Wolf Paws on the Path Den Meeting Plan

Outdoor adventures are a big part of Cub Scouting, and the Wolf Paws on the Path adventure helps Scouts learn the skills they need to explore safely. This Wolf Paws on the Path den meeting plan is designed to be fun, active, and engaging while covering all the required elements of the adventure. Scouts will practice being prepared, staying safe, and respecting nature as they explore the outdoors together.

This Wolf Paws on the Path den meeting includes hands-on activities, games, and a nature walk to keep Scouts moving and learning. They will work as a team, take care of each other, and develop confidence in outdoor skills. Along the way, they will also learn important lessons about the buddy system, dressing for the weather, and protecting the environment.

Den leaders can use this plan to create a structured but flexible Wolf Paws on the Path den meeting that keeps Scouts interested. The activities encourage participation and discussion, making it easy for Scouts to understand key outdoor principles. By the end of the meeting, they will be better prepared for future hikes and outdoor adventures. Most importantly, they will have fun while learning what it means to be a responsible and prepared Scout.

Total time: 90 minutes

Race to the Six Essentials (10 minutes): A relay game introducing the Cub Scout Six Essentials. Scouts run to pick up items and discuss their importance.

Build Your Own Trail Mix (10 minutes): Scouts create their own trail mix using provided ingredients while discussing the importance of trail food and proper nutrition for outdoor adventures.

Stick Together (10 minutes): The Buddy System: Scouts learn about the buddy system through a discussion and an interactive game to reinforce the importance of staying with a buddy.

Respect Nature: The Outdoor Code and Leave No Trace (10 minutes): A discussion and role-playing activity to help Scouts understand how to protect nature and minimize their impact while outdoors.

Dress for Adventure Relay (10 minutes): A relay game where Scouts identify proper and improper outdoor clothing, followed by a discussion on dressing appropriately for different weather conditions.

Exploring Nature: The 30-Minute Walk (30 minutes): Scouts pair up with their buddy and explore their surroundings, looking for and describing four different animals they see.

Reflecting on Our Outdoor Adventure (10 minutes): Scouts gather to discuss what they learned, share their favorite moments, and reflect on the Scout Law principles they used.

Materials Needed for the Den Meeting:

• Pictures or actual items for the Cub Scout Six Essentials (first aid kit, water bottle, flashlight, trail food, sun protection, whistle)
• Ingredients for trail mix (dried fruit, pretzels, cereal, nuts if no allergies, chocolate chips, small bags or cups)
• Printed copies of the Outdoor Code and Leave No Trace Principles for Kids
• Various clothing items for the Dress for Adventure Relay (jackets, hats, gloves, boots, sandals, swimsuits, etc.)
• Binoculars for nature observation (if available)
• Nature journals or blank paper with pencils for recording observations on the walk

Leader Preparation:

• Set up relay stations for the Six Essentials and Dress for Adventure activities
• Prepare and organize trail mix ingredients
• Print or write out the Outdoor Code and Leave No Trace Principles for group discussion
• Choose a safe and appropriate walking path for the nature walk
• Ensure all Scouts have a buddy and understand the buddy system

Parent Involvement:

• Ask parents to contribute trail mix ingredients
• Request volunteers to help supervise the nature walk
• Encourage parents to discuss the Outdoor Code and Leave No Trace Principles at home
• Remind parents to ensure their Scout is dressed appropriately for the weather

The gathering activity helps Scouts get excited and ready for the meeting. Set up a relay game to introduce the Cub Scout Six Essentials. Place pictures or actual items of the Six Essentials in one spot. Divide the Scouts into two teams. Each Scout takes a turn running to the items, picking one, and bringing it back to the team. Once all items are collected, discuss them.

Ask questions like, “Why do we need a first aid kit?” or “How does a whistle help in the outdoors?” Allow Scouts to explain their ideas. Provide simple explanations if needed. This activity helps them learn by doing. They remember better when they touch and use real items. When finished, remind them that these items help keep them safe and prepared on any outdoor adventure.

Have the Scouts take turns demonstrating how they would use each item. For example, one Scout can pretend to treat a minor scrape using the first aid kit, while another can practice using the whistle to call for help. Encouraging hands-on practice reinforces their understanding and confidence.

End with a quick review. Hold up each item and ask the Scouts to shout out its purpose. This helps reinforce their learning in a fun and active way. Conclude by encouraging them to always have these essentials when exploring the outdoors. Reinforce that being prepared makes every adventure safer and more enjoyable.

After the gathering activity, make a snack to take on the nature walk. Set up a table with different ingredients like dried fruit, pretzels, cereal, nuts (if no allergies), and chocolate chips. Give each Scout a small bag or cup. They scoop the ingredients they like into their bag, making their own trail mix.

While they build their snack, discuss why trail food is important. Ask, “Why do we need food on a hike?” Scouts might say it gives energy or keeps them from getting hungry. Explain that good snacks help maintain strength and readiness for adventure. Once everyone has their snack packed, remind them to clean up any spills. This is a small way to practice Leave No Trace.

Explain that trail food should be lightweight and not require refrigeration. Discuss how certain foods, like chocolate, may melt on hot days, making a mess. Encourage Scouts to think about choosing foods that work best for their environment. Remind them that a good trail snack keeps them fueled and happy on their walk.

End by asking each Scout to share one ingredient they included and why they picked it. This creates excitement about the snack and helps Scouts consider their choices. Reinforce the importance of planning ahead by choosing the right foods for different types of adventures.

Stick Together: The Buddy System

Next, talk about the buddy system. Start by asking, “Why do we always use the buddy system?” Scouts might say it helps them stay safe or keeps them from getting lost. Explain that a buddy watches out for each other.

Let the Scouts pick their buddies for the walk using a fun game called “Buddy Circle.” Have all the Scouts form a large circle, with one Scout standing in the middle. The Scout in the center closes their eyes and spins around. When they stop, the Scout they are facing becomes their buddy. The paired Scouts then step out of the circle. Repeat the process until all Scouts have a buddy. If there is an odd number, the last Scout can join another pair to form a buddy group. This game makes choosing buddies fair and exciting for everyone. See more information here.

Discuss what makes a good buddy. Ask Scouts to share ways they can help their buddy, such as reminding them to drink water or watching for hazards. This teaches responsibility and teamwork. Reinforce the idea that a strong buddy relationship leads to a safer and more enjoyable outdoor experience.

Before moving on, do one final buddy check to ensure every Scout has a partner. Reinforce that looking out for each other is an important part of Scouting. Encourage them to think about how they can continue to use the buddy system outside of meetings, such as at school or in other activities.

Respect Nature: The Outdoor Code and Leave No Trace

Introduce the Outdoor Code and Leave No Trace Principles for Kids.

• Learn more about Leave No Trace here.
• Learn more about the Outdoor Code here.

Explain that these are guidelines to help Scouts enjoy nature while keeping it safe and clean for others. Ask, “Why do you think it’s important to protect nature?” Encourage responses and discuss how their actions impact the environment.

Have Scouts participate in a short role-playing game where they must decide what to do in different scenarios. For example, “You see trash on the trail. What do you do?” or “You want to take a cool rock home. Should you?” Let Scouts share their answers and discuss the best choices.

Go over the Outdoor Code together. Have Scouts repeat each line and explain what it means in simple words. Emphasize that being a good Scout means taking care of nature, staying on trails, and leaving everything as they found it.

End with a quick challenge. Ask each Scout to share one way they can practice Leave No Trace in their daily life. This could be picking up litter, recycling, or staying on paths during hikes.

Dress for Adventure Relay

Discuss how to dress for outdoor adventures and play a game to reinforce the concepts:

1. Gather Supplies – Collect a mix of clothing items, including proper outdoor gear like jackets, hats, gloves, and boots. Add silly or incorrect items like sandals, a swimsuit, or flip-flops.
2. Set Up – Place all clothing items in a pile at one end of the play area. Label two separate areas as “Good Gear” and “Not for Hiking.”
3. Divide into Teams – Split the Scouts into two equal teams. Have them line up at the opposite end of the play area from the clothing pile.
4. Start the Relay – On “Go,” the first Scout from each team runs to the pile, picks one item, and quickly decides if it belongs in the “Good Gear” or “Not for Hiking” pile.
5. Place the Item – The Scout places the item in the chosen pile and runs back to tag the next teammate.
6. Continue Until All Items Are Sorted – Each Scout takes a turn until all items have been placed in one of the two piles.

After the game, go through the piles together. Ask, “Why do we need a jacket?” or “Why are sandals a bad choice?” Allow Scouts to share their thoughts, then provide simple explanations. Discuss how dressing appropriately keeps everyone comfortable and safe. Remind Scouts to think about the weather before any outdoor trip.

Talk about layering clothing. Explain how multiple layers allow Scouts to adjust to temperature changes. Ask them what they would wear if the weather suddenly got colder or hotter during the walk. Reinforce that choosing the right clothes helps them enjoy outdoor activities without discomfort.

End by asking each Scout to name one piece of clothing they would always bring on a hike and why. This personal connection helps reinforce the lesson. Encourage them to think about different weather conditions and plan accordingly for future outdoor adventures.

Exploring Nature: The 30-Minute Walk

Now it is time for the nature walk! Scouts take their trail mix and pair up with their buddy. Encourage them to walk quietly and observe the world around them. Ask them to look for four different animals, either wild or domestic, and describe what they see.

Along the way, pause occasionally and ask Scouts to listen carefully. Can they hear birds singing? Rustling leaves? The sound of footsteps on the path? These small observations help them engage more fully with nature and appreciate their surroundings.

Encourage Scouts to take mental notes or use simple nature journals to sketch or describe the animals they see. If binoculars are available, allow them to take turns using them to get a closer look at birds or other distant wildlife.

As the walk concludes, ask each Scout to share one interesting thing they noticed. Reinforce the importance of observing and respecting nature, and remind them that every outdoor adventure is a chance to learn something new.

Finish the Wolf Paws on the Path den meeting with a reflection activity. Gather the Scouts and ask, “Which parts of the Scout Law did we use today?” They might mention Helpful (buddy system), Thrifty (packing essentials), or Reverent (respecting nature). Encourage discussion about their experiences.

Ask each Scout to share their favorite part of the adventure. What did they enjoy most? What was something new they learned? This helps them process the experience and appreciate the skills they practiced.

Review the importance of preparation, safety, and respecting nature. Emphasize that these lessons will help them become better Scouts and responsible outdoor explorers.

End with a simple closing, such as repeating the Outdoor Code together, a Scout cheer, or a moment of quiet reflection on what they learned. Thank the Scouts for their participation and enthusiasm, and encourage them to continue exploring and enjoying the outdoors.

Wolf Paws on the Path Adventure

The Wolf Paws on the Path Adventure helps Wolf Cub Scouts explore nature and learn important outdoor skills. Scouts discover how to be prepared for any outdoor activity by learning about the Cub Scout Six Essentials. They also practice using the buddy system, which keeps them safe while they explore. By understanding how to dress for the outdoors, they learn the importance of wearing the right clothes and shoes for different weather conditions. These skills help them feel more confident and ready for future adventures.

Scouts also learn how to respect nature by following the Outdoor Code and Leave No Trace principles. They practice ways to protect the environment, such as staying on trails and cleaning up after themselves. A key part of this adventure is taking a nature walk, where Scouts observe and describe different animals they see. This hands-on experience helps them connect with nature and develop a greater appreciation for the world around them.

See more resources for the Wolf Paws on the Path adventure here.

What materials do I need for this Wolf Paws on the Path den meeting?

You will need items for the Cub Scout Six Essentials relay (pictures or real items), trail mix ingredients, small bags or cups, clothing items for the dress-up relay, and a list of animals Scouts might see on the nature walk.

How can I make sure the nature walk stays on schedule?

Plan a route ahead of time and set a meeting point to return to. Give Scouts reminders about how much time they have left. Keep a steady pace and stay on track.

What if a Scout has a food allergy?

Check with parents before the Wolf Paws on the Path den meeting. Provide allergy-safe options for trail mix or ask parents to send a safe snack for their Scout.

How do I make the buddy system fun for Scouts?

Use games like “Buddy Circle” to reinforce the idea. Encourage Scouts to check on their buddy during the walk and ask them questions like, “What was your favorite part of the hike?” to keep them engaged.

How can I help Scouts understand the Outdoor Code?

Break it down into simple words and give real-life examples. Use role-playing scenarios so they can practice making good choices in nature.

What if the weather is bad?

If it is light rain, you can still go outside with rain gear. If the weather is severe, do the activities indoors and plan a nature walk for another time.

How do I keep Scouts engaged during discussions for the Wolf Paws on the Path den meeting?

Ask open-ended questions and let them share their ideas. Use hands-on activities and games to reinforce learning. Keep explanations short and simple.

What if Scouts finish an activity early?

Have backup questions or challenges. For example, ask them to name more outdoor essentials or describe another animal they might see on a hike.

How do I tie everything back to the Scout Law at the end?

Ask Scouts to share which points of the Scout Law they followed. Help them connect their actions to values like being Helpful, Thrifty, or Reverent.

The Wolf Paws on the Path adventure helps Scouts build confidence and skills for outdoor fun. Through hands-on activities and teamwork, they learn how to stay safe, be prepared, and respect nature. The meeting keeps them active and engaged while teaching important lessons that will help them on future hikes and adventures.

By the end of the Wolf Paws on the Path den meeting, Scouts will know how to use the Cub Scout Six Essentials, stick with a buddy, and follow the Outdoor Code. They will also get to enjoy a nature walk, putting their new skills to the test. These experiences help them become more aware of their surroundings and more responsible in the outdoors.

This adventure is more than just learning—it’s about having fun while exploring the world around them. With the right preparation and a sense of adventure, Scouts will be ready to take on new trails with confidence. They will leave this Wolf Paws on the Path den meeting excited for their next outdoor experience, knowing they have the skills to enjoy it safely.