Time Zone Treasure Hunt

Objective:

• Introduce youth members to the concept of time zones in a fun and interactive way.
• Help them understand that it’s not the same time everywhere in the world.

Materials Needed:

• A simple world map or globe.
• Stickers or pins.
• Clue cards with simple time-related riddles.
• Small treasures or treats.

Instructions:

Treasure Hunt Setup (15 minutes) (Do this beforehand!):

• Hide clue cards around the meeting area. You will need multiple copies of each clue card (one for each team you are setting up)
• Each clue leads to a country on the map, and to the next clue card.
• Clues should be simple, e.g., “Find the country where the pyramids are, it’s almost lunch time there. Then go look where you hang your mess kit.”

Introduction (5 minutes):

• Explain that the Earth is round and the sun shines on different parts at different times, which is why when it’s daytime here, it might be nighttime somewhere else.
• Show them Australia on the map and point out a few other countries.

Treasure Hunt (20 minutes):

• Divide the youth members into small teams.
• Teams follow the clues, placing a sticker or pin on each country they find.
• At the end, they find a small treasure or treat.

Conclusion (5 minutes):

• Gather the teams and discuss what they discovered.
• Emphasize how time differs across countries, and how this might make scheduling calls for JOTA/JOTI a bit tricky.

Learning Outcomes:

• Basic understanding of time differences around the world.
• Map-reading skills.
• Teamwork and problem-solving.

Sample Clue Cards:

1. Clue: Find the country where the Eiffel Tower is, it’s almost bedtime there. Then go look where you hang your mess kit.
   • Answer: France, next Clue is on the mess kit rack.
2. Clue: School kids in this country, which is the largest in South Amerca, are just arriving at school. Find the country on the map, then go and tie a knot.
   • Answer: Brazil, next Clue is on the knot-tying board.
3. Clue: When it’s lunchtime in Australia, it’s midnight in the place where Big Ben chimes. Find this country on the map, then check your badgework progress.
   • Answer: England, next Clue is on the Cubs Notice board
4. Clue: I’m a country with 50 stars on my flag and famous for Mickey Mouse and superheroes galore. When it’s morning here in Australia, it’s evening on my shore. Find me on the map and look where we keep the chairs.
   • Answer: USA, next Clue is sitting on the chair piles in the chair cupboard.
5. Clue: I’m a country with a maple leaf on my flag, and I’m known for my hockey teams. When it’s bedtime in Australia, it’s lunchtime here. Find me on the map and look on the kitchen bench. One each!
   • Answer: Canada, There is a plate of Oreos on the kitchen bench. Each Cub Scout can take one.

Useful Links:

• Day and Night World Map - A real-time map showing where it’s daytime and nighttime.