Webelos Elective - Into the Woods

Webelos Elective – Into the Woods

Requirements Overview

Complete at least Requirements 1-4 and one other.

1.	Identify two different groups of trees and the parts of a tree.
2.	Identify four trees common to the area where you live. Tell whether they are native to your area. Tell how both wildlife and humans use them.
3.	Identify four plants common to the area where you live. Tell which animals use them and for what purpose.
4.	Develop a plan to care for and then plant at least one plant or tree, either indoors in a pot or outdoors. Tell how this plant or tree helps the environment in which it is planted and what the plant or tree will be used for.
5.	Make a list of items in your home that are made from wood and share it with your den. OR: With your den, take a walk and identify useful things made from wood.
6.	Explain how the growth rings of a tree trunk tell its life story. Describe different types of tree bark and explain what the bark does for the tree.
7.	Visit a nature center, nursery, tree farm, or park, and speak with someone knowledgeable about trees and plants that are native to your area. Explain how plants and trees are important to our ecosystem and how they improve our environment.

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Meeting Summary

The Arrow of Light scouts recently worked on the Into the Woods elective adventure and learned how trees and plants play important roles in nature. This adventure was selected and led by one of the scouts in the den to fulfill his leadership requirement for the building a better world adventure. Requirements 1, 2, 3, 5, and 6 were completed through a group discussion and sharing of several informational resources available in the Webelos handbook and online. Links to several resources that were used during our group discussion are linked to the right and below.

An additional requirement that scouts must complete in order to finish this adventure is to plant and care for a plant or tree. Before getting started, scouts should develop a plan for what they will plant and how they will care for it. Additionally, scouts should discuss with their den why their plant helps the environment. Scouts are encouraged to select native plants that benefit our ecosystem.

Resources

Fun Facts!

Did you know that there is a website that keeps track of big trees in Maryland? The Maryland Big Tree program maintains a registry of some of the oldest and largest trees in our state including several Champion Trees, or the largest known specimen of a specific tree species. The website ranks champion trees at the county, state, and national level and provides location information for several trees located on public land. A great option for completing part 7 of this adventure would be to research the MDBT website for some big trees available near you and go on a hike or adventure to locate them yourself! Just be careful and make sure you are not trespassing on private property by sticking to those trees with public addresses. Check out the Links below to learn more about big trees in Maryland:

Aberdeen, MD