Blindfold Mouse Trap Game for Cub Scouts
Pack 505 Campout: June 2013
Scout ranks
Tiger, Wolf, Bear, and Webelos I and II. Slight alteration for Webelos
Scope
The intent of the activity was twofold: 1) to help the boys understand what it is like to navigate the world around us with compromised vision; and 2) to teach the boys communication and teamwork.
Materials and Resources
- 8 to 12 mousetraps
- Rank neckerchiefs or blindfolds
- Ropes to set side boundaries to define path
- Creativity / Theme ideas
Program- Introduction / Game description
- Game – first round (leader lead)
- Review of event
- Game – second round (boy lead)
- Practical situations and what scout can do
Description
Begin with a description of the event. The goal of the event is to get guide your entire team through an obstacle course of mouse-traps (set so they snap if bumped). The mouse-traps are dispersed randomly along a path defined by a long rope on each side. [Ideally the traps should be set while the team is blind-folded so they don’t know the exact placement.] The team lines up single file, each boy blind-folded and standing with their (right or left) hand on the boy’s shoulder in front of them. The boy at the front of the line is the designated team leader. The adult leader stands at the other end of the path of mouse-traps and uses verbal commands to slowly guide the first scout through the obstacle course. Upon reaching the other side, either the team leader can then guide the next boy through, or if the boys are younger, the adult leader can continue to guide the group through, one by one.
Scoring for the game is completely up to the adult leader in charge; one method is starting with a number representing the number of mousetraps and then subtracting “1” for every trap “tripped”. The team with the highest score wins. An alternative is to count the number of traps “tripped” and then the lowest score wins.
This event was originally designed for a team-building event for adults and has been part of “Woodbadge”. Therefore to make it really appealing to scouts it is a GREAT idea is to make the event coincide with a campout theme or a topic that is popular with the boys – make it as fun and interesting as possible. The idea used for the event when conducted was an “Indiana Jones” theme. In this case “Carolina Charlie” was guiding the den through a scorpion pit to get safely to the other side. While the original plan for the event was to have it in series with some other “adventures” to have the scouts travel through several challenges and eventually end up at a treasure or a finish line of some sort, the event worked well independently also.
After each team finishes the event spend some time talking about the importance of teamwork and involve the boys with talking about what they learned, what they liked, and what they didn’t like about the activity. If appropriate, introduce the aspect of vision impairments and how the challenges the scouts experienced are what blind people experience all day every day.
Event Modifications
The only modification used for the activity was to have the adult leader more involved with leading and calling out instructions for the Tiger and Wolf ranks. For the Bear rank, depending on the maturity of the boys, one or more could lead the group through the mouse-traps. For the Webelos I and II ranks it is very appropriate for the boys to act as a patrol and learn to work together and gain mutual trust. Assignment of the “Patrol Leader” can either be made based on nearest birth date to the event, current monthly Denner, or by using the den chief as the patrol leader. Additionally the boy guiding the team through the path can be changed after each passage to enable all to learn how difficult it is lead and use good descriptions.
Review of Session
The event was conducted paired with a disabilities awareness teaching session. Therefore, the blind-folded nature of the mousetrap game reinforced the teaching of how difficult it is to be vision impaired.
The activity went fairly well. The boys enjoyed pairing off and most of them took the activity seriously. There were a couple of boys who intentionally steered the other into the traps but everyone seemed to have a good time.
The biggest success was in getting the boys to communicate. They had to stop yelling directions and put themselves in the other boy’s shoes to successfully navigate the course. In this case it is helpful to run the activity twice, once as leader guided and then the second time as boy lead so that the boys learn by doing it the right way the second time.
The biggest oversight was by allowing the boys to pair-up as there were some non-ideal matchups. This led to some of the boys not taking the activity seriously. Fortunately by assigning a leader to each group of boys we were able to minimize any disruptions.
One unexpected outcome was that some younger boys (tiger year) were worried about being hurt by the mousetraps or worried about the snapping sound they would make. This may be an additional modification for the Tiger rank – to have something other than mousetraps to walk around. Alternatively, with the Tigers, the leader could demonstrate (without the boys blind-folded) how tripping the traps makes a noise but does not snap or hurt one’s foot.
This was an excellent exercise and one that should be included at future events. Next time we have this event we would like to see a little more emphasis on helping the boys relate to vision impaired people and possibly expand the event to include other disabilities such as hearing loss.
An additional pairing with this event would be to complete the requirements of the disabilities awareness belt loop. Having a disabled scout or adult come and talk to the boys about life with a disability and the importance of team work, empathy, and having an open mind would further enforce the meaning of the event.
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Basic First Aid Program for Cub Scouts
Pack 505 Campout: March 2013
Scout ranks
Tiger, Wolf, Bear, and Webelos I and II: rank modifications provided.
Scope
Teach cub basic “First Aid” skills for handling situations the scout may encounter in everyday life. Additional activity can be added to keep the scouts active. Goal is to provide scouts information and skills for age-appropriate first aid response skills and general awareness of what they can do to help support parents, siblings, and first responders.
Materials and Resources
- Readyman Activity badge requirements
- Webelos and/or Boy Scout handbooks
- First Aid Merit Badge Book (optional)
- Emergency Preparedness merit badge book (optional)
- Sample first aid kit
- Stretcher materials
- Four (4) 6-7 foot poles
- 2 blankets
- Materials for splints (if used)
- Cloth ties: 1-2-inch wide, 18-24” long or bandanas
- 18-24” length small dia wood
- Neckerchiefs for arm slings
- 1 primary instructor + 2 assistants; all must have either direct medical training or be BSA trained at minimum
Program
- Introduction / Goals of session
- Classroom section: lecture/teach
- Game or activity using skills just learned
- Review activity and have scouts indicate what they learned
- Practical situations and what scout can do
Tiger modification
Talk about types of situations encountered in the home, with siblings, and how young scouts can help parents. Talk about following rules and importance of buddy system. Focus on washing cuts, applying band-aids, how and when to get help, and dialing 911. Also talk about car accident situations and staying out of road. Emphasize prevention. Kym’s Game: memorize first aid kit items
Wolf/Bear modification
Draw upon basic examples from Readyman requirements. Reference the Boy Scout handbook for “milder” first aid examples. Teach 3-4 scenarios and then focus on keeping the scouts active with relays or practical first aid: Stretcher race or slings and wraps
Webelos full program
Do very little classroom instruction and focus on first aid situations that involve the boys doing rather than listening. Use examples that are attention grabbing: i.e. blood, broken bones, lifelong eye blinding injury, insects, snakes, hurt leader, pus fill wounds, etc. Appeal to Webelos interests.
Practical examples: making splints, field first aid, making stretchers from available items.
Discuss pocket first aid kits and show the types of items that should be in them. If possible (and funded) put together the pocket kits for the scouts during the session. Otherwise encourage them all to make a pocket first aid kit and carry it at campouts. Emphasize that the scouts may think they know what to do in emergencies, but it is important to always tell adults what happened.
Review CPR basics, how to get help from adults and 911, how to get AED, take CPR class to learn chest compressions when Boy Scout. This information is all available in Readyman.
Review of Session
Tiger session went well. Wolf-bear session quickly degraded to answering question after questions from the same 1-2 scouts; never got to the stretcher lesson. Next time offer shorter teaching session and more practical situations.
The Webelos session was the best, probably because it was closest to excerpts from the merit badge book content. Perhaps the practical, hands-on experiences make the difference.
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Basic Compass Use for Cub Scouts
Pack 505 Campout: January 2011
Scout ranks
Tiger, Wolf, Bear, and Webelos I and II. Alteration for Tiger and Wolves requires more 1:1 time and 1 additional event for Webelos if they already know how to use a compass and require more complex tasks at the completion of the event.
Scope
Provide introductory course to cub scouts on compass use, measuring paces, and navigating a basic compass course.
Materials and Resources
- 8-10 compass (or enough for group)
- 5 white paper plates (on which to mark A through E letters for each course point)
- Black marker
- Tape or string (to attach plates to trees): LNT does not permit nailing or damaging trees
- 50 or 100 ft measuring tape
- Boy scout handbook or Orienteering MB book
Program
- Introduction / Activity description
- Basic compass use
- Paces to calculate distance
- Orient through course
- Review activity / wrap-up
Description
Begin with a description of what will be accomplished during the event. The goal is for the scouts to complete the 5-station compass course and gain a reasonable understanding of how to use a compass to find their way.
Basic compass use is essential for event success. Spend some time working with the boys on how to operate the compass, how to take a bearing… for several easy landmarks.
Have each scout calculate their pace on a measured 50 or 100 foot length (prepare ahead of time using measuring tape and mark on the ground). The boy needs to remember his pace-length factor for the course.
The course landmarks are designed to be easy for the cubs to recognize – that is why broad black marker letters on white plates are so great. They are easily recognizable in the landscape so the scouts are not completely dependent on their compass readings and paces being exact. The plates A through E should be placed strategically around the camping area so are readily visible from the prior compass point (this should be easy for tigers to see but still challenging for Webelos scouts to have to take bearings and measure paces). It is advisable for the activity coordinator to lay out the course ahead of time, along with bearings and distance between course legs. This makes determination of which scouts (and why) are more successful at running the course than others.
At conclusion of event, review what the scouts learned. Try to give each scout an opportunity to indicate what they learned or enjoyed about the event.
Event Modifications
Tigers and Wolves need additional 1:1 instruction and should be potentially paired with an adult/parent.
Bear: no modifications
Webelos: typically some do very well with compass and others can’t remember how to operate. For more knowledgeable scouts, consider having them work with younger or be prepared with other events for them. If they progress quickly through the 5-stage course, consider breaking off the Webelos to do Boy Scout distance and height measurements as detailed in BSA handbook (see last section of this article).
Review of Session
This is a very good event for all ranks. The activity is easy to plan and conduct. Modifications are easy to make “on the fly” to accommodate all skill levels. This type of event has been implemented numerous times successfully. One modification also utilized GPS units at the end (of the session) to add a modern twist.
Distance calculations from pace count was another time-consuming aspect not considered. The calculation needs to be performed for each scout on each course “leg”. Additional calculators and knowledgable adults can more efficiently o help the scouts calculate distance for their paces. Having the activity leader being the only “calculator” for paces for 8 scouts was not efficient. This approach also frees up the activity leader to “lead” the activity.
The last lesson learned was the importance of mapping out the course in event, and determining correct bearings, paces, and distances. For each course leg the scouts would offer a range of answers to bearing and distance questions. Knowing the actual answers better enabled teaching the scouts correct technique.
Optional course content is drawn from the Boy Scout handbook:
- How to measure the height of flag pole or tree by using a pencil and additively using the height of your fellow scout to determine heights of tall objects; as shown in picture above, compare height of thumb to known height of adult leader or scout, and then estimate height of tree by adding thumb heights.
- Determine distance across a river using same type of technique (pencil height and sighting length of pencil relative to river length). Site the equivalent distance on the hear river bank and then pace off. Really this is easier to understand if you read the section in the BSA handbook.
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Monkey Bridge Project for Cub Scouts
Pack 505 Campout: January 2013
Scout ranks
Tiger, Wolf, Bear, and Webelos I and II. Portions of the activity are altered to be rank appropriate
Scope
To introduce a large scale pioneering project to teach cub scouts how basic knots, lashings, and logs can be used to construct useful and fun structures. Use building of Monkey Bridge and A-frame “bridge” as teaching tools during morning round robin segments and then utilize completed projects for obstacle course in afternoon activity. Originally only the Monkey Bridge was considered for the project but the A-frame was added to increase the hands-on learning opportunities due to the large size of boys attending the event (20+ per Round Robin (RR) group).
Monkey Bridge: a standard 15-20 foot rope bridge spanning between crossed 10-foot poles anchored with a “Log and Stake” Anchoring System. Rope guidelines between trestles are used for balance when scouts are crossing the bridge (see sketch at top right)
A-frame “bridge”: a lashed A-frame trestle with low cross-bar and additional cross-bar at intermediate height to allow a scout to sit and be hoisted “across a river” using supportive guidelines and additional “hoist” bar attached to back of frame.
Materials and Resources
Monkey Bridge
- Four (4) 10-12 foot x 4-5 inch diameter poles for X-trestles (2 each end)
- Three smaller logs for steps/cross-braces (~6 ft long / 2-3 inch diameter); note that left end (pictured below uses two cross-braces as ladder and one cross-brace on right end).
- Two (2) anchoring logs – one each for either end – use any readily available logs. Goal is to uniformly distribute loading to 2x3 anchor stakes (1-2-inch diameter stakes used for this bridge). See picture below or the Pioneering merit badge book for additional details
- One (1) 50-foot by ¾ to 1-inch diameter rope for main walking rope
- Natural fiber strongly encouraged for foot gripping and reduced sagging
- “Rule of Thumb” is half of rope length is for bridge span and the remainder for anchoring on either end
- Two (2) 50-foot by ½-inch diameter ropes for hand guide-lines
- Six (6) 8-10 ft ropes for upper and lower crossbar lashings – 4 lashings left X-trestle and 2 on right X-trestle
- Approx eight (8) 10-foot length ropes for guide-lines (for rope “web”)
- Twelve (12) 18-24-inch stakes (with one end pointed) for anchors (1-2-inch diameter). The longer the better to best anchor bridge but may be limited in anchor depth depending on hardness of ground.
- Additional short lengths of rope to join anchors (no more than 5 foot lengths needed)
- Short sticks to use in twist-tightening rope between anchors. Length must be sufficient to stick one end of ground to anchor once tightened rope. See Pioneering MB book for use.
- 6-8 lb mallet or sledge – for pounding in stakes
- Hatchet – for cutting tips on stakes
- Pioneering MB book as reference / instructions
- MB book section on Monkey Bridge was color copied for instructors and handed out at first night crack barrel for them to review prior to event.
- 1 primary instructor + 2 assistants
- Addition of experienced Boy Scouts or leaders also a plus for 1:1 teaching of knots and lashings.
A-frame Material List
- Three (3) 10-12 foot x 3-4 inch diameter poles for frame uprights (1 will be used as 3rd leg as back support for A-trestle frame – and to “hoist” scout over river)
- Two smaller logs for cross-braces of A-frame (one 6-ft long / one 4-ft long / both 2-3 inch diameter)
- Six (6) 8-10 ft ropes for lashing
- One for shear lashing at top
- Two each for each square lashing of the cross-bars (4 total)
- One for square lashing to attach back support brace to one of front struts
- Four (4) additional 12-ft ropes as support lines (during hoisting activity
Program
The monkey bridge is designed as a three-stage round robin (RR) activity such that bridge is finished by 3rd segment. Each Round Robin (RR) group is divided into three teams: (1) Some Webelos I and II are designated to work on the X-beams, (2) team of mixed Bear-Wolf-Tiger are assigned to A-frame, and (3) Bear-Wolf-Tiger team mixed to work on rope bridge “web”. Half way through each RR segment, teams (2) and (3) were switched as these tasks were easily completed and the new activity kept the younger boys’ interest. One X-trestle structure was constructed through each of the first two RR and the stakes/logs were prepared and preliminary placed. The third RR segment was used to fix/adjust lashings (another teaching moment). The entire structure was assembled by the end of the final RR segment.
The A-frame was constructed once per each RR segment; the last 5 minutes of each segment are used as a team-based activity to hoist several scouts over a “river”. The scouts enjoyed being hoisted and the whole RR team learned to work together. The latter section was typically the most fun the scouts had during the whole event.
Webelos Contribution
The Webelos work as primary workers to put up the X-trestles. In the application of this project we had the more experienced Webelos working with several boy scouts to lash together the X-trestles and then the upper and lower crossbars for the bridge. The Webelos also watched and learned from the boy scouts in preparing the stakes to be used for the anchoring mechanism. One X-trestle assembly was constructed through each of the first two round robin segments. For the third round robin segment, the Webelos worked with the boy scouts to raise the bridge and position the anchoring lines.
While the A-frame activity was lead by an adult leader, Webelos can be 1:1 teachers and teach bear-wolf ranks basic knots and lashings.
Webelos were also used to help work with tigers and wolves in preparing the rope “web”. However, in the project, the tigers responded best to the tiger leaders and parents.
Wolf/Bear Contribution
The wolves and bears worked on their knots with the rope “web” and actively worked on lashings for the A-frame. They generally required 1:1 instruction.
Tiger Contribution
This was a difficult project for Tiger scouts. The advantage of this project was exposure. The Tigers worked side-by-side with adult leaders, Webelos and Bears to learn knots in making the rope web for the bridge. The adults working with the Tigers typically taught the required knots and then continued to teach based on the individual scout needs – repeating the knots or teaching other scout knots. The Tigers mostly watched the A-frame construction with the more adventurous choosing to attempt lashings.
Final Assembly
The final RR segment was run like the prior 2, with two teams finishing the web and A-frame respectively. At the end of the segment the Webelos team and web-team hoisted the bridge to a standing position. For the event, when conducted, the adult leader team and boy scouts adjusted the anchoring and final positioning during lunch, after the conclusion of the RR segments. The bridge was then completed for afternoon use.
Safety:
Monkey Bridge: One of the main goals of the pioneering project is to have scouts build something fun and then have fun crossing. Be sure to provide sufficient safety training (on how to cross) and allow scouts ample time to cross Most important lesson learned was to have boys position their feet transverse (sideways) to the length of the rope. The organizer may want to encourage boys to wear shoes with “grip” rather than slippery gym shoes. Additionally, the organizer may wish to seek parental permission to have kids cross.
A-frame: Have adult leader (with lashing experience) verify lashings are tight. When “hoisting” scouts across “river” position helpers as follows to ensure safety of scout sitting on A-frame upper bar:
- Adult or boy scout does primary frame movement using back brace/leg
- Two boys with support ropes, one each standing on either side of back leg, to help support structure was moving forward.
- Two scouts to support front legs of A-trestle when it is coming forward
- One adult standing by and supporting scout sitting on upper brace, and helping the scout jump off trestle when full forward
- One additional supervising adult to organize event, give instructions, and assure safety of all
Review of Construction:
A couple of quick points to remember when constructing the bridge:
- Difficulty with setting the correct positioning of the shear lashing along the length of each X-trestle so that there is a large enough opening to step through and the bridge is far enough off the ground. The appropriate position seemed to be half log length for the lashing. See picture of “scissor” spread width.
- Webelos benefited from working on X-trestles assemblies but lashings were often loose so the lashings needed to be redone several times until tight enough. The teaching moments were important and therefore appropriately limited one X-trestle upright for each RR segment so Webelos could finish with good lashings. Plenty of time was allowed for Webelos to do lashings correctly and gain confidence.
- Initial design allowed for 1 horizontal on each X-trestle but a second smaller one was added to one side to stabilize the X and also to add additional step up for the smaller scouts.
- No matter how much advance planning, you will need to move the X-trestles at least once and re-stake for optimal positioning. As initially indicated in bridge material list… “Rule of Thumb” is ½ of main rope length is for span and half for anchoring. The experience showed us that a shorter span was better to free up additional rope for anchoring and also a smaller span was more stable for scouts to cross.
Lessons learned
There were several lessons learned from the actual application of this project:
- The project was very ambitious for a Cub Scout pack. However, it was tackled during the Pack’s “hardcore” campout where generally the pack pushes the envelope a bit to teach the boys what is can be like to be boy scouts. If you like to give your scouts a good project, at a cub or Boy Scout level – this one does the trick and is worth the effort.
- The project will benefit from some experienced scouts or scoutmasters who have built a similar structure before. The X-trestle placing and staking required some thought and adjustment.
- Study and read up on anchoring methods ahead of time as log/stake/anchor assembly required some planning and placement
- The bridge was more difficult to cross than anticipated. Working with the boys on foot placement (cross-wise to the rope length) and having a shorter bridge would improve stability and assure safe crossing.
- Do not include the bridge as a timed event; the scouts should be permitted as much time as they need to cross otherwise they could fall if not careful.
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Pack 505 Lashing Project “Single Lock Bridge”
Content borrowed from http://scoutpioneering.com/2013/02/05/single-lock-bridge/
Project Description
The project utilizes the following lashings:
Square lashing: corner joining, start with clove hitch, wrap one direction (3-4x), wrap the other direction (3-4x), frap at least twice, end with clove hitch on opposite pole from start
Diagonal lashing: start with timber hitch across diagonal, wrap one direction (3-4x), wrap the other direction (3-4x), frap at least twice, end with clove hitch at bottom of joint
Round lashing: connects trestles to transom, start with clove hitch, wrap one direction (-8x), close with clove hitch adjacent to wrap, repeat approximately 2-inches further down joint (see image slide 4), wrap one direction (~8x),, end with clove hitch adjacent to wrap.
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| Diagonal Lashing |
- Begin by building the two trestles as subassemblies.
- Use all square lashings for the trestle upright junctions with cross-bars.
- Use diagonal lashings for diagonal braces; both at center and where diagonals meet uprights
- Adjust the length of the spars (uprights) for the trestle so that when they are placed “in the creek” the ledgers will be about 1-foot above the level of the banks of the creek. This will provide a comfortable slant to the walkways.
- As the current project may not bridge an actual creek, the trestle height may be small and the remainder of the vertical length will project above the bridge
- Build one trestle at a time. Adjust the legs of the second trestle to be narrower at the top than the first, in order to fit in-between the first trestle legs at the transom bar.
- Very important that lashings are tight as they will support load!
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| Square Lashing |
Walkways
- Construct the two walkways as separate subassemblies
- Be sure to space two main beams at the proper width to match the trestle width (you want it all to go together in the end)
- Use square lashings to attach the crossbars to the two main beams
- Be sure to place the longer crossbars at the bottom of each walkway, to allow for enough length to attach to stakes (see picture)
- Attach plank to each walkway using modified square lashings at 3 points: start with clove hitch, wrap at least three times (see picture) and then finish with clove hitch on opposite main beam from starting point
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| Round Lashing |
- Assemble the two trestles together first with the main transom bar. Use square lashings (round lashings may also be used but may take up needed space for walkway attachment)
- Attach the walkways to the trestle using round lashings. Use two lashings per walkway
- Position trestle legs so stable
- Drive in stakes at bottoms of each walkway and attach to walkway bottom spars with square lashings
- Carefully test out stability of bridge before allowing general usage
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| Schematic showing lashing locations and types |
Material List
- 4 3″ x 6′ trestle legs
- 4 2-1/2″ x 4′ trestle ledgers
- 1 3″ x 4′ trestle transom
- 4 2″ x 6′ cross braces
- 4 3″ x 10′ walkway lateral spars
- 12 2″ x 3′ walkway cross spars
- 4 2″ x 3-1/2″ walkway cross spars
- 2 2″ x 10″ x 10′ walkway planks
- 4 stakes
- Rope for lashings: generally 6 or 8-ft lengths
- Approx 62 lashings needed
- Natural fiber preferred if bridge to be set-up for several days plus
- Synthetic fiber ok for short term usage (as rope will stretch)
No other activities listed.
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