Tiger


Title: Naturalist I

Advancement correlations: Tiger Adventure: Tigers in the Wild requirements 4 and 7

Duration: 90 minutes

Description: In this program Tiger scouts will learn the skills used by naturalists to interpret the goings-on in the natural world then use these skills to identify signs of wildlife they discover on a short nature hike.

Activities:

  • Solve “Who’s Been Here?” tracking mysteries by examining replica feeding stations
  • Make a plaster cast of an animal’s footprint
  • Take a short hike to look for signs of animals

Wolves


Title: Wildlife Investigation

Advancement correlations: Wolf Adventure: Paws on the Path requirements 6 and 7

Duration: 90 minutes

Description: This program provides Wolf scouts with the opportunity to develop a deeper knowledge of three animal groups prominent in the Meadowlands: birds, fish, and insects. The focus will be on learning to use field marks to identify local species. 

Activities:

  • Learn about the field marks and other physical characteristics useful in identifying local fauna
  • Look for wildlife on a 1-mile hike

Title: What’s in the Water?

Advancement correlations: Wolf Elective Adventure: Spirit of the Water requirements 1 and 2

Duration: 90 minutes

Description: We all know that water is a critical resource, so what can we do protect and preserve it? Scouts will learn answers to this question and discover how water issues are addressed in the Meadowlands.

Activities:

  • Play a water conservation game
  • Take a hike to find local problems with water quality
  • View local wildlife up close and learn how they depend on water

Bears


Title: Living with Wildlife

Advancement correlations: Bear Adventures: Fur, Feathers, and Ferns requirements 1-6, Paws for Action requirement 3b.

Duration: 3 hours

Description: Scouts will observe firsthand how human activity has negatively affected the wild places in the Meadowlands and look for evidence of recovery, including signs of wildlife currently living here. Participants will also investigate simple methods that can be used to help prevent further damage to the local habitats.

Activities:

  • Learn how humans have affected local wildlife
  • Hear about local wildlife and where to find it
  • Go on a 1-mile hike to look for wildlife
  • Investigate the process of making compost 

Title: Beginner Bird Study

Advancement correlations: None

Duration: 90 minutes

Description: Scouts will be introduced to the skills and knowledge needed to successfully identify birds and learn about the trials and tribulations of the birds that migrate through the Meadowlands.

Activities:

  • Participate in a role-playing activity to better understand bird migration
  • Go on a birding hike to inventory local birds
  • Construct a simple birdfeeder to take home

Title: Adventures in Water

Addresses requirements for: None

Duration: 90 minutes

Description: What creatures lurk within the murky waters of the salt marsh? Scouts will find out, discovering unexpected diversity within this unique Meadowlands habitat.

Activities:

  • Use dip nets to sample organisms living in the salt marsh
  • Help to place a plankton net and return later to collect your specimens
  • Use a microscope to view plankton

Webelos


Title: Naturalist II

Advancement correlations: Webelos/AOL Elective Adventure: Into the Wild requirements 4-9a.

Duration: 3 hours

Description: Going beyond making simple observations, this program challenges scouts to understand what defines an ecosystem and enables it to function. By constructing a salt marsh food web and discussing the ecological benefits of wetlands, scouts will gain an appreciation of the Meadowlands and other habitats like it.

Session One

Activities:

  • Analyze images of NJ habitats and discuss what distinguishes them
  • Take a short hike to look for animals and the signs they leave behind

Session Two

Activities:

  • Participate in a salt marsh food web role-playing game
  • Discuss the importance of wetland habitats

Astronomy Programs


Title: Astronomy I (Tigers, Wolves, and Bears)

Tigers Elective Adventures: Sky is the Limit requirements 1-3, 8

Duration: 90 minutes

Description: This basic astronomy course will introduce scouts to the celestial objects found in our galaxy and local solar system and give them the opportunity to view them firsthand.

Activities:

  • Label the planets of our solar system
  • Use binoculars and a telescope to view celestial objects

Title: Astronomy II (Webelos)

Advancement correlations: Webelos/AOL Elective Adventure: Adventures in Science requirement f

Duration: 90 minutesImage of telescope

Description: After an introduction to celestial objects, constellations, and the optics of telescopes, scouts will construct their own star finder and use it to do some stargazing! The evening ends in our observatory with more viewing, this time using a 20” reflector telescope.

Activities:

  • Learn the optics of telescopes through laser demonstrations
  • Locate stars and constellations using a take-home star finder
  • View the north star and learn why it’s important

Program fee:

  • 90 min. program: $10/scout (No cost to leaders/chaperones)
  • 3 hour program: $18/scout  (No cost to leaders/chaperones)

Policies:

Minimum of 6 scouts is required to run a program
Required adult to child ratio: 

  • 1:2 for 8 year-olds and younger
  • 1:6 for 9 year-olds and older

Reservations should be made at least 2 weeks in advance


For more information, please contact Kirk Weber at 201-460-8384 or by e-mail at kweber@ramapo.edu

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