Looking for an activity that provides a chance to learn by doing, involves variety, provides quick feedback on results and is (above all) fun? The following suggestion answers all these requirements.
This activity involves Scouts in a series of emergency situations with which they must deal correctly and quickly.
The great thing about it is the activities require no intricate preparations and can be run by a parent, a Venturer or Rover. All the information needed is contained within each situation.
This activity is intended for a patrol to tackle together. It can be used for inter-patrol competition, testing, or instruction and testing.
The best way to handle it is for each patrol to work in separate rooms. If this is not possible, a large meeting hall that provides room for a patrol to spread out and still be somewhat separate from the other patrols will do. Toothpicks or matchsticks provide a tangible token for scoring.
Judges should be waiting for the patrol when they arrive at the hall where the activities will take place. Each judge should have copies of the activities in writing and a few dozen toothpicks or matchsticks. (Each toothpick or matchstick counts as one point.)
When the patrol arrives, have the Scouts sit down in a row, with their backs to the wall. Explain that a series of emergency situations will be read to them. After the description of the emergency, the following phrase will be read: "Just seconds to think and act- go!" Explain that they must not act until they hear the word "go". When they do hear "go", they must demonstrate the proper action in the emergency.
One toothpick or matchstick is given for each emergency handled correctly. Following each emergency described here is the correct action to be taken.
Do not let the patrols see the sheets with the problems and answers. After the patrol has demonstrated or explained what action they would take, tell them what should have been done. The most important part of this activity is learning the correct action to take in an emergency.
Points are awarded only if more than half of the patrol reacted correctly as soon as the "go" signal was given.
Read aloud--once:
Your patrol is at a winter camp near an ice-covered lake. One of the Scouts disobeys orders and goes out onto the ice. It breaks. He is struggling in the freezing water.
Send your smallest Scout to the other end of the room. He is the victim. (Wait until this is done.)
The tallest Scout in the patrol runs out to rescue him. When he gets close, the ice breaks under him too. Now there are two Scouts in the water. (Wait until this is done.)
Demonstrate how you would handle this situation.
JUST SECONDS TO THINK AND ACT-- GO!
The Scouts should lie flat on their stomachs and form a human chain. Each Scout holds the ankles of the person ahead and the "chain" worms its way to the victim. This approach spreads the weight over a larger surface.
Give one toothpick or match if the patrol does as indicated. If not explain what should have been done.
Read aloud--once:
Each of you has a nosebleed. Demonstrate how you handle this situation.
JUST SECONDS TO THINK AND ACT--GO!
Each Scout should sit down and lean slightly forward. Breathing through the mouth, each Scout should press his nostrils firmly together.
One toothpick or matchstick if half act correctly.
Read aloud--once:
This room is a big open field. This chair in the centre of the room (place chair in centre of room) is a tall tree. Your patrol is hiking across the field. The sky has just darkened and there is the sound of thunder. You have just seen flashes of lightning.
Each of you demonstrate what you would do.
JUST SECONDS TO THINK AND ACT--GO!
Scouts should get away from tree and keep low to the ground. Find a depression or ditch if possible.
One toothpick or matchstick if half of the patrol take correct action.
Read aloud--once:
Your patrol is on a hike. The air temperature is around 10 degrees C. There is a cool breeze blowing. Earlier, there had been some rain but now there's just a fine drizzle.
You meet another person on the trail. The tallest Scout in the patrol to act as this person.
(Wait until this is done).
When you greet him, he replies that it sure is a cold day. You notice that he is shivering and seems to have difficulty speaking. His clothes are wet. Demonstrate what you would do.
JUST SECONDS TO THINK AND ACT--GO!
Get victim out of wind and rain. Insulate him from the ground and replace wet clothing. Put victim into a prewarmed sleeping bag. As victim is conscious, give him hot fluids such as soup or tea. Build a fire for warmth and huddle close for body heat. Do not rub or massage.
One toothpick or matchstick if action taken by half of the patrol is correct. Lose one toothpick if victim is massaged.
Read aloud--once:
Your patrol is working on the Citizen achievement badge and have just stopped overnight at a hotel. There are two Scouts to a room. (Scouts pair off as roommates). Each pair get near a door and then lie down. You are in bed asleep. The Scout on the right of each pair wakes up. You smell smoke and the room seems warm. Demonstrate the first two things you would do.
JUST SECONDS TO THINK AND ACT--GO!
a) feel the door but not open it
b) wake roommate
One toothpick or matchstick if half of the patrol takes the
correct action.
Read aloud--once:
Your patrol is in camp. You have just finished refuelling the camp stove with naphtha. You strike a match, open the valve and apply the flame to the burner. The stove bursts into flame.
Demonstrate and explain what action you'd take.
JUST SECONDS TO THINK AND ACT--GO!
Cover stove with anything which will smother the flames, towel, sacking, tarpaulin. Do not use water. Turn off the valve.
One toothpick or matchstick if half of the patrol acts correctly.
Read aloud--once:
Your patrol is visiting the tallest building in Canada. You are on the top floor. The door of this room is the elevator. The other door (or corner) is the stairs. Suddenly an office opens and a woman comes into the corridor. She says: "There's a fire four floors below us. Everybody must leave the building."
JUST SECONDS TO THINK AND ACT--GO!
The Scout should go to the stair door, feel it and then open it. No one should enter the elevator. Explain to the Scout that automatic elevator buttons are often heat activated and as a result the elevator will take passengers straight to the fire floor. Then the doors won't close because the smoke puts the electric eye out of action. The elevator shaft will act like a chimney flue and suck flames and smoke into the elevator car.
One toothpick if half of patrol goes to the stairs but lose one of the toothpicks if anyone gets into the elevator.
Adapted from Boy Scouts of America.
Article #R99.