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Volunteering at Scouts is changing to help us reach more young people

Volunteering is changing to help us reach more young people

Volunteering is changing at Scouts. Read more

Discover what this means

Pebble run

Create an exciting outdoor obstacle course for a pebble, then go head-to-head with your friends. Whose pebble will make it down first?
Plan a session with this activity

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You’ll need

  • Access to water
  • Buckets
  • Chalk
  • Clean, empty plastic bottles (500ml)
  • Natural materials (for example, leaves, twigs, feathers)
  • Rope
  • Pebbles
  • Marbles (optional)

Before you begin

  • Decide where you’ll visit for this activity. Choose a place where the group will have access to natural materials.
  • Make sure you have enough adults. You’ll need an adult to go with each small team of four.
  • Plan your activity so there’s time to tidy away at the end. 

Story time

  1. Everyone should sit in a circle.
  2. Someone should read The Woodland Obstacle Course by Jess Connett. Make sure you pick up a copy of the story before the session. 
  3. After reading the story, everyone should take some time to reflect on it as a group. We’ve included some questions to help you reflect in the pink box below.

Harvey the hedgehog looked up into the trees. His friend Sammy the squirrel was running along a branch, high up in the sky.

Sammy skipped to the thin end of the branch and then did a huge flying leap into the next tree.

‘Wow!’ shouted Harvey. ‘That was amazing!’

Sammy scampered up the tree trunk, did a flip, and sprinted down to the ground.

‘I want to be able to run like that,’ said Harvey. ‘I’m not very fast.’

‘All you need to do is practice,’ said Sammy. ‘I’ve been doing this all my life. Oh, I know! We can set up an obstacle course! Then you can get lots of practice.’

Harvey thought this was a great idea. He and Sammy began gathering materials from the woodland and setting them out into a course.

Henry and Humbert, Harvey’s dads, saw them moving everything around and came over to help. Together they all moved the biggest branches, and rolled some heavy stones into position.

‘OK, here’s where you start,’ said Sammy.

‘You run along this branch. Then you crawl through this log, which is a long, dark tunnel. Then you jump onto the stepping stones. Don’t fall into the shark-infested leaves! You have to jump between the stones, and the jumps get bigger.

‘Then you climb up this ladder made of sticks, and swing on the ivy to get on top of this big boulder. That’s the end of the obstacle course.’

Harvey went to the start line. By now, a crowd of woodland creatures had gathered to watch. ‘You can do it, Harvey!’ they said.

Harvey ran along the branch. His back leg slipped on the slippery moss, and he tumbled off, into the leaves!

‘I’m OK!’ he said. He had rolled into a ball so he wouldn’t hurt himself.

‘Try again, Harvey,’ said Humbert. ‘Try going a bit slower this time.’

Soon, everyone was queuing up to have a go on the obstacle course that Sammy and Harvey had made.

It was very difficult, but every time they practiced, they found it a little easier.

‘This is really fun!’ said Miguel the mouse, as he jumped across the stepping stones. ‘Obstacle courses are my new favourite game.’

By Jess Connett


Make it together

  1. Everyone should split into small groups of up to four people.
  2. Each group should gather some natural materials. 
  3. Each group should begin to build an obstacle course for a pebble. Their courses should start high and get lower, so that their pebble will roll all the way along it.

Ready, steady, go!

  1. Everyone should find a round pebble or stone to send down their obstacle course.
  2. Everyone should use chalk or a pencil to write their initials or name on their pebble.
  1. In their small groups, everyone should take it in turns to race their pebbles down the obstacle course.
  2. If there’s time, everyone could get stuck into a knock-out tournament to find out which courses and pebbles are the fastest.
  3. Everyone should work together to clear away the obstacle courses and put the natural items back where they found them. 

Reflection

This activity encouraged everyone to embrace the outdoors while working in small teams. The tasks challenged the teams to communicate and lead one another to create a game that they could all play and enjoy. 

You can chat about these reflection questions throughout the session or at the end.

The Woodland Obstacle Course

  • What do people think is good about playing outside?
  • How do people feel when they play outside?

Make it together

  • What materials were good for the pebbles to roll along?
  • Why are these materials good for rolling a pebble along?
  • How did each group work as a team to complete their obstacle course?

Ready, steady, go!

  • What made courses work well for racing pebbles?
  • What did people enjoy about this activity?
  • What did each group do differently? Would people borrow another group’s ideas if they did this activity again?

Safety

All activities must be safely managed. You must complete a thorough risk assessment and take appropriate steps to reduce risk. Use the safety checklist to help you plan and risk assess your activity. Always get approval for the activity, and have suitable supervision and an InTouch process.

Outdoor activities

You must have permission to use the location. Always check the weather forecast, and inform parents and carers of any change in venue.

Poles and long objects

Be careful when moving poles or long items. Take care if the ends are sharp. Have appropriate supervision for this activity.

Heavy and awkward objects

Never lift or move heavy or awkward items alone. Ask for help or, if possible, break them down into smaller parts.

Active games

The game area should be free of hazards. Explain the rules of the game clearly and have a clear way to communicate that the game must stop when needed. Take a look at our guidance on running active games safely.

Near water

Manage groups carefully when near water. The guidance on activities near water will help you to keep your group safe.

Water games and activities

Be careful when doing activities with, in, or near water. Check surfaces and reduce the risk of slipping where possible. Make sure you have appropriate supervision for this activity.

  • If the teams are struggling to build their obstacle course, an adult could help them to figure out their ideas and build a supporting structure.
  • You could introduce more challenging structures such as pulley systems and water sections.
  • One of the best things about working as a group is that everyone can find their own role. Some people might be great at thinking of grand ideas, while others will be able to spot excellent materials, tie strong knots, or patiently hold pieces in the right place. Encourage everyone to get involved in a way that works for them, and support groups that need a helping hand. 

All Scout activities should be inclusive and accessible.

Squirrels All About Adventure Challenge Award

People could find their own pebble and decorate it with pens, paints, or chalk. Could they build their own pebble run at home to share with family and friends?

Encourage everyone to be involved in building their pebble run courses. Groups should support each other to find roles that they feel comfortable with, for example, collecting more materials or building a certain part of the course.

The person leading the activity could encourage each team to choose a team captain who can support the group and help them to succeed.