Mountain Lion Adventure
Adventure Type: Required
Number of Requirements: 4
Typical Time to Complete: 1 or 2 meetings
Parent Involvement: Lion adult partner joins the outdoor walk
Preparation Needed: Gather essentials, plan a safe walking route, prepare animal pictures if used
Activity Level: Low to moderate
Indoor or Outdoor: Both
Special Requirements: At least 20 minutes outdoors, bring the Cub Scout Six Essentials
Supplies Snapshot: Six Essentials, Lion handbook, crayons or pencils, optional animal pictures or activity sheets
The Mountain Lion Adventure helps Lion Cub Scouts get ready to explore the outdoors. Lions learn how to stay safe, pay attention to their surroundings, and prepare for a simple outdoor activity.
They are introduced to the Cub Scout Six Essentials and learn why each item is useful. Lions also practice observing nature and telling the difference between natural and human-made objects.
This adventure gives Lions a chance to spend time outside with their den, pack, or family. It helps them build confidence, enjoy nature, and begin learning basic outdoor skills.
Requirements for the Mountain Lion Adventure
Mountain Lion Adventure Requirements
- Identify the Cub Scout Six Essentials. Show what you do with each item.
- Take a walk outside spending for at least 20 minutes exploring the outdoors with your Cub Scout Six Essentials. While outside, identify things that you see with your Lion adult partner that are natural and things that are manmade.
- Discover what S.A.W. means.
- Identify common animals that are found where you live. Separate those animals into domesticated and wild.
Printable requirements for the Mountain Lion Adventure
Checkoff sheet to keep track of your den's progress on the Mountain Lion Adventure
Printable checkoff sheet for the Lion Badge (for den or individual use)
Resources for the Mountain Lion Adventure
Mountain Lion Den Meeting Plan
This Mountain Lion Adventure den meeting is a fun way for Lions to learn about outdoor safety and nature. They will discover the Cub Scout Six Essentials, go on a nature walk, and learn what to do if they ever get lost. Through hands-on activities and games, they will practice being prepared, observant, and respectful of the outdoors. They will also explore the difference between wild and domesticated animals in a simple sorting game.
This meeting keeps Lions engaged with movement and interactive learning. It also reinforces key values of the Scout Law, like Brave, Helpful, and Reverent. By the end of the meeting, they will feel more confident about outdoor adventures and excited to explore nature with their families.
More Ways to Complete the Requirements
Mountain Lion Requirement 1: Cub Scout Six Essentials
Identify the Cub Scout Six Essentials. Show what you do with each item.
Help Lions learn what each essential is used for instead of asking them to memorize a list. Let them handle the items, pack them, and explain when they might need each one.
Easy option: Place the six items on a table. Pick up each item and ask the Lions to show or tell how it is used. See Cub Scout Six Essentials.
- First Aid Kit: Teaches Lions how to handle minor scrapes or bug bites.
- Water Bottle: Shows the importance of staying hydrated.
- Flashlight: Helps Lions learn to navigate and see in the dark.
- Trail Food: Introduces the concept of maintaining energy with snacks.
- Sun Protection: Reminds Lions to wear sunscreen and a hat to protect against the sun.
- Whistle: Teaches Lions how to signal for help if they get separated from the group.
See ideas for game and activities, and get a handout to send home, on my Cub Scout Six Essentials page.
More options:
- Guess the Cub Scout Six Essentials: Play a game of charades to identify the Cub Scout Six Essentials.
- Kim’s Game Cub Scout Six Essentials: Play Kim’s Game to help Cub Scouts learn about the Cub Scout Six Essentials. Learn more about Kim’s Game
Mountain Lion Requirement 2: Exploring the Outdoors
Take a walk outside spending for at least 20 minutes exploring the outdoors with your Cub Scout Six Essentials. While outside, identify things that you see with your Lion adult partner that are natural and things that are manmade.
Choose a safe place where Lions can easily spot both natural and man-made objects. Keep the walk relaxed, and let the Lions lead the observations as much as possible.
Easy option: Play “I Spy” during the walk. Take turns choosing something natural or man-made for the others to find. See Ideas for Hiking with Cub Scouts.
More resources:
- A Different Point of View: During the walk stop and change where you are looking by moving your body.
- Outdoor Scavenger Hunt Lion: While on a walk play a scavenger hunt for things that are natural.
Mountain Lion Requirement 3: S.A.W.
Discover what S.A.W. means.
Teach S.A.W. through practice so Lions know what to do if they become separated from their group. Review Stay, Answer, and Whistle, then let each Lion practice the three whistle blasts used to call for help.
Easy option: Have the Lions sit in one place, answer when their name is called, and blow three short whistle blasts.
More ideas:
- Does My Whistle Work? Cub Scouts will blow whistles and demonstrate how to use the whistle if they get lost.
- Reverse Hide and Seek: Play a version of hide and seek where the idea is to be found.
- S.A.W. Maze: Complete a maze that helps teach the S.A.W. method.
Mountain Lion Requirement 4: Local Animals
Identify common animals that are found where you live. Separate those animals into domesticated and wild.
Use animals the Lions already know from their neighborhood, parks, or nearby farms. Talk about which animals depend on people for care and which animals live on their own in the wild.
Easy option: Show pictures of common animals. Have the Lions sort them into two groups: domesticated and wild. See Wild or Domestic.
More options:
- Animal Craft: Using craft supplies make a domesticated animal and a wild animal.
- Visit to Animal Rescue: Travel to an animal rescue that has both wild and domestic animals.
Frequently Asked Questions for the Mountain Lion Adventure
What is the Mountain Lion Adventure?
It’s an outdoor activity for Lion Cub Scouts to learn about nature and safety.
What are the Cub Scout Six Essentials for the Mountain Lion Adventure?
The Six Essentials include a first aid kit, water bottle, flashlight, trail food, sun protection, and a whistle. Learn more about the Cub Scout Six Essentials here.
Why do we need to bring the Six Essentials on our walk?
They help keep us safe and prepared while we explore the outdoors.
What should we look for during our outdoor walk?
Try to spot things that are natural, like trees and birds, and things that are made by people, like roads and benches.
What does S.A.W. stand for in the Mountain Lion adventure?
S.A.W. stands for “Stay, Answer, and Whistle.” It’s a way to think about safety if you get lost.
How do we identify common animals in our area for the Mountain Lion adventure?
Look for animals you see often and learn if they are wild or domesticated.
Can we do the Mountain Lion adventure in any outdoor area?
Yes, any safe outdoor area that has both natural and man-made features is great.
Into the Wild
The Mountain Lion Adventure is designed for Lion Cub Scouts to learn about the great outdoors. It introduces young scouts to basic outdoor skills and safety practices, using fun and engaging activities. Lions start by learning the Cub Scout Six Essentials, which are items they should always have when exploring outside. This includes things like a water bottle and a first aid kit.
During the adventure, Lions take a walk outdoors with their den, pack, or family. They use this time to observe and identify natural and man-made objects. This helps them understand their environment and learn the importance of being prepared.
The adventure also teaches Lions about safety with the S.A.W. method, which stands for Stop, Assess, and Wait. It’s a simple strategy to use if they ever find themselves unsure or lost. Additionally, they learn to identify common animals in their area and differentiate between domesticated and wild animals.
Overall, the Mountain Lion Adventure builds essential outdoor skills and safety awareness. It encourages curiosity about the natural world while teaching Lions how to be responsible and safe explorers.
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