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Into the Woods

Cub Scouts · Adventure, Elective

Printable worksheet (PDF)

Into the Woods turns you into a tree expert. You'll count trees in a wooded area, pick one to study, and learn how it survives and helps wildlife. You'll never look at a forest the same way.

Why it's worth it

A single tree can feed birds, shelter squirrels, cool a street, and live longer than anyone you know. You'll survey a patch of woods like a forester, pick one tree to study, and find out where it came from, how it handles fire, and who depends on it. After this, a walk in the woods turns into a walk among neighbors you can name.

Start this week

  1. Collect three different leaves from your neighborhood and try to name each tree.
  2. Ask your adult to help you find a tree identification guide or app.
  3. Pick a wooded area at a park where you could count trees with your patrol.

Requirements · 5

Every official requirement and part, numbered to match Scouting America, in plain language. Sign off against the official wording (opens in a new tab).

  1. Requirement 1

    Visit a place with trees and plants and take a tree inventory; pick one tree to use for the rest of the requirements

    Tip: Walk a small wooded area with an adult and list the trees you see. Pick one favorite to study.

    For example: Mark off an area about the size of a basketball court with your patrol. Count and list every tree by kind: "12 oaks, 8 maples, 3 pines, 1 we couldn't name." Then pick one tree to study.

  2. Requirement 2

    Figure out whether your tree is deciduous or evergreen

    Tip: Check if your tree keeps its leaves or needles all year or loses them in fall.

  3. Requirement 3

    Figure out whether your tree is native to your area or was introduced

    Tip: Use a tree guide or app to find out if your tree started here or came from somewhere else.

    For example: Native trees grew here before European settlers arrived, like many oaks and sugar maples. Introduced trees came from other places, like the Norway maple. Check a tree guide or your state forestry website.

  4. Requirement 4

    Find out how your tree copes with wildfire

    Tip: Look for thick bark or other features, and research how your tree handles fire.

    For example: Some trees have thick bark that protects them from fire, like many pines. Some cones open after a fire's heat, and some trees sprout again from their roots. Find out which kind your tree is.

  5. Requirement 5

    Learn how wildlife uses your tree

    Tip: Look for nests, holes, nuts, or tracks around your tree and find out which animals use it.

    For example: Look for clues: holes from woodpeckers, nests in branches, chewed nuts underneath, or caterpillars on leaves. Then research which animals eat your tree's seeds or live in it.

Places to visit

Ask an adult to set it up, and go with your family, den, patrol, or crew.

  • A state forest, arboretum, or forestry office

    Foresters and arborists can teach you to identify trees and explain how they manage forests and wildfire.

    How: Have your adult call ahead and ask about guided walks or a forester who could meet your patrol.

Talk about it together

  • Why did you choose your tree?
  • What surprised you about the trees in your inventory?
  • How many animals did you find that use your tree?
  • How do you think your tree's woods will look in 50 years?

Helpful reads

For leaders & parents

  • Bring a tree field guide or ask a forester or park naturalist to lead a walk.
  • Have scouts make bark rubbings and leaf sketches of their tree.

People & places that can help

Pairs well with

Counts toward

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Tips, examples, and questions are ideas from experienced leaders, not extra requirements. Your unit leader or counselor decides when a requirement is complete.