Boy Scout tours are no longer available at Graver Arboretum.  :-(
Scout leaders may still use the PDF copy masters created by Muhlenberg student interns to make log books for their cub scout groups to use at other natural sites.  The log book was specifically created to fulfill the Sharing your World with Wildlife Program in accordance with the Bear Handbook, dealing with birds and the reasons that animals become endangered.

You will need to make copies of a Log Book for every scout to bring along on a field trip.  (Adobe Acrobat Reader is needed to open these copy masters.  A free version can be obtained at  http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html)

Download Log Book copy masters:
 scoutpdf.pdf

Assemble the Log Book as follows:

Print out the copy masters and arrange as shown.

Cover&Back                          22&3		2&InsideBack  4&21
20&5                          18&7		6&19  8&17
16&9                          14&11		10&15  12&13

Photocopy these copy masters so that the pages are printed on either side of one sheet of paper as shown.

Cover&Back and 2&InsideBack			22&3 and 4&21
20&5 and 6&19			18&7 and 8&17
16&9 and 10&15			14&11 and 12&13

 Arrange the papers so that pages 14&11 are facing up and then place pages 16&9 (facing up) on top, then 18&7 (facing up) on top, then 20&5 (facing up) on top, then 22&3 (facing up) on top, and finally the Cover&Back (facing up) on top.

Fold the papers in half  so that the cover and back are on the outside and then staple.

5.  Familiarize yourself with the Log Book and direct the scouts using the following directions:

    a.   Have the scouts divide into five groups.
    b.   Assign one of the endangered species from the Log Book to each group.
    c.   Information for each species can be found from the websites listed by the description of each species.
    d.   Have each group fill out the log book with why their particular animal is listed as threatened or rare, or why there is a concern that the animal may become threatened.
    e.   During the field trip, only two or three species may be covered. If this happens, the remaining species should be discussed in a subsequent meeting.

6.  Arrange for snacks, inclement weather, etc.

After the Field Trip:

In the next meeting, review the material covered about endangered species during the trip:
     a.  Are there any similarities / differences between the threats among the species?
     b.  Can any of these threats be put together?  Use the HIPPO acronym to categorize the threats.  (We can use the word, “HIPPO” to help us remember the reasons some animals are in danger of becoming extinct^*.) HIPPO stands for:

     Habitat Loss
     Introduced Invasive Species
     Pollution
     Population Growth
     Over Consumption

^{*Windows on the Wild: Biodiversity Basics A Pennsylvania Supplement. Pennsylvania Game Commission. 2001 Elmerton Avenue Harrisburg, Pa 17110}

Direct the boys towards additional activities they can do to help the environment and places they can visit.  Click on this link for a list of conservation activity ideas and additional resources.  Want to Help the Environment?

Helpful Links

Cornell Lab of Ornithology
http://birds.cornell.edu/

Pennsylvania Game Commission Endangered Species
http://www.pgc.state.pa.us/pgc/cwp/view.asp?a=458&q=150321

The Virtual Cub Scout Rank Requirements Guide - "Bobcat to AOL and All Points in Between !"
http://www.geocities.com/~pack215/requirements.html

Resources

Books for Akela:

Dunning, Joan. Secrets of the Nest, The Family Life of North American Birds. New York: Houghton Mifflin Company, 1994.

Harrison, Hal, H. A Field Guide to Birds' Nest. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, 1975.

Rupp, Rebecca. Everything You Never Learned About Birds. North Adams, Massachusetts: Storey Books. 1995.

Books for Scouts:

Boring, Mel. Birds, Nests, and Eggs. Canhassen, Minnesota: North Wood Press 1996.

Golding, Augusta. Duck's Don't Get Wet. New York: Harper Collins Publishers 1995.

Jenkins, Priscilla Belz. A Nest Full of Eggs. New York: Harper Collins Publishers 1996

Still, Cathryn. About Birds, A Guide for Children. Atlanta, Georgia: Peachtree Publishers, Ltd. 1991.