Junior Hike

When: Saturday, August 19th

Where: The San Luis Wildlife Refuge (West Bear Creek Unit)
Meeting Up: We will meet up at St. Paul’s at 8:00am. Registered
leaders will carpool our GIRLs to the reserve.
Return: We will return the GIRLs to St. Paul’s between 11:00 and 11:30.
(We will keep you updated via text)
Cost: There is no cost

NWR location:
35 minute drive (from our usual meeting place)
Drive West on 140 and turn left on 165 (at the four way stop). Drive
South for about 3 miles. There is a left turn lane to allow you to turn into
the parking lot for the West Bear Creek Unit-San Luis NWR
Short driving loop takes you into the reserve, to a parking lot with a
restroom
There are two hikes to choose from. One is 1.3 mile loop. The other is a
1.85 mile loop. We plan to do both, if time permits.
We will hike one, take a snack break, and then complete the second
one. The trails are very wide and even with almost no elevation change.

BE PREPARED. Dress for the weather and pack a bag with the six
essentials and anything else you may need.

There are 2 other wonderful locations to check out:

-Merced Wildlife Refuge
Pros: 35 minute drive, amazing time to see all kind of birds, 3 hikes
ranging from .8 miles to 1.7 Miles.

-San Luis Wildlife Refuge-Main Area

Pros: 55 minute drive, driving loop allows views of the tule elk herd, 1
mile hike
Preparing for a Hike
PREPARE A BAG WITH THESE SIX ESSENTIALS:
These are items every Girl Scout should carry in their personal gear when going on hikes or campouts:

1. First-aid kit: adhesive bandages, moleskin, gauze, antibiotic ointment, etc.

2. Water bottle: filled and large enough to last until it can be filled again
3. Flashlight: for emergency use only
4. Trail food*: think energy rich, not high sugar
5. Sun protection: sunscreen of SPF 30 or greater and a hat
6. Whistle: also for emergency use only

*Pack enough food for the length of your hike.

OTHER HIKING TIPS AND TRICKS

A beginner’s hiking trail mostly requires comfortable shoes, water, adequate snacks and a hiking buddy.
However, here are a few final tips to keep in mind:

● Let someone know of your hiking plans

● Only take what’s necessary for a safe, enjoyable hike to avoid carrying too much weight
● Always bring enough water
● Choose a trail you can handle and give yourself time to build up to more difficult levels
● Hike with a companion
● Bring your cell phone in case of an emergency, but turn it off when you are not using it to
conserve battery
● Always stay on the designated trail
● Stretch your body for five minutes before a hike

HOW TO DRESS

In addition to pants and hiking shoes, here are a few more clothing-related tips to ensure happy hiking:

● Dress in layers
● Bring a hat
● Wear tall socks for extra protection
● Avoid cotton because it holds moisture
● Opt for light-colored clothing, which helps you see ticks and other bugs more easily
 Scavenger Hunt

Can you identify any or all of these things while you are on your
hike?
❏ Bugs
What kinds? _____________________________________
________________________________________________
❏ Animals
What kinds? _____________________________________
________________________________________________
❏ Scat (wild animal poop)
❏ Bones
What animal do you think they are from? _______________
❏ Animal tracks
What animal may have made those tracks? _____________
________________________________________________
❏ Read a nature sign (if you see one)

Bonus:
A good Girl Scout leaves no trace. If you find any trash, pack it out!
 Den Adventure Requirements

Mountain Lion
Do These:
_____1. Gather the outdoor items you need to have with you when you go on an outdoor adventure, and
understand how they are used. Also understand and commit to practicing the buddy system. *Remember
your Cub Scout sack pack)
_____2. Learn what SAW (Stay, Answer, Whistle) means. Demonstrate what you can do to stay safe if
you become separated from the group when you are outdoors.
_____3. Demonstrate an understanding of respect for animals and nature when participating in a
learning hike.

Akela: _________________________ Date: __________

Tigers in the Wild

Complete requirements 1–3 plus at least one other.
_____1. With your parent, guardian, or other caring adult, name and collect the Cub Scout Six Essentials
you need for a hike. Tell your den leader what you would need to add to your list to prepare for rain.
_____2. Go for a short hike with your den or family, and carry your own gear. Show you know how to get
ready for this hike.
_____3. Do the following:
_____A. Listen while your leader reads the Outdoor Code. Talk about how you can use outdoor
manners.
_____B. Listen to your leader read Leave No Trace Principles.Discuss why you “Trash Your
Trash.”
_____C. Apply the Outdoor Code and Leave No Trace Principles for Kids on your Tiger den and
pack outings. After one outing, share what you did to demonstrate the principles you discussed.
_____4. While on the hike, find three different kinds of plants, animals, or signs that animals have been
on the trail. List what you saw in your Tiger Handbook.
_____6. Find two different trees and two different types of plants that grow in your area. Write their
names in your Tiger Handbook.

Akela: _________________________ Date: __________

Paws on the Path
Complete requirements 1–5.
_____1. Show you are prepared to hike safely in any outdoor setting by putting together the Cub Scout
Six Essentials to take along on your hike.
_____2. Tell what the buddy system is and why we always use it in Cub Scouting. Describe what you
should do if you get separated from your group while hiking.
_____3. Choose the appropriate clothing to wear on your hike based on the expected weather.
_____4. Recite the Outdoor Code and the Leave No Trace Principles for Kids with your leader. After
hiking, discuss how you showed respect for wildlife.
_____5. Go on a 1-mile hike with your den or family. Find two interesting things that you’ve never seen
before and discuss with your den or family.

Akela: _________________________ Date: __________

Fur, Feathers, and Ferns

Complete requirement 1 plus three others.
_____1. While hiking or walking for one mile, identify six signs that any mammals, birds, insects, reptiles,
or plants are living near the place where you choose to hike or walk.
_____3. Name one animal that has become extinct in the last 100 years and one animal that is currently
endangered. Explain what caused their declines.
_____4. Observe wildlife. Describe what you saw.
_____5. Use a magnifying glass to examine plants more closely. Describe what you saw through the
magnifying glass that you could not see without it.
_____6. Learn about composting and how vegetable waste can be turned into fertilizer for plants.
_____7. Plant a vegetable or herb garden.

Akela: _________________________ Date: __________

Webelos Walkabout
Complete requirements 1–4 and at least one other.
_____1. Plan a hike or outdoor activity.
_____2. Assemble a first-aid kit suitable for your hike.
_____3. Recite the Outdoor Code and the Leave No Trace Principles for Kids from memory. Talk about
how you can demonstrate them on your Webelos adventures.
_____4. With your Webelos den or with a family member, hike 3 miles. (We will only complete a 1 mile
hike on this outing). Before your hike, plan and prepare a nutritious lunch or snack. Enjoy it on your hike,
and clean up afterward.
_____5. Describe and identify from photos any poisonous plants and dangerous animals and insects you
might encounter on your hike or activity.
_____6. Perform one of the following leadership roles during your hike: trail leader, first-aid leader, or
lunch or snack leader.

Akela: _________________________ Date: __________

 The Outdoor Code

As an American, I will do my best to –

❖ Be clean in my outdoor manners.

❖ Be careful with fire.
❖ Be considerate in the outdoors.
❖ Be conservation minded.

Leave No Trace

● Know before you go

● Choose the right path
● Trash your trash
● Leave what you find
● Be careful with fire
● Respect wildlife
● Be kind to other visitors