Mother Nature is Teaching Today

1. Mother Nature is Teaching Today University of Scouting 2007

2. Why Teach Nature? • To a person uninstructed in natural history, his country or sea-side stroll is a walk through a gallery filled with wonderful works of art, nine-tenths of which have their faces turned to the wall. • Thomas Huxley ~ 19th Century Philosopher & Environmentalist University of Scouting 2007

3. Department of Cub Scouting • Great Outdoors as Classroom • Teaching Nature • Programs ~ Hikes, crafts, activities • Resources University of Scouting 2007

4. The Natural World • Science • Environment • Pollution • Conservation • Citizenship • Outdoor Code University of Scouting 2007

5. It’s a small world after all • Scoping Activities • Tigers, Wolves, Bears & Webelos • Outdoors • Hikes, Field Trips, Scavenger Hunts, Collecting • Indoors • Nature Videos, Games, Skits, Stunts, Songs University of Scouting 2007

6. Tiger Cubs • Go See it! • Nature Center presentations • Field trips • Neighborhood Hikes • Treasure Hunt • Outdoor Adventure University of Scouting 2007

7. Wolves • Use the Wolf Handbook • Hikes • Hand-on Activities • Crafts • Skits • Songs University of Scouting 2007

8. Bears • Caring for the Planet • Conservation • Visit zoos, nature centers, wildlife preserves • Share your world with wildlife • Tie to Advancement with Bear Handbook University of Scouting 2007

9. Webelos • Earn the Outdoor Group • Forester • Geologist • Naturalist • Outdoorsman • Cub World Conservation Award • Cub ‘Front Country’ LNT Award University of Scouting 2007

10. Presentation Methods:Outdoor • Field Trips • Zoos, aquariums • Botanical gardens • Nature centers • Parks • Museums • Council Conservation Resource Guide University of Scouting 2007

11. Presentation Methods:Outdoor • All Season Hikes • Get outdoors EVERY Month • Dress Properly for the Season • Create Themes University of Scouting 2007

12. Presentation Methods:Outdoor • A Hike is a Journey • With a Purpose • With a Route • With a Destination • Tailor to Cub rank and experience • Incorporate Activity Badge Work University of Scouting 2007

13. Presentation Methods:Outdoor • Adopt an Acre • Mark out 3 or 4 foot squares • Visit & Observe Monthly • Note Changes • Report & Discuss at Den meetings University of Scouting 2007

14. Presentation Methods:Outdoor • Nature Scavenger Hikes • Preparation Required • List Objects to Find • Include Chronology Questions University of Scouting 2007

15. Presentation Methods:Outdoor • Collecting Natural Objects • Leaves, cones, nuts • Sea Shells • Stamps (Nature-themed – birds, fish, animals) • Leave what you find University of Scouting 2007

16. Presentation Methods:Outdoor • Conservation & Ecology Themes • Leave No Trace Organization • Outdoor Ethics • Sierra Club • Audobon Society • Environmental Protection Agency • Natural Resources Defense Council University of Scouting 2007

17. Presentation Methods:Indoor • The Art of Nature • Vast & far-reaching • Get into it! • Each boy will have unique perspective • Use your imagination University of Scouting 2007

18. Presentation Methods:Indoor • Nature out the Window • Inclusiveness • Physically handicapped • Housebound • Tools • Telescope, microscope, kaleidescope • Bug box, magnifying glass University of Scouting 2007

19. Presentation Methods:Indoor • Songs, Skits, Presentations • Select • Rehearse • Cue Cards – Poster-size • Build a repertoire University of Scouting 2007

20. Presentation Methods:Indoor • Nature Crafts • Tie-in to Outdoor activity • Arranging collections • Identify leaves • Pine cone bird-feeders • Birdhouse building University of Scouting 2007

21. Presentation Methods:Indoor • Nature in Theatre • Puppets (Webelos Showman) • Milk-jug Masks (Bears) • Paper-bag Masks (Wolves) • Costumes (natural elements – grass, leaves) • Props – from natural items University of Scouting 2007

22. Presentation Methods:Games • Use Nature Themes • Go Fish (sea shells, leaves, stones) • Nature Jeopardy – think up questions & answers • Pick-up Sticks BIG TIME – use 12” – 15” sticks University of Scouting 2007

23. Resources • Internet • USScouting Service Project (http://www.cubbobwhite.net/outdoor/od.htm) • Scouting.org (http://scouting.org/) • Conservation Resource Guide (http://wpcbsa.org/Conservation/) • (Environmental Education Resources (http://www.acornnaturalists.com/store/index.aspx • Government (Forest Service, National Parks & State Parks, Local Parks & Recreation Departments) University of Scouting 2007

24. Resources • On the Ground • Libraries • Public • School • Other (Nature Centers, Museums) • Nature-oriented Organizations • Nature Centers • Arboretums University of Scouting 2007

25. Resources • Skits • BSA Cub Scout Leader How-to Book • Creative Campfires (BSA Supply) • MacScouter’s Big Book of Skits (on-line) • Nature • Wilderness with Children: Parent’s Guide to Family Outings. Michael Hodgson University of Scouting 2007

26. Conclusion The Peace of Wild Things When despair for the world grows in me And I wake in the night at the least sound In fear of what my life and my children’s lives may be, I go and lie down where the wood drake Rests in his beauty on the water, and the great heron feeds. I come into the peace of wild things Who do not tax their lives with forethought Or grief. I come into the presence of still water. And I feel above me the day-blind stars Waiting with their light. For a time I rest in the grace of the world, and am free. Wendell Berry University of Scouting 2007