Wolf Spirit of the Water Adventure: Cub Scout Helps and Ideas

This information is for the Cub Scout program before the June 1, 2024 updates. After June 2024, all Cub Scouts should use the updated program requirements. See here.

The Wolf Spirit of the Water Adventure requires scouts to learn about the pollution of water in their community, conserve water in their homes, understand the benefits of swimming as exercise, follow safety rules when swimming or boating, and visit a swimming area with supervision to practice their skills. Through this adventure, scouts can develop an awareness of environmental issues, healthy habits, and the importance of safety in recreational water activities.

Learning about water pollution, conservation, and safety can help youth become more environmentally conscious and responsible citizens. They can apply this knowledge in their daily lives to make more sustainable choices and help protect the environment for future generations.

Understanding water safety rules and the benefits of exercise through swimming can promote a healthy lifestyle and reduce the risk of injury. This can help youth maintain good health and fitness as they grow older and reduce their healthcare costs.

Overall, the knowledge and skills gained from the Wolf Spirit of the Water Adventure can help youth become responsible and environmentally conscious citizens, maintain good health and fitness, and develop important life skills that can serve them well as they grow older.

Spirit of the Water is an elective adventure.

Complete the following requirements.

1. Discuss how the water in your community can become polluted.
2. Explain one way that you can help conserve water in your home
3. Explain to your den leader why swimming is good exercise.
4. Explain the safety rules that you need to follow before participating in swimming or boating.
5. Visit a local pool or public swimming area with your family or den. With qualified supervision, jump into water that is
   at least chest-high, and swim 25 feet or more.

Click here to download a printable PDF copy of the Spirit of the Water adventure requirements (page 1) and a check off sheet (page 2) to keep track of your den’s progress.

More Information about the Spirit of the Water Adventure

The Wolf Cub Scout Spirit of the Water Adventure is an excellent opportunity for young scouts to learn about the importance of water conservation, safety rules in swimming and boating, and the benefits of swimming as a form of exercise. This adventure is not only educational but also encourages scouts to develop healthy habits and enjoy recreational activities in a safe and responsible manner.

Requirement 1 of the adventure requires scouts to discuss how the water in their community can become polluted. This is an important topic as pollution can have severe effects on the environment and wildlife. Scouts can learn about the sources of pollution, such as littering and chemicals from factories, and ways to prevent it, such as properly disposing of trash and avoiding harmful chemicals.

Requirement 2 focuses on ways to conserve water in the home. Scouts can learn about the importance of water conservation and how small actions, such as turning off the tap when brushing teeth or fixing leaks, can make a significant difference in reducing water usage. By practicing water conservation at home, scouts can help protect this valuable resource.

Requirement 3 emphasizes the benefits of swimming as a form of exercise. Scouts can learn how swimming can improve cardiovascular health, strengthen muscles, and reduce stress. This knowledge can encourage scouts to develop a lifelong love of swimming and prioritize physical activity as an essential component of a healthy lifestyle.

Requirement 4 emphasizes safety rules that must be followed before participating in swimming or boating. Scouts can learn about the importance of wearing proper flotation devices, swimming with a buddy, and following lifeguard instructions. These safety rules are crucial in ensuring that recreational water activities are safe and enjoyable.

Finally, Requirement 5 involves visiting a local pool or public swimming area with family or den members and swimming 25 feet or more with qualified supervision. This activity allows scouts to put into practice what they have learned about water safety and exercise while having fun and bonding with others.

In conclusion, the Wolf Cub Scout Spirit of the Water Adventure is an exciting and educational opportunity for scouts to learn about the importance of water conservation, the benefits of swimming, and safety rules for swimming and boating. By completing this adventure, scouts can develop healthy habits, become more aware of environmental issues, and enjoy recreational water activities safely and responsibly.

How Does Water Become Polluted?

It is important to teach children about the sources of water pollution so that they can understand how their actions can impact the environment and take steps to prevent pollution in their daily lives. Here are some things they can understand:

1. Trash and litter: When people throw garbage and litter into the streets, it can be washed into storm drains, and then into rivers, lakes, and oceans.
2. Chemicals: When people pour chemicals like motor oil, paint, and cleaning products down the drain or into the soil, they can end up in waterways and harm plants and animals that live in the water.
3. Agriculture: When farmers use pesticides and fertilizers to grow crops, rainwater can carry these chemicals into nearby rivers and streams, which can harm fish and other aquatic life.
4. Sewage: When pipes that carry sewage are damaged or overflow, raw sewage can flow into rivers, lakes, and oceans. This can be harmful to people and animals who use the water.
5. Industrial waste: When factories and industries release chemicals and waste into the air and water, it can harm the environment and make the water unsafe for drinking and recreation.

Ways to Conserve Water at Home

Here are some ways to conserve water at home:

1. Turn off the tap: Turn off the tap while brushing your teeth, washing your hands, or scrubbing dishes.
2. Fix leaks: Report any leaky faucets or toilets to an adult so they can be fixed promptly.
3. Take shorter showers: Take shorter showers and turn off the water while you soap up.
4. Reuse water: Reuse water from a fish tank or rain barrel to water plants.
5. Use a broom: Use a broom instead of hosing down the driveway or sidewalk.
6. Only run full loads: Wait until the dishwasher or washing machine is full before running a load to conserve water.

By implementing these simple water-saving practices at home, we can be responsible and conscious about water usage. Moreover, we can understand the importance of water conservation and its positive impact on the environment.

Why Is Swimming Good Exercise?

Swimming is a really good exercise because it helps make your heart and lungs stronger, which is important for your body. It’s also easier on your joints than other exercises like running, which means it’s good for all ages and levels of fitness. When you swim, you use lots of muscles, which helps make them stronger and healthier.

Swimming can also help you feel less stressed and anxious because it’s relaxing to do. It can even help you be more flexible, which means you can move your body better. So, swimming is a fun and healthy way to exercise that is good for your whole body!

Safe Swim Defense

Requirement 4 of the Wolf Cub Scout Spirit of the Water Adventure specifically asks scouts to explain the safety rules they need to follow before participating in swimming or boating. This requirement aligns with the principles of BSA Safe Swim Defense and ensures that scouts have a basic understanding of the importance of safety in water activities. By emphasizing safety through BSA Safe Swim Defense, scouts can develop good habits of being mindful of the risks associated with aquatics activities and be better prepared to stay safe while enjoying the water. See more information.

BSA Swim Test

The BSA swim test is relevant to the Wolf Cub Scout Spirit of the Water Adventure because it helps scouts assess their swimming abilities and ensure that they are prepared for swimming activities. The swim test consists of a series of swimming exercises designed to evaluate a swimmer’s comfort level and proficiency in the water. By taking the swim test, scouts can determine their readiness for swimming and boating activities and take appropriate safety precautions based on their skill level. See more information.

Safety Afloat

Requirement 4 of the Wolf Cub Scout Spirit of the Water Adventure asks scouts to explain the safety rules they need to follow before participating in swimming or boating. Safety Afloat can help scouts understand the importance of safety in boating activities, including proper training and other safety measures to reduce the risk of accidents or injuries. Safety Afloat includes guidelines for proper supervision, training, and safety equipment such as life jackets, and it emphasizes the importance of following these guidelines to ensure safe and enjoyable boating activities. See more information.

SCOUT Water Safety Chant

The SCOUT Water Safety Chant can be used with the Wolf Cub Scout Spirit of the Water Adventure to reinforce the importance of water safety. The SCOUT Water Safety Chant is a tool used by the Boy Scouts of America to teach water safety to younger scouts. The chant reinforces the importance of following safety rules and being aware of the risks associated with water activities. See more information.

Sharks and Minnows Game

The game Sharks and Minnows can be used with the Wolf Cub Scout Spirit of the Water Adventure to help scouts practice their swimming skills and reinforce water safety rules.

BSA Video Resource