To: dannys@iis.ee.ethz.ch
Subject: Think Quick
From: jim.speirs@canrem.com (Jim Speirs)
Date: Thu, 18 May 1995 07:12:00 -0400
Organization: CRS Online (Toronto, Ontario)
Summary: Two cub games in which quick thinking is the key and which can be used
  as introduction to two discussions on fire safety and planning.


Article #R134.
==============


Think Quick
Ben Kruser
The Leader, May 1991.


Let's face it--it's a jungle out there and in the pack meeting. 
To survive the jungle, a Cub needs to be able to think on his
paws and help other pack members, too.  Here are some fun
activities that incorporate time pressure with split second
cooperation.

Jaws
Sharks are swimming around an island.  Members of a six must help
each other cling to the island without falling into shark
infested waters.  The six only has 10-15 seconds to decide the
best way to get and keep everyone balanced on dry land

Materials: The "island" may vary in size and flexibility.  A flat
cardboard box will help Cubs learn the basic idea.  A rubber tire
adds a new dimension because they need to try to balance while
their weight shifts the tire's form.

As the Cubs perfect their team work see which six can cling to
the smallest island.  To work this one out, the Cubs will have to
think vertically as well as horizontally.

Fire

Getting out of a burning building quickly is sometimes a matter
of life and death.  In this game, a six can learn a few rules of
fire safety as they enjoy some friendly competition.

Using masking tape, set up a maze pattern on a large floor
surface.  The object, as with any maze, is to get from the start
to the end the quickest way possible.  Sixes start at different
points on the edges of the maze with the idea that they must
reach the other side.

On signal, Cubs fall to the ground, crawl on their bellies to
keep under the smoke, and follow a leader who is following the
masking tape.  If they come to a blind alley, they must reverse
and try another avenue.

At the end of the game, talk about fire safety; the benefits of
knowing where exits are in strange buildings and practising home
and school fire drills.

More Sharks

While spending time on the island surrounded by sharks, you have
discovered a cache of boat building material.

But which shape and size of boat is best for rescuing the whole
six as well as, perhaps, a few extra native islanders?

Give each six a large bowl of water and an identical piece of tin
foil.  Substitute marbles for people.  Have the six compete in
two categories.

1. Time: Time is of the essence because the sharks are eating
away the island to get at the inhabitants.  The Cubs must build a
boat post haste.  Time each six to see how long they take to
discuss and design a boat that will hold the most people
(marbles).

2. Passenger Capacity: After designing a tin foil boat, put it
into the bowl of water and carefully add marbles one at a time. 
See which boat design can carry the most marbles.

When the contest is over, see if the six who spent the most time
planning was the one who had the most successful boat.  This can
lead to a discussion about how, even when we don't have a lot of
time to act, the time we spend planning and involving everyone's
ideas usually saves time in carrying out the plan.