A Scout Is Thrifty

A Scout works to pay his own way and to help others. She saves for the future. He protects and conserves natural resources. She carefully uses time and property.

9th point of the Scout Law

Scouts understand the value of money and other resources. Scouts know that by conserving resources, there will be enough for the future. Here are some ideas for the ninth point of the Scout Law. Add your own ideas about how “A Scout Is Thrifty” to the comments.

A Scout’s Prayer by Lord Baden-Powell

This prayer is attributed to Lord Baden-Powell himself. B-P clearly believed that faith was an important component of his Scouting program. So while Scouting is not specific to any particular faith, there is a spiritual aspect to it. This prayer, based on the Scout Law, would be appropriate for most groups of Scouts.

Bazooka Bubblegum Song

This is one of DS's favorite scout songs. We hear this one a lot at camp, on hikes, and on hayrides. I'll warn you that when they start singing this, they tend to sing it over and over and over again. The best I can describe the tune is that it is sort of a rap style tune.

Scout Law Prayer

A Scout is Reverent. This prayer incorporates the twelve points of the Scout Law.

Scout Law

I like the simplicity of the Scout Law. It is brief and therefore easy for youth to memorize. But it covers a lot of ground.

Trustworthy Tommy Song

Webelos need to learn about the Scout Law for their Webelos badge and their Arrow of Light Award. This classic Scout song is a fun way to help them learn it.

Water Bottle Holder Projects

Here are some water bottle holder projects I came across recently. Scouts will want to keep their water bottles with them when they can carry them in a water bottle holder they made themselves.

Ideas for Gift Exchange

A reader asks for ideas for the troop gift exchange. I've listed a few of my own. Readers, add your ideas also.

Bike Repair Tips

This month I am focusing on cycling. If you are going to ride a bike, you'd better make sure it is in good repair first. You don't want to be riding along and have your front wheel fall off or your brakes not work. I found a great website called How To Fix Bikes which offers all sorts of advice on - drum roll... - how to fix bikes!

Catching Flies for Reptiles – A Homemade Trap

Here is a tip for Scouts working on the Reptile and Amphibian Study Merit Badge for a homemade fly trap to help save money feeding your critters.

More Pack Meeting Ideas for February – Resourcefulness

I posted a few ideas last year, but here are some more ideas for incorporating resourcefulness into your Cub Scout program.

Budget Worksheet for Family Member Activity Badge

Requirement 4 for the Webelos Family Member activity badge requires the Scout to plan a budget for 30 days. This simple worksheet will provide a way to do that.

What Is Scout Spirit?

Scout spirit is mentioned in several of the requirements for Scouts BSA ranks. But what is Scout spirit and how does a Scout go about demonstrating it?

Make a Mbira from Bobby Pins

A mbira is a "thumb piano" of African origin.  Music is made by plucking metal tines. Almost Unschoolers shows how to make a mbira from bobby pins,  craft sticks, and thumbtacks.

Make a Sistrum

This tutorial from Twodaloo shows how to make a simple sistrum from a forked stick from a tree, some craft wire, and buttons or beads. For fun, paint and decorate the stick first.

How to Make a Simple Rainstick

Kix cereal has an article which gives step-by-step instructions to make a rainstick from common household materials. A rainstick is an instrument which sounds like rain when you turn it.

Tiger Den Meeting Plan – My Tiger Jungle: Birds

This Tiger den meeting plan covers the requirements for the My Tiger Jungle adventure. The focus of this meeting is birds!

Missing Popcorn Sale Money

A reader asks what to do when the money for the unit popcorn sale doesn't add up.

Scout Law Game

Learning the Scout Law will be more enjoyable with a Scout Law game. This game helps Scouts learn all twelve points of the law in order.

Ideas for February Cub Scout Theme – Resourcefulness

The core value for Cub Scouts for the month of February is resourcefulness. How can resourcefulness be incorporated into a pack program?

Personal Management Merit Badge Helps and Documents

Scouts learn to manage their time, treasure, and talents while working on the Personal Management merit badge. They investigate different aspects of saving money and investing. They learn time management techniques. And they consider how their talents might lead to a future career and explore those possibilities.

Wolf Adventures in Coins: Cub Scout Helps and Ideas

Adventures in Coins is one of the Wolf Cub Scout elective adventures. For this adventure, Wolves play games and do activities related to coins. In the process, they learn all about coins.

Turn Back the Clock Cub Scout Theme (Resourcefulness)

A supplemental meeting plan theme called Turn Back the Clock was provided by BSA a few years ago. "When you look back in time, it is easy to find many examples of resourcefulness, using human and other resources to their fullest. Whether it is the Ice Age, the Wild West, the Space Age, or the 1950s, each time period had people with goals who used the resources available to them to make their lives better."

Scouts BSA Tenderfoot Scout Spirit Requirements Helps and Documents

The Tenderfoot Scout spirit requirements provide an opportunity for a Scout to show how he puts the Scout Oath and Law into action in his everyday life. He will talk to his Scoutmaster and complete a Board of Review to complete the requirements for Tenderfoot.

Scouts BSA Second Class Scout Spirit Requirements Helps and Documents

Second Class Scout spirit requirements provide an opportunity for a Scout to show how he puts the Scout Oath and Law into action in everyday life. She will talk to her Scoutmaster and complete a Board of Review to complete the requirements for Second Class.

Scouts BSA Second Class Citizenship Requirements Helps and Documents

Second Class requirement 8 teaches Scouts how to be good citizens. They learn to respect and handle the US flag. They also learn about managing money and purchasing wisely.

Scouts BSA First Class Scout Spirit Requirements Helps and Documents

The First Class Scout spirit requirements provide an opportunity for a Scout to show how he or she puts the Scout Oath and Law into action in his everyday life. He or she will talk to his Scoutmaster and complete a Board of Review to complete the requirements for First Class.

Scouts BSA Eagle Scout Oath and Law Requirement Helps and Documents

In order to achieve the rank of Eagle Scout, a young man or woman must be able to show that he or she has lived up to the ideals of Scouting. He or she must also provide several letters of recommendation.

Scouts BSA Star Oath and Law Requirement Helps and Documents

While working on their Star rank, Scouts must demonstrate scout spirit by living the Scout Oath and Scout Law at all times.

Scouts BSA Life Oath and Law Requirement Helps and Documents

While working toward the rank of Life, Star Scouts continue to do their duty to God, others, and self.