Boy Scouts of America

Scouting America logo
Feedback

Feedback

Please provide feedback on your experience of this adventure or activity
Report Quality Assurance
If there are errors or issues with this adventure/ activity, please go to the Report Quality Assurance Page.
Adventure/Activity Feedback Form
This feedback helps identify things den leaders like and opportunities for improvement.
Feedback Form
Cub Scout Adventures > 
Arrow of Light >
 Champions for Nature Arrow of Light > 
Am I in a Food Desert?
Back to: Champions for Nature Arrow of Light
Print This Page
Arrow of Light – 5th Grade
Champions for Nature Arrow of Light
Elective
Requirement 3

Am I in a Food Desert?

Arrow of Light – 5th Grade
Champions for Nature Arrow of Light
Elective
Requirement 3

Am I in a Food Desert?

Snapshot of Activity

Cub Scouts determine if they live in a food desert.

Indoor
2
4
2
If you want to know more about The Adventure Activity Key click here.
  • Food Desert or Oasis worksheet found in Additional Resources
  • Printer
  • Pencil or pencil for each Cub Scout
  • Computer or smart device with internet connectivity, one for every two Cub Scouts

Before the meeting:

  1. Become familiar with the concept of food deserts by visiting the USDA Food Access Research Atlas and become familiar with the information on the website.
  2. Familiarize yourself with the names and locations of nearby grocery stores, convenience stores, and fast-food restaurants.
  3. Print Food Desert or Oasis worksheet, one for each Cub Scout.
  4. Set up meeting space for Cub Scouts to be able to work using their computer or smart device.

After the meeting:

  1. Share with Cub Scouts that areas with limited access to affordable and nutritious food are called food deserts. Many families in rural and urban areas may have limited access to nutritional food.
  2. Tell Cub Scouts today they will be finding out where food is available in their community and determine if their community is a food desert.
  3. Pass out the Food Desert or Oasis worksheets and pencils. Ask Cub Scouts to buddy up.
  4. Using their computers and smart devices, Cub Scouts are to fill in the chart on the worksheet. Use devices to measure distances from store to home.
  5. When Cub Scouts have finished, lead a discussion. Example questions:
    • Would you characterize your community as a food desert? Why or why not?
    • Where are the closest grocery stores? Are they easy to get to by car or bus?
    • Where do you purchase most of your food?
    • Where is it cheapest to purchase food? Is there a wide variety of nutritious food available?

Tip: Combine this with requirement 4 activity Am I a Food Oasis?

Additional Resources

Food Desert or Oasis worksheet

Other Activities Options

You can choose other activities of your choice.

Arrow of Light – 5th Grade

Digital Food Desert

Indoor
2
4
2

Cub Scouts find nearby food deserts.

See Details

Bray Barnes

Director, Global Security Innovative
Strategies

Bray Barnes is a recipient of the Distinguished Eagle Scout Award, Silver
Beaver, Silver Antelope, Silver Buffalo, and Learning for Life Distinguished
Service Award. He received the Messengers of Peace Hero award from
the royal family of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and he’s a life member of
the 101st Airborne Association and Vietnam Veterans Association. Barnes
serves as a senior fellow for the Global Federation of Competitiveness
Councils, a nonpartisan network of corporate CEOs, university presidents, and
national laboratory directors. He has also served as a senior executive for the
U.S. Department of Homeland Security, leading the first-responder program
and has two U.S. presidential appointments

David Alexander

Managing Member Calje

David Alexander is a Baden-Powell Fellow, Summit Bechtel Reserve philanthropist, and recipient of the Silver Buffalo and Distinguished Eagle Scout Award. He is the founder of Caljet, one of the largest independent motor fuels terminals in the U.S. He has served the Arizona Petroleum Marketers Association, Teen Lifeline, and American Heart Association. A triathlete who has completed hundreds of races, Alexander has also mentored the women’s triathlon team at Arizona State University.

Glenn Adams

President, CEO & Managing Director
Stonetex Oil Corp.

Glenn Adams is a recipient of the Silver Beaver, Silver Antelope, Silver Buffalo, and Distinguished Eagle Scout Award. He is the former president of the National Eagle Scout Association and established the Glenn A. and Melinda W. Adams National Eagle Scout Service Project of the Year Award. He has more than 40 years of experience in the oil, gas, and energy fields, including serving as a president, owner, and CEO. Adams has also received multiple service awards from the Texas Alliance of Energy Producers.