Webelos Walkabout Adventure

Adventure Type: Outdoor adventure, required
Number of Requirements: 7
Typical Time to Complete: 1 den meeting plus a 2-mile walk, 2 to 4 hours total
Parent Involvement: Transportation, supervision, walking support
Preparation Needed: Route planning, weather check, first aid review, gather gear
Activity Level: Moderate to high
Indoor or Outdoor: Both, mostly outdoor
Special Requirements: 2-mile walk, Cub Scout Six Essentials, Leave No Trace, Outdoor Code
Supplies Snapshot: Backpack, water bottle, sunscreen, whistle, flashlight, first aid kit, trail food, map, weather app, closed-toe shoes

The Webelos Walkabout Adventure helps Webelos Scouts learn how to enjoy the outdoors safely. Scouts plan and take a two-mile walk while learning useful skills along the way. They practice checking the weather, packing the right gear, and using simple first aid. These skills help them feel more confident and prepared.

During the adventure, Scouts also learn how to care for nature. They use the Leave No Trace Principles and the Outdoor Code while they hike. This helps them understand how to protect plants, animals, and outdoor spaces for others to enjoy.

Webelos also work together as a team. They help plan the walk, make decisions, and support each other during the hike. The adventure teaches cooperation, responsibility, and outdoor awareness while helping Scouts build friendships and enjoy time outside.

Webelos Walkabout Adventure Requirements

1. Prepare for a 2-mile walk outside.  Gather your Cub Scout Six Essentials and weather appropriate clothing and shoes.
2. Plan a 2-mile route for your walk.
3. Check the weather forecast for the time of your planned 2-mile walk.
4. Review the 4 points of BSA SAFE Checklist and how you will apply them on your 2-mile walk.
5. Demonstrate first aid for each of the following events that could occur on your 2-mile walk: blister, sprained ankle, sunburn, dehydration and heat related illness.
6. Go on your 2-mile walk while practicing your Leave No Trace Principles for Kids and Outdoor Code.
7. After your 2-mile walk, discuss with your den what went well and what you would do differently next time.   

Printable requirements for the Webelos Walkabout Adventure

Check off sheet to keep track of your den's progress on the Webelos Walkabout Adventure

Webelos Adventures Check Off Sheet

Webelos Walkabout Den Meeting Plan

This Webelos Walkabout den meeting plan helps Scouts learn outdoor skills while having fun. Scouts will prepare for a two-mile walk by packing the right gear, checking the weather, and planning their route. They will also practice first aid for common hiking injuries. Before heading out, they will play a game to learn about Leave No Trace principles. During the walk, they will follow their planned route and work together in different roles.

After the walk, Scouts will reflect on their experience and discuss what they learned. This meeting teaches responsibility, teamwork, and outdoor safety. It helps Scouts feel more confident in nature and prepares them for future adventures.

This meeting plan can also be broken into two shorter den meetings, one covering the preparation, and the other covering the walk and reflection.

Get the free Webelos Walkabout den meeting plan here.

Requirement 1: Gather Gear and Dress for the Weather

Prepare for a 2-mile walk outside.  Gather your Cub Scout Six Essentials and weather appropriate clothing and shoes.

This requirement helps Scouts learn how to prepare before going outside. Leaders should talk about why each of the Cub Scout Six Essentials matters and let Scouts practice packing their own gear. Keep it hands-on so they remember the items better.

Easy Option: Set up a “pack check” station where Scouts show their backpack and explain one item they brought. See Cub Scout Six Essentials

See more ideas for game and activities, and get a handout to send home, on my Cub Scout Six Essentials page.

To make preparation engaging, here are some fun activities:

• Essential Relay Race: Create a relay race where Scouts rush to gather all Six Essentials from a starting point to their backpacks at the finish line.
• Dress for the Weather Challenge: Scouts can compete to dress appropriately for different weather conditions laid out on cards (sunny, rainy, cold).
• Pack It Right: Have Scouts practice packing and unpacking their backpacks with the Six Essentials, explaining why each item is important as they do so.
• Cub Scout Essential Six Review: Cub Scouts will review Cub Scout Six Essentials and appropriate clothing.  

Cub Scout Six Essentials

1. Water bottle – To stay hydrated.
2. Sun protection (sunscreen, hat, sunglasses) – To protect from sunburn.
3. Flashlight – In case it gets dark.
4. Trail food – To keep energy levels up. See some ideas here.
5. First aid kit – To handle any minor injuries.
6. Whistle – To signal for help if needed.

Requirement 2: Plan the Route

Plan a 2-mile route for your walk.

Scouts learn how to think ahead and understand where they are going. Leaders can keep this simple by using a local park trail, school track, or neighborhood sidewalk route. Let Scouts help choose landmarks or stopping points along the way.

Easy Option: Use a simple printed map and highlight the walking route together. See Plan A Route.

More options:

• Map Making: Have each Scout draw their own map of a potential route, including landmarks and interesting spots they might see along the way.
• Digital Map: Cub Scouts plan a route for a two-mile walk.

Requirement 3: Check the Forecast

Check the weather forecast for the time of your planned 2-mile walk.

This teaches Scouts to pay attention to weather before outdoor activities. Leaders should discuss how weather changes what people wear, carry, and plan for. A short conversation about rain, heat, or storms is enough.

Easy Option: Have one Scout check a weather app and share the forecast with the den. See What’s The Forecast?

More ideas:

• Weather Role-Play: Scouts can take turns being the weather reporter, giving a forecast based on information from a weather app or website.

Requirement 4: Review the SAFE Checklist

Review the four points of BSA SAFE Checklist and how you will apply them on your 2-mile walk.

The SAFE Checklist helps Scouts think about safety before activities. Leaders do not need a long lecture. Just connect each part of SAFE to the actual walk they are taking so the ideas feel practical.

Easy Option: Ask Scouts simple questions like “Who is leading?” and “What hazards might we see on the trail?” See Safety First.

More resources:

• SAFE Checklist Match It Game

Here are the four points of the SAFE Checklist:

1. Supervision: Ensure qualified and responsible adults are present.
2. Assessment: Check for risks associated with the activity and environment.
3. Fitness and Skill: Make sure all participants are fit and skilled enough for the activity.
4. Equipment and Environment: Use safe and appropriate equipment, and be mindful of environmental conditions.

Requirement 5: Practice First Aid

Demonstrate first aid for each of the following events that could occur on your 2-mile walk: blister, sprained ankle, sunburn, dehydration and heat related illness.

This requirement helps Scouts feel more confident outdoors. Leaders should focus on simple first aid steps and let Scouts practice instead of only listening. Demonstrations and role-playing work well for this age group.

Easy Option: Create quick first aid stations where Scouts practice wrapping an ankle or treating a pretend blister. See Trail First Aid.

More activities:

• First Aid Baseball: Play a first aid game where players advance around the bases when they answer questions correctly.
• First Aid Demonstration: Cub Scouts invite members from a Scouts BSA troop, Venturing crew, or Sea Scouts ship to a den meeting and allow them to demonstrate first aid. 
• First Responder Visit: Cub Scouts visit a first responder to learn about first aid.  

Requirement 6: Take the Walk

With your den, pack, or family, go on your 2-mile walk while practicing the Leave No Trace Principles for Kids and Outdoor Code.

The walk is where Scouts use all of the skills they practiced. Leaders should keep the pace comfortable and encourage Scouts to notice nature around them. Talk about Leave No Trace during the walk instead of trying to teach it all beforehand.

Easy Option: Stop once during the walk and ask Scouts to point out ways they are protecting nature. See The Two-Mile Walk.

To make the walk more engaging and educational, consider these activities:

• Nature Bingo: Create bingo cards with items or actions that align with the Leave No Trace Principles and the Outdoor Code. Scouts try to complete a row during their walk.
• Trail Tales: Have each Scout take turns leading the group and sharing what they know about an aspect of the Leave No Trace Principles as they walk.
• Eco-Scavenger Hunt: Set up a scavenger hunt that encourages Scouts to observe and not disturb. They could look for types of leaves, animal tracks, or listen for bird sounds, tying back to respecting wildlife and leaving what they find.
• See more fun hiking activities here.

Leave No Trace Principles for Kids

1. Know Before You Go
2. Choose the Right Path
3. Trash Your Trash
4. Leave What You Find
5. Be Careful With Fire
6. Respect Wildlife
7. Be Kind to Other Visitors

Read more about Leave No Trace here.

The Outdoor Code

As an American I will

• Be clean in my outdoor manners.
• Be careful with fire.
• Be considerate in the outdoors.
• Be conservation minded.

Read more about the Outdoor Code here.

Requirement 7: Talk About the Experience

After your 2-mile walk, discuss with your den what went well and what you would do differently next time.

Reflection helps Scouts think about what they learned and how they worked together. Leaders should keep this discussion relaxed and positive. Short answers are fine. The goal is helping Scouts notice successes and improvements.

Easy Option: Use “Rose, Thorn, and Bud” sharing where each Scout shares one “Rose” (something that went well), one “Thorn” (something that was challenging), and one “Bud” (something they want to try or improve next time).

More ideas:

• Walk Memory Map: Have Scouts draw a map of their walk route and mark spots where memorable or significant events occurred. Discuss what happened at these points and why they were important.
• Stop-Start-Continue: Cub Scouts assess their two-mile walk. 

Planning a Cub Scout Hike: Planning a hike or outdoor activity with Webelos Cub Scouts is a fantastic way to combine adventure, learning, and leadership. See are some tips to help den leaders organize a successful and enjoyable outing for the Webelos Walkabout adventure.

The Outdoor Code: The Outdoor Code is an essential element of Scouting’s commitment to responsible outdoor behavior and environmental stewardship. It serves as a guide for Scouts of all ages, including Webelos, to conduct themselves in a manner that is respectful and considerate of the natural world during all outdoor activities, including the Walkabout adventure.

Leave No Trace: The Leave No Trace Principles for Kids are a cornerstone of outdoor ethics, promoting conservation and respect for the environment. These principles guide Webelos Cub Scouts, especially during the Webelos Walkabout adventure, teaching them how to explore and enjoy the outdoors responsibly.

Trail Food: For the Webelos Walkabout adventure, bringing a snack helps maintain energy, hydration, and enthusiasm throughout the walk. The best trail foods are nutritious, lightweight, and non-perishable. Here are some suggestions that are both scout-friendly and easy to pack.

Hiking Safety (Front Country): The article outlines essential outdoor gear for Cub Scouts embarking on the Webelos Walkabout adventure, emphasizing the importance of preparation and safety.

What to Do When Lost or Separated from Your Group (STOP Acronym): The STOP acronym provides crucial guidance for Cub Scouts, especially during the Webelos Walkabout adventure, on what to do if they get lost or separated from their group: Stay put, Think, Observe, and Plan.

Hiking Activities: To enrich the experience of the Webelos Walkabout adventure, consider incorporating additional activities that encourage Scouts to engage more deeply with their surroundings while walking.

How to Plan a Hike for Cub Scouts

What should a Scout bring on the Walkabout?

A Scout should bring the Cub Scout Six Essentials: water bottle, sun protection, flashlight, trail food, first aid kit, and a whistle. Learn more about the Cub Scout Six Essentials here.

How do we choose a route for our walk for the Webelos Walkabout adventure?

Plan a route that is safe and interesting. Make sure it is the right length (2 miles) and check that it’s suitable for the group’s age and fitness level.

What do we do if the weather is bad on the day of our walk?

Always check the weather before you go. If it looks like bad weather, reschedule the walk for a safer time.

Why is it important to practice the Leave No Trace Principles?

These principles help protect nature and make sure everyone can enjoy the outdoors now and in the future. They teach Scouts to be responsible and caring towards the environment.

How do we apply the BSA SAFE Checklist on our walk?

Before you go, make sure you have responsible adults, check the area for safety, ensure everyone is prepared in terms of fitness and skills, and have the right equipment and clothing for the weather and activities.

ow can we make our walk discussion useful after we finish?

Talk about what went well and what could be improved. Listen to everyone’s thoughts and use their feedback to plan better activities in the future.

The Webelos Walkabout Adventure is a key activity for Webelos Scouts, focusing on outdoor skills and teamwork. Scouts prepare for and undertake a 2-mile walk, which helps them learn practical skills like route planning and weather assessment. They gather essential items needed for the trip, which includes water, sun protection, and first aid supplies.

During the walk, Scouts practice the Leave No Trace Principles and the Outdoor Code, promoting respect and care for the environment. They also apply first aid knowledge to hypothetical situations, enhancing their readiness for actual emergencies. The adventure is not just about walking but about preparing Scouts to handle various outdoor challenges responsibly.

After the walk, Scouts reflect on their experiences. They discuss what went well and identify areas for improvement. This reflection helps them learn from their experiences and grow in their Scouting journey. Overall, the Webelos Walkabout Adventure is designed to develop a Scout’s self-sufficiency and environmental awareness, key components of the Scouting philosophy.