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	Nature Scavenger Hunt

For other activities, see the Activities Chapter.

Nature scavenger hunts teach children to explore nature and to be more observant of the things around them. If done using patrols or groups it teaches them to work together as a team. It also provides an opportunity to teach lessons about some of the items the kids find or don't find.

Each patrol must find as many of the items below as possible in the allowed time.

1. Seed from a tree (one point for each different type)
2. Shiny rock
3. Igneous rock
4. Sedimentary rock
5. Metamorphic rock
6. Leaf from an evergreen tree
7. Leaf from a hardwood tree
8. Old, weathered trash
9. Scrap of rope


The following items must be shown to a leader. Don't pick or disturb them, leave them for others to enjoy.
10. Slime mold
11. Fungus
12. Moss
13. Flower
14. Animal's home
15. Identify evidence of animal (one point for each different type)
16. Insect home
17. Dangerous plant
18. Dangerous animal
19. Dangerous bug
20. Lizard or snake
21. Evidence of erosion

1. Seed from a tree (acorn, pine cone) - What animals feed on these seeds?
2. Shiny rock (flint, quartz) - How did Native Americans use it?
3. Igneous rock (granite)
4. Sedimentary rock (sandstone, shale)
5. Metamorphic rock (slate, marble)
6. Leaf from an evergreen tree (pine) - What animals use it for a home? How does the leave operate? How does it differ from a hardwood? How do people use it?
7. Leaf from a hardwood tree (oak, maple) - How do animals use it for homes and food? Squirrel leaf nest, woodpecker holes How do people use it?
8. Old, weathered trash - How long has it been there? How long would it take to decompose?
9. Scrap of rope - You find these all over scout camps.


The following items must be shown to a leader. Don't pick or disturb them, leave them for others to enjoy.
10. Slime Mold - Found on wet rocks and rotten logs
11. Fungus - It's a decomposer so check around trees, especially fallen ones.
12. Moss
13. Flower - Does something feed on it? Hummingbird, bee.
14. Animal's home (nest, den, snail shell) - Why did the animal build it there? Access to food, water, shelter. How does it protect from the environment and predators?
15. Identify evidence of animal (tracks, feather, scat, marks, snake skin) - What was animal doing here, why was it here?
16. Insect home (wasp, ant, spider web) - Why did it build it's home there?
17. Dangerous plant (poison ivy, oak, sumac, bull nettle) - How do you treat when exposed?
18. Dangerous animal (copperhead, rattlesnake) - How do you avoid? How do you treat a bite?
19. Dangerous bug (spider, scorpion, wasp) - How do you avoid them? How do you treat a sting?
20. Lizard or snake - What do they eat?
21. Evidence of erosion - Why is it bad? How can you help?

Check out the Boy Scouts of America Merit Badge Books for more in-depth information on the topics above.