Copy of Week 1: ZoomOut to See More W...

ZoomOut and see more wildlife with your binoculars as you explore nature and discover signs of wildlife in your backyard, along the trail, or in your community. Use one of the HomeScouting Scavenger Hunts to identify 10 signs of wildlife!

If you're not registered for Spring BreakOut, make sure to do that first!

Each week there are three components to completing the weekly challenge - Know, Show, and Go. To complete this week's challenge, do the following:

KNOW: Explore the content below to learn about wildlife you might encounter while outdoors, how to prepare for your adventure, and what to take with you.
SHOW: Plan your adventure! Gather your gear, determine where you are going, who's going with you, and when you're going. Discuss your plan with your family, den, patrol, or unit.
GO: Go on your adventure! Be sure to grab your specific tracking worksheet before you go to record what you complete.

As soon as you're ready, scroll down to get started.

Connected Challenges

Continue this week's challenge by completing additional activities. These activities are optional and just for fun but are connected to this week's theme.

Connected

Adventures

After completing this week's challenge, head back to The Trail and click on your level of Scouting's Waypoint to unlock connected Scouting adventures and advance along the way.

Connected Advancements

You're earning more than just the Spring BreakOut award this week! Click here to grab this week's tracking worksheet and see this week's list of connected advancements

Connected

Trainings

Calling all adult leaders and parents! Not only can you earn the Spring BreakOut Award with your Scout, you can find connected trainings for you to complete along the way.

BEFORE YOU GO OUT

Before you head out on your hike, make sure you have a plan!

The five W’s of a trip plan:

Where are you going? Decide on a route to your destination and
back. For backcountry trips, include a copy of a map with your route
marked in pencil.
When will you return? If you are not back reasonably close to the
time on your trip plan, Scout leaders and family members can take steps
to locate you and, if necessary, provide assistance.
Who is hiking with you? List the names of your partners. If you need
a ride to or from a trail, write down who will do the driving.
Why are you going? To fish in a lake? Climb a peak? Explore a new
area? Write a sentence or two about the purpose of your journey.
What are you taking? Always carry the Outdoor Essentials. If you are
camping out, you may need additional food, gear, and shelter.

LEAVE NO TRACE HIKING

Caring for the environment is an important responsibility of every hiker. The principles of Leave No Trace can help you live up to that responsibility and enjoy the outdoors fully by knowing that you are respecting the environment.

Leave No Trace Principles: As you and your group plan a hike, ask yourselves how you can follow each of the principles of Leave No Trace.

Plan Ahead and Prepare. When planning your hike, contact the land managers of the area you intend to visit or the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics (see the resources section for contact information). Explain your desired route and ask how you can best implement Leave No Trace. Here are some additional guidelines to remember.
- Know the regulations and special concerns for the area you will visit.
- Prepare for extreme weather, hazards, and emergencies.
- Schedule your trip to avoid times of high use.
- Visit the backcountry in small groups no larger than parties of four to six hikers.
Travel on Durable Surfaces. Stay on existing pathways to help protect the surrounding landscape from being trampled, eroded, and compacted.
- In popular areas, hike on durable surfaces such as established trails, rock, gravel, dry grasses, and snow.
- Protect shoreline vegetation.
- Walk single file in the middle of the trail, even if it is wet or muddy.
- Conduct activities in areas where vegetation is absent.
Dispose of Waste Properly. Remember this solid guideline: Pack it in, pack it out. Make it easier on yourself by limiting the amount of potential trash you take. Especially important is the disposal of human waste. Use toilet facilities whenever possible. Otherwise, urinate away from trails, camps, and other gathering places. Choose rocks or bare ground; animals may strip vegetation in order to consume the salts left by concentrations of urine. Pack out solid waste, or use a cathole. Check with the land agency for the area you will visit to find out the preferred method. To dig a cathole, choose a remote spot at least 200 feet from camps, trails, water, and dry gullies. With a trowel, dig a hole 6 to 8 inches deep in the topsoil. Take care of business, re-cover the hole, and disguise the site with leaves or other ground cover. Organic material in the topsoil will slowly break down the waste, making it harmless.
Leave What You Find. A cluster of flowers beside an alpine trail. Bricks from a historic homestead. A bird’s nest on a low bush. Every hike will bring with it a new discovery to see and enjoy. Here are some reasons why you should leave what you find.
- Future hikers will have the excitement of discovering for themselves what you have found.
- Plant and wildlife environments will not be harmed. Leave rocks and other natural objects as you find them. Avoid introducing or transporting nonnative species.
- Archaeological, cultural, and historic structures and artifacts preserve a record of America’s past; some are sacred to American Indians and other Native Americans. Observe, but do not touch or take.
Minimize Campfire Impacts. Most hikers are prepared to spend a day outdoors without needing a campfire. If you do expect to cook or get warm, plan ahead with options that do not depend on kindling a blaze. In any case, it is wise to know when a campfire can be lit and when a fire could scar the land. In many areas, fires are discouraged, prohibited, or allowed by permit only. If you must make a campfire:
- Use established fire rings, fire pans, or mound fires.
- Keep fires small. Use only sticks from the ground that can be broken by hand.
- Burn all wood and coals to ash, make sure the ashes are cold out, then scatter the cool ashes.
Respect Wildlife. Sharing the outdoors with wildlife is one of the great pleasures of hiking. Respect wildlife by always traveling quietly and observing animals from afar. You are too close if your actions cause an animal to change its activities. Always avoid wildlife when they are mating, nesting, raising young, and during other sensitive times.
- Never feed wild animals. Doing so damages their health, alters natural behaviors, and exposes them to predators and other dangers. Store all your food and trash securely.
Be Considerate of Other Visitors. Extending courtesy to other outdoor visitors is a natural habit of hikers. Speak softly and respect their desire for quiet and solitude. Leave radios and electronic devices at home. If you carry a mobile telephone for emergency communication, turn it off and stow it in your pack until you need it. Appreciate the company of those you meet on the trail and at campsites near yours. Observe proper trail etiquette. If you encounter horseback riders or pack animals, stop and ask the lead rider what you should do. The lead rider will probably ask you to step a few paces downhill from the trail and stand quietly while the animals pass. If you encounter other hikers or backpackers going uphill when you are going downhill, give them the right-of-way. Step aside on a rock or a log to minimize your impact, and watch your footing when you step below the trail.

KEEP SHOPPING

Leave-No-Trace-Seven-Principles-Infograp

THE OUTDOOR CODE

As an American, I will do my best to –
Be clean in my outdoor manners.
Be careful with fire.
Be considerate in the outdoors.
Be conservation minded.

GEAR UP FOR THE OUTDOORS

Clothing is your first line of defense against the elements. It keeps you warm in the winter, cool in the summer, dry in storms, and sheltered from insects, sun, and wind. To help decide what you need, learn about the materials from which clothing is made.

Wool. For generations of backcountry travelers, wool was the fabric of choice. Of course, that’s about all there was for making warm clothing. Wool is still terrific for many coldweather adventures. It is durable and water-resistant, and can help you keep warm even when the fabric is wet. A wool shirt or sweater can ward off the chill of summer evenings, too. Wool is also an excellent choice in hiking socks, hats, and mittens. (If wool irritates your skin, you may be able to wear wool blends or wear woolen layers over clothing made of other fabrics.)

Cotton. Cotton clothing is cool and comfortable. That makes it very good for hot-weather shirts and shorts, especially in dry climates. If cotton becomes wet, though, it loses its ability to insulate, and it may be slow to dry. That can be a real danger on cool days, especially when mist, rain, and wind bring with them the threat of hypothermia.

Synthetics. Outdoor clothing made of nylon, polypropylene, and other manufactured fabrics can be sturdy and comfortable and can maintain warmth even when wet. Look for synthetics in underwear, shirts, sweaters, jackets, pants, mittens, and hats. Lightweight nylon shorts and shirts are ideal for hot weather, drying quickly when wet. Waterproof and breathable synthetic fabrics are used in parkas and rain gear and as the shells of mittens and gloves. Choose layers of clothing that, when combined, will meet the most extreme weather you expect to encounter. On a chilly autumn day, for example, you might set out from the trailhead wearing long pants, a wool shirt, a fleece sweater, mittens, and a stocking hat. As you hike, the effort will cause your body to generate heat. Peel off the sweater and stuff it in your pack. If you are still too warm, loosen a few buttons on your shirt or slip off your mittens and hat. When you are no longer exerting yourself, stay warm by reversing the procedure, pulling on enough layers of clothing to stay comfortable. After the sun goes down, you may want to add an insulated parka and fleece pants or long underwear

No matter what type of outdoor activity you are doing, making sure you are prepared by wearing layers so that you can adjust your clothing to meet changing weather conditions.

Basic Warm-Weather Clothing Checklist

T-shirt or lightweight short-sleeved shirt
Hiking shorts
Underwear
Socks
Long-sleeved shirt (lightweight)
Long pants (lightweight)
Sweater or warm jacket
Brimmed hat
Bandannas
Rain gear
Appropriate hiking footwear

Basic Cold-Weather Clothing Checklist

Long-sleeved shirt
Long pants (fleece, wool, or synthetic blend)
Sweater (fleece or wool)
Long underwear (polypropylene)
Socks (wool or synthetic blend)
Warm hooded parka or jacket
Stocking hat (fleece or wool)
Mittens or gloves (fleece or wool) with water-resistant shells
Wool scarf
Rain gear
Appropriate cold/wet weather footwear

OUTDOOR ESSENTIALS

Take the Cub Scout Six Essentials or Scouts BSA Outdoor Essentials with you on every outdoor adventure. The items on the list may help you avoid emergencies, and they can make a pleasant hike even better. At least one person in each hiking group should carry a watch so that you can pace your travels, stick to your trip plan, and return home when you are expected.

Pack. A fanny pack or day pack will hold everything you need during a hike. If you use a small pack to carry

your books to school, it will probably be fine to use for hiking, too.

cub scout

six essentials

First Aid Kit
Flashlight
Filled Water Bottle
Trail Food
Sun protection
Whistle

Learn about the Cub Scout Six Essentials

scouts bsa outdoor essentials

Pocketknife
First-aid kit
Extra clothing
Rain gear
Water bottle
Trail food
Matches and fire starters
Sun protection
Map and compass
Flashlight

Adding some or all of the following items to your emergency kit can come in handy if things went wrong on a hike.

Duct Tape. Wrap a length of it around a plastic water bottle and you will always have some handy.
Whistle. A whistle can be heard for longer distances than shouting can and requires less energy.
Signal Mirror. A metal signal mirror can be slipped into your first-aid kit or a side pocket of your pack. Keep it in its case or slip it inside a spare sock to protect it from becoming scratched and dull.
Thin Wire. A few feet of thin wire can come in handy for repairing camping gear.
Garbage Bag. A heavy-duty 30- to 39-gallon plastic bag, preferably in a bright color, can be used for emergency rain gear, to protect tinder and kindling from the rain, and to shield your sleeping bag and other equipment.
Fishing Line and Hooks. Fifty feet of nylon fishing line can have many uses for making repairs. Add a few hooks and you will have the gear you need to try fishing in lakes and streams.

FOOD AND WATER

Keep your body well-fueled by having a nutritious breakfast before any outdoor activity, and then carrying food that will provide the calories you need throughout. Granola is the good choice. So is GORP—good old raisins and peanuts. Apples, oranges, carrots, and bananas are fine snacks, too. A solid lunch will see you through the middle of the day. Sandwiches, fruit, carrots, nuts, and raisins are all tasty. Instead of sandwiches, you might try crackers with cheese or peanut butter. Water is even more important than food though. Fill at least one water bottle before you start out, and sip from it often. In hot weather, you may need to carry several water containers. Treat any water taken from streams, lakes, or springs before you drink it.

POCKETKNIVES

A pocketknife is a useful tool to have with you, but it can also be dangerous if you don't know how to use it the right way. Learn about three different types of pocketknives and some basic pocketknife safety. REMEMBER: only Bears, Webelos, Scouts, Venturers, and adults are permitted to use pocketknives after a Whittling Chip is earned.

The jack knife is only hinged on one end, but it may have more than one blade. Outdoorsmen
such as hunters, campers and fishermen tend to like these knifes.

The pen knife has hinges and blades on both ends of the knife. Often, they
will have two or three blades at each end. They are also smaller than the other
two types.

The multi-purpose knife is popular because there are so many different things they can
have on them. Obviously, they'll have a knife blade, but they can also have a file, scissors,
tweezers, can or bottle openers and even a mini-saw blade.

KNIFE SAFETY RULES TO LEARN AND LIVE BY

A knife is a tool, not a toy.
Know how to sharpen a knife. A sharp knife is safer than a dull knife because it is less likely to slip and cut you.
Keep the blade clean and dry.
Never carry an open pocketknife.
When you are not using your knife, close it using the palm of your hand and put it away.
When you are using the cutting blade, do not try to make big shavings or chips. Cut slowly and steadily.
Make a safety circle. Before you pick up your knife to use it, stretch your arm out and turn in a circle. If you cannot touch anyone or anything else, it is safe to use your knife. While using your knife, be sure to watch in case someone walks toward you and gets too close. If that happens, put your knife away until it is safe to continue.
Always cut away from you, never toward you.
Never hand a knife to someone else blade first. Learn and use the “eye contact” method of handing a knife to someone else. Do not release the knife until the other person makes eye contact with you and acknowledges he has the knife.
Never use a knife on something that will dull or break it.
Never throw a knife for any reason.
Always think before you cut. Do not use your knife to strip bark from a tree or to carve your initials into something that does not belong to you.

pocketknife-multipurpose-knife-300x200.j

While on your outdoor adventure, use one of our HomeScouting Scavenger Hunts to see what you can find in the wild! Click on one of the Scavenger Hunt's below to download!

SCAVENGER HUNT

WHILE YOU'RE OUT - BE PREPARED

BEING PREPARED AS A GROUP

Many people keep things to themselves. They don’t want to hold up the team or are
worried about what others will think of them. An important step in avoiding backcountry

emergencies is letting your companions know when you are having a hard time or if you

are aware of something that might affect you or the group. Remember, stopping for a few

moments to deal with a hot spot on a heel can avoid bringing the group to a long halt later

in the day when blisters break out. Saying something about changing weather or asking

questions about the route that group leaders have chosen can bring important matters to the attention of the rest of your group and help everyone make good decisions.

Buddy System

"Two heads are better than one." You may have heard that saying before and it is true. Sometimes you may forget a safety rule, or not be aware of a hazard up ahead, but if you are with a buddy, it is easier to stay safe. The buddy system is a great way for Scouts to look after each other. especially on outdoor adventures. When you go hiking, swimming, or camping, you should be assigned a buddy. You keep track of what your buddy is doing, and your buddy knows at all times where you are and how you are doing. The buddy system is a way of sharing the good times and keeping everyone safe. If you and your buddy find yourself away from the rest of the group, make sure to follow the S-T-O-P rules below.

BEING PREPARED YOURSELF

Most important is how you think about things when you are confronted with a survival situation. Learn the right things to do at the right time, then practice these techniques until you know them by heart, and you will build your confidence in dealing with wilderness emergencies.

S-T-O-P

The moment you think you might be lost, stop immediately. If you ever feel fear, stop immediately. Put your hands in your pockets and take a deep breath. Look around and really see what is happening. If there are immediate dangers to avoid—a potential avalanche, a capsized boat, an approaching bear—do what you must to keep yourself and others safe. You might need to put on your rain gear or step around a tree to get out of the wind. You might also need to provide first aid for life-threatening injuries or illnesses. Once that is done, you can begin to figure out what to do next.

The letters of the word STOP hold a special meaning for
staying positive and beginning to take charge of a situation.

Stop / Stay Calm
Think
Observe
Plan

Stop/Stay Calm. At the beginning of a wilderness survival emergency, the most important thing you can do is stop. Once you have taken care of your immediate safety and that of others in your group, then relax as best you can. Drink some water. Eat a snack. You have time. You have resources. You have a good mind. Now is the time to start using it.

Think. Assemble the group. Use your brain to figure out what is really going on. If you think you are lost, study your map and try to determine where you are. Look around for landmarks. Note the contours of hills, ridges, or mountains, and where you are in relation to streams or lakes. If you don’t have a map, try to remember where you could have gotten off course. What was the last landmark you positively identified? In what direction did you travel from there? If you are on a trail or a road, can you follow it back to your starting point? If you have left footprints in snow, can you retrace your tracks? Don’t go anywhere yet. There is no rush.

Observe. Assess the immediate situation. Does anyone need additional first aid? What are the weather conditions? Where is a good place to take shelter? Inventory everything you have in your pack and pockets, and look around to get a sense of the natural resources nearby. What clothing do you have? How can you improvise with what is available to make it suit your needs? Don’t go anywhere yet. There is no rush.

Plan. When you have figured out what your situation really is, the group can put together a plan for what to do next. Build your plan on what you have observed, what you have in the way of equipment, what you can improvise from native materials, and how you can keep yourself safe. Put into practice the survival steps you have learned, and wait as calmly as you can for help to arrive. Plan carefully and cautiously; don’t make your situation worse by acting hastily. If you left a written trip plan with a responsible person before leaving home, your failure to return on time should trigger a search effort. Most people are found within 24 hours of becoming lost or encountering difficulties in the backcountry. You could, if you had to, survive much longer.

LION ALTERNATIVE - SAW

S = Stay Put

A = Answer (if you hear your name)

W = Blow your Whistle

SAFETY TIPS AROUND ANIMALS

SAFETY AROUND DOGS

It is not unusual to come upon dogs as you walk through cities, towns, and near
farms. You may meet them on trails, too. Since you are a stranger to them, they
might snarl and bark at you. Avoid eye contact; talk to the dogs you encounter
in a calm, quiet voice and give them plenty of room as you pass. Do not
threaten them, but if you have a hiking stick or trekking poles, keep them
between you and the animals. Cross to the far side of the road or trail if you
can, or avoid a dog’s territory by taking another route.

SAFETY AROUND WILD ANIMALS

Seeing deer, raccoons, skunks, squirrels, and other animals that make their homes in the outdoors is a special part of any hike. If wild animals must alter their normal habits, you are too close. They are not likely to become aggressive unless they feel threatened. Enjoy watching wild animals, but keep your distance. Do not disturb nests or burrows.

Be aware of the kinds of predatory animals you might meet during your adventures. Wolves, coyotes, and cougars (mountain lions, panthers, pumas) are curious. If you meet such an animal, do not approach the animal, run, or play dead. Face the creature and slowly retreat. Make yourself “big”—wave your arms and clothing above your head. Be noisy; throw rocks and sticks. If you encounter a bear, do not run or shout. Stay calm, back away, and avoid eye contact with the animal.

VENOMOUS REPTILES

Snakes and other reptiles will usually get out of your way when they see you coming. But if you stumble over one, it may bite. Fortunately, most snakes and other reptiles don’t have poison in their bites. Here are the few that do.

Gila monster: Found in parts of Nevada and Utah and down into Mexico

Crotalus-adamanteus-8-Eric-Stine-copy.jp

Eastern diamondback rattlesnake: Found along the Atlantic coast from North Carolina to Florida and west to Louisiana

Western diamondback rattlesnake:

Found in the southwestern United States, from Missouriand east Texas to southern California

Prairie rattlesnake: Found in the western half of the United States

Studies-thermoregulatory-behaviour-sidew

Sidewinder or horned rattlesnake: Found in the deserts of the Southwest

Coral snake: Found in some Southeastern states and in southern New Mexico and Arizona

Copperhead: Found in most Southern states, but also as far north as Massachusetts and as far
west as Illinois and Texas

Water moccasin (cottonmouth): Found in or near water from southeastern Virginia to Florida to east Texas and up through Arkansas and parts of nearby states

DANGEROUS INSECTS

Bees, hornets and wasps: Most flying insects are just annoying, like mosquitos. A few of them can be dangerous for people with bad allergies. If someone gets stung by a bee, hornet, or wasp and has trouble breathing, it’s important to seek medical help right away. People who know they are allergic to insect stings usually carry special medicine called epinephrine with them all the time. If you carry this medicine with you, be sure your leader knows about it!

Ticks: Ticks are hard-shelled insects that like to bury their heads in your skin. (Yuck!) You should check yourself for ticks when you’ve been in the woods. If you find one, have an adult gently pull it out with tweezers. Wash the area with soap and water and put antiseptic medicine on it.

Chiggers: Chiggers are too small to see, but they can cause big itches when they burrow into your skin. Don’t scratch chigger bites; cover them with calamine lotion or special chigger medicine, such as 1 percent hydrocortisone ointment.

Spiders: Some spiders, especially the black widow and brown recluse, can make you sick if they bite you. Symptoms can include redness and pain at the bite site and also fever, chills, nausea, vomiting, joint or muscle pain, and cramps. Anyone who has been bitten by a spider should see a doctor as soon as possible.

POISONOUS PLANTS

Most plants are beautiful and harmless, and most animals are more afraid of you than you are of them. However, you should be aware of the poisonous plans and dangerous animals that you might see on the trail - even in a city park or neighborhood.

Here are the most common poisonous plants. If you touch them, your skin may get red and itchy. You can prevent a reaction by washing with soap and water as soon as possible.

Poison Ivy.

Poison ivy grows throughout most of the continental United States as either a shrub or a vine. Look for leaves with three leaflets and maybe white berries.

Poison Oak.

Poison oak grows as a low shrub in the eastern U.S. and as clumps or vines on the Pacific coast. Look for clusters of three leaves and possibly yellow-white berries.

Poison Sumac.

Poison sumac grows as a tall shrub or a small tree in wet areas in the northeastern, midwestern, and southeastern United States. Look for leaves with seven or more leaflets and possibly yellow-white berries.

To avoid poison ivy and poison oak, remember this rhyme: "Leaves of three, let it be; berries white, poisonous sight"

CONNECTED CHALLENGES

LOCATE WHERE YOU LIVE

A map is a drawing or sketch of an area or country. Explorers have used maps since ancient times to travel from one place to another. We use maps every day. You may have used a map to locate a trail you hiked with your family. Now it’s time to get to know your town better and the area where you live! You can find a map of your city or town at a public library, the local convention and visitor’s bureau, or the chamber of commerce. You can also print out a map of your area from the Internet.

Some online map programs might also allow you to see a satellite image of your street and zoom in on a picture of your home. You can find the location of your home by typing in your street address with your parent or guardian’s help. Your home will not be pictured on a regular city or town map, though.

HOW TO FIND YOUR HOUSE ON GOOGLE EARTH:

Go to https://earth.google.com/web/
Type in your address in the Search bar
Locate your house!

Then, draw a map for a friend so he or she can locate your home, a park, a school, or other locations in your neighborhood. Use symbols to show parks, buildings, trees, and water. You can invent your own symbols. Be sure to include a key so your symbols can be identified. Maps have lines, symbols, and colors. A key, or legend, tells you what those symbols and colors mean.

Using the key, locate different symbols on the map. What symbols did you find? Now make a map of your neighborhood. Include your home, your school, or other locations you choose. Make up your own symbols to show parks, buildings, and bodies of water nearby. Be sure to mark the streets and landmarks on your map so a friend could easily find the location you selected.

DRAW YOUR OWN MAP

MATERIALS NEEDED

Paper
Colored Pencils / Markers / Crayons
Optional: Ruler

DIRECTIONS

The first decision is what to include on the map. Use your neighborhood and surrounding landmarks. Focus on the major landmarks in the area you're mapping. Places like your home, the road, neighbors' houses, stop signs, etc. are perfect examples.
Begin to put those landmarks on the map! Start by drawing a compass rose to indicate north, south, east and west on the map. Position the paper to line up with the actual directions. This makes it easier to put the landmarks in the appropriate spots. Decide on symbols for different landmarks. A square might indicate a building in the neighborhood, for example. A circle might represent trees. Start by drawing a representation for a prominent landmark. Make sure to keep in mind the proportion of the objects on the map. A fire hydrant shouldn't be as large as the house, for example.

Use the maps below as examples! Click on them to enlarge.

ASSEMBLE A FIRST AID KIT

When you’re hiking, you have to take care of any minor emergencies that come up. The Scout motto is “Be Prepared.” One way to be prepared is to carry a first-aid kit whenever you go hiking.

What are some minor emergencies you might encounter when on a hike? What items should you take along to handle these emergencies?

Put together a personal first aid kit containing the items below, but also the items you identified above.

Personal First-Aid Kit

Include these items for a personal first aid kit to carry on Scouting outings:

Adhesive bandages
Moleskin
Antibiotic ointment
Latex-free gloves

In addition to the basic items to the left, consider including:

Gauze pads
Adhesive tape
Soap
Scissors
Mouth barrier
Pencil and paper
Antiseptic wipes

COMPASS TREASURE HUNT

It’s time to have some fun using a compass! A parent, leader, or older Scout will place an object or objects nearby for you to find. Then he or she will give you directions for using the compass to locate them. First, find north on the compass and line up your body so you are facing north. Someone will give you directions to an object from the position where you are standing. Using the compass, follow the directions to get to the hidden object. Good luck on your scavenger hunt!

MATERIALS NEEDED

compass
paper and marker to write instructions.
treasure

HOW TO MAKE A COMPASS TREASURE HUNT:

An adult or older Scout will need to map out your course.

The course can be located anywhere: the park, backyard, or in your
house! It can be as simple or complex as you want, but should be scaled
in difficulty to the ages of everyone involved.
Standing at the starting point, look around in the distance for a

hiding place for the first little treasure and next clue: behind a tree,
hanging from a branch, behind the garage … Hold the compass and check to see that it’s level enough for the needle or card to spin freely. Wait till it points steadily in one direction, and turn the compass so “N” lines up with the pointer.
Now hold the compass in front of your face, and turn it until the needle points to North. Look to the hiding spot, then look down to the compass and read the “degrees” which point to the spot. (This method is simple, but not “pinpoint” accurate. Keep the next clue reasonably easy to locate).
Walk to the first hiding spot and count your steps along the way. Be sure to take the same size steps as the players would. Write down the number of steps and the course (in degrees) on a small piece of paper. This is the clue you’ll give the players at the start.
Repeat the process for the next clue: look for a hiding spot, take a compass bearing, count the steps, and write it down. Once you’ve finished plotting this second clue, you have to backtrack to the first clue location and leave the note with compass bearing and # of steps to the spot you just plotted. Don’t forget to leave a few treats to keep the players enticed.
Create as many waypoints as you like, but make enough so that each player gets a turn. The final “treasure” can be buried, hidden, or covered, but where all can access it together. (Not up a tree!) It can even lead right into your house where the birthday cake is waiting as the treasure.
Remember, kids have shorter distances in-between steps than adults, so take small steps.
Make it fun! Add instructions like spinning, jumping, climbing and more after they finished counting their steps. It breaks everything up and keeps them guessing and excited for not just the treasure at the end, but the hunt to get there.

ADVANCE

Below you will find details on connected advancements for this week's challenge.

If there is a Trail Waypoint next to the advancement, that means you fully earn this adventure along The Trail! Here you will find connected worksheets, tracking tools, and full details on how to complete the adventure.

TRAIL WAYPOINTS

FOR CUB SCOUTS

LIONS - Current Kindergarteners (as of April 2021)

Mountain Lion (Required Adventure) - Get prepared for a hike and demonstrate what to do if you get lost from the group on your hike and learn about respecting nature.

Download this week's LION tracking tool

TIGERS - Current 1st Graders (as of April 2021)

Tigers in the Wild (Required Adventure) - Go on a hike and gather the
Cub Scout Six Essentials for your hike. Make sure to carry your own gear! Look for wildlife along the way.
My Tiger Jungle (Required Adventure) - Take a 1-foot hike and discover nature in your backyard.

Download this week's TIGER tracking tool

WOLVES - Current 2nd Graders (as of April 2021)

Paws on the Path (Required Adventure) - Show you are prepared for a hike by collecting the Cub Scout Six Essentials and take a one-mile hike with your den or family.
Finding your Way (Elective Adventure) - Use a map and learn about where you live and take a walk or a hike with your family. You can even create a scavenger
hunt!

Download this week's WOLF tracking tool

BEARS - Current 3rd Graders (as of April 2021)

Fur, Feathers, and Ferns (Required Adventure) - While hiking for one-mile, observe signs of animals that might live there.
Bear Necessities (Required Adventure) - Go on an outdoor activity with your den or family and prepare for the adventure.

Download this week's BEAR tracking tool

WEBELOS & ARROW OF LIGHTS - Current 4th & 5th Graders (as of April 2021)

Webelos Walkabout (Webelos Required Adventure) - Go on a three mile hike and assemble a first aid kit and a nutritious snack for your hike.
Outdoor Adventurer (Arrow of Light Required Adventure) - Go on a hike with your den or family and practice the Outdoor Code and Leave No Trace.
Into the Woods (Elective Adventure) - Learn about different trees and take a walk around your neighborhood to identify useful things made from wood.

Download this week's WEBELOS & AOL tracking tool

FOR SCOUTS BSA & VENTURING

While you'll need to work with your troop leadership to fully complete the rank requirements below, you can practice while completing this week's challenge!

Download this week's SCOUTS BSA tracking tool

SCOUT RANK

Tell what you need to know about pocketknife safety.
Repeat from memory the Outdoor Code. In your own words, explain what the Outdoor Code means to you.
Work on the Exploration Merit Badge along The Trail!

TENDERFOOT RANK

Describe common poisonous or hazardous plants; identify any that grow in your local area or campsite location. Tell how to treat for exposure to them.
Show first aid for the following: Bites or stings of insects and ticks and venomous snakebites
Assemble a personal first-aid kit to carry with you on future campouts and hikes. Tell how each item in the kit would be used.
Explain the importance of the buddy system as it relates to your personal safety on outings and in your neighborhood. Use the buddy system while on a troop or patrol outing.
Describe what to do if you become lost on a hike or campout.
Work on the Exploration Merit Badge along The Trail!

SECOND CLASS RANK

Explain the principles of Leave No Trace and tell how you practiced them on a campout or outing. This outing must be different from the one used for Tenderfoot requirement 1c.
Identify or show evidence of at least 10 kinds of wild animals (such as birds, mammals, reptiles, fish, or mollusks) found in your local area or camping location. You may show evidence by tracks, signs, or photographs you have taken.
Using a compass and map together, take a 5-mile hike (or 10 miles by bike) approved by your adult leader and your parent or guardian.
Describe some hazards or injuries that you might encounter on your hike and what you can do to help prevent them.
Demonstrate how to find directions during the day and at night without using a compass or an electronic device.
Work on the Exploration Merit Badge along The Trail!

FIRST CLASS RANK

Using a map and compass, complete an orienteering course that covers at least one mile and requires measuring the height and/ or width of designated items (tree, tower, canyon, ditch, etc.).
Demonstrate how to use a handheld GPS unit, GPS app on a smartphone, or other electronic navigation system. Use GPS to find your current location, a destination of your choice, and the route you will take to get there. Follow that route to arrive at your destination.
Identify or show evidence of at least 10 kinds of native plants found in your local area or campsite location. You may show evidence by identifying fallen leaves or fallen fruit that you find in the field, or as part of a collection you have made, or by photographs you have taken.
Work on the Exploration Merit Badge along The Trail!

STAR AND LIFE RANKS

Work on the Exploration Merit Badge along The Trail!

trainging

FOR PARENTS AND ADULT LEADERS

All direct contact leaders must complete Hazardous Weather Training to be considered position trained. And here is one story about why this is so important.

Imagine as a leader with a group of excited Scouts you arrive at a council camp for a

camporee on a rainy Friday afternoon. Saturday morning is filled with the sounds of

Scouts participating in the scheduled activities, only to have the weather turn

blustery with sustained winds of about 30 mph and gusts up to 48 mph. The trees of

the heavily forested area start swaying madly back and forth. As a leader, what would

you do? Would you continue with the camporee or evacuate the camp?

This was exactly the situation experienced earlier this year at Pacific Harbors Council’s Klondike Derby held at Camp Thunderbird. Accrding to the National Weather Service, sustained winds of about 30 mph with gusts up to 48 mph were recorded near the camp between 7 a.m. and 3 p.m. Saturday. It soon became apparent to leaders that conditions had become unsafe and, around midmorning, with input from the council representative and Camp Thunderbird’s ranger, leaders decided to evacuate the camp.

“We made sure that we followed the Boy Scout Guide to Safe Scouting and our hazardous weather training to ensure that all scouts and adults made it home safe,” said Barb Dyer, Klondike committee chairwoman. “It was the right decision to cancel Klondike. While it’s disappointing that the boys couldn’t have the fun-filled weekend that was planned, I’m eternally grateful that safety is first with the BSA.”

A good decision it was, as several large trees and branches dropped on or near Scout campsites during the storm. No injuries were reported, but it could have turned out differently. Rebecca Ledford, an adult leader with Troop 4100, shared a photo of her son’s tent, which had been impaled by a heavy fallen branch — right where his pillow was.

On Sunday morning the “all clear” was given for scouts and leaders to return to retrieve their belongings and break down their campsites.

TAKE THE TRAINING

my.scouting tips

Log in to my.scouting.org
Click on BSA Learn Center to access a full list of trainings
Click on Program Safety under Expanded Learning to find the Hazardous Weather Training.

FIND SUPPLEMENTAL TRAINING AT LEADSCOUTING.ORG

Join more than 1,000 other adult volunteers from around the world at www.LEADScouting.org for Baden Powell Institute throughout the spring! BPI is a premiere training event providing courses that spark innovation, imagination, and inspiration. You’ll have immediate access to the entire course catalog of 30+ classes on an interactive virtual campus and receive a package in the mail! We’ve designed this program to meet your needs with all classes digitally delivered and on demand – tune in on your time, and get the training you need.

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