Scouting teaches youth to learn about the outdoors and to protect our natural resources through conservation efforts. Scouts also learn to be comfortable in the outdoors and appreciate the natural world.
Our Scouts BSA Troop recently had a family campout at Washington State Park. I recommend this campground. There was definitely plenty to do and see there and we had a great time. I'm sure we'll be going back.
We are coming up on some prime hiking season. In the spring the temperatures are mild and it isn't buggy yet. So I am reviewing my favorite hiking book - 60 Hikes Within 60 Miles. Hopefully there is one available in your area.
One of the resources which BSA provides for Scouts BSA Troops is a set of troop program feature guides. Our troop is planning a shotgun shooting outing in August, so they will probably be looking at some of the ideas in the Shooting program feature.
Nancy sent in this question: "I would like ideas for a winter camp that we either play inside or outside in the snow at a cub camp with 3rd year Beavers."
Reader Bruce asked "Does anyone know where I can buy a pin for scouts who completed a 50 mile canoe trip? I would ideally like a paddle shaped pin with 50 Mile on the paddle."
When working on conservation requirements, I like to use stories about youth who are participating in conservation projects. I think it makes it more interesting to the Scouts if they see that young people can make a difference.
Our troop recently camped at Johnson Shut-Ins State Park in southern Missouri. While we were there, we took a day trip to Taum Sauk Mountain State Park and hiked the Mina Sauk Falls Trail.
I received an email a few days ago from a Scouter Mom who was doing a nature station at a day camp and wanted information about making the eraser prints for Bear elective 12b. Here is some information about it in case anyone else wants to do this.
I would definitely recommend this campground. The neighborhood felt very safe and it was definitely a more economical way for the six of us to visit New Orleans than staying in a hotel.
My Webelos had a great weekend at our district Spring Camporee. Three of my four Webelos attended. Fortunately the severe weather which had been predicted earlier for late Saturday afternoon passed to the south of us, so we did not have to bug out early. The field was wet and muddy and there was some rain, but that didn't dampen their spirits.
This award recognizes young men and women in Scouts BSA and Venturing who have planned and executed a historic outdoor activity in cooperation with a local society.
Scouts will be interested to learn that the north indicated by their compasses is not really true north. Instead it points to the magnetic north pole, which is not fixed. The difference between true north and magnetic north is called declination.
A leather bookmark project is suitable for those who are new to the art of leatherwork. It is simple enough for those not familiar with leatherwork, but it includes the basics of cutting, punching, and stamping.
Conservation and Scouting go hand in hand. Since getting outdoors is a big part of the Cub Scout and Scouts BSA programs, it makes sense that we should teach Scouts about protecting our natural resources.
This book was recommended a few years ago when I went to Cub Scout BALOO training. I am not a "knot person". I can watch someone do a knot and repeat it, but an hour later it is forgotten.
This is a very challenging game which combines lashing skills and teamwork. It would work well for an interpatrol activity at a meeting focused on pioneering skills.
For the Second Class navigation requirements, Scouts must show how to find their way at day and night without a compass. This method only requires a watch.
The first Friday in March is the National Day of Unplugging. So encourage Scouts to turn off those devices and go outside! Can you completely go unplugged for 24 hours? This might be a little easier for Scouts, especially if they are camping.
Scouting Adventure is one of the Arrow of Light required adventures. For this adventure, Webelos find out what it will be like to be a member of a Scouts BSA troop and they learn some outdoor skills.
Summer camp is usually the highlight of the Scouting year. It can be particularly exciting for first year Scouts BSA. It can also be a little intimidating. A program designed specifically for new Scouts will help them adjust to camp life.
I received this question from a reader: Hello, Is camping over night with a scout troop, a "must" for Webelos for the Arrow of Light badge? If they just participate in scout led activities during the day, is that enough? Thanks !
Call of the Wild is one of the Wolf required adventures. For this adventure, Wolves go camping, learn some Scout skills, think about being prepared for outdoor adventure, and learn about Leave No Trace.
Scouts should know how to dispose of water which has been used for cleaning dishes, which is also known as gray water. One easy way to strain dishwater is to use a plastic grocery bag.
With all of the first aid information in the various Cub Scout and Scouts BSA handbooks, I never come across much information about the one problem we see most frequently at summer camp
This is a gadget which was shown to us at a recent Roundtable. It uses lashings to make a handwashing station from straight sticks and an empty gallon milk jug.
For the Mountain Lion adventure, Lions learn about having fun and staying safe outdoors. Mountain Lion is one of the required adventures for the Lion badge.
Depending on the scouts memories to come up with their 20 days of tent camping is always chancy, so I asked the unit leaders to have any scouts who wanted to do this at camp with me to fill out a camping information sheet and bring it to camp with them.
I don't think anyone in our troop has come close to doing this much hiking, but we do have a group currently training for Philmont, so maybe they will make these goals.
Bear Necessities is one of the Bear required adventures. For this adventure, Bears learn some outdoor skills, go camping, do some cooking, and learn a little about the weather.
Outdoor Adventurer is one of the Arrow of Light CORE Adventure Requirements. In this adventure, Webelos learn how to set up tents, how to be prepared for weather and natural disasters, and other outdoor skills such as geocaching, knot tying, the Outdoor Code, and Leave No Trace. They practice their skills on a campout.
Tigers in the Wild is one of the Tiger required adventures. For this adventure, Tiger Cubs and their adult partners learn some outdoor skills, go hiking, and participate in other outdoor activities.
Some of you may have Scouts BSA or Venturers in your families who are in the process of becoming members of the Order of the Arrow. Just when you thought you were getting a grasp on Scouting, they threw something new at you!
A twig picture frame craft is a DIY nature craft which can be made by Cub Scouts. This frame makes a nice gift for somebody special. It also can be used at a meeting about family heritage, to frame a family picture.
When you go on an orienteering course, you need to have some ways to measure things. Some of the methods used require you to have something of known length for comparison. A personal measurement log will help you with this.
The Fish and Chips and Vinegar song fits in well with a Backyard Fun theme. It includes a reminder to keep our backyards free of trash! It would also fit in well with a conservation theme.
This is a traditional Scout lashings game which might date back to Baden-Powell himself. It practices Scoutcraft (lashings) as well as cooperation and problem solving.
The Camping program feature teaches Scouts helps Scouts experience the fun and adventure of camp life. Theses camping program ideas include some general information and some more specific ideas for meetings
Venturing Crews are can include young men and young women and many enjoy camping. Coed camping with a Scouting unit presents its own set of concerns and challenges
Kim Gilbert of Pack 533 in Andover, Kansas sent me this take on 'Twas the Night Before Christmas so I could share it with you. Thanks Kim! I'm sure many of the Cub Packs out there will enjoy this.
This backpacking program feature offers the opportunity to learn more about hiking and low impact camping. A Scouts BSA Troop PLC can plan a whole month of activities incorporating a backpacking theme.
Nature crafts are good scout activities for several reasons. First, you can get the kids outside to collect the supplies. While they are there, they can look around and really see the outdoors. Second, they are usually inexpensive. And third, I just like the way natural stuff looks.
Castaway is one of the Webelos/Arrow of Light elective adventures. For the Webelos Castaway adventure, Cub Scouts learn survival skills for situations where shelter, water, and electricity might not be available.
Scouting and camping go hand in hand. By camping, Scouts learn to think ahead, use their resources wisely, and rely on each other. And they have plenty of fun and adventure along the way!
When ZM's den received their Arrow of Light award and crossed over to Scouts BSA. My den gave me a gift which included a gift certificate and this Cub Scout neckerchief slide bracelet which one of the moms made.
Being outdoors presents Scouts BSA with challenges and adventures. Youth enjoy the independence of getting away from home and taking care of themselves.
A few weeks ago our troop camped at Johnson Shut-Ins State Park in southern Missouri. The campground was completely rebuilt following the Taum Sauk hydroelectric power station disaster in 2005.
Here is a really simple camp gadget I saw at a camporee a few years back. It was a simple boot scraper camp gadget for scraping the mud off of the bottom of the boots.
The Paddle Sports program feature helps Scouts learn how to safely enjoy non-motorized trips on the water. Scouts learn about canoeing, kayaking, or stand up paddleboarding.
The Cub Scout Outdoor Activity Award recognizes Cub Scouts who have made the most of the outdoor adventures available to them. The first year the award is earned, the Cub Scout gets a pocket flap to wear on their uniform shirt. Each successive time it is earned, they get a wolf track pin to wear on the pocket flap.
This is a weather game I came across on the NASA Space Place website. It is going to take a little time for you to print and prepare the materials, but I think this would be a hit at any weather themed scout meeting.
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