Scouting, Volume 61, Number 3, March-April 1973 Page: 18
This periodical is part of the collection entitled: Scouting Magazine and was provided to The Portal to Texas History by the Boy Scouts of America National Scouting Museum.
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NATURALIST ACTIVITY iK^
The Naturalist activity area is a broad field. It covers
most of what some science writers refer to as the "web
of life." Through their work for this badge, your Webelos
Scouts ought to learn something about how plants and
animals are dependent upon one another. As they
proceed into Scouting, they will learn more about these
relationships when they earn the Environment and Con-
servation skill awards and various merit badges dealing
with plants and animals.
For now, we want them to get an introduction to the
fascinating world of nature—particularly its plants and
animals. The requirements for the Naturalist activity
badge are designed to offer that introduction.
There are seven optional requirements, and the We-
belos Scout must complete four of them. In your den
meetings and field trips, try to cover as many as possible
so the badge will have broad appeal for all den members.
It is possible for a boy to earn this badge without ever
going into the field—but it would be unfortunate. If your
den is located in a city, try to schedule at least one trip
to a large park, a wild area, or a waterfront where there
is a good chance of seeing some kind of wildlife. This
will help the boys in their work on this badge and give
them a taste of the outdoor life they will find in Scouting.
As with most of the other Webelos activity areas, you
can handle the den's activity for this badge. If you are
not an experienced outdoorsman, bird watcher, or
amateur naturalist, you may welcome some expert help.
Check with a high school science teacher, state con-
servation department or an amateur naturalist among
your den's fathers or the pack committee. Ask a Scout-
master whether he has an older Scout who has earned
such merit badges as Nature, Bird Study, Mammals, Rep-
tile Study, Conservation of Natural Resources, and En-
vironmental Science. The Scout may not qualify as an
expert, but he will have enough skill and knowledge to
help guide your boys.
Den Activities. In most parts of the United States, winter
is not a good time for work on the Naturalist badge.
Animal life is hard to find. Most trees and plants are
dormant. Unless you live in a semitropical area, plan
your month on Naturalist for a period between late spring
and early fall.
Get the den into the field at least once so that it
isn't all "sit-down and listen" learning. You may wish to
substitute a field trip for one of the den meetings out-
lined on the opposite page. Perhaps a field trip and
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hike could be combined on a Saturday, with fathers of
den members invited.
Before your first meeting, visit your public library and
get field guides to birds, mammals, reptiles and amphib-
ians, and plants. While these books won't answer all
your questions, they will be useful, particularly on field
trips. Bring along the Scout Handbook to help identify
wildlife—and to let your boys become familiar with the
book that will be a familiar companion to them for the
next few years.
Refer to the Webelos Scout Book and Webelos Den
Activities for projects your boys may do to complete
requirements. Other project ideas will be found in Guide
to Nature Projects, by Ted Pettit, and Nature Activities
and Hobbies, by William Hillcourt. These may be avail-
able at your library, or on order at your Scout distributor
or council service center.
Observing Fruit Flies—Because they multiply rapidly,
fruit flies make a good exhibit for the den to watch during
your month on the Naturalist badge. A new generation
will be born every few days. To catch fruit flies, place a
piece of ripe fruit in the bottom of a small glass jar.
Make a paper funnel to fit the top (to make it harder for
flies to find an escape). Put the jar in the open. When
6 to 10 flies have entered, remove the funnel. Plug the
opening with loose cotton. There should be both males
and females (males are smaller and have black-tipped
abdomens). Soon some eggs should be deposited. Within
2 or 3 days, larvae will hatch. Soon they will pupate. The
adult insects will come from the pupae. Take the young,
adult insects out. Start a new colony in another jar.
Poisonous Plants—Before going on a field trip, introduce
your Webelos Scouts to the poisonous plants found in
your area. Explain that if they think they have touched a
poisonous plant, they should wash with soap and water
and then apply rubbing alcohol. If a rash develops,
calamine lotion should be used.
Square Foot Claim—Each Webelos Scout stakes a
"claim" and studies it carefully to see what it contains—
grass, weeds, adult insects, larvae, worms, etc. Make a
list for comparison.
NOTE: The Naturalist activity badge is one of the op-
tional badges which may be used to fulfill a requirement
for the Webelos Arrow of Light award.
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Boy Scouts of America. Scouting, Volume 61, Number 3, March-April 1973, periodical, March 1973; New Brunswick, NJ. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth353622/m1/66/: accessed April 18, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Boy Scouts of America National Scouting Museum.