Rolling Tigers Adventure for 2024

Printable requirements for the Rolling Tigers Adventure

Check off sheet to keep track of your den’s progress on the Rolling Tigers Adventure

Tiger Adventures Check Off Sheet

Gear Up for Safety

With your den or Tiger adult partner, learn about the safety gear you should use while riding a bicycle. 

Requirement 2 of the Rolling Tigers Adventure focuses on teaching Tiger Cub Scouts about the necessary safety gear for bicycle riding. Understanding and using the correct safety gear is essential for protecting themselves while enjoying their ride.

Essential Safety Gear for Cycling:

• Helmet: The most important piece of safety equipment. A helmet protects the head during falls or collisions, significantly reducing the risk of serious injury.
• Knee and Elbow Pads: These pads protect knees and elbows from scrapes and bruises in case of a fall. They are especially useful for beginners who are more likely to fall.
• Gloves: Cycling gloves help improve grip on the handlebars and protect the hands from blisters and cuts. They also cushion the hands on bumpy rides.
• Bright Clothing or Reflective Gear: Wearing bright clothing or reflective gear makes cyclists more visible to drivers, particularly in low light conditions, reducing the risk of accidents.
• Lights and Reflectors: For riding in the dark or low-light conditions, lights and reflectors are crucial. They help others see the cyclist and also help the cyclist see the road.

Some Ideas:

• Visit from a Professional: Invite a local police officer or cycling instructor to talk about bike safety and demonstrate how to properly wear and use safety gear.
• Create Safety Posters: Have Tigers create posters showing different types of safety gear and why each is important. Display these posters during den meetings to reinforce the lessons.
• Safety Gear Inspection: Have all Tigers bring their bicycle safety gear and inspect it together to see if it’s in good condition and fits properly.

Here are some options for fulfilling Rolling Tigers Adventure requirement 2:

• Ask the Pro
  • A guest speaker who is an expert in cycling demonstrates the ABC’s of bike safety gear.
  • Supplies: bike helmets
  • indoor, low energy, a week or more prep
• Check My Bike Gear
  • Cub Scouts check their own safety gear. 
  • Supplies: bike helmets and other safety gear
  • indoor, low energy, 3 to 5 days prep

Learning about and using the right safety gear helps Tigers stay safe while cycling, instilling good habits that they will carry with them as they grow.

Essential Bicycle Safety Rules

With your den or Tiger adult partner, learn the safety rules to follow when riding a  bicycle.

Requirement 3 of the Rolling Tigers Adventure emphasizes learning and following key safety rules when riding a bicycle. Knowing these rules helps Tiger Cub Scouts ride safely and responsibly.

Important Bicycle Safety Rules:

• Wear a Helmet: Always wear a helmet that fits well. It’s the best protection against head injuries.
• Follow Traffic Signs and Signals: Obey all traffic lights, stop signs, and road markings just like cars do.
• Use Hand Signals: Use hand signals to let drivers and other cyclists know when you are turning or stopping.
• Stay Alert: Always watch out for cars, pedestrians, and obstacles. Don’t use headphones while riding.
• Ride on the Right: Always ride in the same direction as traffic, staying as far to the right as safely possible.
• Check Your Equipment: Before riding, make sure your bicycle is in good condition. Check the brakes, tires, and chain.

Learning Bicycle Safety Rules:

• Safety Rule Skits: Organize skits where Tigers act out different scenarios involving bicycle safety rules. Each group could demonstrate the right and wrong ways to handle a situation.
• Bicycle Safety Quiz: Create a fun quiz with questions about bicycle safety rules. Tigers can take turns answering questions to reinforce their knowledge. Or do this bicycle safety crossword puzzle.
• Interactive Bike Course: Set up a bike course where Tigers can practice following safety rules. Include signs for stopping, areas to practice hand signals, and obstacles to avoid.
• Bike Safety Poster Session: Have each Tiger create a poster about one of the safety rules. They can present their posters to the den or their families to teach others about what they’ve learned.

Here are some options for fulfilling Rolling Tigers Adventure requirement 3:

• Chalk It Up Bike Rodeo
  • Create a bike safety course using chalk patterns on the ground. 
  • Supplies: bikes, helmets, safety gear, sidewalk chalk
  • outdoor, high energy, 3 to 5 days prep
• When to Walk and When to Ride
  • Review safety rules for bike riding. 
  • Supplies: Tiger handbook page 48, pencils
  • outdoor, moderate energy, 1 to 3 days prep

Learning these safety rules in a fun and interactive way helps Tigers remember and apply them every time they ride, ensuring they enjoy cycling while staying safe.

Mastering Bicycle Hand Signals

With your den or Tiger adult partner, demonstrate proper hand signals.

Requirement 4 of the Rolling Tigers Adventure focuses on teaching Tiger Cub Scouts the proper hand signals for cycling. These signals help cyclists communicate their actions to other road users, ensuring safer rides.

Key Hand Signals to Know:

• Left Turn: Extend your left arm straight out to the side.
• Right Turn: Extend your right arm straight out to the side, or extend your left arm out with your forearm raised at a 90-degree angle.
• Stopping or Slowing Down: Extend your left arm out and down with your palm facing back.

Practicing Hand Signals:

• Signal Relay Race: Set up a relay race where Tigers must ride a short distance, perform a specific hand signal at a checkpoint, and then turn around to ride back. This helps them practice the signals in motion.
• Hand Signal Matching Game: Create a matching game with cards that show different traffic scenarios. Tigers can match these with the correct hand signal card. This reinforces their understanding of when and why to use each signal.
• Video Demonstration: Record a short video of each Tiger demonstrating the hand signals. Play these videos back for the group, allowing Tigers to see themselves and learn from each other.
• Signal Scavenger Hunt: During a bike ride, have a list of situations where Tigers should use a hand signal. When they spot a scenario (like approaching a left turn), they perform the corresponding signal. This makes learning signals fun and contextually relevant.

Here is an option for fulfilling Rolling Tigers Adventure requirement 4:

• Simon Says – Turn Left, Turn Right
  • Play Simon Says using the bike hand signals for turning left and turning right. 
  • Supplies: none
  • indoor, moderate energy, minimal prep

Practicing these hand signals in varied, interactive ways helps ensure that Tigers not only understand them but also feel confident using them on their bike rides.

Go for a Ride

With your Tiger adult partner or family, ride a bike or begin learning how to ride a bike.

Requirement 5 of the Rolling Tigers Adventure is a milestone for Tiger Cub Scouts—riding a bicycle with their family or starting to learn how to ride. This experience is not just about physical activity but also about building confidence and enjoying the outdoors.

• Family Bike Day: Organize a family bike day where Tigers and their families can ride together in a safe place, like a park or a bike trail. This encourages family bonding and provides a supportive environment for beginners.
• Bicycle Rodeo: Set up a bicycle rodeo with different stations for practicing skills such as starting, stopping, and maneuvering around obstacles. This can be both fun and educational, helping Tigers gain confidence in their riding abilities. See details here.
• Learn to Ride Workshop: For Tigers who don’t know how to ride, offer a workshop with adult volunteers to teach them. Use balance bikes or training wheels to start, and gradually progress as they gain skills.
• Bike Decorating Contest: Spice up the learning process with a bike decorating contest. Tigers can personalize their bikes with streamers, stickers, and colorful spoke beads. This makes their learning experience fun and memorable.
• Safety Skills Clinic: Incorporate a clinic focusing on safety skills like checking the bicycle’s readiness, wearing the right gear, and understanding road safety. This ensures that Tigers not only learn to ride but also understand how to do it safely.

Here is an option for fulfilling Rolling Tigers Adventure requirement 5:

• I Want To Ride My Bicycle!
  • Take a bike ride with your den. 
  • Supplies: Cub Scout six essentials, bikes, helmets, safety gear, Activity Consent 
  • outdoor, high energy, a week or more prep

By participating in these activities for the Rolling Tigers Adventure, Tigers not only learn how to ride a bicycle but also appreciate the joys of cycling with friends and family. These experiences help instill a lifelong love for this healthy and enjoyable form of exercise.

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 the Bicycle Safety guidelines on the BSA Sports and Activities page.

During the Adventure:

• Perform an “ABC Quick Check” on the bikes before riding. The Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center provides a checklist for air, brakes, cranks, chain, and cogs.
• If the bike ride is away from your usual meeting place, ensure everyone completes an Activity Consent form.
• Bikes with training wheels can be used for this Adventure.

More information

The Rolling Tigers Adventure is a fun and educational journey into the world of bicycling for Tiger Cub Scouts. This adventure focuses on teaching the young Scouts the essentials of bike maintenance, safety gear, riding rules, and communication through hand signals. Each step is designed to build confidence and safety awareness in young riders.

Tigers start by learning the ABCs of bike gear—Air, Brakes, and Chain—ensuring their bikes are ready for the road. Next, they explore the safety gear necessary for riding, such as helmets and pads, emphasizing the importance of protecting themselves. They also learn the rules of safe biking, which include riding on the right side of the road, following traffic signs, and using hand signals to communicate with others.

Demonstrating hand signals is another key part of the Rolling Tigers adventure, where Tigers learn to signal turns and stops effectively. This not only enhances their safety but also helps them communicate clearly with other road users. Finally, they put all their new skills into practice with a bike ride, which can be an exciting first ride for some or an opportunity to refine skills for others.

The Rolling Tigers adventure is about adopting a healthy, active lifestyle and understanding the responsibilities that come with being on the road.