Adventist Youth Honors Answer Book/Recreation/Camping Skills IV

2. Plan and execute a one-hour Sabbath camping activity other than worship to make the Sabbath a meaningful experience.
There are many ways to fulfill this requirement.

This Requirement is intended to have the Pathfinder plan an event and engage their fellow Pathfinders in a meaningful Sabbath experience

The Pathfinder may plan a Themed Scavenger Hunt
A themed scavenger hunt is one option. Your Pathfinders can choose a theme, and then come up with as many items as they think can be found at your campsite and which relate in some way to the theme. They may make a list of these items ahead of time, and hand the lists out when the activity begins. They may tell them that all the items relate to a theme, but not tell them what the theme is. They will need 40 minutes to find all the items, and to meet again at the end of that time period. When they return, they should try and guess the theme. If they do not guess correctly, The Pathfinder who planned the event can tell what the theme is. Then each Pathfinder working on the activity takes turns calling for the items. When someone produces it, the Pathfinder will explain how that item relates to the theme. A spiritual lesson should be drawn from the activity. Close with a prayer.

Drawing or Photographing Nature
Many of the honors in the Nature category have the requirement to collect, photograph, or draw a number of creatures (plant or animal) found in nature, such as flowers, ferns, insects, etc. The Pathfinders presenting this activity should bring a field guide so that the chosen creatures can be identified. They may also bring samples of these items with them in case you are unable to find them around your campsite.

If your Pathfinders choose to sketch these items, they need to be sure to bring enough notebooks and pencils (some honors require colored drawings - if so, bring colored pencils) for everyone. If they choose to take photos, each Pathfinder will probably want to bring a camera (disposable cameras are ideal for this).

Collecting specimens is no longer encouraged, as it ends the life of the creature. Furthermore, many species are now endangered, and collecting them is not only unethical, it is illegal as well.

They can also mix photography and sketching. They may wish to have the group set out looking for specimens, and photograph all they can find. Then return and sketch the remainder. If you have only one or two cameras, you may find that this works well for you.

Skits
Choose several Bible stories and divide your Pathfinders into at least two groups of three to eight individuals. Assign each group a Bible story and tell them where it may be found in the Bible. Have each come up with a skit to be presented to the rest of the group. Provide each group with random props and make it a contest between each group to see who can use the most of them. Camping Skills II and III both require such an activity. Your Camping Skills IV students may meet this requirement by organizing the younger units and having them present their work.

Hike
Go on a nature hike. Go along a stream and skip stones.

3. Write a 200-word report or give a two-minute oral presentation on the preservation of the wilderness, discussing etiquette and conservation.
Learning preservation, etiquette, and conservation is a requirement for Camping Skills I and II, so you can have the Pathfinders learning this honor review this material and present it to the younger ones.

Explain the 7 Leave No Trace Principles:


 * Plan ahead and prepare.
 * Travel and camp on durable surfaces.
 * Dispose of waste properly.
 * Leave what you find.
 * Minimize campfire impacts (be careful with fire).
 * Respect wildlife.
 * Be considerate of other visitors.

Note: If you ever plan to go camping in a location that allows hunting- such as a national forest, bright colors is an important safety consideration. Camouflaged or dark color tents will not aid hunters in quickly identifying that there are people in the area.

Planning the menu
Use the USDA's food pyramid to choose a balanced menu:

Estimating the cost
To estimate the cost of the food on your menu, you will first need to estimate the quantity. This can be done with a spreadsheet, or by pencil and paper. First consider how much food your average camper will eat from each meal. Then figure out how much you will need for everyone to be able to eat the average amount. Some will eat more, but some will eat less. For example, if you are serving grilled cheese sandwiches, you will need two slices of bread and one slice of cheese per sandwich. Younger Pathfinder will usually eat two of these, but teens will easily eat three. Picky eaters may eat none or only one. It's up to you to guess how may each person will eat. Then multiply it out to see how many slices of bread you will need. There are usually 20 slices of bread in a load. Before figuring out how many loaves of bread you will need, make sure you consider every meal that will use bread (think French toast, PB&J, etc.). When you know the total number of slices you will need, then figure out how many loaves you will need. If your calculations show that you need 82 slices of bread, don't round it down to 80, or someone may not get a sandwich. Always round it up to the next loaf, so 82 slices will require five loaves of bread.

Do the same with each ingredient in your menu. The more you do this, the better your estimates will be. The goal is to come home with very little left over, as this will tell you that everyone got enough to eat, but you didn't waste money on food that will spoil anyhow.

7. Know the wood best suited for making a quick, hot fire.
Wood from conifers (pine, fir, spruce, etc.) contains a lot of highly flammable sap, so it burns both hot and quick. It is excellent for starting a fire. However, it does not leave a bed of coals, so it is unsuitable for cooking.

8. Know the wood best suited for making coals for cooking.
Most hardwoods will leave a good bed of coals, but hickory, mesquite, and oak, are among the best.

11. Prepare a camp dinner with soup, vegetables, entree, and drink, all of which must be cooked.
Of course you can make any dish you like for any of these, but we'll list suggestions anyhow. You can combine chili, kidney beans, and spaghetti to make Cincinnati Chili. Each camper starts with a layer of spaghetti, then adds a layer of chili, then a layer of beans. Chopped onions and cheese can also be added. It is delicious.

Vegetable
Most any vegetable can be prepared by heating it in a pot. This can be done over a campfire with a camp crane or with a camp stove.
 * Kidney beans
 * Green beans
 * Corn on the cob (can be boiled or wrapped in foil and roasted in a campfire)
 * Peas

Entree
Possibilities include
 * Spaghetti
 * Veggie Burgers
 * Haystacks
 * Veggie dogs

Drink
The drink must be "cooked" too, so try one of these (or something else)
 * Hot chocolate
 * Apple Cider
 * Herb Tea