university of scouting 2007 mother nature is teaching today

University of Scouting2007

Mother Nature is Teaching Today


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


Department of Cub Scouting

• Great Outdoors as Classroom

• Teaching Nature

• Programs ~ Hikes, crafts, activities

• Resources


The Natural World

• Science

• Environment

• Pollution

• Conservation

• Citizenship

• Outdoor Code


It’s 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


Tiger Cubs

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


Wolves

• Use the Wolf Handbook

• Hikes

• Hand-on Activities

• Crafts

• Skits

• Songs


Bears

• Caring for the Planet

• Conservation

• Visit zoos, nature centers, wildlife preserves

• Share your world with wildlife

• Tie to Advancement with Bear Handbook


Webelos

• Earn the Outdoor Group– Forester– Geologist– Naturalist– Outdoorsman

• Cub World Conservation Award

• Cub ‘Front Country’ LNT Award


Presentation Methods:Outdoor

• Field Trips– Zoos, aquariums – Botanical gardens– Nature centers– Parks– Museums

• Council Conservation Resource Guide



• All Season Hikes

– Get outdoors EVERY Month– Dress Properly for the Season– Create Themes



• A Hike is a Journey– With a Purpose– With a Route– With a Destination

• Tailor to Cub rank and experience

• Incorporate Activity Badge Work



• Adopt an Acre

• Mark out 3 or 4 foot squares

• Visit & Observe Monthly

• Note Changes

• Report & Discuss at Den meetings



• Nature Scavenger Hikes

– Preparation Required• List Objects to Find• Include Chronology Questions



• Collecting Natural Objects– Leaves, cones, nuts– Sea Shells– Stamps (Nature-themed – birds, fish,

animals)– Leave what you find



• Conservation & Ecology Themes– Leave No Trace Organization

• Outdoor Ethics

– Sierra Club– Audobon Society– Environmental Protection Agency– Natural Resources Defense Council


Presentation Methods:Indoor

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



• Nature out the Window

– Inclusiveness• Physically handicapped• Housebound

– Tools• Telescope, microscope, kaleidescope• Bug box, magnifying glass



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



• Nature Crafts– Tie-in to Outdoor activity

• Arranging collections• Identify leaves• Pine cone bird-feeders• Birdhouse building



• Nature in Theatre

– Puppets (Webelos Showman)– Milk-jug Masks (Bears)– Paper-bag Masks (Wolves)– Costumes (natural elements – grass,

leaves)– Props – from natural items


Presentation Methods:Games

• Use Nature Themes– Go Fish (sea shells, leaves, stones)– Nature Jeopardy – think up questions &

answers– Pick-up Sticks BIG TIME – use 12” – 15”

sticks


Resources• Internet

– USScouting Service Project (http://www.cubbobwhite.net/outdoor/od.htm)

– Scouting.org (http://scouting.org/)– Conservation Resource Guide

(http://wpcbsa.org/Conservation/)– (Environmental Education Resources (

http://www.acornnaturalists.com/store/index.aspx– Government (Forest Service, National Parks &

State Parks, Local Parks & Recreation Departments)

http://www.acornnaturalists.com/store/index.aspx


Resources

• On the Ground– Libraries

• Public • School• Other (Nature Centers, Museums)

– Nature-oriented Organizations• Nature Centers• Arboretums


Resources

• Skits– BSA Cub Scout Leader How-to Book– Creative Campfires (BSA Supply)– MacScouter’s Big Book of Skits (on-line)

• Nature– Wilderness with Children: Parent’s Guide

to Family Outings. Michael Hodgson


ConclusionThe Peace of Wild ThingsWhen despair for the world grows in meAnd I wake in the night at the least soundIn fear of what my life and my children’s lives may be,I go and lie down where the wood drakeRests in his beauty on the water, and the great heron feeds.I come into the peace of wild thingsWho do not tax their lives with forethoughtOr grief. I come into the presence of still water.And I feel above me the day-blind starsWaiting with their light. For a timeI rest in the grace of the world, and am free.Wendell Berry

university of scouting 2007 mother nature is teaching today

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