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Hibernate, Insulate, Migrate

How do humans stay warm? Perhaps by burning wood, oil, gas, etc. to create heat and keep us toasty? But what about animals who stay outside all winter? This game is like red light/green light, but instead involves the three main ways that animals stay warm in the winter – hibernate, insulate, and migrate!

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Plan

  • What does hibernate mean? What animals often hibernate through the winter to stay warm?
  • What does insulate mean? What animals insulate their homes to survive the winter?
  • What does migrate mean?  What animals are known for migrating long distances to avoid the winter?

Do

  • Review the instructions with your Section and play the game!
  • One participant will be the activity leader for this game that is similar to Red Light / Green Light.
  • When the activity leader calls ‘hibernate’, the players must not move and pretend to be asleep by closing their eyes. They cannot move forward or will have to restart.
  • When the activity leader calls ‘insulate’, the players can begin moving forward at a slow pace since they are trying to conserve energy.
  • When the activity leader calls ‘migrate’, the players can move forward quickly.
  • The first player to reach the other side of the playing area becomes the new activity leader

Review

  • Did you enjoy this game? What about it did you enjoy?
  • If you were an animal, which method would you use to survive through the winter?
  • Remember to submit your activities on our Scouts for Sustainability Take Action Map

Keep it Simple

  • Hibernation is a way that animals save energy by sleeping through the winter. What are some ways that you can save energy in your community?

Take it Further

  • Assist the migratory species in your area by setting up a birdfeeder.