Activities

There are so many classic Scout activities. These tried and true activities have stood the test of time. However, there are also some other great activities that you may not be as familiar with. Here are some particularly fun ones.

Blind Nature Trail

A Blind Nature Trail is a cool take on a hike. Many of us rely on our sense of sight so much that we often neglect our other senses. This kind of trail will allow people to explore nature in a way that they probably haven’t before. Find a trail or even just an area in the woods, string a rope somewhere between elbow and shoulder height for most people. The trail can take any shape or route, but try to include at least a few turns. Also consider some protruding shrubs of low hanging soft branches. Vary the length on the trail based on the ages of your participants. Have them meet and put on a blindfold at a location nearby the start of the trail but also somewhere that the trail is out of sight. Guide each hiker one at a time to the start of the trail and put their hand on the rope. Don’t start the next hiker until the one in front of them is 15-20 feet in front of them. When the hike is over talk about what things they noticed that they usually don’t notice or tune out.

  • What did you notice about the temperature? Did it seem to stay the same or feel different throughout the trail?
  • Did you notice the humidity level?
  • What did you notice about the topography or feel of the ground under your feet?
  • What sounds did you pick up that you normally don’t notice while hiking?
  • Did you touch or feel anything besides the rope as you walked?
  • What did you think about that you typically don’t while hiking?
  • What other things did you notice?

Night Hikes

Most Scouts hike during the daylight hours. Taking a hike at night gives a different take on the experience for the Scouts. You will get to hear and see different things on a night hike than what you typically notice. Consider inviting some local experts that can teach about astronomy. They can point out constellations the Scouts have never seen before and the mythology behind those constellations. There are also lots of legends from indigenous people about the night sky that make great and enjoyable stories.

Chariot Races

Have Scouts make their own chariots from poster board or cardboard and attached to ropes. You can have speed races and obstacle courses for the Scouts to compete in. Want to increase the challenge for Scouts BSA or the other older programs? Take it outside and use the same concept but instead of cardboard chariots have the Scouts Lash together a-frames and another scout rid those instead of the card board chariots. Consider counting the lashing time as part of their total race time.

Night Sports

Secure flexible Glow Sticks to a variety of sporting equipment and play games at night.One particular favorite is night time soccer. In addition to the ball as seen in the picture above adhere more glow sticks to some sports cones and you have a glowing ball and goals.

Partner with local Universities or High Schools Sports Teams

The athletes at these schools often enjoy working with youth in mini clinics. Organize an event to have a skills clinic for a given sport, or even a scrimmage with or against the team.

Contact Historians and Reenactors

There are many fraternal organizations and reenactors that would likely be able and willing to come out and demonstrate some living history from your area.

Cardboard Derby

The Cardboard Derby is another race like the Pinewood Derby or the Raingutter Regatta, except this time the Scouts get to go for a ride. Line a hill with large sheets of cardboard and use tent stakes to hold them in place. The Scouts can then race each other down the hill sitting on other pieces of cardboard or sleds made from boxes. Also an empty tissue box and a paper towel tube makes a great trophy for the winning Scout!

Roller Skating

A skating party can be a great indoor activity for the winter when getting outside to burn off some energy is a challenge. Check out the prices for a skating party, it may not be expensive to rent out the whole facility for just your Pack, Troop, Ship, Crew, or Post.

Parades

Parades are a great activity for Scouts. It can be a lot of fun to be in a parade. It is also some free advertising for your unit that may allow for some new recruits. Most importantly, many local parades are paying respects to Veterans or other important groups. Participating in a parade is a great way to complete some community service as well.

Adult Fun

The Scouts are always having a great time, but if you are like most Scouters, you probably enjoy and have become friends with the other leaders and parents. Consider an adult cooking competition. Prepare dinner choices or dessert choices and let the Scouts vote on which they think is the best food.