Webelos Aware and Care Adventure

The Webelos Aware and Care Adventure is a unique opportunity for Cub Scouts to learn about disabilities and the challenges people face daily. This adventure encourages Webelos to think about how everyone can be included and participate fully in society, regardless of their abilities. By engaging in this adventure, scouts develop a deeper understanding and empathy for others.

Through various activities, Webelos explore what life is like for people with visual and hearing impairments. They learn not just about the disabilities themselves but also about the strength and resilience required to navigate these challenges. This helps build character and teaches important life skills like compassion and understanding.

Meeting people who have disabilities or those who work closely with them is another critical aspect of this adventure. It allows Webelos to hear firsthand about personal experiences, struggles, and triumphs. This direct interaction is invaluable as it adds a personal dimension to their learning and helps them appreciate the importance of accessibility and inclusivity.

Overall, the Aware and Care Adventure equips Webelos with knowledge and insights that contribute to their growth as thoughtful, considerate individuals. They learn the significance of supporting one another and making the world a more accessible place for everyone. This not only helps in their personal development but also strengthens their ability to contribute positively to their communities.

Webelos Aware and Care Adventure Requirements

1. Do an activity that shows the challenges of a being visually impaired. 
2. Do an activity that shows the challenges of being hearing impaired.
3. Explore barriers to access.  
4. Meet someone who has a disability or someone who works with people with disabilities about what obstacles they must overcome and how they do it.

Printable requirements for the Webelos Aware and Care Adventure

Check off sheet to keep track of your den’s progress on the Webelos Aware and Care Adventure

Webelos Adventures Check Off Sheet

Visual Impairments

Do an activity that shows the challenges of a being visually impaired. 

Visual impairments affect how a person sees the world. Some people cannot see at all, while others have limited vision. It is important for Webelos to understand these challenges so they can be more considerate and helpful. Doing activities that simulate visual impairments can teach Webelos about these challenges in a meaningful way.

• Blindfolded Obstacle Course: Set up a safe obstacle course and have the Webelos navigate it while blindfolded. They can use a rope or the guidance of a partner to make their way through.
• Braille Writing: Teach the Webelos a few letters in Braille. Let them try writing their names or simple words using raised dots on cardboard or using a special Braille writing tool.
• Lunch in the Dark: Have a meal or snack time where Webelos must eat while blindfolded. This activity shows them the challenges of everyday tasks without sight.

Here are some options for fulfilling Webelos Aware and Care Adventure requirement 1:

• Can We Get There?
  • Navigate an obstacle course with both eyes covered one eye covered, and blurred vision.
  • Supplies: painter’s tape, neckerchief, Vision simulator glasses set, paper, pencil, timer
  • indoor, moderate energy, more that one week prep
• Can You Draw It?
  • Draw a picture while vision is obscured.
  • Supplies: paper, pencil, crayons, markers, colored pencils, neckerchiefs
  • indoor, low energy, minimal prep
• I Can Do It
  • Pour a cup of water and eat a snack without using vision.
  • Supplies: bananas, cups, water, sponges, paper towels, neckerchiefs,
  • indoor, low energy, 1 to 3 days prep
• What Is This?
  • Identify common household items without using vision.
  • Supplies: box, small blanket or towel, hairbrush, spatula, spoon, washcloth, toy car, orange, cup, pencils, paper
  • indoor, very low energy, 1 to 3 days prep

These activities help Webelos experience and understand the daily realities faced by people with visual impairments.

Hearing Impairments

Do an activity that shows the challenges of being hearing impaired.

Hearing impairments can range from mild hearing loss to complete deafness. People with hearing impairments often use various tools and techniques to communicate. It’s important for Webelos to understand these challenges to learn how to better communicate and interact with those who are hearing impaired.

• Silent Communication: Webelos use only gestures and written words to communicate for a set period. This activity shows them the importance of non-verbal communication.
• Soundless Movie Time: Watch a short video or movie clip without sound and have the Webelos guess the story or the dialogue. Discuss afterward to see how accurate their guesses were.
• Sign Language Basics: Teach the Webelos a few basic sign language phrases or the alphabet. Have them practice using these signs to communicate simple sentences to one another.

Learn more about American Sign Language.

Here are some options for fulfilling Webelos Aware and Care Adventure requirement 2:

• Listen Carefully
  • Play a game of Simon Says wearing noise canceling headphones.
  • Supplies: noise cancelling headphones, timer
  • indoor, moderate energy, one week prep
• Story Time
  • Tell a story using American Sign Language.
  • Supplies: smart devices with internet access
  • indoor, moderate energy, 3 to 5 days prep
• What Animal
  • Cub Scouts guess the animal without talking.
  • Supplies: paper, pencils, timer
  • indoor, moderate energy, 1 to 3 days prep

These activities help Webelos experience what it is like to navigate daily activities without hearing and encourage them to think about how they can be inclusive of those with hearing impairments.

Understanding Barriers to Access

Explore barriers to access.

Barriers to access are obstacles that make it difficult for people with disabilities to use spaces, services, and tools that others might take for granted. These can be physical, like stairs that prevent wheelchair access, or social, like a lack of understanding about disabilities. Exploring these barriers helps Webelos learn about the importance of inclusive design and empathy in their communities.

• Accessibility Audit: Take the Webelos on a walk around their meeting place or a public area to identify barriers that might hinder someone with a disability. Look for things like lack of ramps, narrow doorways, or unclear signage.
• Wheelchair Challenge: Set up a course or use your meeting space and have Webelos navigate it in a wheelchair. This will help them understand the physical challenges faced by those who use wheelchairs.
• Sensory Scavenger Hunt: Create a scavenger hunt where Webelos must find objects or locations using hints designed for those with visual or hearing impairments, like using touch or following a sound.

Here are some options for fulfilling Webelos Aware and Care Adventure requirement 3:

• Can You Reach It?
  • Cub Scouts experience what it is like to have an object out of reach.
  • Supplies: painters tape, items to be taped to a wall, empty paper towel tube, grabber reacher tool
  • indoor, moderate energy, 1 to 3 days prep
• Outdoors Barriers to Access
  • Cub Scouts go outdoors looking for barriers to access.
  • Supplies: Activity Consent Form, cameras or phones, Cub Scout Six Essentials, notebook, pencil
  • requires travel, high energy, 1 to 3 days prep

These activities help Webelos recognize and think about how to eliminate barriers to access, fostering a more inclusive mindset.

Learning from Personal Experiences

Meet someone who has a disability or someone who works with people with disabilities about what obstacles they must overcome and how they do it.

Meeting someone with a disability or someone who works with disabled individuals provides Webelos with a personal insight into the challenges and triumphs involved. This interaction can deepen their understanding and respect for different abilities and show them how obstacles can be overcome with determination and support.

• Guest Speaker Session: Invite a guest speaker who has a disability or works with people with disabilities to share their story with the Webelos. Prepare a list of thoughtful questions in advance to help the Scouts engage actively in the discussion.
• Virtual Meet and Greet: Arrange a video call with someone from a local organization that supports individuals with disabilities. This allows the Webelos to learn about different types of disabilities and the various ways people adapt to them.
• Community Visit: Organize a visit to a community center or facility that specializes in supporting individuals with disabilities. This can be an eye-opening experience for Webelos as they see the kinds of tools and technologies that help people live more independently.

Here are some options for fulfilling Webelos Aware and Care Adventure requirement 4:

• How Do People Help?
  • Visit a rehabilitation facility.
  • Supplies: Activity Consent Form
  • requires travel, low energy, more than one week prep
• How Do You Do It?
  • Invite a guest to speak about disabilities.
  • Supplies: none
  • indoor, low energy, more than one week prep
• Jobs For Dogs
  • Have a person who trains service dogs or has a service dog visit the den.
  • Supplies: none
  • indoor, very low energy, more than one week prep

These activities not only educate the Webelos about disabilities but also inspire them by showing how people overcome challenges and lead successful lives.

I Can Do That With One Hand Tied Behind My Back Game: This game will help youth understand that some physical disabilities make it very difficult to do everyday tasks.

Guide Me Game: This blindfolded game ties in with helping youth “see” how difficult it is for a blind person to navigate unfamiliar territory.

Before any activity, check the SAFE Checklist to make sure everyone is safe. Everyone involved in Scouting America activities should know the Guide to Safe Scouting and other relevant guides or books. Also follow any state or local rules that are more strict than Scouting America rules and guidelines.

Before starting this Adventure, review Digital Safety and Online Scouting Activities.

More information

What is the goal of the Aware and Care Adventure?

The goal is to help Webelos learn about the challenges faced by people with disabilities and how to be considerate and supportive friends and community members.

What activities will Webelos do in this Webelos Aware and Care Adventure?

Webelos will participate in activities that simulate visual and hearing impairments, meet people with disabilities or those who work with them, and explore barriers that prevent access for disabled individuals.

Why do Webelos meet someone with a disability?

Meeting someone with a disability helps Webelos understand real-life challenges and learn how people overcome them. It makes the learning experience personal and impactful.

How can we find a guest speaker who works with disabled individuals for the Webelos Aware and Care Adventure?

You can contact local organizations that support people with disabilities, schools, or rehabilitation centers to find a guest speaker.

How long does the Aware and Care Adventure take to complete?

The time can vary depending on the activities chosen and the availability of guest speakers, but typically, the adventure could take a meeting or two to complete.

The Webelos Aware and Care Adventure helps young scouts understand and empathize with people who have disabilities. Through a series of activities, Webelos explore the daily challenges faced by individuals with visual and hearing impairments. They participate in hands-on experiences like navigating obstacle courses blindfolded or trying to communicate without speaking. These activities teach them about the obstacles and barriers that people with disabilities often encounter.

Additionally, Webelos have the opportunity to meet someone with a disability or someone who works closely with the disabled community. These meetings are invaluable as they provide real-life perspectives and stories of resilience and adaptation. The adventure also prompts Webelos to think about accessibility and inclusivity in their surroundings by identifying barriers to access in their communities.

By completing the Aware and Care Adventure, Webelos develop a deeper understanding of empathy and inclusiveness. They learn the importance of looking beyond their own experiences and considering how they can help make the world more accessible for everyone.