Powellonium Passage | Leadership Heights

LEADERSHIP TRAILS

Powellonium Passage

Scouting

Welcome to the Scouting Leadership Trail in partnership with the NYLT Leadership Academy. These 6 trail activities involve traditional scouting games and activities, and will help you practice the skills of developing a team, cooperating with patrol members, communication, conflict resolution, and more.

You’re excited to embark on the newest trek option for Scouts BSA high adventure, the Area 51 experience! You and your patrol members have prepared for months to tackle the challenge of Area 51 and you’re excited to get started! Part of the way into your first day you encounter an obstacle in your path, a container of Powellonium, a highly radioactive isotope. Thankfully, you prepared for this during your shakedown and you start to unpack your radiation containment kit. You turn to your group, “Alright, just how we practiced!”

Goal

Transport the dangerous materials from one location to another.

Goal

Transport the dangerous materials from one location to another.

Purpose

Practice skills of teamwork and collaboration

Materials

Container for the “isotope” (typically a coffee can or cup), eight ropes/twine (approximately 10 ft long), wide rubber band (approximately 2 inches)

Setup

Tie the ropes to the rubber band. Set the can in the center of the area and fill ¾ with water. Mark a disposal area approximately 20-30 feet from the can.

Purpose

Practice skills of teamwork and collaboration

Materials

Container for the “isotope” (typically a coffee can or cup), eight ropes/twine (approximately 10 ft long), wide rubber band (approximately 2 inches)

Setup

Tie the ropes to the rubber band. Set the can in the center of the area and fill ¾ with water. Mark a disposal area approximately 20-30 feet from the can.

Running the game

The goal of this game is to transport the radioactive “isotope” to a safe disposal site without spilling it. Each scout holds a single rope, with no ropes being shared by more than one person. Working together they maneuver the rubber band around the container, pick it up, and transport the container to the disposal area.

If your group finds this task too easy, experiment with different limitations on the task.

Allow only one scout to speak, with everyone else being quiet.
Allow no scouts to speak, with only non-verbal communication allowed.
Try to complete the task in a faster manner than before.
Blindfold all but one member of the patrol.
Task the group with transferring the isotope from one container to another by tipping the container.

Debrief

The following debrief questions are meant to give you an opportunity to discuss with your patrol mates and reflect on the game. You can have one leader ask the discussion questions or you could take turns asking the questions, making sure everyone’s voice is heard.