Bear Chef Tech Adventure for 2024

Printable requirements for the Bear Chef Tech Adventure

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

Printable check off sheet for the Bear Badge

Safety Guidelines

With an adult, review the safety guidelines in the owner’s manual.

For the second requirement of the Bear Chef Tech Adventure, Bear Scouts must review the safety guidelines in the owner’s manual of the appliance they chose. This is important because it teaches them how to use the appliance safely. They learn what each button does, how to clean the appliance, and what safety measures to follow to avoid accidents.

If the owner’s manual wasn’t kept, there are a few places where you might find it:

• Online: Most manufacturers have their manuals available on their websites. You can search for the brand and model of the appliance plus the word “manual” to find it.
• Library: Some libraries keep copies of appliance manuals. You can ask a librarian for help.
• Customer Service: Contact the manufacturer’s customer service. They can often send you a digital or paper copy of the manual.

Here is an option for fulfilling Bear Chef Tech Adventure requirement 2:

• Read Me First
  • Cub Scouts read and review the owner’s manual for the chosen kitchen device.
  • Supplies: printed copy of owner’s manual, green crayons, red crayons
  • indoor, very low energy, minimal prep

It’s good for the Scout to do this with an adult because it helps them understand the instructions better and ensures they get the correct safety information.

Find a Recipe

Download a cooking app or search online to find a recipe that uses the appliance selected in requirement 1.

For requirement 3 of the Bear Chef Tech Adventure, Bear Scouts find a recipe online or use a cooking app. This helps them learn how to use technology to make cooking simpler and fun. Finding a recipe on this site counts! Some easy ideas are listed below. If you are looking for complete recipes, check out my Cubs in the Kitchen page.

Microwave

• Mug Cake – Mix simple cake ingredients in a mug and microwave it for a quick treat.
• Scrambled Eggs – Beat eggs, add milk, and cook in the microwave for a fast breakfast.
• Macaroni and Cheese – Combine pasta, water, and cheese in a bowl, and microwave it to creamy perfection.

Blender

• Fruit Smoothie – Blend your favorite fruits with yogurt or juice for a healthy snack.
• Pancake Batter – Mix pancake ingredients in a blender for smooth, ready-to-cook batter.
• Vegetable Soup – Blend cooked vegetables and broth for an easy, homemade soup.

Toaster Oven

• Cheese on Toast – Top bread with cheese and toast until golden.
• Cinnamon Toast – Spread butter, cinnamon, and sugar on bread and toast it.
• Tuna Melt – Top bread with tuna mixed with mayonnaise and cheese, then toast until melted.

Electric Mixer

• Chocolate Chip Cookies – Use the mixer to cream butter and sugar, then add other ingredients for delicious cookies.
• Whipped Cream – Whip cream with a little sugar for a topping on desserts.
• Mashed Potatoes – Use the mixer to mash boiled potatoes with butter and milk.

Rice Cooker

• Steamed Rice – Cook plain rice to serve with other dishes.
• Chicken Rice – Add chicken and spices to the rice cooker for a flavorful meal.
• Rice Pudding – Mix rice with milk, sugar, and raisins in the rice cooker for a sweet dessert.

Here is are some options for fulfilling Bear Chef Tech Adventure requirement 3:

• Time for an App-etizer
  • Use the internet to identify a recipe that can be made in a den meeting
  • Supplies: Computer or smart device with internet connection
  • indoor, low energy, 1 to 3 days prep

These recipes are simple and safe for Scouts to try with adult supervision. They show how each appliance can be used in different, creative ways.

Make a Recipe

With adult supervision, follow the selected recipe and make the recipe.

For requirement 4 of the Bear Chef Tech Adventure, Bear Scouts actually make the recipe they found using their chosen appliance. This step is all about putting what they’ve learned into action. With an adult helping them, Scouts will follow the recipe step-by-step to cook a dish. This teaches them how to follow directions and helps them learn cooking skills.

Here is an options for fulfilling Bear Chef Tech Adventure requirement 4:

• It’s Time To Be A Tech Chef
  • Using the chosen appliance in Requirement 1 and the recipe chosen in Requirement 3 make the recipe.
  • Supplies: appliance, ingredients, cooking utensils, napkins, plates and utensils, water or soft drinks, cups, ice
  • indoor, moderate energy, one week prep

Having an adult there is important for safety. It ensures that Scouts use the appliance correctly and handle all ingredients safely. This experience not only helps Scouts feel confident in the kitchen but also shows them how to use technology as a tool to help them accomplish everyday tasks. It’s a hands-on way to understand the practical benefits of technology in cooking.

Improvements

Think of a way technology can improve the appliance used to make your recipe.  

For requirement 5 of the Bear Chef Tech Adventure, Bear Scouts think about how the appliance they used could be improved with technology. This encourages them to use their creativity and problem-solving skills. They consider what features could make the appliance easier to use, safer, or more efficient. Here are some examples for improvements using technology:

Microwave

• Automatic Shut-Off: A feature that turns off the microwave when the food is perfectly cooked to prevent overcooking.
• Voice Control: Allows users to start, stop, and control cooking times with voice commands.

Blender

• Speed Sensor: Adjusts the speed based on the thickness of the mixture, ensuring everything blends smoothly without supervision.
• Digital Timer: Shows how long to blend for the perfect consistency, with preset options for common recipes.

Toaster Oven

• Bread Type Sensor: Detects the type of bread and adjusts the toasting time to get the perfect toast every time.
• Cool Touch Exterior: Keeps the outside of the toaster oven cool to touch, even when in use, to prevent burns.

Electric Mixer

• Automatic Speed Adjustment: Changes speed based on the thickness of the mix to prevent splattering and ensure even mixing.
• Programmable Settings: Saves settings for frequently made recipes for consistent results every time.

Rice Cooker

• Wi-Fi Connectivity: Allows you to start cooking rice from your smartphone so it’s ready when you get home.
• Integrated Food Steamer: Adds a steamer basket to cook vegetables or fish at the same time as the rice for complete meals.

Here is are some options for fulfilling Bear Chef Tech Adventure requirement 5:

• Brainstorming Bear Chefs
  • Cub Scouts brainstorm ideas on how to improve the appliance used in requirement 3.
  • Supplies: post-it notes, pencils, computer or smart device
  • indoor, low energy, 1 to 3 days prep
• What If It Did This?
  • Using cardboard make a model of the appliance you used with one improvement.
  • Supplies: cardboard boxes, empty toilet paper rolls, empty paper towel rolls, tin foil, duct tape, scissors, markers
  • indoor, low energy, 1 to 3 days prep

These ideas show how technology can make kitchen appliances more helpful and safer to use. Thinking about these improvements helps Scouts learn about innovation and the potential of technology in everyday life.

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 Food Allergies safety moment.
• Check each Cub Scout’s BSA Annual Health and Medical Record for food allergies or restrictions.
• Ask if any member of the den, youth, or adults has religious or cultural dietary concerns.
• If someone carries an EpiPen for severe allergies, ensure at least one other adult knows how to use it. Review the Safety Moment on anaphylaxis to learn more.
• Review the Keep Your Food Safe guide to properly store and prepare food.

Before starting this Adventure, each Cub Scout must have completed the Whittling Adventure:

• Watch the Cub Scout Knife Safety video.
• Confirm that your meeting location allows pocketknives or kitchen knives.
• Know the Cub Scout knife safety rules:
  • Stop – make sure no one else is within arm’s reach
  • Away – always cut away from your body
  • Sharp – a sharp, clean knife is safer
  • Store – keep knives closed, in a sheath, or knife block
• Arrange for additional adult supervision if needed.

During the Adventure:

• Review the Cub Scout knife safety rules.
• Ensure all knives are sharp and in good condition.

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

More information

The Bear Chef Tech Adventure is a unique activity for Bear Scouts that combines cooking with modern technology. In this adventure, Scouts pick a kitchen appliance and learn how it works. They also read the appliance’s manual to understand safety features and proper usage. This helps them be safe while cooking.

Next, Scouts use technology to make cooking easier. They search online or use an app to find a recipe that uses their chosen appliance. This step shows them how useful technology can be in everyday life. With the help of an adult, they then prepare the recipe. This is a fun way for Scouts to practice following directions and cooking a meal.

Lastly, Scouts think about how their appliance could be better. They suggest improvements or new features that could make the appliance more efficient or easier to use. This encourages them to think creatively and learn about the possibilities of technology.

The Bear Chef Tech Adventure is great for learning and fun. It teaches Scouts about technology, cooking, and safety. It also helps them think about the future of technology in everyday tools.