There are a number of tips that you should bear in mind.
- Plan your trek to take into account the youngest / smallest Beaver.
- Plan the route in advance. Allow plenty of time for lunch and stops to point out items of interest.
- Devise reminder cards, noting items of interest that you will encounter.
- Carry out a reconnaissance.
- Ensure that all Beavers have Raingear and a packed lunch if appropriate.
- Remember the Country Code, see below.
Leave nothing but footprints, take home nothing but memories and photographs.
Things to do on a Beaver Trek.
You could give the Trek an exciting theme. You could all be Explorers, exploring the Amazon, a desert island – finding "Man Friday's footprints" in the sand. You could discover dinosaurs, animal tracks. Use your imagination.
Trails
The trail could be set up in advance by the Leader and a few older Beavers using flour, rice or barley. Leave a winding trail around your chosen area. Leave a hidden message to say that they have reached the end, or what they should do
next.
Colour matching trail
Pieces of coloured wool or paper are given out to the Beavers and they are asked to match the colour with something natural. Alternatively hide the different coloured wool or paper amongst the vegetation and get the Beavers to find as
many of the hidden colours as possible. For a St. Patrick's Day theme, cut snake shapes out of coloured paper and hide them for the Beavers to find. Or hide mouse shapes in different colours and let the Beavers be hunting owls. Discuss why bright colours are more easily identified and easily found while it is harder to find those which match the vegetation. Make sure that you clear up after you.
Follow basic tracking signs made from natural materials. Let a Leader set up the trail in advance for the Beavers to follow. Try and make it into an adventure, such as "Escape from the Vikings". How about camouflaging themselves with face paints or leavers. The Beavers could "write" their names or leave a greeting such as "Hello" using leaves, stones or fir cones.
The Country Code
Respect farmers and their land
Respect wildlife
Leave gates as you find them
If a dog comes with you, keep it under control
Do not damage fences or walls
Take all your litter home
Do not damage wildlife, plants or trees (Weeds are wildflowers, don’t destroy them)
Make no unnecessary noise
Do not pollute water
Guard against the risk of fire
