Event Structure
How to Host a Critter Race:
A Critter Race is a fun, educational, eye-opening, free activity for kids. Aside from learning about creatures, you’ll teach Scouts that the natural world is neat, not scary. Eeeew? No way. After you’ve handled a few snails, crabs,and worms, they’re no big deal. Their slime just helps them move around.
Overview
Six critters based on size will compete on a surface containing two concentric circles. The critters are placed in the inner circle and spectators watch the critters “sprint” to the outer circle.
1. Prepare a race track. If racing indoors, start with a sheet of poster board (two for $1 at a dollar store). Use a large metal mixing bowl and a drinking glass to trace a large and small circle.
An inner 3.5” diameter circle was a perfect fit for six snails. The outer circle’s diameter was 15.5”, providing a six-inch racing distance between the circles. Go even larger if you can, because snails are faster than you think.
Outdoor racing is possible, but is likely to occur after sunset if you are racing snails because snails are nocturnal. Check on the critter you will be racing to see what time is best. Draw your circles on the ground using chalk. Apparently chalk is a good source of calcium and is provided in powdered form to snails kept in classrooms.
2. Prepare a means to identify the critters. Create tiny printable racing numbers styled after the sheets marathon runners wear on their backs.
If you don’t have an unsmudge laser printer, place a strip of clear tape over each ink jet racing number to protect it from critter slime.
Next, cut a set of numbers and place them on a flat surface upside down. Cut a strip of tape down the middle lengthwise. Take snippets of tape, turn the sticky side out, and roll them in a loop, then press them onto the backside of each racing number.It’s wise to print, cut, and prepare more than one set of racing numbers in case you damage one upon first application, or some are damaged after the first race.
3. Capture some critters. Have the Scouts go hunting with flashlights an hour or two after sunset.
Make sure Scouts are aware of their environment and are wearing the right type of clothing to hunt for critters. Place a large bowl in a lighted area where you will deposit collected critters.
If no critters are present, try an hour later.
Teach Scouts the proper way to hold critters so they do not injure them. Critters will be nervous and scared. When you find one, pick it up and carry it to the bowl. Don’t worry about its escaping because many will be freaked and stay hidden for a while. Any escapees won’t get too far.
Try to collect twice as many crittersas you actually will be racing.
4. Prepare the racers. Many will be too skittish to race; you want brave critters. If you are racing snails, wait until one peeks out of his shell and starts moving. Grab that one and, while holding the shell in the air, press a racing number onto the shell. DO NOT apply the number while on the ground because you’ll smoosh and possibly injure the snail.
Lift off any protruding twig or leaf debris from the underside of your selected critters and place the racers inside the inner circle facing outward. If any critters try to jump the gun carefully pick them up and return them to the starting line.
Quickly place your critter bowl outside so your unchosen critters can safely escape.
5. Have Scouts read up on critters so they will know if the lights need to be dim or bright in order for the critters to race.
6. Cheer on the athletes. Some make a dash for the finish line. Some climb over each other. Some never move. That’s the unpredictable, kooky nature of critter races. Each one is different.
If you have a speedy critter standing out from the crowd, let him win, then start him over. After he wins a few times, point him toward stationary critters and see what happens.
7. Consider a rematch. Running a second race with the same critters presents certain challenges. If one critter raced over the top of a competitor, you’ll need to dry the victim with toilet paper (most absorbent) so a new racing decal can be applied.
8. A note about rain. Wet weather brings most critters out into the open, but being wetis not conducive to the application of racing decals. You might need to lightly dry critters with toilet paper and let them sit for a few minutes.
9. Marvel at these creatures. It’s great fun to watch crittersmove. An especially plucky critter will lift its head as if to look at you, or raise its “tail” as it speeds along. And there’s nothing better than watching a slow-motion train wreck as critters turn and collide with each other.
10. Return the racers to the wild. When the night is over, remove the decals and put the critters back into the same general area where they were found. Let them live to race another day.
And remember, don’t give up! After each race night you learn something new about critter behavior and the whole process gets easier and more fun. Scouts get to play in the dirt and cheer on a racer.
Activity Scouts Can Do
Crab race:
This cool relay game is a fun outdoor game for kids.
You’ll need:
Six or more players
Sticks for making lines
• This game should be played on the grass. There should be enough players to have at least three kids on a team.
• Begin by making a starting line and a finish line 15 feet apart.
• Players divide up into teams. The first player on each team lies on his back and raises himself up on his feet and hands, body off the ground. This is the crab position.
• The leader shouts, “Ready, set, GO!” and the first player on each team has to crab crawl sideways toward the finish line.
• At the finish line, he turns around and crawls back to cross the starting line.
• The next player then crawls the same way to the finish line and back to the starting line. Then the next player goes.
• Play continues until all team members have crawled their way back to cross the starting line. First complete team back wins.
• This game isn’t quite so easy! It takes muscle coordination to crawl like that.
• It may be awkward for the kids at first, but once they get the hang of it they’ll be able to crawl faster and faster.
• For young kids, you can make the finish line 10 feet. That way it's only a total of 20 feet for them and not 30 feet.