Backyard Fun Cub Scout Theme

BSA has a Cub Scout pack meeting plan called Backyard Fun related to the goals of health and fitness. The Backyard Fun meeting plan features ideas – games, group activities, songs, and more.

For more ideas for use with this program theme, see my Backyard Fun page.

Here is how the BSA plan suggests tying together this theme with health and fitness:

Through Cub Scouting, we encourage families to be more physically fit and to enjoy the outdoors at the same time in their own backyards. By staging this month’s pack meeting outside, we encourage our Scouts to turn off the television, computer, and video game and help keep the “Outing” in “Scouting.”

May Pack Meeting – Backyard Fun (Health and Fitness)

This Cub Scout pack meeting plan includes the following – all within a health and fitness theme. See the meeting plan for details.

• Gathering activity – All About My Backyard matching game
• Opening ceremony – Flag parade
• Fitness Prayer
• Activity – Backyard games: sock softball, obstacle course, Cubanapolis race, bare toes marble race, vegetable races, flying disc golf, fishing pond, blind puzzles, beach ball volley, hoopla, human tic-tac-toe
• Award Ceremony recognition ceremony
• Win, Lose, or Draw cheer
• Healthy and Fit Cubmaster Minute
• Backyard Games Closing Ceremony

Here are some more ideas related to backyard fun:

Capture the Flag

Capture the Flag is a great game for a large group. Our Scouts BSA Troop plays it often as an interpatrol activity during meetings. Cub Scouts can play it also. We had a joint Pack/Troop flag retirement ceremony at a local park in the spring. When the ceremony was over, the Scouts BSA organized a game of capture the flag, putting some Cub Scouts on each team. They used most of the park as their play area. It was legendary. 🙂

Fish and Chips and Vinegar Song

The Fish and Chips and Vinegar song fits in well with this month’s Backyard Fun theme. It includes a reminder to keep our backyards free of trash! It would also fit in well with a conservation theme.

Red Light Green Light

When working with Cub Scouts, remember KISMIF - Keep It Simple. Make It Fun. Sometimes we come up with elaborite or complicated plans when our young Scouts would really be just as happy with something simple. Red Light Green Light is a great example of this. It is simple and requires no preparation or materials. My Cub Scouts always enjoy these "classic" playground games.

Kick the Can

Kick the can is a classic game which combines tag and hide and go seek. This is a great wide area game for a large group. Use it as an activity at a pack campout or to add some physical activity to a pack meeting.

Flip the Bird Tag

Flip the Bird tag is an active game which is a combination of tag and keep away. In it, a players work together to keep their friends from being tagged.

Steal the Bacon

Here is another game for a large group of Scouts. This is fun for all age levels - from Cub Scouts to Scouts BSA to Venturers. Your older Scouts might try to employ some strategy when playing this game.