Bear Habitat Adventure for 2024

Printable requirements for the Bear Habitat Adventure

Checkoff sheet to keep track of your den’s progress on the Bear Habitat Adventure

Printable check off sheet for the Bear Badge

Know Before You Go

“Know Before You Go” Identify the location of your walk on a map and confirm your 1-mile route.

For requirement 2 of the Bear Habitat adventure, here’s how den leaders can help their Bears “Know Before You Go”:

1. Find a Map: Choose a map of the area where you will walk. A park map or a simple trail map works well.
2. Show the Route: On the map, point out the starting point and the route you will follow. Make sure it’s a one-mile loop or out-and-back walk.
3. Discuss Landmarks: Identify any landmarks on the map with your Bears. This could be things like a big tree, a stream, or a rock formation. This helps them recognize these spots during the walk.
4. Confirm the Route: Double-check that the route is safe and suitable for the group. Make sure it’s not too difficult for the Bears.

Here are some options for fulfilling Bear Habitat Adventure requirement 2:

• Digital Path Finding
  • Cub Scouts use digital mapping devices to view a one-mile route.
  • Supplies: smart device with mapping function, Paths for Everyone worksheet, map with route
  • indoor, low energy, 3 to 5 days prep
• Paper Paths
  • Cub Scouts use paper maps to review the route of the one-mile walk.
  • Supplies: highlighters, printed map, Paths for Everyone worksheet, map with route
  • indoor, low energy, 3 to 5 days prep

By preparing with a map and knowing the route ahead of time, Bears will be more confident and safe during their walk.

Choose the Right Path

“Choose the Right Path” Learn about the path and surrounding area you will be walking on.  

For requirement 3 of the Bear Habitat adventure, den leaders can help their Bears “Choose the Right Path” by discussing these simple steps:

• Research the Path: Before the walk, look up information about the path. Find out if it’s flat, hilly, or rocky. Knowing this helps you prepare the Bears for what to expect.
• Stick to Paths and Trails: Try not to disturb wildflowers and other plants. Don’t trespass on private property.
• Learn About the Area: Teach the Bears a bit about the area. You might discuss the types of trees, animals, or special landmarks they might see. This makes the walk more interesting.
• Safety Check: Make sure the path is safe for the group. Check if there have been any recent issues like fallen trees or flooded areas.
• Plan for Rest Stops: If the path is long or challenging, plan a few stops where the group can rest and have water.

Here are some options for fulfilling Bear Habitat Adventure requirement 3:

• Ask the Path Expert
  • Invite a guest with knowledge of the path to speak about the history of the path.
  • Supplies: Map or picture of the area you where Cub Scouts are walking
  • indoor, very low energy, more than one week prep
• No Two Trails Alike
  • Cub Scouts learn about special attributes of the Bear Walk route.
  • Supplies: Digital map of route
  • indoor, low energy, 3 to 5 days prep

By learning about the path and the surrounding area, Bears have a safer and more enjoyable walk.

Trash your Trash

“Trash your Trash” Develop a plan for what you will do with your personal trash or trash you find along the trail. 

For requirement 4 of the Bear Habitat adventure, den leaders can guide their Bears to “Trash Your Trash” with these steps:

• Bring Trash Bags: Make sure every Bear has a small trash bag in their daypack. This is for collecting their own trash and any litter they find on the trail.
• Explain Why It Matters: Teach the Bears why it’s important to keep nature clean. Explain that trash can harm plants and animals.
• Set Rules: Make a rule that everyone must carry out their own trash. Also, if it’s safe, they can pick up litter they find on the trail.
• Plan for Disposal: Decide where you will throw away the collected trash after the walk. Usually, there are trash bins at the start or end of a trail.

Here is an option for fulfilling Bear Habitat Adventure requirement 4:

• Trash Timeline Game
  • Play trash timeline game to understand decomposition time and the need to trash the trash.
  • Supplies: Trash Timeline Cards, Trash Timeline printout, Trash Timeline Key, timer
  • indoor, high energy, 1 to 3 days prep

By planning how to manage trash, den leaders help Bears learn responsibility and respect for the environment.

Leave What You Find

“Leave What You Find” Take pictures along your walk or bring a sketch book to draw 5 things that you want to remember on your walk.

For requirement 5 of the Bear Habitat adventure, den leaders can help their Bears “Leave What You Find” by encouraging them to record their observations creatively:

• Choose a Method: Decide if the Bears will take pictures with a camera or draw in a sketchbook. Each Bear can choose what they like best.
• Prepare Materials: If they choose to draw, make sure each Bear has a sketchbook and pencils. If they take pictures, check that they have a camera or a phone with a camera.
• Set a Goal: Ask each Bear to find five things they find interesting or beautiful to take pictures of or draw. This could be a leaf, a bug, a flower, or a view.
• Discuss Respect: Remind them not to disturb what they find. That way others who walk the path after them can also enjoy them. They should only look and take pictures or draw.
• Share and Reflect: At the end of the walk, have each Bear share one picture or drawing and talk about why they chose it. Feel free to share, with permission, your Scouts’ wildlife photos or sketches in our Scout Leaders Facebook group.

Here is an option for fulfilling Bear Habitat Adventure requirement 5:

• Take Only Memories
  • While on a walk, Cub Scouts take pictures or bring a sketchbook to draw five things that they want to remember.
  • Supplies: smart device or camera OR sketchbooks, pencils, crayons, markers
  • requires travel, very high energy, 1 to 3 days prep

This activity helps Bears appreciate nature without disturbing it and gives them a personal memory of their adventure.

Be Careful with Fire

“Be Careful with Fire” Determine the fire danger rating along your path.

For requirement 6 of the Bear Habitat adventure, den leaders can guide their Bears to “Be Careful with Fire” by checking the fire danger level:

• Find Fire Danger Information: Before the walk, look up the fire danger rating for the area. You can find this information on the website of the local park, forest service, or fire department.
• Explain Fire Danger Ratings: Teach the Bears what the fire danger ratings mean. Higher ratings mean they need to be more careful about fire safety.
• Discuss Fire Safety: Talk about why it’s important to be careful with fire in nature. Explain how fires can start and spread, especially on dry days.
• Make a Safety Plan: If the fire danger is high, plan to avoid activities that could start a fire. This could mean not using a camp stove or having a campfire.

Here is an option for fulfilling Bear Habitat Adventure requirement 6:

• Fire Danger Matching
  • Play a fire danger level matching game.
  • Supplies: Fire Danger Matching Game
  • indoor, high energy, 1 to 3 days prep

By understanding and respecting the fire danger ratings, Bears learn how to enjoy nature safely and help prevent wildfires.

Respect Wildlife

“Respect Wildlife” From a safe distance, identify as you look up, down, and around you, 6 signs of any mammals, birds, insects, reptiles.

For requirement 7 of the Bear Habitat adventure, den leaders can help their Bears “Respect Wildlife” by observing signs of animals safely:

• Teach Observation Skills: Explain how to look for signs of wildlife. These can include tracks, nests, chewed leaves, or sounds.
• Set Safety Rules: Make sure the Bears know to watch animals from a distance. They should not try to touch or feed wildlife.
• Use All Senses: Encourage the Bears to use their eyes, ears, and noses to notice wildlife signs. Look up at the trees, down at the ground, and all around.
• Identify Six Signs: Challenge each Bear to find and identify six different signs of wildlife, such as bird calls, insect nests, or reptile tracks.
• Discuss What They Find: After the walk, talk about the signs they saw and what those signs tell us about how animals live.

Here is an option for fulfilling Bear Habitat Adventure requirement 7:

• Wildlife Snapshot
  • While on a walk, Cub Scouts identify six signs of any mammals, birds, insects, or reptiles.
  • Supplies: none
  • requires travel, very high energy, 1 to 3 days prep

By learning to observe and respect wildlife safely, Bears enhance their understanding of nature and how to coexist with it responsibly.

Be Kind to Others

“Be Kind to Other Visitors” Identify what you need to do as a den to be kind to others on the path.

For requirement 8 of the Bear Habitat adventure, den leaders can guide their Bears to “Be Kind to Others” on the trail:

• Discuss Trail Etiquette: Teach the Bears basic trail manners. This includes staying to the right, passing on the left, and announcing when passing others.
• Share the Space: Remind them to be aware of other people using the path. This means not blocking the path and allowing others to enjoy their time in nature too.
• Use Quiet Voices: Encourage the Bears to use quiet voices on the trail so they do not disturb other people or wildlife.
• Be Helpful: Teach them to be helpful, like assisting others with directions or picking up dropped items.
• Leave No Trace: Reinforce the importance of leaving no trash behind and keeping the trail clean for everyone.

Here is an option for fulfilling Bear Habitat Adventure requirement 8:

• Consider Others
  • While on a walk, Cub Scouts find one way to be considerate to other visitors on the path.
  • Supplies: none
  • requires travel, moderate energy, 1 to 3 days prep

By practicing kindness and consideration on the trail, Bears learn to respect others and make the outdoor experience enjoyable for everyone.

Go for a Walk

Go on your 1-mile walk while practicing your Leave No Trace Principles for Kids.

For requirement 9 of the Bear Habitat adventure, den leaders can guide their Bears through a one-mile walk while reviewing the previously mentioned Leave No Trace Principles for Kids:

• Know before you go
• Choose the right path
• Trash your trash
• Leave what you find
• Be careful with fire
• Respect wildlife
• Be kind to others

Read more about the Leave No Trace principles here

Here is an option for fulfilling Bear Habitat Adventure requirement 9:

• Leave No Trace Walk
  • Cub Scouts go on a one-mile walk while practicing Leave No Trace Principles for Kids.
  • Supplies: Activity Consent Form, filled water bottles, whistles, flashlights, sunscreen, hats, sunscreens, trail mix, small first aid kits, den first aid kit
  • requires travel, very high energy, 1 to 3 days prep

By actively engaging in Leave No Trace practices during their walk, Bears learn to be responsible stewards of the environment.

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, complete the following:

• Review Age Appropriate Guidelines for Scouting Activities.
• Complete the online “Hazardous Weather” training module on my.scouting. If you have already completed den leader, Cubmaster, or pack committee chair training online, you have done this module.
• Watch the Weather Related Safety Moment video.
• Review the BSA Annual Health and Medical Record for all Cub Scouts and adults going on the walk for any safety concerns.
• Watch the video on the Cub Scout Six Essentials.
• Learn the Leave No Trace Principles for Kids in the front of the Bear Handbook.
• If anyone in the den, youth or adult, carries an EpiPen for severe allergies, make sure at least one other adult knows how to use it. Review the Safety Moment on anaphylaxis for more information.

During the Adventure:

• Use the buddy system.
• All adults should actively supervise.

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

More information

The Bear Habitat Adventure is an outdoor activity designed for Bear Cub Scouts. It encourages them to explore nature while learning essential outdoor skills. This adventure is all about getting ready, being observant, and respecting the environment.

First, the Bears prepare for their one-mile walk. They gather the Cub Scout Six Essentials, which include items like a water bottle, sun protection, and a first aid kit. They also need to wear clothing and shoes suitable for the weather. This preparation teaches them the importance of planning ahead for safety and comfort.

During the walk, Bears practice the Leave No Trace Principles. They learn to respect wildlife by observing animals from a distance and not disturbing their habitats. They also keep the trails clean by picking up any trash they find. This helps protect the natural beauty of the area for other visitors.

Bears also use this opportunity to learn about the natural world. They might take pictures or draw things they find interesting. This activity helps them appreciate the details of the environment. They also learn to be considerate of other people on the trail, practicing kindness and good trail manners.

The Bear Habitat Adventure teaches Bear Cub Scouts valuable lessons about preparation, respect for nature, and consideration for others. It’s a fun and educational experience that helps them develop a lifelong appreciation for the outdoors.