Bear Necessities

Bear Adventure: Bear NecessitiesWelcome Bear Scout! A bear is at home in the outdoors and knows how to prepare for changes in weather and take care of himself outdoors. You learned some camping skills as Tigers and Wolves, you’ll learn more as you work on your Bear badge, and even more as a Webelos Scout! On this adventure, you will learn how to plan and set up a campsite, cook a den meal, watch for changes in the weather, and improve your Scout skills as well! Are you ready?

Rationale for Adventure

This adventure will introduce new Scouts to basic outdoor skills while helping more experienced Scouts improve and develop skills they learned in previous ranks.

Requirements

Complete requirements 1-4. Requirements 5 and 6 are optional.

  1. While working on your Bear badge, attend one of the following:
    1. A daytime or overnight campout with your pack or family
    2. An outdoor activity with your den or pack
    3. Day camp
    4. Resident camp
  2. Make a list of items you should take along on the activity selected in requirement 1.
  3. Make a list of equipment that the group should bring along in addition to each Scout’s personal gear for the activity selected in requirement 1.
  4. Help set up a tent. Pick a good spot for the tent, and explain to your den leader why you picked it.
  5. Demonstrate how to tie two half hitches. Explain what the name means and what the hitch is used for.
  6. Learn how to read a thermometer and a barometer. Keep track of the temperature and barometric pressure readings and the actual weather at the same time every day for seven days.

 

Takeaways for Cub Scouts

  • Reading weather instruments, including a basic understanding of barometers
  • Tying two half hitches
  • Improved camping skills (less dependent on parents/adult leaders)
  • Cooking a simple meal
  • A Scout is cheerful, clean.

Historical Requirements

2015 Handbook Requirements

Bear Handbook, page 42
Bear Den Leader Guide, page 41

  1. While working on your Bear badge, camp overnight with your pack. If your chartered organization does not permit Cub Scout camping, you may substitute a family campout or a daylong outdoor activity with your den or pack.
  2. Attend a campfire show, and participate by performing a song or skit with your den.
  3. Make a list of items you should take along on your campout.
  4. Make a list of equipment that the group should bring along in addition to each Scout’s personal gear.
  5. With your den, plan a cooked lunch or dinner that is nutritious and balanced. Make a shopping list, and help shop for the food. On a campout or at another outdoor event, help cook the meal and help clean up afterward.
  6. Help your leader or another adult cook a different meal from the one you helped prepare for requirement 5. Cook this meal outdoors.
  7. Help set up a tent. Pick a good spot for the tent, and explain to your den leader why you picked it.
  8. Demonstrate how to tie two half hitches. Explain what the name means and what the hitch is used for.
  9. Learn how to read a thermometer and a barometer. Keep track of the temperature and barometric pressure readings and the actual weather at the same time every day for seven days.