Tour de Scouts TT 2022
Join us on two wheels as we head outside to traverse our country. Let’s jump on our bicycles for Mother Earth! Every mile you ride is a pledge for the planet. Earn a badge if you dare.
Let’s all contribute to 1000 miles as a people and a nation in collaboration with young people and each other. Make the Planet Earth Pledge and show your support for environmental protection and sustainability.
Be sure to look out for special live events in your district in collaboration with the Trinidad and Tobago Cycling Federation.
What is Tour de Scouts TT?
Tour De ScoutsTT is an annual event for Scouts to ride together.
One major highlight of this activity would be the chance to make the Planet Earth Pledge.
As you know, cycling is one good way to show everyone that we care for our environment.
What do I need to participate?
The only thing that you need to take part in this event is a bicycle. If you don’t own a bicycle, you can ask a friend who does to take part with you and you can take turns completing the activities.
How do I Make the Planet Earth Pledge?
For this activity, jump on your bike (make sure you have all your safety gear on) and complete on of the games below with your friends or ride across Trinidad and Tobago and share your miles with us. You could use an app on your smartphone or even measure your distance on Google after you’ve completed the ride.
Then you simply share a picture on social media and tag us (@ttscouts) as well as anyone else doing the activity with you.
We will keep track of these posts until Earth Day on April 22nd when we will reveal how many persons have taken the pledge.
Let’s pledge our commitment to environmental protection and sustainability.
#ScoutsTT #iPledgeForPlanetEarth
Is there a badge that I can earn?
Yes, there is a Tour De ScoutsTT event* badge. Simply complete at least one activity take a picture or video and let your Leader or District contact the Scout Shop to purchase.
*This is not a proficiency badge
What are some of the activities that I can do?
You are free to create your own list of games and activities as long as they involve some aspect of cycling. To get you started adding to your list, here are some ideas that you can try with your friends, family or members of your group and your district.
Games and Activities
Bicycle Fetch – All Sections
Number of persons: At least 2
What you need: small, light and different coloured balls and a timer. (Rolled up sheets of newspaper may be used as a substitute for balls)
Where to play: A playground or a tarmac or grassy playing area.
The game: Set the timer for one to three minutes, depending on the age of the riders. One person needs to stand in the centre of the playing area. They then throw the balls all over the playing area. Cycle out to collect the balls. Carry the balls by hand, under their tops, in their pockets or some other way. They have to return the balls to the person that threw the balls. Different coloured balls can be used as well as balls of various sizes. The person who gets the most balls in the time given wins.
Bicycle Dodge – All Sections
Number of persons: At least 3
What you need: Foam or tennis balls and some chalk or some other way to mark the ground. (Rolled up sheets of newspaper may be used as a substitute for balls)
Where to play: A playground or a tarmac or grassy playing area.
Preparation: Draw a circle in the middle of the playing area – the circle should be about 1 metre in diameter.
The game: One person stands in the middle of the circle with all of the balls. All of the other persons cycle around the circle in the same direction however far away that they choose. The person in the circle must try to hit each of the participants or their bikes with a ball without leaving the circle. If a rider is hit, they must come off of their bike and run around the circle three times before getting back on the bike.
When all of the balls have been used up, the riders can gather up all of the balls and bring them back to the centre. Remember to ask riders to change after a while so that everyone gets a chance.
Follow the Leader – Cubs
Number of persons: At least 2
Where to play: A playground or a tarmac or grassy playing area.
The game: Everyone stands in a line with their bikes, the first person starts to ride and all others try to follow the path that they are taking. If there is only one bicycle, the leader can run instead and have the other person behind follow them on the bike. To make things challenging, try changing direction quickly.
Obstacle Course – All Sections
Number of persons: At least 2
What you need: Cones, activity rings, buckets, chalk, etc. Other useful tools: a sprinkler or hose to make rain.
Where to play: A playground, a tarmac or gravel playing area or a grassy area. The course should ideally have some small slopes as well as some varied terrain – such as grass, sand, puddles, mud, etc.
Preparation: Set up an obstacle course covering the entire playing area. You could even mark up the area with two parallel lines which riders have to try to stay within. You could make the course narrower in some places. The cones and other objects are placed on the course as obstacles and should be at least 2.5 metres apart.
The game: Let riders cycle at their own pace in between the obstacles. The course must be one-way in order to minimise chaos, but the riders can overtake. If there is only one bicycle, you can use a watch or phone to see who can go through the course the fastest.
Catch the Ball – Scouts, Ventures, Rovers, Leaders
Number of persons: At least 2
What you need: A tennis ball and some chalk or some other way to mark the ground. (Rolled up sheets of newspaper may be used as a substitute for balls)
Where to play: A playground or a tarmac or grassy playing area.
Preparation: Draw a circle in the middle of the playing area – the circle should be about 1 metre in diameter.
The game: One person stands in the centre circle and passes a tennis ball or similar to riders as they ride around them. Riders are to catch the ball with one hand and pass it back to the person throwing the ball. If a rider drops the ball, they must come off their bike and make two laps around the circle. The game becomes harder if you make riders stay closer to the centre circle. If there is only one bicycle available, you can count how many times in a row each rider was able to make a successful catch and pass.
Track Stand – Scouts, Ventures, Rovers, Leaders
Number of persons: At least 2
Where to play: A playground or a tarmac or grassy playing area.
The game: Riders line up facing the same direction. They must try to maintain their balance for as long as they can without putting a foot down. Riders are not to bounce or roll the bikes further than about 30cm. As riders put their foot down they are eliminated. When only a few riders are left and they have been balancing well for an extended period, make it harder by asking riders to remove one hand from the handle bars, then one foot from a pedal. If there is one bicycle available, take turns timing each person to see who can stay on the longest.
Rob the Nest – All Sections
Number of persons: At least 3
What you need: small, light and coloured balls and some chalk or some other way to mark the ground. (Rolled up sheets of newspaper may be used as a substitute for balls)
Where to play: A playground or a tarmac or gravel playing area.
Preparation: Draw a circle in the middle of the playing area – the circle should be about 1 metre in diameter. Then at equal distances away from the centre circle, draw circles of the same size for each rider; the further apart, the better.
The game: Place all the balls in the centre neutral circle. Assign each rider to one of the empty circles which will be their nest. On the command “Rob the nest”, all riders must start gathering balls and placing it in their circle. Riders are allowed to only carry one ball at a time and they are also allowed to steal balls from the nest of other riders. The game continues for a set period of time. At they command stop, the rider with the most balls in their nest wins.
As an alternative for persons with one bike, you can share the balls evenly among all of the circles and time how long it takes for each person to gather all of the balls in their nest. The person with the fastest time wins.
Tyre Changing Competition – All Sections
Number of persons: At least 2
The game: Start with a wheel from your bicycle. Record a video of yourself removing the tyre and putting it back on with a stopwatch. State your time and challenge one of your friends on social media to see if they can beat your time.
Staying Safe
Cycling is a fun enjoyable activity if done safely.
- Before riding always inspect your bike to make sure there are no loose or rattling parts.
- The brakes should be tested to make sure that they work properly, the handle bar should not be loose and tyres should be pressured appropriately.
- Ensure that the chain and all of the moving parts are properly lubricated.
- Always wear a helmet while riding and as far as possible avoid riding in traffic.
Here is a video showing five tips to stay safe: