Webelos Math on the Trail Adventure

The Webelos Math on the Trail Adventure is a great way for Scouts to learn how math is used in everyday life, especially in the outdoors. This adventure helps Webelos see the practical side of math by applying it to real-world situations like hiking. It’s about planning, predicting, and problem-solving. Through this activity, Scouts develop a basic understanding of how important math is when exploring nature.

When Webelos work on the Math on the Trail Adventure, they engage in activities that challenge them to use their math skills in a fun and exciting way. They learn to measure distances, estimate time, and consider various factors that affect outdoor activities. This hands-on experience shows them how math can help in making better decisions when they are hiking or doing other outdoor activities.

This adventure is also a great opportunity for Scouts to work together and develop teamwork skills. As they calculate and plan their hikes, they learn to communicate and cooperate with each other. This collaborative environment fosters a sense of community and support among the Scouts, enhancing their overall Scouting experience.

Overall, the Math on the Trail Adventure offers Webelos a chance to grow their math skills, enjoy the outdoors, and learn valuable life skills. This adventure is a practical way to see how math connects to the world around us. Through this activity, Webelos become more confident in their ability to handle challenges, both in Scouting and in their everyday lives.

Math on the Trail Adventure Requirements

1. Determine your hiking pace by walking ¼ mile.  Make a projection on how long it would take you to walk two miles. 
2. Walk two miles and record the time it took you to complete the two miles.  
3. Make a projection on how long it would take you to hike a 20-mile trail over two days, list all the factors to consider for your projection. 

Printable requirements for the Webelos Math on the Trail Adventure

Check off sheet to keep track of your den’s progress on the Webelos Math on the Trail Adventure

Webelos Adventures Check Off Sheet

Walking Pace

Determine your walking pace by walking ¼ mile.  Make a projection on how long it would take you to walk 2 miles.

For the first requirement of the Webelos Math on the Trail Adventure, Scouts need to find out how fast they walk. They do this by walking a quarter mile and timing how long it takes. After they know their walking pace, they use that information to guess how long it would take them to walk two miles.

Here are some options for fulfilling Webelos Math on the Trail Adventure requirement 1:

• Timing a Quarter Mile Indoor
  • Cub Scouts project how long it will take to walk 2 miles in an indoor setting
  • Supplies: paper, timer orange safety cone, Projections Recording Sheet, pencils
  • indoor, high energy, 1 to 3 days prep
• Timing a Quarter Mile On the Trail
  • Cub Scouts project how long it will take to walk 2 miles on a trail.
  • Supplies: Activity Consent form, Cub Scout Six Essentials, map of trail, paper, timer, orange safety cone, Projections Recording Sheet, pencils, clipboards
  • requires travel, high energy, more than one week prep
• Timing a Quarter Mile Outdoor Track
  • Cub Scouts project how long it will take to walk 2 miles on a track.
  • Supplies: Activity Consent form, paper, timer, orange safety code, Projections Recording Sheet, pencils, clipboards
  • requires travel, high energy, one week prep

This activity helps Scouts learn to measure and estimate, which are useful skills for planning hikes and other activities.

Go for a Walk

Walk 2 miles and record the time it took you to complete the two miles.

For the second requirement of the Webelos Math on the Trail Adventure, Scouts need to walk 2 miles and keep track of how long it takes. This helps them see if their earlier guess about how long it would take was right. It’s a practical exercise that teaches Scouts about measuring time and distance in a real situation.

This activity is also good for their physical health and gives them a chance to enjoy being outdoors while learning. Consider combining it with the Webelos Walkabout Adventure.

Here are some options for fulfilling Webelos Math on the Trail Adventure requirement 2:

• Timing 2 Miles Indoor
  • Cub Scouts validate how long it will take to walk 2 miles in an indoor setting.
  • Supplies: timer, orange safety cone, Projections Recording Sheet, pencils, rubber bands
  • indoor, high energy, 1 to 3 days prep
• Timing 2 Miles On the Trail
  • Cub Scouts validate how long it will take to walk 2 miles on a trail.
  • Supplies: Activity Consent form, Cub Scout Six Essentials, map of trail, timer, Projections Recording Sheet
  • requires travel, high energy, more than one week prep
• Timing 2 Miles Outdoor Track
  • Cub Scouts validate how long it will take to walk 2 miles on an outdoor track.
  • Supplies: Activity Consent form, timer, orange safety cone, Projections Recording Sheet, pencils, rubber bands
  • requires travel, high energy, one week prep

Make a Projection

Make a projection on how long it would take you to hike a 20-mile trail over two days. List all the factors to consider for your projection. 

For the third requirement of the Webelos Math on the Trail Adventure, Scouts need to figure out how long it would take to hike a 20-mile trail over two days. They use their earlier walking pace to make this guess. When making their plan, Scouts should think about several factors:

• Their walking speed – How fast they walked the 2 miles can help them estimate how long 20 miles will take.
• Rest breaks – They need to think about how often they will stop to rest and how long each break will be.
• Terrain – Walking on flat ground is different from hiking up hills or rough paths.
• Weather – Bad weather can slow them down.
• Carrying weight – If they are carrying backpacks, it might slow their pace.

Considering these factors helps Scouts make a more accurate plan for their hike. This teaches them to think ahead and prepare for different situations.

Here is an option for fulfilling Webelos Math on the Trail Adventure requirement 3:

• If I could walk 20 miles
  • Using the times recorded in requirements 1 and 2, determine how long it will take to walk 20 miles.
  • Supplies: recorded times, pencils, paper
  • indoor, very low energy, minimal 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.

More information

What is the Webelos Math on the Trail Adventure?

The Webelos Math on the Trail Adventure is an activity where Scouts use math to plan and carry out outdoor activities like hiking. It helps them learn to use math in real-life situations.

Why do Scouts need to measure their walking pace?

Measuring their walking pace helps Scouts make good guesses about how long hikes will take. This is important for planning their time and activities during walks.

What should Scouts bring to complete the adventure?

Scouts should bring a stopwatch or a watch, a way to measure a quarter mile (like a track or a measured path), and something to write on and with to record their times and calculations.

How can Scouts use what they learn in this adventure outside of Scouting?

The skills Scouts learn in this adventure, like estimating time and planning, are useful for any activity that requires time management and preparation, such as school projects or other sports.

What should Scouts do if their walk takes longer than expected?

Scouts should consider what might have caused the delay, such as slow pace, long breaks, or tough terrain. They can use this information to plan better for next time.

Can Scouts work together on this adventure?

Yes, Scouts can work together to measure their pace and make their estimates. Working together helps them learn teamwork and communication skills.

Do Webelos have to go on a 20 mile hike for this adventure?

No, they are only estimating how long that might take!

The Webelos Math on the Trail Adventure is designed to teach Scouts how to use math in outdoor settings. This adventure combines hiking and simple math calculations to help Webelos understand the importance of math in planning and executing outdoor activities. By engaging in this adventure, Scouts get to practice real-world math skills in a fun and practical way.

First, Scouts learn to measure their walking pace by timing themselves over a quarter-mile distance. This helps them predict how long it will take to walk longer distances, like a 2-mile hike. This task teaches them about estimation and pacing, which are essential for any kind of travel or physical activity.

Next, Scouts actually walk the 2-mile distance they previously estimated. This allows them to compare their actual walking time with their initial prediction. It’s a practical exercise that reinforces their understanding of estimation and shows them the importance of accurate calculations.

Finally, Scouts are challenged to estimate the time needed for a 20-mile hike over two days. They use their data from previous walks to make an educated guess about the hike duration. Scouts consider several factors such as terrain, weather, and rest breaks. This comprehensive activity encourages Scouts to think about all the variables that can affect a hiking trip.

The Webelos Math on the Trail Adventure is an engaging way for Scouts to apply math to real-life situations. It helps them see the value of math beyond the classroom, enhancing both their scouting experience and their everyday problem-solving skills.