Lion Champions for Nature Adventure

Adventure Type: Elective
Number of Requirements: 4
Typical Time to Complete: 1–2 meetings, plus a service project if separate
Parent Involvement: Help with activities and the service project
Preparation Needed: Gather sorting items, check recycling rules, plan a service project
Activity Level: Low to moderate, depending on the project
Indoor or Outdoor: Both
Special Requirements: Conservation service project
Supplies Snapshot: Natural and man-made objects, waste pictures or clean samples, labeled bins, project supplies

The Lion Champions for Nature adventure introduces Lion Cub Scouts to simple ways to care for the environment. Lions explore the difference between natural resources, such as trees and water, and items made by people. Sorting games and nature walks help them notice these differences in the world around them.

Lions also learn to identify organic, paper, plastic, metal, and glass waste. They discover how recycling gives some used materials a new purpose. These activities help young Scouts begin to understand where everyday items come from and what happens when we throw them away.

The adventure includes a conservation service project, giving Lions a chance to put their learning into action. Planting native flowers or helping clean up a park lets them work together to care for nature. Through these hands-on experiences, Lions learn that small actions can make a difference.

Printable requirements for the Lion Champions for Nature Adventure

Checkoff sheet to keep track of your den's progress on the Lion Champions for Nature Adventure

Printable checkoff sheet for the Lion Badge (for den or individual use)

Requirement 2: Types of Waste

Discover the difference between organic, paper, plastic, metal and glass waste.  

Help Lions recognize all five types of waste: organic, paper, plastic, metal, and glass. Use clean, safe examples or pictures, and explain that identifying a material is different from knowing whether it belongs in the local recycling bin.

Easy Option: Show pictures of a banana peel, newspaper, plastic bottle, metal can, and glass jar. Have Lions name each material and match it to a labeled group.

More resources:

• Types of Trash: Identify the difference between items that are organic, paper, and glass. 

Requirement 3: Recycling

Discover recycling.

Explain that recycling turns some used materials into new products. Check your local recycling rules before the meeting so you can show Lions which items their families can recycle and how to prepare them.

Easy Option: Bring three clean items accepted by your local recycling program and one item that is not accepted. Help Lions decide which belong in the recycling bin.

More options:

• Use It Again: Take a trip to a recycling center.
• You Can Recycle: Invite a guest speaker to share how Cub Scouts can recycle in their community

Requirement 4: Conservation Service Project

Participate in a conservation service project.

Choose a small project that Lions can help complete, such as picking up litter or planting native flowers with permission. Give each Scout a simple job and explain how their work helps plants, animals, or the community.

Easy Option: Do a short litter cleanup around your meeting place with adult partners. Provide gloves and bags, and have adults handle sharp or unknown items.

More ideas:

• Dinner Time for Bees: Plant native plants that attract bees. 
• Sowing The Seeds of Love: Make “seed bombs” to plant wildflowers. 

The Lion Champions for Nature adventure is a key part of the Lion Cub Scout program, designed for young scouts to engage with the environment in meaningful ways. This adventure helps Lion Cub Scouts understand the basics of natural resources, recycling, and conservation through a series of fun and educational activities.

Lions start by learning the difference between natural resources and man-made items. This helps them appreciate the items that come from the Earth and how they differ from what humans create. They also explore different types of waste like organic, paper, and glass, and discover the importance of recycling each type properly to help the environment.

An important part of the adventure involves Lions participating in a conservation project. This could be a community clean-up, planting trees, or setting up a butterfly garden. These projects not only teach them about caring for nature but also show them the direct impact of their actions on their local environment.

Overall, the Lion Champions for Nature adventure is designed to spark an interest in environmental stewardship among Lion Cub Scouts. It combines learning with hands-on activities that emphasize teamwork, responsibility, and the joy of making a positive difference in the world around them. This adventure sets the foundation for a lifelong respect and care for nature, proving that even the smallest actions can lead to significant changes.