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Fire drills are encouraged throughout scouting programs, from the Lions to Scouts BSA. Print out a basic plan for conducting a home fire drill.
The Bugler plays the bugle at troop ceremonies. Bugler is one of those positions that many troops don't fill. There was a troop next to us at the last camporee with a Bugler, and there is something really nice about hearing Taps played at lights out.
I always go over terminology first when introducing something new to Cub Scouts. This is a good practice for Scouts BSA and Venturers to learn also whenever they are doing skill instruction. So if you are having a chess themed meeting or activity, make sure you are all speaking the same language first. These are some very basic definitions to get you started.
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.
Camping is an essential part of the Scouts BSA program and Scouts need to keep track of how much camping they have done. There is a space for this in the back of their handbook, but as a Camping merit badge counselor, I know that there are some other aspects of their campouts they need to record.
Some people wonder about what the main differences between the Scouts BSA and Venturing programs. Aside from the obvious differences – the age difference and boys only vs. coed – looking at the methods used in the two programs offers some insights into the main differences between the program.
A reader asks about how old a Scout should be to work on a merit badge. The Guide to Advancement provides some answers.
An invisible ink demonstration will add fun to any Cub Scout meeting. If they haven't seen this before, it will really get their attention. This would fit in with any science themed meeting or a communications themed meeting.
These are some basic rules for raising and lowering the US flag. The most important rule to remember is to always treat the US flag with dignity and respect. It is the symbol of the United States of America. Remember that many men and women have given their lives defending the liberty and freedom it represents.
The New Year is traditionally a time for beginning again. The thoughts below can be used as a Scoutmaster or Cubmaster Minute to encourage Scouts to look forward to a fresh start rather than focusing on the past.
A reader's son has been asked to wait two months for his board of review. This does seem like a long delay for rank advancement.
This grace is also known as the Wilderness Grace or the Worth Ranch Grace. It is attributed to Jerry Fulkerson from the Worth Ranch Scout Camp in Texas.
How can a Pack transition from a model where the Cubmaster does all of the work to one where the Pack Committee shares the load?
The Cooking feature teaches Scouts how to make their favorite food and discover new recipes for use at home and at camp. Scouts learn the satisfaction of preparing their own meals.
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 Faith and Our Ancestors Game is an icebreaker activity with a genealogy twist. Players ask each other questions about how they think their ancestors lived.
Part of the requirements for this badge include doing some fitness tests periodically and recording a fitness plan over a period of 12 weeks. There are some worksheets available for this on the web, but the ones we looked at didn't really fit in with the fitness plan which LC and his merit badge counselor agreed to. So we came up with one which works for him.
Today's Winter Wonderland idea for Cub Scouts is both a craft and a snack. Make snowmen out of powdered sugar donuts, some pretzels, and a few other easy to find ingredients.
Looking for a last minute Halloween game idea? Here is a really easy which is fun for the players and spectators alike. And it is good for all ages. Our Crew played this at their costume party last year.
The requirements for the Building a Better World adventure help Webelos learn about good citizenship and good stewardship of our resources. Webelos working towards Arrow of Light will learn about the flag, become more engaged in their communities, explore energy conservation, and develop leadership skills. Here are a few ideas to help you with this achievement. and some checkoff sheets .
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.
A reader sent in this question: "What if the troop committee board is planning everything and the Scoutmaster is out of the loop?"
Themes are a way to add pizzazz to a meeting or a month. They can get your families motivated to be more involved and try new activities. Here are some suggestions for Cub Scout themes:
At our March Pack meeting the Cub Scouts worked on the Nutrition belt loop. A nutritionist came in and did some great activities with the Cub Scouts, including bringing in a chicken wrap recipe and letting each Cub Scout make his own chicken wrap.
With Order of the Arrow elections approaching in the coming months, I though I'd share this Scoutmaster minute about cheerful service. It will help the troop remember what they should be basing their votes on and it should help current OA members remember the ideals they should be trying to live up to.
You need to highlight the flag during this ceremony. Put a spotlight on it or have two scouts hold it up, or something like that.
First Class is the rank a Scout can earn after Second Class The requirements for First Class continue to teach the youth to the skills needed to advance in Scouts BSA.
This checkoff list could be used by a scribe to keep track of which Scouts have earned which merit badges or could be used by an individual Scout.
The core value for Cub Scouts for the month of November is Citizenship. According to the program helps citizenship is "Contributing service and showing responsibility to local, state, and national communities. Cub Scouts develop good citizenship when they are learning about respecting the flag and providing service to the community."
This silly song is a favorite with my sons. Yes, it involves crashing into trees, ambulance rides, blood, and the word cops. But it seems to be the type of song kids enjoy singing. Don't ask me why.
Second Class is the rank a Scout can earn after Tenderfoot. The requirements for Second Class continue to teach the youth to the skills needed to advance in Scouts BSA.
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.
A Cub Scout leader asks "We plan to have a party before the winter break and wanted to get each boy a little gift. Do you have any suggestions?"
A while back John M sent in this Webelos Crossover certificate he had made to share with everyone. However, many readers have asked for an easy way to use this with their own unit, award, etc. Now we have it! I have taken what John sent and turned it into a certificate you can create with your own information. Since the you enter the information, you can use it for ranks, awards, merit badges, or whatever you like.
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?
Webelos learn about meal planning, budgeting, and shopping while working on the Cast Iron Chef adventure. They also prepare a nutritious meal and make a cooking fire. This adventure is required for the Webelos badge.
The Wilderness Survival program feature helps Scouts learn how to stay safe, warm, and dry when the unexpected happens during an outdoor adventure.
I recently received a copy of Getting Started in Pinewood Derby by Troy Thorne. This colorful workbook goes through all of the steps involved in building a car. My favorite thing about the book is that it is directed at Cub Scouts - who should be doing most of the work on their cars.
Scouts BSA is a program offered by the Boy Scouts of America for young men and women who are 11 years old (or 10 and earned the Arrow of Light) through 17. Find helps for the Scouts BSA program on this page. Or use the links directly below to find help for a specific rank or topic.
A reader asks "What should a new den leader know?" Here is my top ten list for new den leaders.
This is a simple game which works in well with a holiday themed meeting. It only requires a few materials and not much preparation, which makes it ideal in my mind. And it works indoors.
Sometimes when I am doing an initial interview with a Scout for the Citizenship in the Community merit badge, they don't have any idea of which movie to watch for requirement 5.
Water rescue methods are methods used to rescue someone who is in trouble in the water. You will see these methods throughout the BSA programs from Cub Scouts to Scouts BSA to Venturing.
The idea is to make a den time capsule which they add to from time to time – maybe every year at Blue and Gold time and after summer camp or when they earn their rank or do something special. Then, when they cross over to Scouts BSA, they open the time capsule and see all of the things they added.
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 boys.
There are lots of different dump cake combinations out there. Chocolate and cherries is one of my favorites.
Scout Rank is the first rank earned by a young man or woman upon joining a Scouts BSA troop. It helps a new Scout learn the basics of Scouting and gets them off on a good start on the path to Eagle Scout. Find some helps and ideas for this rank here.
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!
Bear Cub Scouts observe wildlife and plants when they work on the Fur, Feathers, and Ferns adventure. They find out about endangered species and gardening.
Do you ever feel like you are repeating yourself when you are teaching your kids table manners? Here is an idea your Cub Scouts can make for their holiday table or even for everyday family dinners.