In this adventure, Bears will explore the outdoor world of mammals, birds, plants, and more! They will understand that every living thing has a home—often very close by. Scouts will also discover that almost every living thing’s neighborhood is a home to at least one type of another living thing. Protecting those homes, called habitats, is up to everyone, and Bears can help!

• Learning about the world of creatures and how we affect our environment

• Practicing ways to conserve in the world around us

• A Scout is thrifty

Complete Requirement 1 plus three others.

1. While hiking or walking for one mile, identify six signs that any mammals, birds, insects, reptiles, or plants are living near the place where you choose to hike or walk.

2. Visit one of the following: zoo, wildlife refuge, nature center, aviary, game preserve, local conservation area, wildlife rescue group, or fish hatchery. Describe what you learned during your visit.

3. Name one animal that has become extinct in the last 100 years and one animal that is currently endangered. Explain what caused their declines.

4. Observe wildlife from a distance. Describe what you saw.

5. Use a magnifying glass to examine plants more closely. Describe what you saw through the magnifying glass that you could not see without it.

6. Learn about composting and how vegetable waste can be turned into fertilizer for plants.

7. Plant a vegetable or herb garden.

This adventure has several choices based on which activities you choose to do with your den. These den meeting plans, when followed as written, meet the requirements to earn this adventure. If you choose to make adjustments, be sure you complete at least the minimum requirements.

Make arrangements to visit a local, state, or federal wildlife refuge, zoo, nature center, aviary, game preserve, local conservation area, wildlife rescue group, fish hatchery, or other animal preservation area for Meeting 3. Identify a location for the outing to help Cub Scouts fulfill requirements for this adventure in a field setting. Where you decide to visit may change the order of activities you do in den meetings 1 and 2.

In advance of the outing, the leader will need to make arrangements with the outing location and confirm the outing plan with families, including transportation and any additional items they need to bring. Make sure activity consent forms are distributed, signed, and collected.

See the appendix in the Bear Handbook for optional den meeting activities, including openings, gatherings, and closings.