2024 Summer Scavenger Hunt
The Pack 396 Summer Scavenger Hunt is a fun way to get Scouting families outdoors whenever they have time, since summer schedules can be so busy. There will be one token hidden for the month of June, one for July, and one for August. Scouts will receive a charm for finding each token and can attach it to the scavenger hunt badge for the year, as well as satisfying the participation requirements for the Summertime Fun Adventure if they can’t attend other pack events. Check back here for more riddles at the beginning of each month!
June Riddle – About 1.7 Miles
Before you begin, please make sure your Scout has a compass! They will need to use it (with help) to find the token on this month’s riddle. If you don’t know how to take a bearing (also called shooting an azimuth) you can review here:
If you need to use a map with your compass to complete an adventure for your den, you can find a printable map of the area here:
Before you start you’ll need the place
It’s Ray J. Harvie Open Space.
A parking lot, a bathroom, yay!
Just walk right past, you’re on your way.
A fork this soon? We’ve just begun!
The right’s the way to have our fun.
A bridge you’ll see, now go across
Go to the structure amid the rocks.
The stones you’ll see, they’re placed just so
I’ll tell you where you want to go.
Some signs to read, a table too
The stones you want are one and two.
They are attached, connected with
And sit along the pathway in.
The far one’s flat, a perfect perch
Now jump right up and have a search.
A compass is the thing you need
The perfect tool, it is indeed.
Put red in shed and orient
An azimuth is my intent.
To find your way you must arrive
At bearing number two five five.
Just line it up and you will see
A landmark there, a single tree.
Your path will lead along this route
You’ve had a break, it’s time to scoot!
Just past the tree, another split
Stay to the right and just don’t quit.
You’ll crest the rise and you will see
The splendor of a mountain scene.
Enjoy the view but don’t stop here
It’s getting warm, this time of year.
Another fork, who would have guessed?
Stay right my friend, that would be best.
Around the curve, there is a spot
To take a break if it’s too hot.
A picnic bench, some shade and stones
The perfect place to rest your bones.
A fence you’ll see, with middle gap
Two stones lie here to take a nap.
Jump right on up, a perfect place
To stand and smile with your face.
Your compass here you’ll need again
To find your way, my Cub Scout friend.
True north’s the way, zero degrees
Let’s see if we can find some trees!
Around the bend and soon you’ll spot,
A path, but pass without a thought.
Go right on past, don’t even look
The path you want curves like a crook.
You’re looking for the last of three
Shade structures on this property.
No picnic bench, but grab a snack
And pull your compass from your pack.
Your azimuth same as the first
It’s two five five, your way reversed!
Around these bends you’ve been before
Your path, your way, the one ignored.
Turn left and go between two posts
The way you’ll find is not like most.
The trail til now has been hard-packed
But starting here, a rougher track.
Your way is marked, guideposts abound
They’re on your left, you’ll want to count.
Follow along, between the trees
Until you’ve counted thirty-three.
Then on the right, down low you’ll find.
Tied to a trunk, your goal entwined!
You’ve found your way, you’ve had your fun.
Pull charm from tin and then you’re done!
Keep going if you want to leave
Don’t turn back now, you must believe.
The path rejoins the graveled trail
Turn right, go fast, not like a snail.
A fork but you will stay to right
You’ll make it home before the night!
July Riddle – About 1.0 Miles
Before you begin, please make sure your Scout has a compass! They will need to use it (with help) to find the token on this month’s riddle. If you don’t know how to take a bearing (also called shooting an azimuth) you can review here:
If you need to use a map with your compass to complete an adventure for your den, you can find a printable map of the area here:
Our starting point, my dearest child
A neighborhood called Idyllwilde
Grand Hall there is and Fika too
The spot you want’s between, it’s true.
A map’s the thing, so stand and look
And you can read it like a book.
One step to left and there will be
A windmill there, to catch a breeze.
That’s the spot so make your way
Around and down, don’t take all day.
But don’t stop here, continue on
And soon a fork you’ll find, just yon.
Which way to go? You are no fool
You know a compass is the tool.
So take a look and you will see
A bearing which is one eight three.
Go down the hill straight to the base
A concrete path, this is the place.
Now take a left, you’re headed east
You don’t have far to go, at least.
Two ways you’ll see, both south and north,
Turn right, my friend and then go forth!
A park you’ve found, the path cuts back
How will you know if you’re on track?
Go past the swings and soccer field
To passing bikes you ought to yield.
You’ll see when you’ve gone far enough
A baseball diamond in the rough!
Now take a right across the bridge
And then turn left, after a smidge.
Up and around, the path you’ll take
To see a sign with birds and snake.
From here which way? You know the trick
Your compass bearing two six six.
Continue now, and you won’t fail
Look for a sign to Six Point Trail.
Now follow friend the way it shows
Don’t fall asleep, stay on your toes.
Another sign, same trail to walk
Stay on the Six Point Trail, don’t balk.
Go to the right, but please don’t boast,
Stay on this trail, look for a post.
It’s on the left and painted white
The path it marks will be just right.
The hill is steep so take your time
Up and up and up you’ll climb.
Now after that you might need rest
A bench you’ll find, to sit is best.
What’s that you see up on the hill?
A watchtower, that’s quite a thrill!
Let’s make our way, and I don’t care
Whichever way will get you there.
Now walk the stairs, go to the top
And look around, your jaw will drop!
It’s quite a view from way up here
You can see things both far and near.
From here you’ll see visual feast
But make your way to south and east.
At this corner, you’ll need your friend
The compass leads right to the end.
You are above, your path you’ll see
The one you want: thirty degrees.
Clamber down, you’re almost done
Along the path a tree, just one.
It’s hidden there, down near the ground
You’ll see a tag, it’s blue and round.
Grab out your charm, you’ve finished, Scout!
I’ll let you find your own way out.
August Riddle – About 2.0 Miles
Before you begin, please make sure your Scout has a compass! They will need to use it (with help) to find the token on this month’s riddle. If you don’t know how to take a bearing (also called shooting an azimuth) you can review here:
If you need to use a map with your compass to complete an adventure for your den, you can find a printable map of the area here:
South of Parker sign location
Is a park named Preservation.
This is where you ought to head out
Hurry up and get the lead out!
A dead-end path, and benches there
Just go right past without a care.
Your path curves right, so right you go
Right past Hood House, a place to know.
A pillar made of many stones
To mark a spot that some called home.
Read if you like, the written tale
But don’t pause long, get down the trail.
Don’t stop until you reach a T
“Turn right” I’d say, if you asked me.
You’ll wind around and up a hill,
The view on top is quite a thrill!
Sit on the bench, with compass out
Two seventy, without a doubt
The bearing that you need to find
You’ll know the way when down you wind.
So down the hill, the T look for
And check your bearing to be sure.
A right there is, another, too
But go right past, your aim is true.
Don’t be fooled, just keep your wits
The path into a V it splits.
Which split to take, it’s hard to know
Just follow bearing three oh oh.
A bridge you’ll cross, but don’t stop now
The next one too, some way some how.
A third there is, but stop right here,
The path you want is very near.
The proper way to go: true north
Check your compass, and then set forth.
The trail it’s dirt, you’re off concrete
Open your eyes and keep your feet.
Some sights you’ll see along the way
A post that’s black with padlock gray.
That’s not your goal, there’s more to do
Just down the path, a bat house too!
You’re almost there, your goal’s not far
Some stones you’ll see etched with a star.
A compass rose with points all round
The token’s here and can be found.
Turn to the south and seek a tree
A tin, within, charm number three.
You’ve found the last, your quest is done
I hope you’ve had a lot of fun.
See you next year, when you arrive
In summer twenty twenty five!