When I Was Young Gathering Activity

A gathering activity helps Scouts settle in as they arrive for a meeting. It gives them something simple to do while everyone gets there. This helps avoid boredom and keeps the room calm. When I Was Young is a good choice for this time. Scouts enjoy guessing games. This one also lets them learn something new about their leaders.

This activity fits well with many Scouting themes. It works especially well for meetings about history, photography, or movies. It also fits nicely at a Blue and Gold banquet. Families are usually present at these events. That means parents and Scouts can work together as they try to guess each photo.

Scouts enjoy seeing pictures of their leaders as kids. It helps them see leaders in a new way. Many of the photos look funny or surprising. Scouts often laugh when they try to match the picture with the adult they know today. These moments help create a relaxed and friendly atmosphere.

This activity also helps build connections in the group. Scouts talk with each other as they compare guesses. Younger Cub Scouts often work with their parents. Older Scouts may try to solve the challenge on their own. By the time the meeting begins, everyone is already engaged and ready to participate.

Guessing games with old photos have been around for a long time. Families often bring out old pictures during holidays or reunions. People enjoy looking at how someone looked years ago. They also like seeing how people change as they grow up. The guessing part adds a little challenge and keeps everyone interested.

Scouting groups have used photo games for many years. Leaders often share pictures from campouts and other events. These photos help Scouts remember good times together. They also help tell the story of the pack or troop.

When I Was Young follows that same idea. Instead of showing recent photos, leaders share pictures from childhood. Scouts try to match the young face with the leader they know today. The results are often surprising.

This activity also fits well with the tradition of storytelling in Scouting. Old photos often lead to stories about school days, hobbies, or early Scouting memories. These short stories help Scouts learn a little about their leaders and build stronger connections in the group.

As Scouters, we always look for small ways to teach while having fun. This activity does that well. Scouts look closely at each photo. They study faces and details. They compare the photo with the adults in the room.

Scouts also practice thinking and guessing. They make a choice and write it down. Sometimes they are right. Sometimes they are not. That is fine. The goal is to think and try.

This activity also helps Scouts feel closer to their leaders. When they see a leader’s childhood photo, they realize that adults were kids once too. This helps younger Scouts feel more comfortable talking with leaders.

Scouts also work together. Younger Cub Scouts often ask their parents for help. Some Scouts talk with friends about their guesses. They share ideas and laugh at the funny photos.

I also like this activity because it builds a friendly mood before the meeting begins. Scouts arrive, start looking at the photos, and begin talking right away. By the time the meeting starts, the room already feels active and welcoming.

This activity is simple to run and works well while Scouts are arriving. The goal is for Scouts and families to match childhood photos with the adult leaders in the room. Leaders collect the photos ahead of time. Then Scouts study the pictures and write down their guesses.

Equipment And Materials

You will need a few simple items to set this up.

• Childhood photos of adult leaders
• Table or display board for the photos
• Numbers placed next to each photo
• Answer sheets with numbered blanks
• Pencils or pens
• A slideshow or screen for the reveal (optional)
• A small prize or recognition for top guesses (optional)

Instructions

1. Ask each adult leader to send you a childhood photo. Early grade school pictures work well. Try to collect the photos before the meeting.
2. Print the photos or display them on a board or table. Place a number next to each photo.
3. Make an answer sheet with numbered blanks that match the photo numbers.
4. As Scouts arrive, give each Scout or family an answer sheet and a pencil.
5. Ask them to walk around and look at the photos. They should write the name of the leader they think is in each picture.
6. Let Scouts work on their guesses while people arrive and get settled.
7. Later in the meeting, reveal the answers. Show each photo and then tell everyone who it is.
8. If possible, show a current photo of the leader in the same pose. This often gets a big laugh.
9. If you want, collect the answer sheets and see who guessed the most correctly. You can give a small prize or simple recognition.

Additional Notes And Variations

• You can add a few fun twists to this activity. For example, include a few childhood photos of parents. Scouts will enjoy trying to guess those as well.
• You can also turn it into a team activity. Let dens work together on one answer sheet. This works well for younger Cub Scouts.
• If you do not have printed photos, you can run the whole activity as a slideshow. Show each photo and have Scouts write their guesses before the answer appears.
• Remind Scouts to walk carefully around the display area. Try not to crowd the photos or block others from seeing them. Keeping the area organized helps the activity run smoothly.

Click here for a printable copy of the directions For The When I Was Young Gathering Activity

Gathering Activities for Meetings

If you like this gathering activity, you may want a few more ideas ready for future meetings. A good gathering activity helps Scouts settle in and get focused before the meeting starts. It keeps them busy while everyone arrives. It also helps create a friendly mood right from the start.

I have a full list of gathering activity ideas for Scouts on my site. These activities are simple to set up and work well for Cub Scout meetings and other Scouting events. Take a look and find a gathering activity that will work well for your next meeting.

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What age group works best for this activity?

This activity works well for Cub Scouts of all ages. Younger Scouts may need help from a parent or leader. Older Scouts can usually make their guesses on their own. It also works well when families are present, such as at a Blue and Gold banquet.

How many photos should I use?

About eight to twelve photos works well for most groups. This gives Scouts enough to study without taking too long. If you have a large pack, you can include more photos. Just make sure the display area is easy for Scouts to walk around.

What kind of photos work best?

Early school photos usually work best. The photo should show the face clearly. It helps if the photo looks a little like the leader today. If the photo is too obvious, the guessing will be very easy.

What if I cannot get photos from every leader?

That is not a problem. Use photos from the leaders who send them. You can also include photos from parents or committee members. Another option is to add a photo from your own childhood.

How should I reveal the answers?

The easiest way is to show the photos in a slideshow. Show the childhood photo first. Then tell everyone whose photo it is. If you have a current photo in the same pose, show that next. Scouts often enjoy seeing the comparison.

Should I give prizes for correct answers?

Prizes are optional. Some packs like to give a small prize to the person with the most correct answers. Other packs simply let Scouts check their own answers and enjoy the results. Either way works well.

When I Was Young is a simple gathering activity that gets Scouts talking and laughing as they arrive. Leaders collect childhood photos ahead of time. The photos are numbered and placed where Scouts can see them. Scouts look at each picture and try to guess which leader it shows.

The guessing part keeps Scouts interested while the meeting is getting started. Scouts often walk around with friends or family and compare ideas. Younger Cub Scouts may ask their parents for help. Older Scouts may try to figure it out on their own.

The best moment usually comes during the reveal. Leaders show the photos and share the answers. Scouts enjoy seeing which guesses were correct. They also enjoy seeing the funny or surprising photos from long ago.

This activity also helps Scouts learn a little about their leaders. They see that leaders were once kids too. The activity helps create a friendly mood for the meeting. It is easy to set up and works well for pack meetings, den meetings, and special events.