Adventure Challenge

Flag break, Grand Howl, and introduction to the Adventure Challenge trail. Explain that over four nights Cubs will plan, do and review a series of physical challenges.

Mark out a playing area with cones. One Cub is the "shark." When the leader calls "Shark Attack!" everyone must reach a safe zone (a hoop or mat) before being tagged. Last one standing becomes the next shark. Play 3–4 rounds.

Split into patrols. Each patrol receives the same kit (cones, ropes, hoops, benches, tunnels) and 15 minutes to design a course with at least 5 obstacles. Patrols sketch their layout on paper first, then build it. Encourage creativity — crawl-unders, balance beams, weaving poles, jump zones.

Each patrol runs every other patrol's course. Time each Cub with a stopwatch. Celebrate personal bests rather than just winners. Encourage cheering and sportsmanship.

Gentle stretching in a circle. Ask: "What made a great obstacle?" and "What would you change?" Each patrol shares one thing they are proud of about their course design.

Recap the night, preview Night 2 (relay challenges), and close with the Cub Scout Prayer or Promise.

Flag break, Grand Howl, and recap of Night 1. Ask Cubs what they remember about designing obstacle courses.

Leader calls out commands ("Port" = run left, "Starboard" = run right, "Climb the rigging" = mime climbing, "Scrub the deck" = mime scrubbing, "Captain's coming" = salute and freeze). Last Cub to respond each round sits out. Quick, high-energy, gets everyone moving.

Walk patrols through the five relay stations: (1) blindfold guide — one Cub blindfolded, partner gives verbal directions around cones; (2) three-legged race; (3) wheelbarrow race; (4) egg-and-spoon (use a ping-pong ball); (5) sack race. Demonstrate each briefly.

Patrols rotate through all five stations, spending about 6 minutes at each. Record times on a shared scoreboard. Encourage positive team talk — "You've got this!" matters more than speed.

Sit in a circle. Each Cub names one relay they found hardest and one where their partner helped them most. Discuss what trust and teamwork felt like during the blindfold relay.

Announce combined patrol scores. Emphasise effort and encouragement over winning. Close with the Cub Scout Promise.

Flag break, Grand Howl, and overview of tonight's orienteering challenge. Explain that navigating outdoors is a core Scouting skill.

Leader points to the four cardinal directions. When a direction is called, Cubs must run to that side of the playing area. Call "Earthquake!" for everyone to drop and curl up. Builds directional awareness in a fun way.

Teach the four cardinal and four intercardinal directions. Show how to hold a compass flat, let the needle settle, and find north. Practise: leader calls a bearing (e.g. "face south-east") and Cubs turn. Pair up and do "compass walks" — Partner A walks 10 paces on a bearing, Partner B follows the same bearing to meet them.

Pre-set 8–10 control markers around the park, each with a unique hole-punch pattern. Hand each patrol a map with control locations marked and a punch card. Patrols navigate to as many controls as possible in 25 minutes, punching their card at each. An adult at the start/finish checks safety. Patrols must stay together.

Gather back at base. Each patrol marks their route on a large shared map. Discuss: "Which control was hardest to find? What strategy did your patrol use?" Celebrate the patrol that found the most controls and the one with the best teamwork.

Recap the three Adventure nights so far and preview Night 4 (fitness circuit). Close with the Cub Scout Prayer.

Flag break, Grand Howl, and introduction to the final Adventure night. Tonight Cubs design, run, and celebrate their fitness achievements across all four nights.

Cubs move around the space imitating animals the leader calls out — bear crawl, frog jump, crab walk, kangaroo hop, inchworm. Great dynamic warm-up that builds full-body coordination.

Each patrol designs 2 fitness stations (e.g. star jumps, shuttle runs, wall sits, skipping, burpees, plank hold). They write the exercise name, a clear description, and a target (e.g. "20 star jumps" or "hold plank for 20 seconds") on a card. Combine all patrol stations into a circuit of 8–10 stations.

Cubs rotate through all stations in pairs, spending 90 seconds per station with 30 seconds to move. Each Cub records their count/time on a personal scorecard. Leaders encourage effort and correct form rather than competition. Play upbeat music if available.

Circle up. Each Cub shares: (1) their favourite moment across all four Adventure nights, (2) something they found hard but kept trying, and (3) a fitness goal they want to keep working on. Leader summarises how the trail covered planning, doing and reviewing physical challenges.

Congratulate Cubs on completing the Adventure & Sport SIA trail. Hand out any trail completion certificates. Close with the Cub Scout Promise.