Nature and conservation is woven into all levels of the Cub Scout program. One of the things we teach our young Scouts is that they should understand and respect the world around them.
So there are lots of ways for you to work a nature theme into your den or pack program. A few ideas for this theme are listed below, and more will gradually be added.
Organize a pack meeting or den meeting around them. Or plan an overall theme for your Cub Scout year and add an element or two from the theme into your program each month.
Edible Spiders Recipe
A snack made with crackers and pretzels. This recipe does not require any cooking, so it can be made at a meeting even if you don't have access to a kitchen.
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.
Make a Soda Bottle Terrarium
Making a terrarium is a great springtime activity. Plus - it reuses a plastic soda bottle, which is great for starting a discussion about Earth Day approaching.
Caterpillar Race Game
Here is a fun game for Cub Scouts. They will have to work together to match their movements, so it teaches them teamwork and coordination.
Native American Prayer
Native American lore is an important part of the Scouts BSA and Cub Scout programs. This prayer is attributed to Chief Sealth (for whom Seattle is named).
Leaf Print Craft
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.
Earth Treats Recipe
In honor of Earth Day, here is an Earth themed snack. Basically these are rice krispie treats shaped like the earth. You can make small "earths" or larger ones, but it seems to set better if you don't make them too big.
Seed Mosaics Craft
Here's a spring craft idea for all of you Tiger leaders. Have the scouts make a seed mosaic to give to mom for Mother's Day. You can even fulfill Tiger elective 2: Make a decoration with your family or den. Display it or give it to someone as a gift.
Ticks on a Toilet Seat Recipe
What's the best way to get a picky eater to have a healthy snack? Make it funny!
Soil Sample Cupcakes Recipe
Scouts always enjoy playing with their food! This would make a nice snack for any den meeting based on one of the ecology lessons.
Eraser Prints of Animal Tracks
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.
The Little Green Frog Song
This is a fun song to do with a Cub Scout pack or den. It is full of boy humor. Make sure you get the parents to sing along also. That makes it really fun for the youth.
Finding Out About Endangered Species in Your Area
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.
Egg Carton Caterpillar
Here is a fun way to use up some of those egg cartons left over from the Easter eggs. It would make a nice gathering activity for a den meeting.
My Turtle Swims Sideways
ZM sang this song at Webelos camp and LC sang it at Scout camp and they've continued singing it since. This song is just humor. (This is one of the most commented upon posts on my blog!)