This for the 2024 program year Cub Scout updates. This is a preview and is not official information yet. This new program takes effect on June 1, 2024. See more details about the overall program updates here.
The Personal Fitness adventure helps Arrow of Light Scouts learn about staying healthy and active. In this adventure, Scouts work on activities that teach them about physical fitness and good eating habits. These skills are important for a healthy life. The adventure is not just about doing exercises; it’s also about understanding why being active and eating well matters.
During the adventure, Arrow of Light Scouts plan and cook a balanced meal. This is a fun way to learn about nutrition and the kinds of foods that are good for energy and health. They use real camping gear to prepare the meal. This makes it a practical exercise, just like they would do on a real campout.
Scouts also focus on being physically active. They track their activities for two weeks to see how often they move. This helps them see the importance of regular physical activity. The adventure encourages them to be active with others, which makes exercising more enjoyable and can teach teamwork.
This adventure also includes learning about their own health. Scouts review their health records with a parent or guardian. This helps them understand their own physical abilities and any limitations they might have. It’s a good way for them to learn to take responsibility for their own health and fitness.
Requirements for the Arrow of Light Personal Fitness Adventure
Personal Fitness Adventure Requirements
- Plan a balanced meal that you would eat when camping. Prepare that meal using the gear you would use on a campout.
- Examine what it is to be physically fit and how you incorporate this in your life. Track the number of times you are active for 30 minutes or longer over a 14-day period. Share with your patrol or family what you enjoyed and if you feel you are living up to the Scout Oath of being physically fit.
- Be active for 30 minutes with your patrol, a younger den, or at least 1 other person, that includes both stretching and moving.
- Review your BSA Annual Health and Medical record with your parent or guardian. Discuss your ability to participate in pack and den activities.
Resources for the Arrow of Light Personal Fitness Adventure
Cooking at Camp
Here are some ideas for Arrow of Light Scouts to plan and prepare a balanced meal for their Personal Fitness adventure:
- Pasta with Vegetables: Cook a simple pasta dish using a portable camp stove. Add canned vegetables like tomatoes and beans for extra nutrients. This meal is easy to cook and provides good energy.
- Chicken and Rice: Use pre-cooked chicken strips and instant rice. Add some dried herbs for flavor. You can cook this in one pot on a camp stove. It’s a filling meal that covers protein and carbs.
- Oatmeal with Fruit and Nuts: For a breakfast option, prepare oatmeal. Mix in dried fruits and nuts for taste and added nutrition. This can be cooked quickly on a camp stove and is very healthy.
- Tortilla Wraps: Make wraps with whole grain tortillas. Fill them with canned tuna or chicken, and add some chopped vegetables. This no-cook option is balanced and easy to assemble.
- Vegetable Soup: Prepare a hearty vegetable soup with fresh or canned ingredients. You can make it over a campfire or portable stove. It’s warm, nutritious, and comforting.
See my camping recipes page for lots of tried and true ideas.
Each of these meals uses simple ingredients and camp cooking gear. They provide good nutrition and are practical for camping.
Physically Fit
Here are some ideas for Arrow of Light Scouts to work on requirement 2 of the Personal Fitness adventure:
- Activity Tracking: Use a simple chart such as this to mark each day the Scout is active for 30 minutes or more. They could include activities like walking, biking, swimming, or playing a sport.
- Variety of Activities: Encourage Scouts to try different activities over the two weeks. This could include team sports, individual exercises, and even fun games that require physical movement. Trying different activities will help them find what they enjoy the most.
- Family Involvement: Scouts can involve their family members in their activities. This could be a family bike ride, a hike, or playing a game of soccer together. It makes the activity more enjoyable and promotes fitness as a family value.
- Discussion: At the end of the 14 days, Scouts should talk about their experiences with their patrol or family. They should discuss what activities they enjoyed, what they found challenging, and how they feel about their physical fitness. This discussion can help them understand the importance of being active and how it relates to the Scout Oath.
- Reflection: Scouts should reflect on their physical activity and think about whether they are living up to being physically fit as mentioned in the Scout Oath. This reflection helps them set personal goals for continuing to stay active.
Be Active
Here are some creative ideas for Arrow of Light Scouts to meet requirement 3 of the Personal Fitness adventure:
- Scout-led Fitness Class: Have the Scouts plan and lead a 30-minute fitness session. They can include a warm-up with stretches, some simple exercises like jumping jacks or running in place, and a cool-down with more stretches. This teaches leadership and keeps everyone active.
- Nature Hike: Organize a hike in a local park or nature area. Use the first few minutes to stretch before starting the hike. This activity combines walking or hiking with enjoying the outdoors, and it’s a great way for Scouts to stay active together.
- Obstacle Course: Set up a simple obstacle course at a meeting or in a backyard. Include activities like crawling under a rope, jumping over items, and balancing on a beam. Start with some stretches to get everyone ready. This is a fun and engaging way for Scouts to be active.
- Yoga in the Park: Organize a short yoga session in a local park. Include basic yoga moves that are suitable for kids, focusing on both stretching and maintaining balance. This is a calming and physical activity that can be done with peers or family members.
- Dance Party: Have a dance session where Scouts can follow along to dance moves or freely dance to their favorite songs. Start with stretching exercises to prevent any injuries. Dancing is a fun way to be active and helps Scouts enjoy their fitness time.
Each of these activities encourages physical fitness and teamwork, making them perfect for fulfilling the adventure requirement.
BSA Medical Record
Here is some guidance for Arrow of Light Scouts to complete requirement 4 of the Personal Fitness adventure:
- Find Your Medical Record: Start by locating your BSA Annual Health and Medical Record. If you don’t have the a current copy, get a new copy and have your parents help fill it out.
- Review Together: Sit down with a parent or guardian to go through the record together. Look at each section to understand what information it has about your health.
- Understand Your Health: As you review, talk about any allergies, medications, or health conditions you have that might affect your activities in the pack or den. It’s important to know these so you can stay safe during activities.
- Discuss Activity Participation: Talk about the types of activities you do in Scouts, like hiking, camping, or playing sports. Discuss whether there are any activities you should be careful with or might need special preparation for because of your health.
- Make a Plan: If there are any concerns about your participation, make a plan with your parent or guardian. This might include having specific medications ready, adjusting activities when needed, or communicating with your leaders about your health needs.
- Keep Records Updated: Make sure your health record is always up to date. Update it with any new health information or changes. This helps you and your leaders keep you safe and healthy in your scouting activities.
Frequently Asked Questions for the Arrow of Light Personal Fitness Adventure
What is the Personal Fitness Adventure?
The Personal Fitness Adventure is a program for Arrow of Light Scouts. It teaches them about staying healthy through physical activities and eating well.
Why is personal fitness important for Scouts?
Personal fitness helps Scouts stay healthy and active. It teaches them good habits for a healthy life.
What activities do Scouts do in this adventure?
Scouts plan and cook a balanced meal, track their physical activities for two weeks, participate in group fitness activities, and review their health records.
Do Scouts need any special equipment for this adventure?
Scouts need some basic camping gear to cook a meal. They also might use items for physical activities like balls or mats, but most activities use simple, everyday items.
Can Scouts choose their own activities for the fitness tracking?
Yes, Scouts can choose activities they enjoy. This can include sports, playing games, or doing exercises.
What should Scouts do if they have a health condition?
Scouts should talk about any health conditions with their parents and leaders. This helps make sure they can safely take part in all activities.
How can parents help with the Personal Fitness Adventure?
Parents can help by cooking with their Scout, supporting them in tracking their activities, and reviewing their health records together.
Fit for Fun
The Arrow of Light Personal Fitness adventure helps Scouts learn about staying active and eating right. It is designed for Scouts to understand why being healthy is important. The adventure has several activities that make learning about health and fitness fun and practical.
First, Scouts get to plan and prepare a balanced meal. They use real camping gear to cook their meal, just like they would on a campout. This part of the adventure helps Scouts learn about nutrition. They find out which foods are good for giving them energy and keeping them healthy.
The adventure also encourages Scouts to be physically active. They track how often they exercise for at least 30 minutes over two weeks. Scouts also get to be active with others, which can be more fun than exercising alone. They can do this with their patrol, a younger den, or just one other person. Activities include anything that gets them moving and stretching.
Scouts also review their health records with a parent or guardian. This is important because it helps Scouts understand their physical abilities and any limits they might have. It’s a good way for Scouts to learn about their own health needs.
The Fitness adventure teaches Arrow of Light Scouts valuable lessons about health and fitness. It shows them how to be responsible for their own health, which is a key part of being a Scout. Plus, it’s a great way to have fun with their fellow Scouts while getting fit.
