The Mile Swim is a tradition at most Boy Scout summer camps. It is a challenge for Scouts to swim this far and is not unusual for them to attempt it the first year or two and not be able to complete it. But when they finally do, it gives them a great sense of accomplishment.

Boy Scouts who complete the Mile Swim receive a patch to wear on their swim trunks. There is also a wallet card available.

Mile Swim BSA Requirements

1. Explain how regular exercise contributes to good health and why swimming is one of the best forms of exercise.
2. Tell what precautions and procedures a swimmer and escort must follow for distance swimming over open water.
3. Under the supervision of a currently qualified certified aquatics instructor, BSA or equivalent, participate in 4 hours of training and preparation for distance swimming (1 hour a day maximum).
4. Swim 1 mile over a measured course that has been approved by the trained instructor who will supervise the swim.

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The Scuba Diving merit badge gives Boy Scouts the opportunity to learn all about scuba. Your local scuba shop might be a good resource. One in our area has chartered a Venture Crew with a scuba specialty.

Start with a dash of swimming skills (the Swimming merit badge). Add equal measures of aquatics first aid, safety, and conservation. Douse liberally with ADVENTURE! That’s what the Scuba Diving merit badge is all about

Scuba Diving Merit Badge Requirements

1. Do the following:
1. Show that you know first aid for injuries or illnesses that could occur while scuba diving, including hypothermia, hyperventilation, squeezes, decompression illness, nitrogen narcosis, motion sickness, fatigue, overexertion, heat reactions, dehydration, injuries by aquatic life, and cuts and scrapes.
2. Identify the conditions that must exist before performing CPR on a person, and explain how to recognize such conditions. Demonstrate the proper technique for performing CPR using a training device approved by your counselor.
2. Before completing requirements 3 through 6, earn the Swimming merit badge.
3. Discuss the Scuba Diver’s Code with your merit badge counselor, and explain the importance of each guideline to a scuba diver’s safety.
4. Earn an Open Water Diver Certification from a scuba organization recognized by the Boy Scouts of America scuba policy.
5. Explain what an ecosystem is, and describe four aquatic ecosystems a diver might experience.
6. Find out about three career opportunities in the scuba industry. Pick one and find out the education, training, and experience required for this profession. Discuss this with your counselor, and explain why this profession might interest you.

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Rowing merit badge is often completed at Boy Scout summer camp. I always enjoy seeing their skill level improve over the series of days. The first day they are often rowing around in circles, but by the end of the week they have the hang of it.

Rowing is the use of oars as a means of propelling boats, has grown from a basic method of transportation to a competitive sport and an enjoyable method of exercising.

Rowing Merit Badge Requirements

1. Show that you know first aid for injuries or illnesses that could occur while rowing, including cold and heat reactions, dehydration, contusions, lacerations, and blisters.
2. Do the following:
1. Identify the conditions that must exist before performing CPR on a person. Explain how such conditions are recognized.
2. Demonstrate proper technique for performing CPR using a training device approved by your counselor.
3. Before doing the following requirements, successfully complete the BSA swimmer test. Jump feetfirst into water over your head in depth. Level off and swim 75 yards in a strong manner using one or more of the following strokes: sidestroke, breaststroke, trudgen, or crawl; then swim 25 yards using an easy, resting backstroke. The 100 yards must be completed in one swim without stops and must include at least one sharp turn. After completing the swim, rest by floating.
4. Review and discuss Safety Afloat and demonstrate the proper fit and use of personal flotation devices (PFDs).
5. Do ONE of the following:
1. Alone or with a passenger, do the following correctly in either a fixed-seat or sliding-seat rowboat:
1. Launch.
2. Row in a straight line for a quarter mile. Stop, make a pivot turn, and return to the starting point.
3. Backwater in a straight line for 50 yards. Make a turn under way and return to the starting point.
4. Land and moor or rack your craft.
5. Tie the following mooring knots–clove hitch, roundturn with two half-hitches, bowline, Wellman’s knot, and mooring hitch.
2. Participate as a rowing team member in a competitive rowing meet. The team may be sponsored by a school, club, or Scout unit. The meet must include competition between two or more teams with different sponsors. Complete at least 10 hours of team practice prior to the meet.
6. Do one of the following:
1. In a fixed-seat rowboat, come alongside a dock and help a passenger into the boat. Pull away from the dock, change positions with your passenger, and scull in good form over the stern for 10 yards, including at least one 180-degree turn. Resume your rowing position, return alongside the pier, and help your passenger out of the boat.
2. In a sliding-seat rowboat, come alongside a pier and, with your buddy assisting you, get out onto the pier. Help your buddy into the boat. Reverse roles with your buddy and repeat the procedure.
7. Participate in a swamped boat drill including righting and stabilizing the craft, reboarding in deep water, and making headway. Tell why you should stay with a swamped boat.
8. Alone in a rowboat, push off from the shore or a dock. Row 10 yards to a swimmer. While giving instructions to the swimmer, turn the boat so that the swimmer can hold on to the stern. Tow him to shore.
9. Show or explain the proper use of anchors for rowboats.
10. Describe the following:
1. Types of crafts used in commercial, competitive, and recreational rowing.
2. Four common boatbuilding materials. Give some positive and negative points of each.
3. Types of oarlocks used in competitive and recreational rowing.
11. Discuss the following:
1. The advantage of feathering oars while rowing
2. Precautions regarding strong winds and heavy waves, and boat-handling procedures in rough water and windstorms
3. How to properly fit out and maintain a boat in season, and how to prepare and store a boat for winter
4. How to calculate the weight a boat can carry under normal conditions
5. The differences between fixed-seat and sliding-seat rowing
6. The different meanings of the term sculling in fixed- and sliding-seat rowing
7. The health benefits from rowing for exercise

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Cub Scouts who have earned their Swimming belt loop can go a step further and earn the Swimming pin from the Cub Scout Academics and Sports program.  By working on the requirements for the pin, Cub Scouts will improve the swimming techniques.

Swimming Pin Requirements

Earn the Swimming belt loop, and complete five of the following requirements:

1. Practice the breathing motion of the crawl stroke while standing in shallow water. Take a breath, place your head in the water, exhale, and turn your head to the side to take a breath. Repeat.
2. Learn and demonstrate two of the following strokes: crawl, backstroke, elementary backstroke, sidestroke, or breaststroke.
3. Learn and demonstrate two of the following floating skills: prone, facedown float, and back float. The purpose of the float is to provide the swimmer the opportunity to rest in the water.
4. Using a kickboard, demonstrate three kinds of kicks.
5. Pass the “beginner” or “swimmer” swim level test.
6. Visit with a lifeguard and talk about swimming safety in various situations (pool, lake, river, ocean). Learn about the training a lifeguard needs for his or her position.
7. Explain the four rescue techniques: Reach, Throw, Row, and Go (with support)
8. Take swimming lessons.
9. Attend a swim meet at a school or community pool.
10. Tread water for 30 seconds.
11. Learn about a U.S. swimmer who has earned a medal in the Olympics. Tell your den or an adult family member what you learned about him or her.
12. Demonstrate the proper use of a mask and snorkel in a swimming area where your feet can touch the bottom

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BSA provides Wolf den meeting plans for Cub Scout den leaders. Today’s plan is a supplemental den meeting plan in which Wolf Cub Scouts go on a picnic and play some games together.  This plan covers part of  Wolf Elective 18 – Outdoor Adventure  and Wolf Elective 4 – Play a Game .

If you don’t already have the BSA den meeting plans, download BSA Supplemental Wolf Den Meeting Plan G to follow along with this article.

Wolf Den Meeting Plans –  Outdoor Adventure

Preparation and Before the Meeting

Find a good location for your picnic and make any reservations which are needed.  Let everyone know what they should bring to the picnic. Don’t forget things like paper plates, charcoal, etc.  You will also need to gather any supplies required for the games.

Gathering, Opening, and Business

See my Gathering Activities page for ideas for the gathering time. Do an opening flag ceremony.

Activities

This meeting is simply a picnic with games. The picnic itself fulfills Wolf Elective 18a

Help plan and hold a picnic with your family or den.

The games will take care of parts of Wolf Elective 4.  Choose whichever games you like:

Elective 4a: Pie-tin Washer Toss

Elective 4b: Marble Sharpshooter

Elective 4c: Ring Toss

Elective 4d: Beanbag Toss

Elective 4f: A wide-area or large group game with your den or pack.

Here are some suggestions for some wide-area games:

• Spud Game
• Steal the Bacon
• Capture the Flag
• Kick the Can
• Red Light Green Light

Closing

Do a closing flag ceremony.

After the Meeting

The Wolves should clean up the picnic area and help you put away the game supplies. And ask the parents who can help at your next meeting.

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Cub Scouts who have earned their Volleyball belt loop from the Cub Scout Academics and Sports program can dig into the sport even more by earning the Volleyball pin.  They will work on skills to improve their techniques and increase their knowledge of the game.

Volleyball Pin Requirements

Earn the Volleyball belt loop, and complete five of the following requirements:

1. Compete in a pack, school, or community volleyball tournament.
2. Demonstrate skill in two volleyball passing techniques: forearm pass and overhead pass (setting).
3. Demonstrate skill in two volleyball serving techniques: underhand and overhand.
4. Spend at least 60 minutes in practice over several practice periods to develop individual skills for volleyball. Make a chart to record your practice efforts.
5. Explain how volleyball matches are scored, including the terms side-out and rally scoring.
6. Accurately lay out a volleyball court.
7. Play five games of volleyball.
8. Officiate at least three games of volleyball.
9. Explain the importance of good sportsmanship.
10. Attend a high school, college, or professional volleyball game.

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If you have a Cub Scout who really likes to golf, he can earn the Golf pin from the Cub Scout Academics and Sports program.  Maybe he can even share some of his knowledge of the game with the other Scouts in his pack or den and get them interested also.

Golf Pin Requirements

Earn the Golf belt loop, and complete five of the following requirements:

1. Explain the use of woods and irons. Explain their differences.
2. Explain how par is determined for a hole.
3. Demonstrate the proper grip of the club to your leader, adult partner, or instructor.
4. Spend 30 minutes, over one or two practice periods, practicing the swing styles: full swing, approach swing, and putting swing.
5. Spend 30 minutes, over one or two practice periods, practicing aim, stance, and the address position.
6. Draw a diagram of a typical golf hole, from tee to green.
7. Demonstrate your knowledge of the use and care of golf equipment: clubs, ball, tee, bag, shoes, and gloves.
8. Describe the composition of a regulation golf ball.
9. Take golf lessons.
10. Spend 30 minutes, over one or two practice periods, hitting balls on a driving range.
11. Play miniature golf.

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Cub Scouts who like to bowl can earn the Bowling pin  from the Cub Scout Academics and Sports program. By earning this recognition, they will practice skills to improve their game and learn more about the sport.

Bowling Pin Requirements

Earn the Bowling belt loop, and complete five of the following requirements:

1. Read about the history of the sport of bowling. Tell your den or an adult family member about what you learned.
2. Explain to your den or an adult family member the meaning of the following terms: strike, spare, split, miss, and foul. Show their symbols for scoring.
3. Demonstrate proper stance, delivery, balance, and follow-through to your leader or adult partner.
4. Try different types of delivery and hand positions and see which work best for you.
5. Score a complete game using a score sheet and the proper symbols, or explain the symbols and scoring on a computer-generated score sheet..
6. Play at least four games and chart your progress. Figure out your average score.
7. Compete in a Scout, family, school, or community bowling tournament.
8. Take bowling lessons.
9. Attend a parent, high school, college, or professional bowling competition.
10. Visit a bowling alley and learn about the care and maintenance of the bowling lanes, pins, and racks.

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BSA offers supplemental pack program ideas for each month. One of the Cub Scout themes for the May core value of Health and Fitness is a Destination Parks theme.

Here is what the program helps say about this theme:

Destination Parks is a natural theme partner to health and fitness. May is a great time to get outdoors and explore nature while improving our health by walking, hiking, bicycling, and playing games and sports. Scouts keep fit by doing outdoor activities that keep them physically active as they earn Scouting awards. Local parks provide that opportunity close to home.

So this theme is based on the idea improving fitness by getting involved in some outdoor activity.  Below you’ll find some ways to form your pack and den programs around this theme which can be done at your local park.

Cub Scout Themes – Destination Parks (Health and Fitness)

Tiger Cub Scouts

• Tiger Achievement 5 – Lets Go Outdoors
• Tiger Elective 29 – Safety in the Sun
• Tiger Elective 33 – Cleanup Treasure Hunt
• Tiger Elective 34 – Conservation
• Tiger Elective 35 – Fun Outdoors
• Tiger Elective 37 – Take a Bicycle Ride

Wolf Cub Scouts

• Wolf Achievement 7 – Your Living World
• Wolf Elective 18 – Outdoor Adventure
• Wolf Elective 19 – Fishing
• Wolf Elective 20 – Sports
• Wolf Elective 23 – Lets Go Camping

Bear Cub Scouts

• Bear Achievement 5 – Sharing Your World with Wildlife
• Bear Achievement 6 – Take Care of Your Planet
• Bear Achievement 12 – Family Outdoor Adventure
• Bear Achievement 14 – Ride Right
• Bear Achievement 15 – Games, Games, Games!
• Bear Achievement 16 – Building Muscles
• Bear Achievement 23 – Sports, Sports, Sports
• Bear Elective 14 – Landscaping
• Bear Elective 15 – Water and Soil Conservation
• Bear Elective 18 – Backyard Gym
• Bear Elective 25 – Lets Go Camping

Webelos

• Athlete Activity Badge
• Forester Activity Badge
• Naturalist Activity Badge
• Outdoorsman Activity Badge
• Sportsman Activity Badge
• Arrow of Light Badge

Academics and Sports Program

• Bicycling Belt Loop and Pin
• Fishing Belt Loop and Pin
• Hiking Belt Loop and Pin
• Horseback Riding Belt Loop and Pin
• Map and Compass Belt Loop and Pin
• Wildlife Conservation Belt Loop and Pin

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To earn the Venturing Ranger award, a young man or woman must complete eight core requirements and four electives. One of the electives to meet the Ranger award requirements is Physical Fitness.

To complete the Venturing Ranger Award requirements for Physical Fitness, a Venturer must develop and carry out a physical fitness program.  Then he or she must teach another group how to set up a physical fitness program.

Venturing Ranger Award Requirements - Physical Fitness

1. Make an appointment with your doctor for a complete physical. Explain to your doctor you are preparing to undertake an eight-week physical fitness improvement program.
2. Explain at least six principles that guide you in developing a physical fitness program.
3. Four components of physical fitness are endurance, strength, flexibility, and body composition.
   1. Explain why these components are important to your physical fitness.
   2. Find a physical fitness professional to administer a fitness test based on these four components. Set physical fitness goals with the help of this professional that can be accomplished in eight weeks. The physical education teachers at school should be able to do this test.
4. Develop an eight-week program to accomplish your goals. Use the principles of warm-up, cross-training, cool-down, and regularity.
5. Explain the six elements of a good diet.
6. Using the USDA Food Guide Pyramid, list six foods from each group.
7. Learn to calculate the number of calories you need if you are sedentary, moderately active, or active.
8. Explain the common eating disorders anorexia and bulimia and why they are harmful to athletes.
9. Explain the hazards of performance-enhancing drugs, including the dangers of using each of the following groups of drugs: stimulants, painkillers, anabolic steroids, beta blockers, diuretics, alcohol, marijuana, and cocaine.
10. Prevention of injury is important to achieving peak physical performance. Pain is not a normal part of physical development. Soreness and discomfort may be expected, but not pain. Explain how to prevent injury in your fitness program.
11. Using what you have learned about physical fitness, teach your crew, a Cub or Boy Scout group, or another group about setting up a physical fitness program.

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BSA provides Webelos den meeting ideas for Cub Scout den leaders on the Scouting.org website.  The fourth in the Arrow of Light series of Webelos den meeting plans covers part of the Sportsman Activity Badge.

In order to complete the Sportsman activity badge,  Webelos must earn at least two team sport belt loops and two individual sport belt loops while Webelos. This den meeting plan covers one of the team sport belt loops – the Ultimate Belt Loop.

If you don’t already have the BSA Webelos den meeting plans, download BSA Arrow of Light Meeting Plan 4 to follow along with this article.

Arrow of Light Den Meeting Plans: BSA Plans #4 - Sportsman

Preparation and Before the Meeting

Arrange to meet at a location suitable for playing Ultimate.  Ultimate does not require a lot of equipment but you will need a few discs (frisbees) and some way to mark off the playing area.

Gathering

Let them practice their frisbee tossing skills during the gathering time.

Opening

Say the Scout Law.

Business

Hand out recognitions.

Activities

You will be doing part of Sportsman requirement 4:

 Sportsman requirement 4: While you are a Webelos Scout, earn Cub Scouting Sports belt loops for two team sports (baseball, basketball, soccer, softball, volleyball, flag football, or ultimate).

The requirements for the Ultimate Belt Loop  are:

Explain the rules for ultimate.
Practice ultimate for 30 minutes.
Play a game of ultimate

If you are not sure of the rules, you could invite a local ultimate team to help out. My second oldest, DS, plays on the ultimate team at his high school and they enjoy sharing their knowledge of the sport with others. If you do not have an ultimate team in your area, check out Essential Ultimate: Teaching, Coaching, Playing as a resource.

Closing

Close with the Scout Oath.

After the Meeting

Have the Webelos help clean up the equipment and line up some parents to help out at the next meeting.

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It is basketball season again. If you have a Cub Scout who plays basketball, see if you can interest him in the Basketball pin from the Cub Scout Academics and Sports program. If he plays on an organized team he has probably already completed many of the requirements for this recognition.

Basketball Pin Requirements

Earn the Basketball belt loop, and complete five of the following requirements:

1. Compete in a pack or community basketball tournament.
2. Demonstrate effective passing using the chest pass, bounce pass, over-the-head pass, and baseball pass.
3. Successfully demonstrate the set shot and jump shot shooting styles.
4. Demonstrate skill in the following dribbling techniques: high dribble, low dribble, turnable dribble, change-of-pace dribble, and combination dribble.
5. On three different occasions, spend at least 30 minutes developing individual defensive skills.
6. Explain and demonstrate 10 official basketball signals.
7. Play three shot-improving games with a member of your den or team.
8. Play five games of basketball.
9. Participate in a basketball clinic.
10. Attend a high school, college, or professional basketball game.

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BSA provides a set of Tiger den meeting plans for Cub Scout den leaders. There are 16 basic Tiger den meeting plans and then some additional supplemental Tiger den meeting ideas. This den meeting plan covers Tiger Elective 38 – Bicycle Repair and Tiger Elective 37 – Take a Bicycle Ride.

You can download the complete meeting plan from the BSA website: Printable copy of BSA Tiger Den Meeting Supplemental Plan J – Go See It: Visit a Bike Repair Shop and Take a Bike Ride

Tiger Den Meeting Ideas - Go See It: Visit a Bike Repair Shop and Take a Bike Ride

Preparation and Before the Meeting

To prepare for this meeting, contact a local bike shop and see if they will let you visit.  Plan a route for your bicycle ride and get the information out to all of the parents.

Gathering

If space permits, this Bicycle License Plate Craft makes a fun gathering activity for this meeting.

Opening and Business

Keep it simple. You might not have a flag where you are visiting, but you could say the Cub Scout Promise.

Activities

You will be doing two Tiger Cub Scout electives:

Elective 38 : Visit a bike repair shop.

Elective 37:  Take a bike ride with your adult partner.

Here are some other articles which you might find helpful:

• Cycling Safety Crossword Puzzle
• Bicycle Helmet Fitting
• BSA Bike Safety Guidelines
• Bike Inspection Checklist
• Bike Repair Tips

I also recommend you look at the requirements for the Bicycling Belt Loop for Cub Scouts. You are doing most of the beltloop requirements during this meeting, so you can probably help your Tiger Cubs complete this recognition also.

Closing

Keep it simple. Say the Law of the Pack.

After the Meeting

Have the Tigers thank the bicycle shop owners and employees. And don’t forget to inform the parents about the next meeting and how they can help.

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If you know a Boy Scout who loves golf, then he is lucky because there is a Golf merit badge just for him.

Golf is unique because the players police themselves. Other sports depend upon referees or umpires to apply penalties when there are infractions of the rules. In golf, every player is expected to act honorably, and the welfare and integrity of the game rely on every player’s honesty. This is why golf often is referred to as a “gentleman’s game.”

Golf Merit Badge Requirements

1. Discuss safety on the golf course. Show that you know first aid for injuries or illnesses that could occur while golfing, including heat reactions, dehydration, blisters, sprains, and strains.
2. Study the USGA “Rules of Golf” now in use.
1. Tell about the three categories of golf etiquette.
2. Demonstrate that you understand the definitions of golf terms.
3. Show that you understand the “Rules of Amateur Status.”
3. Tell about your understanding of the USGA system of handicapping.
4. Do the following:
1. Tell about the early history of golf.
2. Describe golf’s early years in the United States.
3. Tell about the accomplishments of a top golfer of your choice.
5. Discuss with your counselor vocational opportunities related to golf.
6. Do the following:
1. Tell how golf can contribute to a healthy lifestyle, mentally and physically.
2. Tell how a golf exercise plan can help you play better. Show two exercises that would help improve your game.
7. Show the following:
1. The proper grip, stance, posture, and key fundamentals of a good swing
2. The full wood shot, played from a tee
3. The fairway wood shot
4. The long iron shot
5. The short iron shot
6. The approach, chip-and-run, and pitch shots
7. The sand iron shot, bunker, or heavy rough recovery shots
8. A sound putting stroke
8. Play a minimum of two nine-hole rounds or one 18-hole round of golf with another golfer about your age and with your counselor, or an adult approved by your counselor. Do the following:
1. Follow the “Rules of Golf.”
2. Practice good golf etiquette.
3. Show respect to fellow golfers, committee, sponsor, and gallery.

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Baseball is more popular with boys in our area than softball, but some play the sport. A pack game of softball would be a good way to earn the Softball belt loop  from the Cub Scout Academics and Sports program.

Webelos who earn the Softball Belt Loop while a Webelos also complete part of requirement 4 for the Sportsman activity badge.

Softball Belt Loop Requirements

Complete these three requirements:

1. Explain the rules of softball to your leader or adult partner.
2. Spend at least 30 minutes practicing softball skills.
3. Participate in a softball game.

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To earn the Venturing Ranger award, a young man or woman must complete eight core requirements and four electives. One of the electives to meet the Ranger award requirements is Mountaineering.

To complete the Venturing Ranger Award requirements for Mountaineering, a Venturer must learn all about climbing, including knots, equipment, and safety.  Then he or she must demonstrate climbing skills and assist another group in a climbing activity.

Venturing Ranger Award Requirements - Mountaineering

You must complete the First Aid Ranger Core Requirement before you begin this elective.

1. 1. Explain the difference between bouldering and technical climbing.
   2. Tell how bouldering can help your crew get ready for more advanced climbing.
   3. Demonstrate bouldering using the three-point stance and proper clothing.
2. 1. Explain the classification and grades of climbing difficulty in technical rock climbing.
   2. Tell how weather can change the difficulty of any ascent.
3. Learn and then teach the following climbing knots to your crew, another crew, a Scout group, or another group:
   • Figure eight on a bight
   • Water knot
   • Bowline on a coil
   • Figure eight follow-through
   • Grapevine or fisherman’s knot
4. 1. Learn about the different types of ropes available for climbing and explain the uses of each and the characteristics of each.
   2. Learn proper climbing rope care. Know and practice proper coiling and storage.
   3. Know how to keep proper records on climbing rope and how to inspect it for wear and damage. Know when to retire a rope.
   4. Using the knowledge acquired above, make a tabletop display or a presentation for your crew, another crew, a Cub Scout or Boy Scout group, or another group.
5. 1. Demonstrate the difference between natural and artificial anchors.
   2. Be able to identify and describe the use of at least three different types of hardware and setups.
   3. Tell about proper climbing safety both before and during a climb.
   4.  Learn about rescue equipment and techniques.
   5. Learn about appropriate clothing, footwear, gloves, helmets, and other climbing gear.
6. Be able to correctly put on and then be able to teach others how to put on at least two of the following:
   • Commercially made climbing harness
   • Diaper sling
   • Knotted leg-loop seat
   • Swiss seat sling
7. 1. Demonstrate three types of belays.
   2. Learn and then demonstrate that you know proper verbal climbing and belaying signals used between climber and belayer.
8. Do 8(a) and (b), or do 8(c).
   1. Under the supervision of a qualified rappelling or climbing instructor, rappel at least 30 feet down a natural or artificial obstacle.
   2. Under the supervision of a qualified climbing instructor, climb at least 30 feet up a natural or artificial obstacle.
   3. Attend a two-day rock climbing clinic/course led by a qualified climbing instructor. This course should include some instruction on technical rock climbing.
9. Lead your crew, another crew, an older Boy Scout group, or another teenage group on a climbing and/or rappelling activity. Recruit adequate, qualified adult instructors and assist in instruction.

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The Boy Scout Planning Guide suggests a Physical Fitness Troop Program Feature for March 2013.  This program feature offers the opportunity to introduce concepts of exercise  diet, and healthy habits in a troop setting. A PLC can use this program feature to plan a month of activities with a focus on physical fitness.

The plans for the Physical Fitness troop program feature can be found in  Volume 3  of Troop Program Features from BSA:

Since one of the main purposes of the Boy Scouts of America is to promote physical fitness, this program feature is right on target. Besides, most Scout-age boys love physical action, so they will eagerly participate in the suggested activities.

Physical Fitness Programs

Younger scouts can work on their early rank requirements, including hiking, health, and conditioning.  Older scouts can earn the Personal Fitness Merit Badge.  Some other related merit badges include Athletics Merit Badge, Cooking Merit Badge, Climbing Merit Badge, Cycling Merit Badge, Hiking Merit Badge, Public Health Merit Badge, Swimming Merit Badge, and Medicine Merit Badge.

The featured activity for this month is a Scout Decathlon. Your PLC can choose 10 “competitions” to put on at a troop event. There are a lot of suggestions given in Volume 3  of Troop Program Features or they can make up their own.

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Are your Cub Scouts thinking about baseball season already? The baseball players in your pack can earn the Baseball pin from the Cub Scout Academics and Sports program. If they play on a organized team they have probably already done many of the requirements.

Baseball Pin Requirements

Earn the Baseball belt loop, and complete five of the following requirements:

1. Participate in a pack or community baseball tournament.
2. Demonstrate skill in two of the following throwing techniques: overhand, sidearm, underhand, and the relay throw.
3. Demonstrate skill in two of the following catching techniques: fielding a ground ball, fielding a pop-up, catching a line drive.
4. Demonstrate correct pitching techniques.
5. Demonstrate correct hitting techniques, including bunting.
6. Explain the rules of base running. Explain base coaching signals.
7. Demonstrate skill in the following sliding techniques: the straight-in slide, the hook slide, and the headfirst slide.
8. Play five games of baseball using standard baseball rules.
9. Draw a baseball field to scale or set one up for play.
10. Attend a high school, college, or professional baseball game.
11. Read a book about a baseball player and give a report about him or her to your den or family.

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Cub Scouts who like to ice skate or roller skate might be interested in the Hockey pin from the Cub Scout Academics and Sports program.  Scouts can learn more about the sport while earning this recognition.

Hockey Pin Requirements

Earn the Hockey belt loop, and complete five of the following requirements:

1. Participate in a pack, school, or community hockey tournament or in a supervised hockey league.
2. Participate in a hockey skills development clinic.
3. Spend at least 30 minutes practicing the skills of hockey: skating, stick handling, passing, shooting, and checking. This may be over two different practice periods.
4. Draw the layout of the playing surface for a hockey game including the starting positions of the goalie, three forwards (two wings and a center), and two defenders.
5. Demonstrate foul signals. Explain to your den or team why players should avoid fouls.
6. Attend a high school, college, or professional hockey game.
7. Demonstrate hockey terms (for example, assist, breakaway, deke, draw, pulling the goalie, and so on.) to another team member or adult.
8. Learn about a U.S. Olympic hockey team and report what you learn to your den or family.
9. Watch an ice resurfacing machine at an ice rink. Report to your den or family about the history of the machine commonly known as the Zamboni and how it is used.

Copyright Scouter Mom - A resource for adults and youth involved in Scouting

BSA provides Webelos den meeting ideas for Cub Scout den leaders on the Scouting.org website.  The second in the Arrow of Light series of Webelos den meeting plans covers the Aquanaut Activity Badge.

If you don’t already have the BSA Webelos den meeting plans, download BSA Arrow of Light Meeting Plan 2 to follow along with this article.

Arrow of Light Den Meeting Ideas: BSA Plan #2 – Aquanaut

Preparation and Before the Meeting

You will need to take both Safe Swim Defense and Safety Afloat training before the meeting.

Since this meeting must take place at a pool, you will need to find a pool where you can do the activities and ensure that adequate lifeguards are present.

Gathering

See my gathering activities pages for some ideas.

Opening

Say the Scout Law.

Business

Hand out recognitions. This might be a good time to go over Safe Swim Defense with the Webelos.

Activities

You will be doing Aquanaut requirements 1–5 and 8.

Aquanaut Requirement 1: Jump into water over your head. Come to the surface and swim 100 feet, at least half of this using a backstroke.

Aquanaut Requirement 2: Stay in the water after the swim and float on your back and your front, and demonstrate survival floating.

Aquanaut Requirement 3:  Put on a personal flotation device (PFD) that is the right size for you. Make sure it is properly fastened. Wearing the PFD, jump into water over your head. Show how the PFD keeps your head above water by swimming 25 feet. Get out of the water, remove the PFD, and hang it where it will dry.

Aquanaut Requirement 4: Do a front surface dive and swim underwater for four strokes before returning to the surface.

Aquanaut Requirement 5: Explain the four basic water rescue methods. Demonstrate reaching and throwing rescues.

Aquanaut Requirement 8: While you are a Webelos Scout, earn the Cub Scout Sports belt loop for Swimming. Complete these three requirements:

•  Explain rules of Safe Swim Defense. Emphasize the buddy system.
•  Play a recreational game in the water with your den, pack, or family.
•  While holding a kickboard, propel yourself 25 feet using a flutter kick across the shallow end of the swimming area

See my Aquatics Cub Scout Theme page for some fun games to play in the water and other activities which would fit in with this badge.

Closing

Close with the Scout Oath.

After the Meeting

Have the Webelos thank the hosts at the pool and put everything back the way they found it.

Copyright Scouter Mom - A resource for adults and youth involved in Scouting