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Pack meetings, den adventures, pinewood derbies and blue and gold banquets. Den leaders and Cubmasters swapped ideas for keeping younger Scouts busy, happy and learning.
2,128 posts · 2006–2020
Showing 1–50 of 128 posts
Boy Scouts love a good story told around the campfire. I do not mind telling one, or reading one, if the opportunity presents itself. Of course, the Boy Scouts love the scarier tales as they sit in the darkness with only the reddish light of the campfire embers.
Download a Pinewood Derby Car Design Template Most Cub Scouts find it easiest to sketch their Pinewood Derby car designs before they start cutting into the block of wood. It's much easier to erase a pencil drawing than it is to fix the wrong cut.
Late December brings a spate of year-in-review lists. While overused, they are a handy way to recap the year that was. One way to look back on 2016 in Scouting is by seeing which Bryan on Scouting blog posts were most popular.
Whether you know the World Conservation Award as the "panda patch" or as the award that encourages Scouts and Venturers to think globally and act locally to improve and conserve our environment, there's something you need to know. The BSA National Conservation and Environment Task Force has announced new requirements for the Cub Scout, Boy…
The instant you join Scouting, your family grows. Your circle of support widens. When John Halterman died unexpectedly in October 2015, the Cub Scouts and parents of San Diego Pack 624 showed the truth of that statement. It was March 2015 at the Halterman house when John brought a dusty old box to his 7-year-old…
The race cars at the NASCAR Hall of Fame in Charlotte, North Carolina, are some of the fastest ever. The Pinewood Derby cars are not too shabby, either. The Mecklenburg County Council held its championship Pinewood Derby race right smack in the middle of the Hall of Fame.
The BSA recently announced that some Cub Scout adventure requirements that previously were mandatory will become optional, in a move intended to give Cub Scouters more control over their den program. We’ve seen your questions regarding how these modifications will affect your pack and den and shared an extensive Q&A on Bryan on Scouting.
The Cub Scout program has been modified effective December 2016. The list of changes is available here. Download or print your copy.
Need Cub Scout gathering activity and den game ideas? The Genius of Play website has them and also explains why play is important to a child's development.
I bought my first digital camera in 2004 for a trip to Philmont Scout Ranch. It was great! I was able to take many more pictures than I would have with a film camera. It was very easy to share the windows once we returned home.
If you follow Scouting Magazine on social media, you might have heard about some updates to the Cub Scout Adventure program that were announced last week. (Look in the comments for links to the updates that you can print and paste into the Scouts' books. Thanks Tom!) The BSA Advancement Team found that, after the
The BSA announced this week that some Cub Scout adventure requirements that previously were mandatory will become optional, in a move intended to give Cub Scouters more control over their den program. On Facebook, on this blog and elsewhere, Cub Scouters have shared questions about how these modifications will affect their pack and den.
Mason Schlafer, a 10-year-old Cub Scout in Pack 4055 of the Michigan Crossroads Council, sold a lot of popcorn this year. So much, the council and its popcorn supplier say, that Mason broke a Central Region record. To date, the Cub Scout has sold more than $20,800 worth of the stuff, and the motivation for…
The Boy Scouts of America has announced modifications to Cub Scouting that make the program more flexible for busy parents, den leaders and Cubmasters. The BSA gathered feedback from den leaders who had delivered the new Cub Scouting program for a year.
Busy parents, den leaders and Cubmasters are in for a treat this holiday season that will provide greater flexibility and control over the Cub Scouting program. Effective today, some adventure requirements that were previously mandatory will become optional. In response to the feedback we’ve heard from den leaders, these modifications were developed to allow Cub…
We often take for granted the very things that most deserve our gratitude." ~Cynthia Ozick Cub Scout leaders sometimes fall into this category. We appreciate what they do for our boys, but do we (and our boys) say thank you enough for our leaders' dedication and hard work?
Have you wondered exactly what you have to do to wear the "Trained" badge that you see on some Cub Scout leaders' left sleeve? Since the online training has changed, what exactly do you need to take to ensure that you're fully trained?
Do your Cub Scouts love playing games on your smartphone or tablet? Then they're going to love Bitsbox! It's a super fun way to learn to code for kids by allowing them to make their own apps. If you have a Webelos or Arrow of Light Cub Scout, he can use Bitsbox to complete the
Every six months or so it seems that the discussion on knots come up. Now you all know that I am not talking about the bowline or two half hitches, or even a well placed figure 8. No I am talking about the knots that we wear on our uniforms, awards and recognition's for training…
A perennial part of scouting is recruiting, and 'tis the season. For Cub Packs, recruiting usually happens at the end of summer and the start of the school year, though savvy packs will want to recruit at the start of the summer as well (often encouraged by the district or council to get Day Camp/Summer…
Story by Tom Redington , Professional Bass Fisherman It’s a classic catch-22. Most boys and their families sign up for Cub Scouts with the expectation of fishing being part of the experience. And most leaders, districts, and councils know that a first fish or a fun fishing experience is a big positive for Cubs and helpful…
You've never seen a Pinewood Derby track this long, guaranteed. The Nebraska-based Mid-America Council now owns the Guinness World Record for the longest Pinewood Derby track ever constructed, with a track that surpassed the previous record-holder by more than 2.5 times.
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This Cub Scout Bobcat Cootie Catcher has been updated with the latest Bobcat requirements. The FREE printable includes folding and playing instructions.
When Scout mom and blogger Penelope of Penelope’s Oasis heard from her son that he was interested in joining Scouting, she jumped at the opportunity to sign-up her first grader for the organization she always admired. Her son loved his new friends and Penelope loved watching him grow in the pack.
Click on the links below to find the Cub Scout requirements and adventures for each rank. You'll also find fun ideas for how to complete those requirements.
Halloween is just around the corner! Have your Cub Scouts decided what Halloween costumes they want this year? Some years, pop culture gives them fun choices. In 2015, I'll bet the summer release of the Star Wars movie inspired a lot of Kylo Rens. Kids will probably want to dress up in Pokemon Halloween costumes
Back to school season means it’s time to start signing the kids up for extracurricular activities! But what activity will mean the most to your family? Scout mom and blogger Heather of A Southern Mom describes on her blog how Scouting was the best choice she made, not only for her son, but for the…
The BSA's Lion pilot program for kindergarten-age boys has reached a new level: full roar. Families have been telling the BSA they crave a Scouting program for younger boys, and the organization has responded with an expansion of its Lion pilot to nearly 200 councils.
As the annual School Night To Join Scouting approached I told the current Cub Scouts that we should try to double the size of our pack, which is currently at 17 members. I explained that they are our best recruiters and that they should talk to their friends and bring them to the event.
There are more than 400 National Park Service sites across America, including national parks, national seashores and national battlefields. The Rice family of Atlanta - a proud Scouting bunch - is on a mission to visit every single one. In celebration of this year's 100th anniversary of the National Park Service, it seems an appropriate time to…
I discovered this awesome printable Cub Scout cards on Etsy! It is so cute, but in a rugged, Cub Scout way. When I saw them, I knew they would be perfect to give to our Cub Scouts as we started the new year–especially the new Cub Scouts. On a single page, you'll find the Scout
The Boy Scouts of America is launching its largest pilot program in response to parents’ increasing desire for more options for after-school programs that help kindergarten-age boys learn new skills, build character and experience new adventures. Available this fall in 198 local councils, the new Lion pilot program will introduce families to the adventures available…
Turns out Casper, that friendliest of friendly ghosts, was pretty friendly to the Boy Scouts of America, too. He joined the Cub Scouts, marched alongside Boy Scouts in a New York City parade and even starred in his very own Scouting-themed cartoon called "Boo Scout."
By Aaron Derr Photographs by W. Garth Dowling When you are a Boy Scout, you will get to do all kinds of amazing things on the water. Things like sailing, kayaking and rafting on fast-moving water, as well as sailboarding and scuba diving.
When I was at the Philmont Training Center a few weeks ago, one of our instructors told us that the Outdoor Ethics Awareness Award and the Outdoor Ethics Action Award had been retired. This wasn't a secret, but I didn't want to share with you until I had some documentation. The news has now been
The handy printable Cub Scout information cards are great to give the boys and their parents to help them remember important information. And they're FREE!
This is my second summer as the cubmaster of Pack 68. I have had a good time and have agreed to a third year in the position. The pack does not have meetings during the summer months but we do have a pack activity each month.
John Erickson had the feeling he was being watched. The then-Scout Executive was buying milk inside a convenience store in Baton Rouge, La., when he turned to see a boy staring at him. "Are you a Scoutmaster?" the boy asked.
The creative minds behind some of your favorite outdoor gear brands came together tonight to race at the Outdoor Retailer Pinewood Derby , hosted by the Boy Scouts of America's Scouting Works team. Fifteen cars competed in two categories, "Classic" and "Unlimited," and Granite Gear took first place in both with two separate (and impressively designed)…
A reader sent in this question: I am taking over as Den Leader for my son's Bear Den. The boys' behavior, 2 in particular, was not very good last year. (One whose parent was there and did nothing to help, just smiled at him like he was an angel.)
Story by Kate Jacobs, Marketing and Public Relations Director of the Pathway to Adventure Council Cub Scouting was the candidate and sign-up night was election day. The Pathway to Adventure Council ran its membership drive like a political campaign last year and ended up with a 53 percent growth in Cub Scouting year over year…
Teach your Cub Scouts how to use a compass so they can go orienteering in a box. Find instructions, routes and route cards in this post.
Pokémon Cars in the Pinewood Derby Pokémon-themed pinewood derby cars are always popular. In pinewood derbies across the country, Cub Scouts are racing Pikachu, Turtwig and Charizard cars inspired by the Pokémon universe. Take a look at these awesome Pokémon pinewood derby cars built by Boys' Life readers, and then send us a photo of…
There are some days you just should not go to the local Scout Shop. If you want to save your money, that is. But than, you have to go if you want to get the closeout items, don't you? Remember the Christmas in July Sale?
The moment arrives slowly, then all at once. You've been involved with the Cub Scout pack for a few months. You have led a few field trips, brought snacks to a few meetings and even led a pack meeting or two all by yourself.
One of the most exciting things about summer is all the extra time for fun. Outdoor activities are certainly at the top of any Scout’s list, but there’s also another activity that can take you on epic summer adventures—reading! Looking for ways to get your Cub Scout pumped up for summer reading?
Forget about the neon signs and towering buildings in New York City's Times Square. Last Saturday, the center of attention was a 45-foot pinewood derby racetrack. More than 250 Scouts from as far away as California sent their handmade cars flying down the track during the Greater New York Council's 2016 Cub Scout Pinewood Derby…
