Arrow of Light Champions for Nature Adventure for 2024

The Arrow of Light Champions for Nature Adventure helps Cub Scouts understand how their food choices impact the environment. Through this adventure, Scouts explore local foods, discover the importance of eating locally, and learn about food sustainability. They also find out how some areas lack access to fresh food, while others have plenty. This knowledge helps Scouts make informed decisions about what they eat and how it affects their community and the planet.

By participating in this adventure, Scouts also learn practical ways to reduce food waste. They explore how wasting less food can save money and resources. This is a valuable life skill that helps them contribute positively to their households and communities.

The adventure includes a hands-on conservation service project. This project teaches Scouts the importance of caring for nature. It also shows them how they can make a positive impact on the environment through direct action. This experience builds teamwork and leadership skills as Scouts work together to achieve a common goal.

The Arrow of Light Champions for Nature Adventure teaches Cub Scouts about the relationship between food and the environment. It encourages them to think about where their food comes from and its impact on the earth. These lessons help Scouts grow into responsible citizens who are aware of their impact on the world around them.

Requirements for the Arrow of Light Champions for Nature Adventure

Arrow of Light Champions for Nature Adventure Requirements

1. Identify foods grown or processed in your state.
2. Determine the benefits of purchasing food that is locally grown or processed.
3. Explore the concept of a food desert.
4. Learn how individuals can reduce food waste.
5. Examine how your community can reduce food waste.
6. Participate in a conservation service project.

Resources for the Arrow of Light Champions for Nature Adventure

Local Foods

Identify foods grown or processed in your state.

For the Arrow of Light Champions for Nature requirement 1, Scouts need to find out about foods grown or processed in their state. This helps Scouts learn about agriculture near home and the kinds of food their local area can produce.

Every state has its unique agricultural products. For example, Idaho is famous for its potatoes, while Florida is known for its oranges. Understanding what foods are grown locally helps Scouts connect more with their community and environment.

• Visit a Local Farm: Arrange a tour of a nearby farm. This allows Scouts to see firsthand where and how local foods are grown. They can ask questions and maybe even taste some of the products.
• Meet a Farmer: Invite a farmer to your meeting to talk about what they grow and how they do it. This gives Scouts a chance to learn from an expert and ask questions about local farming.
• State Food Challenge: Have each Scout research a different food that is grown or processed in your state. Then, they can present what they learned to the group. This can include interesting facts about how the food is grown, processed, and its uses.
• Local Food Chart: Create a chart or a map showing different foods from your state. This visual aid can help Scouts remember the foods and where they are from.

These activities make learning about local foods interactive and fun. They help Scouts meet the Arrow of Light Champions for Nature requirement while teaching them valuable information about their state’s agriculture.

Here are some more options for fulfilling Arrow of Light Champions for Nature Adventure requirement 1:

• Farmer’s Market Trip
  • Cub Scouts learn about food grown and processed in their state.
  • Supplies: Scout Basic Essentials, Activity Consent Form, Food Source Farmer’s Market worksheet, paper, pencils, clipboards
  • requires travel, high energy, a week or more prep
• Grocery Store Trip
  • Visit a grocery store and talk to store manager about where food comes from.
  • Supplies: Activity Consent Form, Food Source Grocery Store worksheet, paper, pencils, clipboards
  • requires travel, moderate energy, a week or more prep

• Local Grower Speaker
  • Cub Scouts talk to a local grower about food grown in their state.
  • Supplies: none
  • indoor, very low energy, one week prep

Benefits of Local Food

Determine the benefits of purchasing food that is locally grown or processed.

For the Arrow of Light Champions for Nature requirement 2, Scouts explore the benefits of buying food that is grown or processed locally. This helps them understand how their choices can support their community and the environment.

Buying local food means purchasing fruits, vegetables, and other products that are grown or made near where you live. This has many advantages for the economy and the environment.

• Fresher and More Nutritious: Local food is often fresher because it doesn’t have to travel far to get to your plate. This means it can also be more nutritious.
• Supports Local Farmers: When you buy local, you help local farmers and businesses stay in operation. This keeps money in the community.
• Reduces Carbon Footprint: Local food doesn’t travel long distances. This reduces carbon emissions from transportation.
• Preserves Green Space: Supporting local farms helps keep land in agriculture, which maintains green space in your area.

Exploring the Benefits of Local Food

• Farmers Market Visit: Take a trip to a local farmers market. Let Scouts talk to vendors and learn about the food they sell. They can see the variety of local foods available.
• Cooking Demonstration: Host a cooking event using only local ingredients. Scouts can learn how to make simple dishes with these ingredients.
• Local Food Diary: Encourage Scouts to keep a diary of the local foods they eat for a week. This can help them see the impact of their food choices on their health and the environment.

Here are some more options for fulfilling Arrow of Light Champions for Nature Adventure requirement 2:

• Food for Miles and Miles
  • Cub Scouts calculate miles food traveled from source to table.
  • Supplies: Food Miles and Miles worksheet, pencils, computers or smart devices
  • indoor, low energy, 1 to 3 days prep
• Food Miles Fruit Salad
  • Cub Scouts calculate the miles that fruit has traveled for their fruit salad.
  • Supplies: fruit from different locales, cutting board, knife, mixing bowl, serving spoon, serving cups, utensils, Fruit Salad Miles worksheet, pencils, computers or smart devices
  • indoor, low energy, 1 to 3 days prep

These activities align with the Arrow of Light Champions for Nature goals by teaching Scouts about the positive effects of buying and eating local food. They also provide practical, hands-on ways for Scouts to engage with their local food system.

Food Desert

Explore the concept of a food desert.

For the Arrow of Light Champions for Nature requirement 3, Scouts learn about food deserts. A food desert is an area where it’s hard for people to buy fresh and affordable food. This happens often in cities where grocery stores are too far away for some people without cars. It can also happen in rural areas where stores are few and far between.

People living in food deserts may have to rely on small shops that mainly sell processed foods, which are not as healthy. This can affect their health and well-being because they don’t have easy access to fresh fruits and vegetables.

Activity Ideas for Learning about Food Deserts

• Map Study: Show Scouts a map of your state or community marked with grocery store locations. Discuss areas that have fewer stores and talk about how that could impact the people who live there.
• Guest Speaker: Invite a community organizer or someone who works at a food bank to talk about food deserts and what is being done to help those communities.
• Field Trip: If possible, organize a trip to a food desert area and visit a community center or food bank there. Let Scouts see firsthand what the food shopping options are like.

Here are some more options for fulfilling Arrow of Light Champions for Nature Adventure requirement 3:

• Am I in a Food Desert?
  • Cub Scouts determine if they live in a food desert.
  • Supplies: Food Desert or Oasis worksheet, pencils, computers or smart devices
  • indoor, low energy, minimal prep
• Digital Food Desert
  • Cub Scouts find nearby food deserts.
  • Supplies: computers or smart devices
  • indoor, very low energy, 1 to 3 days prep

These activities help Scouts fulfill the Arrow of Light Champions for Nature requirement by understanding the challenges people face in food deserts. It also teaches them about the importance of community support and solutions to address these challenges.

Food Oasis

Explore the concept of a food oasis.

For the Arrow of Light Champions for Nature requirement 4, Scouts explore the concept of a food oasis. A food oasis is an area with good access to affordable and healthy food, often found in communities with plenty of grocery stores, farmers markets, and gardens. This is the opposite of a food desert.

Food oases make it easier for people to get fresh fruits, vegetables, and other healthy food options. These areas often have a strong community focus on health and nutrition, supported by local businesses and public initiatives.

Activity Ideas for Learning about Food Oases

• Community Garden Tour: Tour a community garden or a cooperative grocery store. This shows Scouts how communities work together to create food oases. They can learn about the benefits of community gardens and how they help improve access to healthy food.
• Create a Food Oasis Map: Have Scouts research and map out locations in your area that could be considered food oases. They can include grocery stores, community gardens, and farmers markets. This can help them visualize what makes these areas special.

Here are some more options for fulfilling Arrow of Light Champions for Nature Adventure requirement 4:

• Am I in a Food Oasis?
  • Cub Scouts determine if they live in a food oasis.
  • Supplies: Food Desert or Oasis worksheet, pencils, computers or smart devices
  • indoor, low energy, minimal prep
• Digital Food Oasis
  • Cub Scouts find a nearby food oasis.
  • Supplies: computers or smart devices
  • indoor, very low energy, 1 to 3 days prep

These activities help meet the Arrow of Light Champions for Nature requirement by helping Scouts understand the importance of food accessibility and community health initiatives. They also learn about how food choices and availability impact community well-being.

Reducing Food Waste

Learn how individuals can reduce food waste.

For the Arrow of Light Champions for Nature requirement 5, Scouts learn how individuals can reduce food waste. Reducing food waste is important because it saves resources, helps the environment, and supports our communities.

A lot of food is thrown away every day. This includes food that could have been eaten if it was managed better. When food is wasted, all the resources used to grow, transport, and sell that food are also wasted. This includes water, land, and labor.

• Composting Workshop: Teach Scouts how to start and maintain a compost bin. Composting turns food scraps into useful fertilizer instead of sending them to the landfill.
• Meal Planning Session: Show Scouts how to plan meals for the week. This can help families buy only what they need and use everything they buy, reducing waste.
• Food Storage Tips: Teach Scouts the best ways to store different types of food to keep them fresh longer. Knowing how to properly store fruits, vegetables, and leftovers can greatly cut down on waste.
• Leftover Recipe Challenge: Have Scouts create recipes that use leftovers. This encourages them to think creatively about using food that might otherwise be thrown away.

Here are some more options for fulfilling Arrow of Light Champions for Nature Adventure requirement 5:

• Food Preservation
  • Cub Scouts preserve food to reduce waste.
  • Supplies: microwave, microwave safe plate, parchment, tongs or fork, apples which are damaged or bruised, cinnamon, paring knives, cutting boards
  • indoor, moderate energy, 1 to 3 days prep
• Meal Planning
  • Cub Scouts plan a meal that minimizes food waste.
  • Supplies: Meal Planning worksheet, pencils, cookbooks or recipes
  • indoor, low energy, 1 to 3 days prep
  • Find recipes on my Cubs in the Kitchen page

• Top Leftover Chef

These activities for the Arrow of Light Champions for Nature help Scouts understand their impact on the environment and learn practical ways to reduce food waste. These skills not only help the planet but also save money, making them valuable lessons for life.

Conservation Project

Participate in a conservation service project.

For the Arrow of Light Champions for Nature requirement 6, Scouts participate in a conservation service project. This type of project helps protect the environment and teaches Scouts about the importance of taking care of our natural resources.

Conservation projects can vary widely but generally focus on improving the environment in some way. This could involve planting trees, cleaning up natural areas, or working on ways to conserve water or energy within the community.

Conservation Project Ideas

• Community Garden Help: Scouts can assist in a community garden, helping to plant, weed, and care for the garden. This directly connects with their learning about local foods and food oases.
• Stream or Park Cleanup: Organize a cleanup day at a local stream, park, or natural area. Removing trash helps protect local wildlife and keeps the environment clean and beautiful.
• Recycling Drive: Host a recycling drive to collect paper, plastics, and electronics. Educate Scouts and the community about how recycling helps reduce waste and conserve resources.
• Build Bird or Bat Houses: Construct bird or bat houses to help local wildlife. This project supports biodiversity and provides safe places for animals to live.
• Water Conservation Workshop: Teach Scouts and community members about water conservation techniques like using rain barrels or fixing leaky faucets. This helps preserve a critical resource and is especially relevant if water conservation is a local concern.

Here are some more options for fulfilling Arrow of Light Champions for Nature Adventure requirement 6:

• Community Garden Service Project
  • Cub Scouts assist with a local community garden.
  • Supplies: gardening gloves, gardening tools, safety glasses, Scout Basic Essentials, Activity Consent Form
  • outdoor, high energy, more than one week prep

• Pumpkin Drive
  • Cub Scouts collect leftover pumpkins and deliver them to a local farm or animal rescue.
  • Supplies: paper for flyers, markers, colored pencils, crayons
  • outdoor, high energy, more than one week prep
• Trash Pickup Service Project
  • Cub Scouts assist with trash cleanup in their community.
  • Supplies: trash bags, gloves, safety vests, Scout Basics Essentials, Activity Consent Form
  • outdoor, high energy, more than one week prep
• WOSM Earth Tribe
  • Explore the World Organization for the Scouting Movement’s conservation efforts.
  • Supplies: computers or smart devices
  • indoor, high energy, more than one week prep

These projects for the Arrow of Light Champions for Nature help Scouts apply what they’ve learned about food sustainability and conservation. They also offer hands-on experiences that have a positive impact on the environment and the community.

Before any activity, check the SAFE Checklist to make sure everyone is safe. Everyone involved in Scouting America activities should know the Guide to Safe Scouting and other relevant guides or books. Also follow any state or local rules that are more strict than Scouting America rules and guidelines.

Before starting this Adventure, complete the following:

During the Adventure:

• Train all youth and adults on proper tool use.
• Provide continuous, qualified adult supervision during the project.
• Follow all manufacturer’s instructions and age and skill restrictions. If there is a conflict, follow the most restrictive guidelines.

More information

Frequently Asked Questions for the Arrow of Light Champions for Nature Adventure

What is the Arrow of Light Champions for Nature adventure?

This adventure helps AOL Scouts learn about local foods, food sustainability, and conservation. They explore how food affects the environment and participate in conservation projects.

Who can participate in this adventure?

This adventure is designed for AOL Scouts, who are the oldest Cub Scouts, usually in the fifth grade.

What do Scouts do in this adventure?

Scouts identify local foods, learn about food deserts and oases, understand the benefits of reducing food waste, and take part in a conservation service project.

Why is it important to learn about local foods?

Learning about local foods helps Scouts understand where their food comes from, supports local farmers, and promotes better environmental practices.

How can participating in a conservation project help Scouts?

Conservation projects teach Scouts to take care of the environment. They learn practical ways to help and see the impact of their actions on their community.

What are some examples of conservation projects that AOL Scouts can do?

Scouts can help in community gardens, participate in cleanups, build wildlife houses, organize recycling drives, or conduct water conservation workshops.

Exploring Nature’s Pantry

The Arrow of Light Champions for Nature adventure is a fun and educational journey for AOL Scouts. It focuses on understanding how our food choices impact the environment and community. Scouts explore where their food comes from, why local foods are beneficial, and the importance of food sustainability.

In this adventure, Scouts tackle several activities. They start by identifying foods grown or processed in their state, which helps them appreciate local agriculture. They then learn the advantages of buying local foods, such as supporting local farmers and reducing transportation emissions.

The adventure also introduces Scouts to the concepts of food deserts and food oases, enhancing their understanding of food availability in different communities. They learn how some areas lack access to fresh food, while others have abundant healthy options.

Scouts are also taught how to reduce food waste. They learn practical ways to keep food from going to waste, like proper food storage and creative uses for leftovers. These skills are not only good for the environment but also for saving money at home.

The final part of the adventure involves participating in a conservation service project. This could be anything from planting a community garden to helping clean a local park. These projects teach Scouts the importance of taking care of our environment and give them a sense of pride in contributing positively to their community.

The Arrow of Light Champions for Nature adventure is a program that helps Scouts learn about environmental stewardship through the lens of food sustainability. It’s an engaging way to teach valuable life lessons that will serve Scouts well into the future.