This is something I saw recently which I wish I had done when my den were Tigers or Wolves. You can start it any time though. The idea is to make a den time capsule which they add to from time to time – maybe every year at Blue and Gold time and after summer camp or when they earn their rank or do something special. Then, when they cross over to Scouts BSA, they open the time capsule and see all of the things they added.
These instructions call for notes, but they can place photos or small objects in the toilet paper tubes also. They can add more than one tube to the box. So they might have multiple tubes from different years or events to open at the end.
If something is too large to fit into an individual tube, you can just place it in the box. Think ahead and make sure you use a large enough box. The Scouter who showed it to us said that she was running out of room and would have to transfer to a larger box.
Den Time Capsule
Materials
- Small pieces of paper and pencils, crayons, markers, etc.
- Cardboard tubes from toilet paper
- Duct tape
- One large box
- Fun foam
- Scissors
- Glue
- Construction paper
- Decorations, such as pre-cut shapes, glitter glue, etc
Instructions
- Give each Scout a few pieces of paper and write or draw some of the fun things they did recently as Cub Scouts.
- Give each Scout a cardboard tube and have him write his name and the date on the side of it.
- They should put their notes in their tubes and seal the ends with duct tape.
- As they finish the tubes, they can decorate the box for their den.
- Cut holiday shapes from the fun foam using the glue, scissors, fun foam, construction paper, etc.
- Put all of the tubes in the box and put it away.
- When they are ready to cross over to Scouts BSA, open the time capsule and let them each open their tubes.
This sounds like a fantastic idea! I’m thinking an ice cream container, cleaned out and given time to dry well would be perfect to at least start a time capsule for each boy. Knowing our boys, we would probably add something to it at the end of day camp, blue and gold, and whenever they complete a pin, belt loop, or rank. Maybe we’ll have to eventually find larger containers, but they would work. If anything, they could always start a new container when the old one doesn’t have room anymore! They stack nicely and can be stored easily. I usually save the containers during the year and use them to store things as they make them during day camp, then plan a campfire award ceremony the last day of camp, invite the parents and families and award everything they have earned during camp. They can take home the container at the end of camp!