TIGERS

Achievement 5 Let’s Go Outdoors

Baloo Archives

Based on input I received last year, I realized I needed to emphasize getting your Tigers Outdoors now (versus January for those of us in New Jersey or even further north.) Besides, isn’t that why they joined Scouting – to get outdoors??  And so here is Achievement 5!!  CD There is so much to do and learn outdoors!  You can have fun exploring nature and looking at trees, flowers, and animals.  You can walk, run, play games, and ride a bike. It’s even fun to sit outside!

Achievement 5F - Family activity

You can listen to a weather report on the radio or television. But it’s more fun to tell what the weather is like by going outside and using your five senses to observe what the weather for yourself.  Your five senses are seeing, hearing, smelling, tasting, and touching.  Some people can’t use all five senses fully, such as people who are sight impaired or hearing impaired.  Often, people who can’t use one of their senses have learned to use their other four senses very well.

5F Go outside and observe the weather.  Use your senses to help you describe what the weather is like.  What do you see?  Is it sunny?  Is it dark?  Do you see stars, clouds, sunshine, rain, or a rainbow?   What do you hear?  Do you hear thunder, rain, or the blowing wind?  Maybe you hear traffic noise, children playing, or birds singing. How does the weather affect noises like these?  What do you smell?  Do you smell flowers or freshly cut grass?  Maybe you smell the aroma of someone cooking or the odor of farm animals.  The air and wind bring these smells to your nose.   What do you taste?  If the wind is blowing across a dusty place, you may get dust in your mouth.  Does the air taste like dirt?  Does it taste like salt?  What can you feel?  Is it cold or warm?  Do you feel the wind blowing?  Do you feel rain or snow?

The Character Connection on Faith is associated with this Achievement.  Don’t overlook this important part of the program.  Have the Adult partners be sure to carry out the discussion and have the Tiger explain what he knows (This is done by completing the first part of achievement 5F) and then explain how he feels about things he cannot see (The sun at night, the moon during the day, wind).  And finally, in discussing what you believe in but cannot see, what faith is and how you develop faith.  Faith is one of Cub Scouting’s 12 Core Values.  Don’t miss this chance to discuss Faith with your Tiger.  For more information on Character Connections check out your Tiger Book, Your Leader’s Book or Bill Smith’s Unofficial Cub Scout Roundtable at  http://www.wtsmith.com/rt.html He has the whole BSA publication on Character Connections Commissioner Dave

Achievement 5D - Den Activity

Many trees and bushes have leaves that turn colors and fall to the ground in autumn.  Some trees have needles that stay on all year long.  You may live in a place where cacti grow.  Cacti have spines or scales instead of leaves.  Go outdoors with your adult partner and collect some leaves or needles to take to your den meeting for this activity.  Be sure to collect only fallen leavers, or get the permission of an adult before removing a live part of a tree or bush.

And what better time than when the leaves are changing colors to go out and look for leaves and be able to pick them up and compare them.  CD

5D With a crayon or colored pencil and a piece of paper, make a leaf rubbing.

Materials:  writing paper, leaves, crayons

Place a leaf, vein side up, on a smooth surface, and cover it with a piece of thin writing paper.  Hold the paper firmly in position and gently rub the crayon over it.  The crayon strokes should all be in the same direction and with just enough pressure to bring out the details of the leaf.  The finished design can be displayed in your home, decorated and framed. Your leaf rubbings can also be made into greeting cards or given as a gift.

Achievement 5G - Go and See It

Walking is great exercise, and it’s fun to be outdoors. When you walk, you see more things in the outdoors than you would if you went by fast on a bicycle, or in a car or bus.

5G Take a hike.

Your den may go to a special outdoor place for a hike, or you may take a simple walk in your neighborhood.  Be sure to take into account the size and ability of your Tiger.  There are many state Parks and other parks with short nature trails that have built in rest areas where you stop and read the commentary along the trail (Station 1, station 2,).  These may be perfect for your Tigers. 

Every Pack should be committed to conduct an outdoor activity within the first three months of the year (September, October, November).  My pack has a Fall Family Camping Trip. Our council has a Fall Cub Scout event at one of our camps.  Activities like these would be perfect times for your Tigers to get their hikes.  CD

 Wherever you go, it’s fun to be outdoors! Remember, three quarters of Scouting is Outing.