Bear Cub Scout Elective 2c - Rain Gauge

April has been such a rainy month that I decided it would be the perfect time to make a rain gauge.  This will accomplish Elective 2c:

Make a rain gauge. 

After searching the Internet this is what I did:

• Have one empty Gatorade bottle for each boy along with some small rocks (other supplies needed: sharpie, ruler, scissors, and some water).

• Start a cut in the bottle at the top.  There is a little groove that I used (I tried to have my bear scout saw it thinking that they could accomplish part of the tool requirement, but it turns out that this isn't a good item for them to saw).  I ended up using the saw to make a hole just made it big enough to fit scissors in (I used my pampered chef scissors).

• At the activity give each boy a bottle and have them cut in the groove all the way around.  They will now have two pieces ~ their base and their funnel. {Sorry about the pictures.  I decided to do this after the fact and used my son's beat up water gauge for the pictures.}

  

• Take the rocks and fill the bottom.  It will only need a thin layer just covering the bubble in the bottom.  This will be the weight to keep it from tipping over.

• Put in just enough water to cover the rocks.  Mark the water line.  This will be zero ~ they'll need to keep water in it up to zero at all times to get an accurate reading.

• Using a ruler mark up the bottle at least every 1/4 inch, but preferably closer together (especially for dry areas).

• Place the funnel into the base.  

• Record your water levels in the journal:

The boys need to check their gauge several times a day. The water collected will evaporate throughout the day.  They also need to make sure the water level stays at zero.  If would be best if they can check it right after a storm.  If measuring snow bring it inside and let it melt first.

Download Rain Journal Here