University of Scouting

1
Mother Nature is Teaching Today
2
Why Teach Nature?

• To a person uninstructed in natural history, his
  country or sea-side stroll is a walk through a
  gallery filled with wonderful works of art,
  nine-tenths of which have their faces turned to
  the wall.
• Thomas Huxley 19th Century Philosopher
  Environmentalist

3
Department of Cub Scouting

• Great Outdoors as Classroom
• Teaching Nature
• Programs Hikes, crafts, activities
• Resources

4
The Natural World

• Science
• Environment
• Pollution
• Conservation
• Citizenship
• Outdoor Code

5
Its a small world after all

• Scoping Activities
• Tigers, Wolves, Bears Webelos
• Outdoors
• Hikes, Field Trips, Scavenger Hunts, Collecting
• Indoors
• Nature Videos, Games, Skits, Stunts, Songs

6
Tiger Cubs

• Go See it!
• Nature Center presentations
• Field trips
• Neighborhood Hikes
• Treasure Hunt
• Outdoor Adventure

7
Wolves

• Use the Wolf Handbook
• Hikes
• Hand-on Activities
• Crafts
• Skits
• Songs

8
Bears

• Caring for the Planet
• Conservation
• Visit zoos, nature centers, wildlife preserves
• Share your world with wildlife
• Tie to Advancement with Bear Handbook

9
Webelos

• Earn the Outdoor Group
• Forester
• Geologist
• Naturalist
• Outdoorsman
• Cub World Conservation Award
• Cub Front Country LNT Award

10
Presentation MethodsOutdoor

• Field Trips
• Zoos, aquariums
• Botanical gardens
• Nature centers
• Parks
• Museums
• Council Conservation Resource Guide

11
Presentation MethodsOutdoor

• All Season Hikes
• Get outdoors EVERY Month
• Dress Properly for the Season
• Create Themes

12
Presentation MethodsOutdoor

• A Hike is a Journey
• With a Purpose
• With a Route
• With a Destination
• Tailor to Cub rank and experience
• Incorporate Activity Badge Work

13
Presentation MethodsOutdoor

• Adopt an Acre
• Mark out 3 or 4 foot squares
• Visit Observe Monthly
• Note Changes
• Report Discuss at Den meetings

14
Presentation MethodsOutdoor

• Nature Scavenger Hikes
• Preparation Required
• List Objects to Find
• Include Chronology Questions

15
Presentation MethodsOutdoor

• Collecting Natural Objects
• Leaves, cones, nuts
• Sea Shells
• Stamps (Nature-themed birds, fish, animals)
• Leave what you find

16
Presentation MethodsOutdoor

• Conservation Ecology Themes
• Leave No Trace Organization
• Outdoor Ethics
• Sierra Club
• Audobon Society
• Environmental Protection Agency
• Natural Resources Defense Council

17
Presentation MethodsIndoor

• The Art of Nature
• Vast far-reaching
• Get into it!
• Each boy will have unique perspective
• Use your imagination

18
Presentation MethodsIndoor

• Nature out the Window
• Inclusiveness
• Physically handicapped
• Housebound
• Tools
• Telescope, microscope, kaleidescope
• Bug box, magnifying glass

19
Presentation MethodsIndoor

• Songs, Skits, Presentations
• Select
• Rehearse
• Cue Cards Poster-size
• Build a repertoire

20
Presentation MethodsIndoor

• Nature Crafts
• Tie-in to Outdoor activity
• Arranging collections
• Identify leaves
• Pine cone bird-feeders
• Birdhouse building

21
Presentation MethodsIndoor

• Nature in Theatre
• Puppets (Webelos Showman)
• Milk-jug Masks (Bears)
• Paper-bag Masks (Wolves)
• Costumes (natural elements grass, leaves)
• Props from natural items

22
Presentation MethodsGames

• Use Nature Themes
• Go Fish (sea shells, leaves, stones)
• Nature Jeopardy think up questions answers
• Pick-up Sticks BIG TIME use 12 15 sticks

23
Resources

• Internet
• USScouting Service Project (http//www.cubbobwhite
  .net/outdoor/od.htm)
• Scouting.org (http//scouting.org/)
• Conservation Resource Guide (http//wpcbsa.org/Con
  servation/)
• (Environmental Education Resources
  (http//www.acornnaturalists.com/store/index.aspx
• Government (Forest Service, National Parks
  State Parks, Local Parks Recreation
  Departments)

24
Resources

• On the Ground
• Libraries
• Public
• School
• Other (Nature Centers, Museums)
• Nature-oriented Organizations
• Nature Centers
• Arboretums

25
Resources

• Skits
• BSA Cub Scout Leader How-to Book
• Creative Campfires (BSA Supply)
• MacScouters Big Book of Skits (on-line)
• Nature
• Wilderness with Children Parents Guide to
  Family Outings. Michael Hodgson

26
Conclusion

• The Peace of Wild Things
• When despair for the world grows in me
• And I wake in the night at the least sound
• In fear of what my life and my childrens lives
  may be,
• I go and lie down where the wood drake
• Rests in his beauty on the water, and the great
  heron feeds.
• I come into the peace of wild things
• Who do not tax their lives with forethought
• Or grief. I come into the presence of still
  water.
• And I feel above me the day-blind stars
• Waiting with their light. For a time
• I rest in the grace of the world, and am free.
• Wendell Berry