Remember the belt loops are for the scout doing their best to learn about the sport or academic activity, and by putting the new techniques to practice with fellow scouts, in their community, or working with an adult.

1. Make a poster that shows and explains the water cycle.

2. Set up a simple weather station to record rainfall, temperature, air pressure, or evaporation for one week.

3. Watch the weather forecast on a local television station.

Weather Instruments

Be Safe in Dangerous Weather!

No matter where you live, the weather can become dangerous. From tornadoes and hurricanes to floods and too much heat or cold, it's a good idea to know about the potentially dangerous weather in your area and have a family weather emergency plan. The American Red Cross suggests taking these precautions:

• Decide where to go and where you would be safe if a flood, severe thunderstorm, or tornado warning is issued - whether you're at home, at school, outdoors, or in a car.

• Have a family disaster supply kit, and know where it is. The kit should include such items as a flashlight, batteries, a batter-operated radio, and a first aid kit. (For a complete list of supplies that the American Red Cross recommends, visit: http://www.weather.com/safeside/red_cross/safe_kit.html on the Internet or contact your local Red Cross chapter.)

• Make plans for communication in case your family members become separated. Have a friend or relative who lives outside your area be the contact person.

• Agree upon a place where family members can meet if separated.

• Have a plan in place also for family pets. Contact your local Red Cross chapter for information on pet care during an emergency.

Types of Clouds

Clouds are made of particles of water or ice suspended in the air. When these particles come together, they form a cloud. Larger water droplets may get too big and heavy for the clouds to hold, so they fall to the earth as rain, sleet, or snow. There are four major types of clouds:

• Cirrus Clouds:
  Are the highest clouds about 50,000 to 55,000 feet above the Earth. They form feathery wisps and are made of ice crystals.

• Cummulonimbus Clouds:
  Are middle-level clouds at 6,500 to 24,000 feet. They are flat and dark on the bottom and billow upward. They can cause the heaviest downpours, often with thunder and lightning.

• Cumulus Clouds:
  Are white and puffy and are about 5,000 feet above the Earth. They sometimes look like huge balls of cotton.

• Stratus Clouds:
  Are made of low layers of gray clouds that usually cover the whole sky. They are fog-like and appear in flat layers.

Resources

Besides books at your local library about weather, the Internet has many weather-related sites. You can learn about the weather all over the world and see radar sweeps that show current weather in any part of the country. Use a search engine to explore.

Also, the National Weather Service may have a local office in your area and can be an excellent resource.

Web Site:    http://www.nws.noaa.gov/