landing between the two lines is out of the game. A new line is drawn to make the river wider, and the remaining players jump again. This continues until there is only one player, the winner, left.
Ceremonies
The Outdoor Code Opening Ceremony
Materials: The American flag posted on the stage, several potted plants or an artificial tree, a garbage bag filled with trash (rinsed out cans, bottles, crumpled paper, etc.)
(The Cubmaster enters carrying the garbage bag, and stands between the flag and the plants.)
Cubmaster: We are blessed to live in this great land of freedom and beauty. America truly is the home of amber waves of grain and purple mountains majesty. Unfortunately, there are people in this country who abuse their freedom and pollute the land. (He dumps the bag of trash on the ground.) As Cub Scouts, we can learn to be better Americans by living the Outdoor Code.
1st Cub: (enters and stands by Cubmaster) As an American, I will do my best to be clean in my outdoor manners. (He takes empty bag from Cubmaster and begins to pick up trash while Cubmaster speaks.)
Cubmaster: I will treat the outdoors as a heritage. I will take care of it for myself and others. I will keep my trash and garbage out of lakes, streams, fields, woods, and roadways.
2nd Cub: (enters and takes bag from 1st Cub. 1st Cub exits.) I will be careful with fire. (Picks up more trash as Cubmaster speaks.)
Cubmaster: I will prevent wildfire. I will build my fires only where they are appropriate. When I have finished using a fire, I will make sure it is cold out. I will leave a clean fire ring, or remove all evidence of my fire.
3rd Cub: (Enters and takes bag from 2nd Cub. 2nd Cub exits.) I will be considerate in the outdoors. (Picks up trash as Cubmaster speaks.)
Cubmaster: I will treat public and private property with respect. I will use low-impact methods of hiking and camping.
4th Cub: (Enters and takes bag from 3rd Cub. 3rd Cub exits.) I will be conservation-minded. (Picks up remaining trash as Cubmaster speaks.)
Cubmaster: I will learn how to practice good conservation of soil, waters, forest, minerals, grasslands, wildlife, and energy. I will urge others to do the same. (4th Cub gives bag back to Cubmaster and exits.) These Cub Scouts have shown they are willing to protect our countrys natural beauty and conserve her natural resources. Please stand, salute the flag and join me in singing "America the Beautiful." (Or say the Pledge of Allegiance.)
Note: Outdoor Code card (No. 33428) is available for purchase at the Scout Service Center. Give one to each Cub Scout to remind him of this ceremony.
Fun In The Sun Advancement Ceremony
Assuming you are conducting a Raingutter Regatta, why not deliver awards via sailing ships. The Cubmaster and Assistant Cubmaster can stand at one end of the raingutter, with the award recipients taking their positions at the opposite end. As each name is called, have the parents come forward with their sons boat. The Cubmaster tapes the badge being presented to the boat and asks one or both of the parents to "sail" the boat down the raingutter for presentation to their son.
Summertime Advancement Ceremony
Often we find our Pack Meeting out-of-doors. A mailbox is fun, convenient and colorful for outside use. It is known as the 'Cubmasters Mailbox'.
Decorate a standard mailbox with the Wolf, Bear, Bobcat, Webelos, and Arrow of Light stick-on emblems.
Place the award on a 3" x 5" card (one per Cub Scout) with the boys name and put it in the mailbox. The Cubmaster then removes a card wondering what the mailman has brought. The Cub Scout and his parents are then called forward and all are to participate in the presentation.
On the top is placed the Arrow of Light sticker. On the backside by the box flag is placed the Webelos sticker. The other three stickers on placed on the opposite side.
Fun In The Sun Closing
Props: Stand up signs for the garden. One with each of the items listed: Peas, lettuce, squash, and turnips.
Have boys place items in garden as the narrator is reading. After the last row has been planted, the boys kneel behind the garden and grow as the narrator gives the closing of the skit.
Narrator: Fine sun is shining and we are going to plant our garden. Its really kind of late to be planting, but these are things that will grow all year.
First we will plant the peas: Preparedness, promptness, perseverance, politeness and praise.
Now for the lettuce: Let us be helpful, let us be faithful, let us be unselfish, let us be loyal.
We now have three rows of squash: Squash impatience, squash criticism, squash indifference.
No garden is complete without turnips: Turn up for pack meetings, turn up with new ideas, turn up with determination.
Closing of skit: As you can see our garden is growing every day. Each of you can make our garden grow in every plant we have put in today.
Sunscreen Closing
Props: A bottle of sunscreen
"Remember the last time you got a bad sun burn? It caused you much pain for several days didnt it? You probably didnt even realize that it was happening. Sunscreen could have prevented it. Our parents are like sunscreen. They can be used in situations we dont even know can hurt us. It pays to listen to our parents.
Weblos - Artist Ideas
For Den Meetings:
1. Attend an art exhibit or visit a museum.
2. Hold an "Art Can Be Pun" night.
3. Have each boy prepare a color scheme for his own room.
4. Make drawings from nature - birds, animals, flowers, trees.
5. Start simple sculptures to be finished at home.
6. Study a color wheel and practice combining paints.
Ideas For Pack Meeting:
Exhibit: Drawings, painting, designs, mobiles.
Demonstrate: Mixing paints; beginning a sculpture; making a mobile.
Artist Badge Helps
It is suggested that you obtain some inexpensive water colors with brush included (K-Mart, Grand Central, Skaggs, etc.). These will be easy for the boys to use, and will not create the hazard to clothes that other forms of paint might. If you decide to use the string art for your design segment, you will need:
Hammer, small nails or brads, scrap wood, felt; colored thread.
For sculpturing, purchase the oil-base modeling clay, which will not dry out.
A simple construction consists of collected "garbage," from around the yard, put together to form a collage.
For this, you will need:
1/2 size poster paper, Elmers glue; scissors.
For your mobile, you might use plastic straws as the supporting bars.
For the original painting, you might like to try water color blot pictures, made by folding a paper in 1/2, opening it out and applying small dots of paint, then quickly folding the paper and smoothing it together from the center out, then opening it up to dry. This could become a main object, or background for a pen or pencil line sketch.
LEAF SCAPES
Using leaves, paint and your pen or pencil, you can make an interesting landscape.
Diversification of leaf form is the key to the basic formation of these designs. Select many leaves and press until partially dry. Place on a sheet of construction paper until the design and pattern fits the individual taste and need.
Hold various leaves in place with a straight pin. Lightly spray with various colors as your own individual creativity dictates. Remove leaves that have provided a stencil effect for the leaf scapes. Additional artistic effects may be obtained by using a brush or pen and appropriate colors. Mount and frame as desired.
This activity would be a good way to study complimentary colors or shading and blending from the color wheel. It is also a way to make a design using both straight and curved lines. Press and dry many leaves of various species of trees. (Leaves can be dried between sheets of wax paper, weighted down with heavy books.) These leaves are carefully glued to construction paper and are again pressed to insure their adhesion to the paper. As leaves dry, their colors are frequently lost. To bring back some of natures greatness, the leaves are retouched with water color to resemble their natural state. Or you can use the spray paint technique discussed on the previous page. Add your originality and personal ideas for enhancement.
Den Activities
Invite an art teacher to talk about the basics of art and answer questions about the re-quirements.
Visit an art museum or design layout shop._ Talk about design.
Try modeling clay.
Make mobiles.
Have an art show.
Make frames.
Slippery Finger Paint
Put on old clothes and cover your worktable well with old newspapers when you try this colorful project.
Materials:
1 envelope of flavored gelatinÂ
1/2 cup cornstarch
2 cups hot water
A small bowl
A large spoon
A stove
Powdered or liquid clothing dye (if liquid dye is used, increase cornstarch to 3/4 cup)
1/2 cup cold water
3/4 cup cold water
1/2 cup mild soap flakes or detergent
A medium-size saucepan
Heavy paper to paint on (You might also use old bowls or jars.)1. In a small bowl, soak gelatin in 1/2 cup cold water. In saucepan, combine cornstarch and 3/4 cup cold water. Stir 2 cups hot water into starch mixture and cook over medium heat, stirring constantly till mixture comes to a boil.
2. When mixture becomes smooth and creamy-looking, remove from heat. Blend in softened gelatin. Add soap flakes or detergent and stir until mixture is thoroughly dissolved.
3. If you want different colors of paint, divide mixture into portions in jars or bowls before you add dyes.
4. Stir in about a teaspoon powdered dye or a tablespoon liquid dye for each cup of mixture. Paint should be cooled before you use it.
5. Rub, smudge, or blend paint on paper. To keep paper from curling, weigh edges down
while paint dries.
Rubbings
To make a rubbing, just place a piece of paper over any hard, raised surface and color over it. Whenever it is possible, use masking tape to hold the paper in place while rubbing.
Another rubbing technique is done with aluminum foil. Just place the foil over the particular object and press and mold the foil with your hand. Some objects you can use for this technique are:
Wrought iron trivets
Bells
Coins
JewelryBut regardless of which technique you decide to use (you may even want to experiment with both kinds), you will have fun!
Wire Sculpture Action People
Your boys will love this intricate but engrossing art project. They can fill the hours spent inside on a rainy day creating a wire sculpture of a favorite sports figure or memorializing a treasured family member or activity.
Materials:
Old magazines
Telephone wire (or any flexible wire)
Cardboard base
Stapler1. Look through the magazines for pictures of people in action. (Examples: playing tennis, dancing, running.)
2. Choose a picture to use as a model for a wire sculpture.
3. Form the head, body, and legs with long lengths of telephone wire in-groups of two to four strands. Add arms and props such as a tennis racquet, bat, or baby. 4. Staple the figure onto the cardboard base.
Motion Pictures
Everyone stands in one long row. Give a piece of paper and a marker to each player. The player holds his paper on the back of the person in front of him. Explain that they are to draw a picture as soon as the music starts. Have everyone draw the same thing (such as a horse, elephant, pig, etc.). A leader stands at the front of the row and when music starts, he leads the group Conga style dancing around the room. (drawing begins.) When the music stops, compare pictures. The one most recognizable wins.
Webelos - Traveler Ideas
Where To Go And What To Do
Invite a travel agent to explain to your den about planning for a trip and the use of computers in making reservations.Visit an automobile club office and find out what they do.
Hang travel posters around den meeting place and discuss ways to travel to these places.
As a den, visit the control tower of an airport.
Invite a parent or other resource person to tell of an unusual vacation he/she has taken.
Just for fun, keep a notebook of funny or unusual Vanity License Plates.
Visit a county, state, or National Park with den families.
Visit a Historic site nearby.
Take a bus or train trip (could be a city bus trip around the city).
Calculate cost and speed of a plane trip.
Make car first aid kits.
Have a speed contest of locating specific destinations and how to get there, using maps and timetables.
Teach proper packing of a suitcase.
Invite a Boy Scout to bring his backpack and show how to pack one.
Show how to use a fire extinguisher. How to check to see if the fire extinguisher is in proper working order.
Show how to place, light, and use road flares. Show when to use them.
Travel Information
Tourism bureaus are an endless source from which you can obtain maps, brochures on tourist attractions and motel and hotel directories. When you inquire for this information, let them know the month when the den plans to travel because some of the attractions are seasonal, and let them know what area of the state you are most interested in. Most of the literature is free or at a minimal price. This will be useful for the map exercise and will make working on the Traveler Activity Badge a much more colorful and pleasant experience.
Using Public Transit
The Transit Authority will provide you with a system map and schedules of bus routes that serve your area. Explain to the Webelos that they can go anywhere that they want on this outing provided they could get there by bus. This will teach them the use of timetables to plan a trip and they will be taking a trip to someplace that interests them.
How Much Per Mile?
Webelos Woodys dad had offered to take him to the Nature Center to work on his Naturalist Activity Badge. Woodys father tells him that they could go by bus, taxicab, or he will drive the family car. The bus would cost $1.50 each for Woody and his father. The taxicab would cost $22.00 for both Woody and his father. The family car cost $0.25 per mile to operate and the trip would require 2 gallons of gas at $1.00 per gallon. Woodys father says that they can leave as soon as Woody figures out what it would cost per mile to travel to the Nature Center by bus, by taxicab, and by car. The Nature Center is 20 miles away. Answers: Bus $0.l5 per mile, Taxi cabs $1.10 per mile, and car, $0.35 per mile.
Find The Mystery City
Divide the den into two teams. Give each team captain a state highway map. Call out the names of various cities in the state and have the team locate them on the map. The first team to locate the city wins the round (win or lose, make sure both teams locate the town before moving on to the next). The team that locates the most towns first wins.
Packing A Suitcase
Provide a medium size suitcase and bring plenty of items to pack into it. Included in the items should be the necessities of any trip (extra clothes, toiletries, etc.). Be sure that you deliberately bring too much to fit into the suitcase so that the Webelos are forced to select only what they cannot do without for the trip. Have the Webelos select items and practice packing the suitcase.
20 Questions
One person thinks of a person, place or thing for everyone else to identify. The rest of the family members may asked questions that can be answered yes or no. If no one guesses after 20 questions have been ask, the person who thought of it has stumped the others and is declared the winner. Take turns presenting the mystery to be solved.
Find The Most
The point is to see who can count the most of something by the time you reach your destination or within a specified time limit. People choose different objects to count: green cars versus red cars, cows versus horses, pickup trucks versus trailer trucks, Chevrolets versus Fords, or the license plates of two nearby states.
Medical Emergencies
Medical problems and emergencies you may be faced with include breathing problems, severe bleeding, and shock.
Breathing Problems
Anyone of the following can cause airway obstruction, resulting in stopped breathing:
Foreign matter in the mouth of throat that obstructs the opening to the trachea.
Face or neck injuries.
Inflammation and swelling of mouth and throat caused by inhaling smoke, flames, and irritating vapors or by an allergic reaction.
"Kink" in the throat (caused by the neck bent forward so that the chin rests upon the chest) may block the passage of air.
Tongue blocks passage of air to the lungs upon unconsciousness. When an individual is unconscious, the muscles of the lower jaw and tongue relax as the neck drops forward, causing the lower jaw to sag and the tongue to drop back and block the passage of air.
Severe Bleeding
Severe bleeding from any major blood vessel in the body is extremely dangerous. The loss of 1 liter of blood will produce moderate symptoms of shock. The loss of 2 liters will produce a severe state of shock that places the body in extreme danger. The loss of 3 liters is usually fatal.
Shock
Shock (acute stress reaction) is not a disease in itself. It is a clinical condition characterized by symptoms that arise when cardiac output is insufficient to fill the arteries with blood under enough pressure to provide an adequate blood supply to the organs and tissues.
InsaneScouter Moment - No Difference by Shel Silverstein
Small as a peanut,
Big as a giant,
Were all the same size
When we turn off the light
Rich as a sultan,
Poor as a mite,
Were all worth the same,
When we turn off the Light.
Red, black or orange
Yellow or white,
We all look the same,
When we turn off the light.
So maybe the way
To make everything right
Is for God to just reach out
And turn off the light!
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