Arrow of Light High Tech Outdoors Adventure
Adventure Type: Elective
Number of Requirements: 4
Typical Time to Complete: 1–2 meetings
Parent Involvement: Adult help with weather and knot-tying apps
Preparation Needed: Choose apps, gather rope and camping gear, identify an upcoming outing
Activity Level: Low
Indoor or Outdoor: Indoor, outdoor connections
Special Requirements: Use weather and knot-tying apps with an adult
Supplies Snapshot: Smartphone or tablet, rope, camping gear, paper, pencils
The Arrow of Light High Tech Outdoors Adventure helps Cub Scouts explore how technology can support camping and hiking. With an adult, Scouts use a weather app to prepare for an outing and a knot-tying app to learn a useful outdoor skill.
Scouts also discuss how technology has improved camping gear. From lighter backpacks to longer-lasting flashlights, they discover how changes in materials and design can make outdoor adventures more comfortable and help them prepare for different conditions.
Then Scouts get to imagine an improvement of their own. By thinking about gear they have used, they can identify a problem and suggest a way technology could help solve it. This adventure combines practical outdoor skills with creative thinking.
Requirements for the Arrow of Light High Tech Outdoors Adventure
High Tech Outdoors Adventure Requirements
- With an adult, use a weather app to see the forecast for your outdoor adventure and discuss any preparation needed to accommodate the weather.
- With an adult, find a knot tying app. Select one knot to learn and tie it using the app.
- Discuss how technology has improved camping gear.
- Think of a way technology can improve camping gear used on one of your outdoor Adventures.
Printable requirements for the Arrow of Light High Tech Outdoors Adventure
Printable checkoff sheet for the Arrow of Light Rank (for den or individual use)
Resources for the Arrow of Light High Tech Outdoors Adventure
Requirement 1: Check the Weather
With an adult, use a weather app or website to see the forecast for an outdoor activity and discuss any preparation needed to accommodate the weather.
Help Scouts connect the forecast to choices about clothing, gear, and plans. Ask questions such as “What would you pack if rain is expected?” and discuss where the group could take shelter if conditions change.
Easy Option: With an adult, check a weather app for an upcoming outing. Have each Scout name one item to bring because of the forecast. See Whether the Weather Will Be Good.
Requirement 2: Tie a Knot
With an adult, find a knot-tying app. Select one knot to learn, and tie it using the app.
Choose a knot that Scouts can use while camping, such as a taut-line hitch for adjusting a tent guyline. Provide rope and let Scouts pause or replay the app’s instructions while they practice with adult help.
Easy Option: With an adult, use a knot-tying app to learn a square knot. Give each Scout two pieces of rope in different colors to make the steps easier to follow.
Resources:
- I recommend Animated Knots.
- Knot Another App: Cub Scouts learn to tie knots.
Requirement 3: Explore Camping Gear
Discuss how technology has improved camping gear.
Bring a few camping items to the meeting and discuss what makes them useful. Focus on changes Scouts can understand, such as lighter materials, better protection from rain, or batteries that last longer.
Easy Option: Bring an LED flashlight and discuss how it compares with an older flashlight that uses an incandescent bulb. Ask how longer battery life could help on a campout.
More ideas:
- Ask the Expert: Invite an outdoor expert to a den meeting to talk improvements in camping gear.
- Newer, Lighter, Better Gear: Visit a retailer that specializes in the outdoors and talk camping gear.
Requirement 4: Imagine Better Gear
Think of a way technology can improve camping gear used on one of your outdoor activities.
Ask Scouts to think of a problem they have had with gear on an outdoor adventure. Encourage practical ideas, and let them explain how their improvement would help a camper.
Easy Option: Give Scouts paper and pencils to draw an improved version of one item they have used outdoors. Have each Scout explain the problem it solves and how technology would make it work. See Design and Draw.
More options:
- Camping Gear 2.0: Cub Scouts model their own improvement of camping gear.
- Filming the Fix: Cub Scouts create a video describing their own improvement of camping gear.
Frequently Asked Questions for the Arrow of Light High Tech Outdoors Adventure
What is the High Tech Outdoors Adventure?
It’s an activity where Arrow of Light Scouts learn how to use technology in outdoor settings. They use apps, discuss gear improvements, and think of new tech ideas for camping.
Why do we focus on technology in this adventure?
Technology can make camping safer and more fun. This adventure helps Scouts learn to use tech tools that can assist them during outdoor activities.
Can I use any weather app for Requirement 1?
Yes, you can use any reliable weather app or website. Make sure it’s easy to understand and provides accurate forecasts.
What kind of knot should I learn in Requirement 2?
Choose a basic knot that you might use in camping, like a square knot or a two half hitches. The app might suggest some knots that are good for beginners.
How should I prepare to discuss the improvements in camping gear for Requirement 3?
Think about the camping gear you have used and how technology could make it better. Look at examples online if you need ideas.
What are some examples of technology improving camping gear?
Examples include LED lights for brighter lanterns, lightweight materials for easier carrying, and waterproof fabrics for staying dry.
Do I need to create a real product for Requirement 4?
No, you just need to think of an idea. It’s about using your imagination to come up with ways technology could improve camping gear in the future.
High-Tech, High Fun
The Arrow of Light High Tech Outdoors Adventure introduces Cub Scouts to the exciting world of technology in the outdoors. This adventure is part of the Arrow of Light rank, which is the highest rank a Cub Scout can achieve. Through this adventure, Scouts learn how technology can enhance their outdoor experiences, making activities like camping and hiking safer and more enjoyable.
Scouts begin by using a weather app to check conditions for an outdoor activity, helping them prepare appropriately for the weather they will encounter. This teaches them the importance of planning and readiness. Next, they explore a knot-tying app to learn and master a new knot, combining traditional Scouting skills with modern technology.
The adventure also includes a discussion on how technological advancements have improved camping gear, such as lighter materials and more efficient cooking tools. Scouts are encouraged to think creatively about how future technology could further enhance outdoor gear, fostering innovation and problem-solving skills.
Overall, the High Tech Outdoors Adventure equips Scouts with the knowledge to use technology effectively in nature. It promotes a blend of traditional Scouting skills with new technological tools, preparing them for future challenges and adventures in the outdoors.
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