◆Activity 1: STOP (Requirement 2)

• Ask the Scouts what to do if they are separated from the group on the hike. Steer them to the STOP acronym featured in their handbooks. Reinforce the idea that a lost Scout is not in trouble for being separated and that helpers may be out looking for them. Remind everyone that a Scout is brave, and that while it may be scary to be separated from their buddy or the group, they need to stay calm while they are waiting to be found. They have an important role to play in helping rescuers find them, and they can do that by using STOP:

— Stay calm: Sit down, take a drink of water, and eat some trail food. Make sure you are comfortable, but stay where you can be seen. Don’t hide; you are not in trouble.

— Think: Think about how you can help your leaders or others find you. Stay where you are, and be sure people can see you. Make yourself easy to find. Remember, if you are apart from the group, people will come and look for you. Stay in one place where you can be seen.

— Observe: Listen for the rest of your group or for the people looking for you. Blow your whistle three times in a row, then listen. Three of any kind of signal means you need help.

— Plan: Stay calm, and stay in one place. Plan how to stay warm and dry until help arrives.

◆Activity 2: The Buddy System (Requirement 2)

Explore and understand the buddy system. The buddy system is a fundamental element of Scout safety anytime, but especially in the outdoors. Each Scout is assigned a “buddy” for the duration of the event.

(If you have an uneven number of Scouts, put three together in one group.) Each pair is assigned a number. That number is only theirs and the only one they should use in the event of a “buddy check.”

The buddy pairs should be close to each other at all times.

• Assign buddies.

• Practice buddy checks. When a leader calls “Buddy check!” the pair moves toward each other and waits.

Once the Scouts are with their partners, they call out their numbers in order—“1,” “2,” “3”—until all numbers have been called. If you get through all the pair numbers, everyone is accounted for. Pairs are not allowed to call their number if they are missing a member, so the process will stop. The process also stops if a number is not called. Pairs can call only their own numbers and no one else’s number. Once everyone understands the concept, it goes quickly and is a valuable tool for keeping track of everyone. 

• Play a memory game. Start by asking who can name all 12 points of the Scout Law without help; they don’t need to be in order. Have each Cub Scout write as many points of the Scout Law as they can in one minute. After the minute is up, give each Scout a minute to join with a buddy to improve their lists. The two-Scout lists should have more items than the single-Scout lists. Make the point that it’s good to work with a friend.

◆Activity 3: Draw Individual Maps (Requirement 7)

• It may be helpful for you to provide a detailed map for them to look at.

• See the steps for Activity 3 in the Meeting 2 Resources.

◆Activity 4: Identify Local Creatures (Requirement 6)

Have the Scouts identify local creatures from pictures. Name two birds, two insects, and two animals. If they have trouble with these identifications, show them the differentiating features (e.g., red breast=robin). Have them write the names in their handbooks. Save the pictures for use on the hike.