Webelos Champions for Nature Adventure for 2024

The Webelos Champions for Nature Adventure encourages Webelos Scouts to become advocates for the environment. This adventure teaches Scouts about the essentials of animal habitats and the importance of conservation efforts. By learning about what animals need to survive and thrive, Webelos develop a deeper understanding of nature and their role in preserving it.

During this adventure, Webelos focus on various species that are threatened or endangered. They investigate the reasons behind the declining numbers of these animals and explore what can be done to protect them. This not only raises their awareness about environmental issues but also empowers them to make a difference.

One key aspect of the Webelos Champions for Nature Adventure is active participation in conservation efforts. Webelos take part in service projects that contribute to the welfare of local ecosystems. These projects not only help the environment but also instill a sense of responsibility and teamwork among the Scouts.

Overall, the Webelos Champions for Nature Adventure provides Cub Scouts with valuable lessons in ecology, wildlife preservation, and community service. By completing this adventure, Scouts gain crucial insights into how they can help protect our planet and its diverse inhabitants. This experience fosters a lifelong respect for nature and encourages continuous engagement in conservation activities.

Webelos Champions for Nature Adventure Requirements

1. Discover the four components that make up a habitat: food, water, shelter, space.
2. Pick an animal that is currently threatened or endangered to complete requirements 3, 4, and 5.
3. Identify the characteristics that classify an animal as a threatened or endangered species. 
4. Explore what caused this animal to be threatened or endangered. 
5. Research what is currently being done to protect the animal.
6. Participate in a conservation service project. 

Printable requirements for the Webelos Champions for Nature Adventure

Check off sheet to keep track of your den’s progress on the Webelos Champions for Nature Adventure

Webelos Adventures Check Off Sheet

What Is a Habitat?

Discover the four components that make up a habitat: food, water, shelter, space.

For the Webelos Champions for Nature requirement, Webelos learn about the four components that make up a habitat: food, water, shelter, and space. These are the basics that all animals need to survive.

• Food: Animals need the right kind of food to provide energy. Webelos can explore different food sources that animals rely on in their habitat.
• Water: All animals need water to survive. Webelos can learn about how animals find water and why it’s crucial for their survival.
• Shelter: Shelter protects animals from bad weather and predators. Webelos can investigate different types of shelters animals use, like nests, burrows, or dens.
• Space: Animals need enough space to find food and water, seek mates, and raise their young. Webelos can learn how living space is important for wildlife.

Here are some options for fulfilling Webelos Champions for Nature Adventure requirement 1:

• Local Habitat Hunt Game
  • Cub Scouts learn about habitats by playing the Habitat Hunt game.
  • Supplies: Local Habitat Hunt worksheet, Webelos handbook, pencils
  • outdoor, high energy, 1 to 3 days prep
• Local Microhabitat Study
  • Cub Scouts learn about microhabitats.
  • Supplies: Local Microhabitat Study Observation worksheet, clipboards, sticks or spoons, pencils, magnifying glasses
  • outdoor, moderate energy, 1 to 3 days prep

Understanding these components helps Webelos see how each part is vital for animals and teaches them the importance of protecting natural habitats.

Pick an Animal

Pick an animal that is currently threatened or endangered to complete requirements 3, 4, and 5.

For the Webelos Champions for Nature requirement, Webelos need to pick an animal that is currently threatened or endangered. This helps them learn about the challenges these animals face and what can be done to help them.

To find out which species are threatened or endangered, Webelos can visit reliable websites like the Animal Welfare Institute, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service or the World Wildlife Fund. These sites provide lists of animals that are at risk and offer information about why their populations are declining.

Local wildlife centers or nature reserves can also be good resources. These places often have experts who can talk about local endangered species and what is being done to protect them.

Choosing an animal from these sources helps Webelos understand real-world conservation issues and engages them in learning about environmental protection.

Here is an option for fulfilling Webelos Champions for Nature Adventure requirement 2:

• Pick an Animal
  • Cub Scouts pick a threatened or endangered animal to study.
  • Supplies: list of threatened or endangered species, index cards, sharpie, small bowl
  • indoor, low energy, 1 to 3 days prep

Endangered and Threatened

Identify the characteristics that classify an animal as a threatened or endangered species.

For the Webelos Champions for Nature requirement, Webelos need to identify the characteristics that classify an animal as threatened or endangered. Here are the key characteristics:

• Low Population Numbers: The animal has very few remaining individuals in the wild.
• Loss of Habitat: The places where the animal lives are being destroyed or changed.
• Pollution: The animal’s environment is polluted, which can harm their health and reduce their food sources.
• Overhunting or Overfishing: The animal is being taken from the wild faster than it can reproduce.
• Disease: The animal is facing severe health issues caused by diseases which can spread quickly in small populations.

The terms “endangered” and “threatened” refer to categories used to describe the risk levels of extinction that different species face:

• Endangered: This category is used for species that are at a very high risk of extinction in the near future. The population numbers are very low or the species faces very severe threats that could lead to its disappearance if no action is taken.
• Threatened: This category is for species that are at risk of becoming endangered in the foreseeable future. Although they are not as immediately at risk as endangered species, they still face significant threats that could lead to a rapid decline if conditions worsen.

By understanding these characteristics, Webelos learn why certain animals are at risk and recognize the importance of actions to help protect them.

Here is an option for fulfilling Webelos Champions for Nature Adventure requirement 3:

• Think Like a Conservationist
  • Cub Scouts learn about animals that are threatened or endangered.
  • Supplies: Think Like a Conservationist worksheet, Webelos handbook, pencils, computers or smart devices
  • indoor, low energy, 1 to 3 days prep

Causes

Explore what caused this animal to be threatened or endangered.

For the Webelos Champions for Nature requirement, Webelos explore the reasons why the specific animal they chose is threatened or endangered. Here are some common causes:

• Habitat Loss: The animal’s living space may be reduced because of human activities like building homes, farming, or cutting down forests.
• Pollution: Water, air, and soil pollution can poison animals or kill the plants they eat.
• Climate Change: Changes in temperature and weather patterns can affect where animals can live and find food.
• Poaching and Overhunting: Some animals are hunted for their fur, tusks, or other parts, or they are overhunted as food sources.
• Invasive Species: Sometimes, new species introduced into an area compete with native animals for food or carry diseases.

By understanding these causes, Webelos learn about the challenges wildlife face and think about how they can help protect animals and their environments.

Here is an option for fulfilling Webelos Champions for Nature Adventure requirement 4:

• Endangered Animal Charades
  • Cub Scouts learn why animals became endangered by playing charades.
  • Supplies: timer
  • indoor, low energy, 1 to 3 days prep

Research

Research what is currently being done to protect the animal.

For the Webelos Champions for Nature requirement, Webelos research what is currently being done to protect the animal they chose. Here are some common conservation efforts:

• Legal Protection: Many countries have laws that protect endangered animals from hunting and trading.
• Habitat Conservation: Efforts to protect and restore the places where these animals live are crucial. This can include creating wildlife reserves or national parks.
• Breeding Programs: Zoos and wildlife organizations often run programs to breed endangered animals in captivity to increase their population safely.
• Pollution Control: Reducing pollution can help improve the health of habitats and the animals that live there.
• Education and Awareness: Teaching people about endangered animals and the importance of conservation can help reduce threats to these species.

By looking into these efforts, Webelos understand the different ways people are working to save endangered species and the role they can play in these efforts.

Here is an option for fulfilling Webelos Champions for Nature Adventure requirement 5:

• Animal Protection Comic Strip
  • Cub Scouts create a comic strip.
  • Supplies: Animal Protection Comic Strip template, pencils, crayons, colored pencils, markers
  • indoor, moderate energy, 1 to 3 days prep

Conservation Project

Participate in a conservation service project.

For the Webelos Champions for Nature requirement, Webelos participate in a conservation service project. This helps them apply what they’ve learned and contribute to environmental preservation. Here are some project ideas:

• Tree Planting: Help increase local forest areas by planting trees, which provide food, shelter, and space for wildlife.
• Cleanup Events: Participate in or organize local cleanups of parks, beaches, or forests to reduce pollution and make these areas safer for wildlife.
• Building Bird or Bat Houses: Construct shelters for birds or bats to help provide safe places for these animals to live.
• Native Plant Garden: Create a garden using plants native to your area, which supports local wildlife, including insects, birds, and small mammals.
• Educational Campaigns: Help raise awareness about local endangered species and what can be done to protect them by creating posters, flyers, or social media content.

These projects help Webelos contribute to conservation efforts and learn more about protecting the environment.

Here are some options for fulfilling Webelos Champions for Nature Adventure requirement 6:

• Air Bee n’ Bee
  • Cub Scouts build a bee hotel that will attract solitary bees and give them a safe home.
  • Supplies: clean can, bamboo plant stakes, paracord, can opener, sponge, soap and water, metal file, power drill bit, coping saw
  • outdoor, moderate energy, 1 to 3 days prep
• Build a Bat House
  • Cub Scouts build bat houses.
  • Supplies: plywood, boards, spacer blocks, crosscut saw, pocketknife, water based stain, wood screws, drill, drill bits, caulking, primer, paint, paintbrushes, hammers, safety glasses
  • indoor, moderate energy, one week prep
• Endangered Species Service Project
  • Cub Scouts participate in a service project to benefit a locally endangered species.
  • Supplies: depends on project, Activity Consent Form
  • requires travel, moderate energy, more than a week prep
• WOSM Earth Tribe
  • Explore the World Organization for the Scouting Movement’s conservation efforts.
  • Supplies: computer or smart device with internet access
  • indoor, high energy, more than a week prep

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:

• Use the Service Project Planning Checklist to organize your den or pack service project.
• Review the SAFE Project Tool Use guide for service projects. It provides age guidelines for tools and allowed activities.

During the Adventure:

• Allow time to train all youth and adults on using the tools properly.
• Ensure continuous, qualified adult supervision and discipline during the project.
• Follow all manufacturer’s instructions and age or skill restrictions. If there is a conflict, follow the strictest guidelines.

Several activities allow Cub Scouts to go online. Before starting this Adventure, review Digital Safety and Online Scouting Activities.

More information

What is the Champions for Nature Adventure?

It’s an adventure where Webelos Scouts learn about animal habitats, endangered species, and how to help protect nature.

What do Webelos do in this adventure?

Webelos discover what animals need to live, pick a threatened or endangered animal to study, and participate in a conservation project.

Why do we focus on threatened or endangered animals?

Focusing on these animals helps Webelos understand the challenges wildlife face and what we can do to help protect them.

What kind of conservation projects can we do?

Projects can include planting trees, cleaning up natural areas, building shelters for wildlife, and educating others about conservation.

How can this adventure help Webelos in the future?

It teaches them about ecology, responsibility, and how to work together to make a positive impact on the environment.

The Webelos Champions for Nature Adventure is designed to teach Webelos Scouts about the importance of wildlife conservation and the environment. Throughout this adventure, Scouts learn how animals and their habitats are interconnected with human activities and the broader ecosystem. The main goal is to inspire a sense of responsibility and a desire to protect nature.

The adventure starts with Scouts learning about the four essential components that every habitat needs: food, water, shelter, and space. This foundational knowledge helps Webelos understand what all living creatures need to survive and thrive. Next, Scouts choose a threatened or endangered animal to focus on, diving deeper into the factors that put these animals at risk and the conservation efforts necessary to protect them.

Webelos then engage directly in conservation through a service project. This hands-on activity not only benefits the environment but also gives Scouts practical experience in protecting natural resources. Projects can range from habitat cleanups to building wildlife shelters, all contributing to local conservation efforts.

By the end of the adventure, Webelos will have gained valuable insights into the challenges facing our planet’s wildlife. They’ll learn the importance of each individual’s role in conservation, fostering a lifelong respect for nature and an understanding of how they can continue to make a difference. This adventure sets them on the path to becoming champions for nature, ready to take action in their communities and beyond.