Wolf Running With the Pack Den Meeting Plan

Wolves are full of energy, and the Running with the Pack adventure helps them use that energy in a healthy way. This den meeting will get them moving, teach them about good food choices, and even show them how to relax. Along the way, they will also learn how to take care of their teeth and build healthy habits for life.

This Wolf Running with the Pack den meeting is designed to be active and fun. Wolves will run, stretch, and play games to stay strong. They will also take a moment to slow down and learn that rest is just as important as exercise. Eating well is another key to staying healthy, so they will have a chance to try different foods and discover how they help their bodies grow.

By the end of the Wolf Running with the Pack den meeting, Wolves will have learned simple ways to keep their bodies and minds in great shape. They will leave with new skills, good memories, and plenty of energy to keep running with the pack.

65 Minutes Total

5 Minutes – Gathering Activity: Colorful Food Chart

• As Scouts arrive, they color a simple coloring page showing different healthy foods in various colors.
• This introduces the idea of eating a variety of foods while keeping them engaged before the Wolf Running with the Pack den meeting starts.
• Encourage discussion about their favorite healthy foods.

10 Minutes – Bright Smiles: Proper Tooth Brushing

• Teach proper brushing techniques using a model or a demonstration.
• Have Scouts practice with imaginary toothbrushes while following step-by-step instructions.
• Play a fun brushing song and challenge them to brush along for the full two minutes.

30 Minutes – Get Moving: Stretching and Group Activity

• Start with warm-up stretches such as reaching for the sky, touching toes, and arm circles.
• Lead the group in a fun active game such as a relay race or obstacle course.
• Encourage teamwork and enthusiasm while making sure everyone participates.

10 Minutes – Personal Fitness: 10-Minute Exercise Challenge

• Guide Scouts through a short workout including jumping jacks, sit-ups, and jogging in place.
• Turn it into a friendly challenge (e.g., “How many jumping jacks can you do in a row?”).
• Remind Scouts that even short bursts of exercise help keep them healthy.

10 Minutes – Time to Unwind: Listening to Calming Music

• Gather Scouts in a quiet area and play soft, relaxing music.
• Encourage them to close their eyes and take deep breaths.
• Discuss how relaxing activities help balance an active lifestyle and keep the mind healthy.

10 Minutes – Snack and Food Sampling

• Provide a variety of healthy foods in different colors from different food groups (e.g., red strawberries, yellow cheese, green cucumbers).
• Discuss how these foods help the body and why variety is important.
• Have Scouts sample the foods while talking about their tastes and textures.

5 Minutes – Closing: Tying It All Together

• Reflect on the activities and how they relate to the Scout Law (e.g., being “Cheerful” by staying active, “Clean” by brushing teeth, and “Thrifty” by making healthy food choices).
• Encourage Scouts to practice these healthy habits at home.
• End with a simple cheer or Scout handshake to reinforce teamwork and fun.

Materials Needed

• For the Gathering Activity (Coloring Page)
  • Printed copies of the food coloring page (link)
  • Crayons or colored pencils
• For the Tooth Brushing Activity
  • Large model of teeth or a picture of teeth (optional)
  • A fun brushing song (such as “Brush Your Teeth” by Raffi)
  • Timer or stopwatch
• For the Stretching and Group Activity
  • Open space for movement
  • Cones, ropes, or chairs for an obstacle course (if using)
• For the 10-Minute Fitness Challenge
  • Open space for exercises
• For the Relaxation Activity
  • A quiet space
  • A way to play calming music (phone, speaker, or other device)
• For the Snack and Food Sampling
  • A variety of healthy foods in different colors
  • Small plates and napkins
  • A knife and cutting board if foods need to be sliced beforehand

Preparation Before the Meeting

• Print the food chart coloring pages
• Gather all materials and set up each activity space
• Select and prepare music for the brushing and relaxation activities
• Decide on a fun cheer for the closing
• Set up food sampling station and cut foods into small portions

Things to Ask Parents to Provide or Help With

• Healthy food items for the snack (fruits, vegetables, cheese, whole-grain crackers, etc.)
• Napkins and small plates for serving food
• Assistance with leading an activity (stretching, obstacle course, or food discussion)
• Extra crayons or colored pencils for the coloring activity

A little planning will make the Wolf Running with the Pack den meeting run smoothly. Having everything ready ahead of time will help keep the Scouts engaged and having fun.

This gathering activity will help Scouts learn about different kinds of healthy foods. As they arrive, they will color a page that shows different food groups. This activity will take about five minutes and will keep them busy while waiting for everyone to arrive. It also gives them a chance to talk about their favorite foods.

The goal is to show them that eating different kinds of foods is important. Fruits, vegetables, grains, dairy, and protein all help the body grow and stay strong. Coloring the foods in bright colors makes it fun and helps them remember the different food groups. While they color, I will ask them questions to get them thinking about what they eat.

1. Hand each Scout a copy of the food coloring page and some crayons or colored pencils.
2. Ask them to color each food on the page. Encourage them to choose colors that match real foods. For example, apples can be red or green, carrots can be orange, and cheese can be yellow.
3. While they color, start a conversation about food. Ask questions like:
   • What is your favorite fruit or vegetable?
   • What food gives you energy?
   • What food makes your bones strong?
4. Let them share their answers, but keep it casual. The goal is to get them thinking about different foods and why they are good for them.

Once the Scouts finish coloring, remind them that eating a variety of foods helps their bodies stay strong and healthy. I will point out that every color they used represents a food that gives them something special—energy, strong muscles, or good health. This short activity sets the stage for the rest of the Wolf Running with the Pack den meeting and gets them thinking about making good food choices.

Brush Like a Pro!

Taking care of teeth is an important habit. In this activity, Scouts will learn how to brush their teeth the right way. They will practice using imaginary toothbrushes and follow step-by-step instructions. This activity will take about ten minutes and will help them remember the best way to keep their teeth clean.

Many kids brush their teeth every day, but they might not be doing it correctly. Brushing the right way keeps teeth strong and healthy. It also helps prevent cavities. To make it fun, we will play a song and challenge them to brush along for the full two minutes.

1. Start by asking the Scouts, “How many times a day should you brush your teeth?” The answer is twice—once in the morning and once at night.
2. Show them a large model of teeth or use a picture to explain where to brush. Remind them that they need to clean all sides of their teeth—front, back, and top.
3. Have them hold up their fingers like they are holding a toothbrush.
4. Walk them through the steps of brushing:
   • Put a pea-sized amount of toothpaste on the brush.
   • Hold the toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to the gums.
   • Use small circles to clean each tooth.
   • Brush the front, back, and chewing surfaces of all teeth.
   • Don’t forget to brush the tongue to keep breath fresh.
5. Play a fun brushing song like “Brush Your Teeth” by Raffi (twice) or set a two-minute timer with music.
6. Have the Scouts brush along with their imaginary toothbrushes for the full two minutes. Encourage them to keep moving their hands and follow the correct motions.

After the song ends, remind Scouts that brushing for two minutes is important. A quick brush is not enough to clean their teeth. I might also ask them to share one thing they learned about brushing today. Keeping teeth clean is part of staying healthy, just like eating good food and getting exercise. Now that they know the right way to do it, they can brush like a pro!

Run, Jump, and Move Like a Wolf!

Wolves love to run and play, and this activity will help Scouts do the same. This will take about 30 minutes and will include stretching and several active games. Scouts will warm up their muscles, build coordination, and have fun working together. The goal is to show them that movement is good for their bodies and that staying active can be exciting.

Start with stretching to prepare their muscles. This helps prevent injuries and makes movement easier. After stretching, lead them in a few fun games that encourage running, jumping, and teamwork. Keep the energy high by cheering them on and making sure everyone gets a turn. Rotate games to keep things fresh and fun.

1. Warm-Up Stretches (10 Minutes)
   • Have Scouts stand in a circle.
   • Lead them in these simple stretches:
     • Reach for the sky – Stretch arms up as high as possible. Hold for five seconds.
     • Touch your toes – Bend forward and try to touch toes without bending knees. Hold for five seconds.
     • Arm circles – Make small circles with arms, then bigger circles.
     • Leg stretches – Step one foot forward and bend the knee slightly, then switch legs.
2. Fun Active Games (20 Minutes)
   • Pick two or three of these games to keep the Scouts moving:
     • Relay Race – Divide into two teams. Each Scout runs to a spot and back before tagging the next person. The first team to finish wins.
     • Obstacle Course – Set up cones, ropes, or chairs. Scouts must run, jump, and crawl to complete the course.
     • Sharks and Minnows – One Scout is the “shark,” and the others are “minnows.” Minnows try to run from one side to the other without getting tagged. If tagged, they become sharks. The last Scout left is the winner.
     • Freeze Tag – One Scout is “it.” When they tag someone, that person must freeze until another player touches them to unfreeze them. Play until everyone has had a chance to be “it.”
   • Encourage teamwork and cheering. Keep the games moving so everyone stays engaged.

At the end of the activity, ask the Scouts how they feel. They should notice that their hearts are beating faster and that they feel more awake. Explain that moving every day keeps their bodies strong, just like eating good food and brushing their teeth. Remind them that they can play these games at home too. Encourage them to keep running, jumping, and having fun like a wolf!

The 10-Minute Fitness Challenge

Moving our bodies helps us stay strong and healthy. In this activity, we will do a quick workout to get our hearts pumping. We will try different exercises and see how many we can do. This will take about ten minutes and will show Scouts that even short workouts can help keep them fit.

Exercise doesn’t have to be long or difficult. Just a few minutes a day can make a big difference. We will do fun moves like jumping jacks, sit-ups, and jogging in place. I will turn it into a friendly challenge to keep everyone excited.

1. Have Scouts spread out so they have space to move.
2. Explain that we are going to do three exercises. Each one will last for one minute:
   • Jumping Jacks – Jump and spread arms and legs wide, then jump back to standing.
   • Sit-Ups – Lay on the ground, bend knees, and sit up using stomach muscles.
   • Jogging in Place – Run in place, lifting knees high.
3. Start the 10-minute challenge:
   • Do each exercise for one minute with a short break in between.
   • Ask, “How many can you do?” but remind them it’s not about winning—it’s about moving.
   • Repeat each exercise for another round.
4. Encourage Scouts to keep going and cheer each other on.

After the challenge, ask Scouts how they feel. Their hearts should be beating faster, and they might feel a little out of breath. That means their bodies are working hard. Even just ten minutes of exercise each day can help them stay strong. Remind them to keep moving at home and make exercise part of their daily routine.

Relax Like a Wolf

After all that movement, it’s time to slow down. In this activity, we will rest our bodies and calm our minds. We will listen to soft music, take deep breaths, and relax. This will take about ten minutes and will help Scouts feel peaceful.

Relaxing is just as important as exercising. Our bodies need time to rest so they can stay strong. Taking a few minutes to be still can help us feel better and think more clearly. This activity will show Scouts that quiet time is good for both the body and the brain.

1. Have Scouts sit or lie down in a quiet spot. They should be comfortable.
2. Ask them to close their eyes and take a deep breath in. Then, they slowly breathe out.
3. Play soft, calming music. Some good choices are:
   • “Weightless” by Marconi Union (very relaxing instrumental)
   • Nature sounds (ocean waves, rain, or birds chirping)
   • “Clair de Lune” by Claude Debussy (gentle piano music)
   • Instrumental lullabies (soft and peaceful)
4. Encourage Scouts to listen carefully to the music. Tell them to focus on their breathing.
5. After a few minutes, ask how they feel. Do they feel calmer? More rested?

Relaxing helps our bodies recover after exercise. It also helps us feel happy and ready for new challenges. Remind Scouts that they can take quiet moments at home too. Whether it’s listening to music, reading a book, or just sitting still, rest is an important part of staying healthy.

Eating different kinds of foods helps our bodies stay strong. In this activity, we will try foods from different food groups. Each food will be a different color. This will take about ten minutes and will help Scouts learn that variety is important in a healthy diet.

Fruits, vegetables, grains, dairy, and protein all do different things for our bodies. Some foods help build strong muscles. Others give us energy. Some help our bones grow. By tasting different foods, Scouts will learn that eating a mix of colors is good for them.

Instructions

1. Set out small portions of different healthy foods. Choose at least five different colors. Some good options are:
   • Red: Strawberries, cherry tomatoes
   • Orange: Carrots, orange slices
   • Yellow: Cheese, banana slices
   • Green: Cucumbers, snap peas
   • Blue/Purple: Blueberries, grapes
   • Brown: Whole-grain crackers, almonds
2. Have Scouts pick one food from each color to taste.
3. As they eat, ask questions like:
   • What does this food taste like?
   • Is it crunchy, soft, or juicy?
   • What part of the body do you think it helps?
4. Explain that eating different colors gives their bodies different nutrients.

After tasting, remind the Cub Scouts that a healthy diet includes many colors. The more colors they eat, the more their bodies get what they need. Encourage them to try new foods at home and think about what colors are on their plates. Eating healthy can be fun and delicious!

We have had a fun and active meeting. We learned how to take care of our bodies by eating good foods, exercising, and brushing our teeth. We also learned how to relax and give our bodies time to rest. This closing will take about five minutes and will help Scouts remember what they learned.

Taking care of our health connects to the Scout Law. We are Clean when we brush our teeth and take care of our bodies. We are Cheerful when we stay active and have fun moving. We are Thrifty when we make good food choices that help us grow strong. Every small choice we make can help us stay healthy and happy.

Remind Scouts to practice these habits at home. They can try new foods, brush their teeth the right way, and get moving every day. Even small changes, like drinking water instead of soda or going outside to play, can make a big difference.

To end the Wolf Running with the Pack den meeting, do a simple cheer. I will say, “Who takes care of their body?” and the Scouts will shout, “We do!” Then, we will do a Scout handshake to remind each other that we are all working together to stay strong and healthy.

Running with the Pack Wolf Adventure

The Wolf Running with the Pack adventure helps Scouts learn how to stay healthy through good food choices, exercise, and relaxation. Scouts will try different colorful foods from the major food groups to understand the importance of a balanced diet. They will practice proper tooth brushing to keep their teeth strong. Physical activity is also a big part of this adventure. Scouts will stretch, play active games, and complete personal exercises to build strength and energy.

This adventure also teaches Scouts that rest is just as important as movement. They will do a relaxing activity, such as listening to music or reading quietly, to learn how to calm their minds. These activities show Scouts that health includes taking care of both the body and the mind. By the end of the adventure, they will have fun, gain new skills, and build healthy habits that will help them for life. Learn more about Running with the Pack here.

See more resources here.

How long will this Wolf Running with the Pack den meeting take?

The meeting will take about 80 minutes from start to finish.

What if a Scout does not want to try a certain food?

Encourage them to try it, but don’t force them. They can pick a different food from the same color group instead.

Can I change the physical activity if we don’t have much space?

Yes! If space is limited, try doing simple exercises like jogging in place, jumping jacks, or a short dance routine.

What should I do if some Scouts already know how to brush their teeth properly?

Make it fun by turning it into a game. Have them show off their best brushing techniques and let them “teach” others.

What kind of music should I use for the relaxation time?

Soft instrumental music, nature sounds, or gentle piano songs work well. Some good choices are “Clair de Lune” by Debussy or ocean wave sounds.

How can I keep the Scouts engaged during the closing for the Wolf Running with the Pack den meeting?

Keep it short and fun. Use a cheer, handshake, or quick reflection question to keep their attention.

What if a Scout has a food allergy?

Check with parents beforehand and provide safe alternatives. Avoid common allergens like nuts if you are unsure.

Can parents help with this Wolf Running with the Pack den meeting?

Yes! Parents can help by bringing food, leading an activity, or helping with setup and cleanup.

This Wolf Running with the Pack den meeting is a great way for Scouts to learn about staying healthy while having fun. They will get to move, eat tasty foods, and learn good habits that will help them for life. They will also practice brushing their teeth the right way and discover that even relaxing is an important part of being strong.

Scouts will leave this meeting knowing that small choices—like eating colorful foods, staying active, and taking care of their teeth—can make a big difference. The activities are designed to be simple, fun, and easy to remember. They will be excited to share what they learned with their families.

As a den leader, your energy and enthusiasm will help make this meeting a success. Keep things moving, encourage Scouts to participate, and make sure everyone feels included. If they have fun, they will be more likely to keep practicing these healthy habits at home.

At the end of the Wolf Running with the Pack den meeting, you can feel good knowing you helped your Wolves build strong bodies and bright smiles. And best of all, they will have had a great time Running with the Pack!