Winter Adventures for Cub Scouts: Hands-On Fun for Every Rank 

Winter is a magical season that provides unique opportunities for Cub Scouts to explore the outdoors, learn new skills, and earn adventures in a safe, exciting environment. Many Cub Scout ranks include adventures that can be completed in cold-weather settings, allowing Scouts to stay active, learn resilience, and foster teamwork. For example: 

Lion Cub Scouts – Fun on the Run! 

This adventure teaches Lion Cub Scouts about being active and having fun while exercising. In the winter, you can adapt this to include winter-themed games and activities. 
Winter Adaptations: 

• Sled Racing: Set up a sled race in a safe area with a slight incline. Lions can race their friends on sleds or snow tubes. 

• Snowball Toss: Create a target for the Cubs to throw snowballs (or soft alternatives if no snow) into, turning it into a fun winter challenge. 

• Snowman Relay: Organize a relay race where Scouts “build” a snowman by collecting snowball-sized items (such as white socks or small balls) and rolling them to a “snowman” station. 

Tiger Cub Scouts – Tigers in the Wild 

This adventure introduces Tigers to nature and the outdoors. It’s a great adventure to adapt to winter exploration, focusing on how nature changes during the colder months. 
Winter Adaptations: 

• Winter Nature Hike: Take a nature hike and point out the changes in plants, trees, and animal activity in the winter. Discuss how animals survive the cold weather, such as hibernation or migration. 

• Winter Wildlife Observation: Bring out a pair of binoculars and observe birds, tracks, or other signs of wildlife in a winter forest or park. Teach Cubs how to stay quiet and respectful when observing animals. 

Wolf Cub Scouts – Running with the Pack 

This adventure is all about sports and physical fitness. It’s a great time to adapt it to winter sports and games that encourage physical activity in cold weather. Winter Adaptations: 

• Winter Sports Relay: Set up a relay race featuring winter sports, like sledding down a hill, snowball tossing, or a snowshoe race (if snowshoes are available). 

• Winter Obstacle Course: Create an obstacle course with a winter theme, like running around snowmen, crawling under branches, or jumping over snow mounds. 

Bear Cub Scouts – Roaring Laughter 

This adventure is all about fun and laughter! Adapt if for the winter by ending your event with a cozy campfire gathering. Bring everyone together at the end of the day for a campfire (if local guidelines allow). Campfire songs, storytelling, and hot chocolate create a warm conclusion to winter activities and give Scouts a chance to reflect on their achievements. 

• Have a “funniest joke contest”. 

• Play charades with the larger group! 

Webelos & Arrow of Light Scouts 

With these two ranks, engage Scouts with winter-themed skills such as starting a fire safely, tying knots while wearing gloves, or building a winter shelter. These skills add a sense of adventure and can apply to adventure loops, providing advancement and fun challenges for each rank. Additional ideas could include:  

• Knife Safety & Carving: Host a session indoors where Webelos and Arrow of Light Scouts can carve winter-themed figures like snowflakes or animals. 

• Tech on the Trail (Webelos): Geocache in the snow! 

• High Tech Outdoors (Arrow of Light): Help Scouts use apps to check the weather forecast and determine how to be prepared.