Race Time Lion Den Meeting Plan
Race Time Lion requires a Scout and adult partner to assemble and decorate a car or regatta boat, learn the selected race's rules, discuss sportsmanship before the race, and participate in a race together. This plan selects a regatta boat race so build and race can happen in one meeting. Detailed directions and linked course plans were not verified in this plan.
- Supported requirements
- 4, 1, 2, 3
Adventure: Race Time Lion
Rank: Lion (kindergarten)
Status: Elective
Selected activities: Assemble and decorate a regatta boat with an adult partner; learn the event rules; discuss sportsmanship; participate in the boat race with the adult partner
Suggested meeting duration: 60 minutes
Estimated leader preparation: 1-3 hours for obtaining and checking boat kits, setting up the regatta course and water area, confirming event rules, adult coverage, and accessibility; allow 15-20 minutes for draining, drying, and storage separately. Assumes up to six Scouts with adult partners. Special equipment and event setup make overall effort High.
About this adventure
Race Time Lion requires a Scout and adult partner to assemble and decorate a car or regatta boat, learn the selected race’s rules, discuss sportsmanship before the race, and participate in a race together. This plan selects a regatta boat race so build and race can happen in one meeting. Detailed directions and linked course plans were not verified in these notes; consult the selected kit and official resources before use. See the adventure page for approved plans and handouts..
Safety and respect
- Follow the boat-kit instructions, manufacturer age guidance, and current Scouting America guidance. Adults supervise tools and adhesives; do not use a hot glue gun or power tools with Scouts.
- Use a stable, shallow course designed for the event. Keep electrical devices and walking paths away from water; clean spills promptly.
- Confirm accessibility and a way for each Scout to participate in building and racing. No Scout is eliminated for a slow or non-finishing boat.
- Teach event rules before the race. Keep the course clear and have adults manage starts, retrieval, and any adjustments.
- Review the SAFE Checklist and Guide to Safe Scouting.
Meeting preparation
Overall preparation effort: High, driven by obtaining kits, preparing and testing a water raceway, managing water and cleanup, coordinating rules and adult partners, and supervising assembly. Do not assume the pack has a course or kits.
- Confirm the current official Race Time Lion guide and regatta kit instructions. Confirm whether the selected kit and race rules are appropriate for the event.
- Obtain one kit per Scout/adult pair or verify access to a shared approved kit. Gather only manufacturer-approved materials.
- Set up and test the course before Scouts arrive. Provide a dry route and a clear spectator boundary.
- Arrange adult supervision for construction, water, starts, and boat retrieval. Identify an accessible participation option.
- Tell families the meeting includes water and craft materials; ask privately about relevant access or sensory needs.
Supplies
- One approved regatta boat kit per Scout/adult pair
- Manufacturer-recommended decoration materials and safe hand tools
- Stable regatta course, water, and spill-cleanup materials
- Event rules for the selected race, checked against current official guidance
Pre and post meeting activities for scouts
Before
Bring a Lion adult partner and clothing suitable for a supervised water activity. No kit or tools should be brought unless the leader confirms them.
After
No additional work is required if the Scout and adult partner built and decorated a boat, learned the chosen rules, discussed sportsmanship before racing, and participated in the race. If the race is canceled, schedule it later and leave requirement 4 incomplete.
Completion checklist
- Requirement 1: Scout assembled and decorated a regatta boat with an adult partner.
- Requirement 2: Scout learned the rules for the selected race.
- Requirement 3: Scout discussed sportsmanship before the race.
- Requirement 4: Scout participated in the boat race with the adult partner.
Sample Agenda
| Time | Activity | Actionable leader notes |
|---|---|---|
| 0:00-0:05 | Welcome and safety opening | Introduce the event, adult-partner roles, and water boundaries. |
| 0:05-0:25 | Assemble and decorate boats | Follow the manufacturer instructions with adult help. Requirement 1. |
| 0:25-0:35 | Explain race rules | Demonstrate the course and the event’s official local rules. Requirement 2. |
| 0:35-0:42 | Sportsmanship conversation | Discuss how to treat other racers before the event starts. Requirement 3. |
| 0:42-0:47 | Race setup and dry check | Check boat readiness, clear the course, and position adult supervisors. |
| 0:47-0:55 | Regatta race | Give each Scout and adult partner a turn in the race. Requirement 4. |
| 0:55-1:00 | Closing and cleanup start | Recognize participation, check requirements, and begin water cleanup. |
Leader notes and talking points
Welcome and safety opening (0:00-0:05)
- Set up: Mark the water boundary and keep kits closed until adult partners are seated.
- Say: “Today we will build a boat together, learn the rules, and race for fun. Everyone’s boat and effort deserve respect.”
- Ask: “How can we keep the course safe for everyone?”
- Do: Explain that adults manage tools and water, and nobody enters the course area without permission.
Assemble and decorate boats (0:05-0:25)
- Set up: Use only the selected kit’s instructions and supplies.
- Say: “You and your adult partner will build the boat together. You can choose how to decorate it.”
- Do: Follow manufacturer directions. Adults manage tools and help Scouts with age-appropriate assembly steps.
- Ask: “Which decoration would you like to add?”
- Check: Each Scout participates in assembling and decorating with the adult partner; prebuilt boats do not meet this step.
Explain race rules (0:25-0:35)
- Say: “Before we race, let’s learn how this course works and what each racer may do.”
- Do: Explain the current event rules, start cue, finish, and any permitted adjustments. Do not invent rules that could change the race.
- Ask: “What do we do when the start signal happens?”
- Check: Each Scout has an age-appropriate opportunity to learn the chosen rules.
Sportsmanship conversation (0:35-0:42)
- Say: “A good sport can be happy for others and keep trying after any result.”
- Do: Role-play a boat that wins, finishes later, or needs another try. Model a kind response without comparing Scouts.
- Ask: “What could you say to another racer?”
- Check: This talk happens before the race, as required.
Race setup and dry check (0:42-0:47)
- Do: Inspect the course, clear walkways, assign adults to starts and retrieval, and check boats.
- Say: “We wait behind the line until an adult says it is our turn.”
- Ask: “Where do we stand while someone else races?”
- Safety: Stop if the course is unstable, too deep, or not safely supervised.
Regatta race (0:47-0:55)
- Do: Run the event according to the confirmed rules. Ensure every Scout and adult partner participates; keep the pace unhurried and do not eliminate anyone.
- Say: “Cheer for everyone and give each boat a fair turn.”
- Ask: “What did you enjoy about racing together?”
- Check: Requirement 4 is complete only after the actual race participation.
Closing and cleanup start (0:55-1:00)
- Do: Recognize effort and sportsmanship, check requirements individually, and begin draining or wiping the course as planned.
- Say: “Thank you for building and racing together.”
- Tip: Allow the separately stated cleanup time; do not leave standing water or wet materials unattended.