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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 67 posts
Let’s give a giant Scout salute to the den chief. When entrusted with enough responsibility, this young person can be a Cub Scout leader’s best friend. A den chief is a Scout, Venturer or Sea Scout who: Helps plan and conduct den meetings.
In September, Ashley Panko looked up from her computer in shock. On TV, a reporter was telling the heartbreaking story of Troop 193 of Duncanville, Texas. The reporter said a thief had stolen Troop 193’s trailer and all the camping gear inside.
The theme of Pack 164’s annual Christmas party hasn’t changed in four years: service before self. Every year, members of the pack from Madison, Miss., gather to assemble care packages for military personnel deployed overseas. The Cub Scouts fill boxes with things like dental floss, gum, foot powder, candy bars, shaving cream, beef jerky and…
Think of it as a drive-thru in reverse. Instead of picking up, say, a chicken sandwich and waffle fries at the drive-thru, a bunch of Los Angeles area drivers left behind canned items for a good cause. The eighth annual Food Drive-Thru , held last month, was staffed by Scouts and Venturers from the Western Los…
The votes are in, and the decision is final. The winner of the most creative Webelos recruiting event is Troop 316 of Valencia, Calif., part of the Western Los Angeles Area Council. Scouts and leaders from Troop 316 devised a clever Survivor- themed competition that tested Scout skills while showing the Webelos what kind of…
Call it aiming high, call it completionism or call it the carefree ambition of youth. Whatever you call this Cub Scout den’s mission to earn all 27 Webelos and Arrow of Light adventure pins, you’ve got to call it mighty impressive.
Unlike other Cub Scout diamond-shaped rank badges, the Webelos badge is an oval, similar to Scouts BSA rank badges. Webelos also wear tan uniforms instead of the blue ones that younger Cubs wear. But all Cub Scouts must earn the Bobcat badge before earning any other rank.
Have you ever thought about having a Pinewood Derby photo booth? It's a fun way to commemorate the most anticipated Cub Scout event of the year. The boys and girls will love having their photo taken in front of a cool backdrop or while they're holding up a fun photo frame.
None of the Cub Scouts in Elijah Cummings’ pack could afford a full uniform. So, in true Scouting fashion, they improvised — cobbling together uniform pieces at bargain shops and the local Salvation Army. Some boys bought unofficial iron-on patches and cut out the numbers to iron onto their left sleeves.
Every couple months, the national advancement team at the Boy Scouts of America puts out an update for council and district advancement chairs and committee members. The current issue has a few items of interest: Scoutbook allows den leaders to set up the year of program activities with just a few clicks.
Starting next year, the Boy Scouts of America membership fee will be $60 a year for all registered youth in Cub Scouts , Scouts BSA , Venturing and Sea Scouts . The annual fee for adult members and youth in the Exploring program will be $36.
For a new Cub Scout family, nothing says “we’re glad you’re here” quite like a handcrafted kit containing some items you’ll need during your Scouting journey. Oh, and snacks help, too. A Cub Scout pack in Michigan welcomes new members with cleverly designed bags — made by the pack’s current Cub Scouts — that include a few…
This video is a good introduction to maps and cartography for youth. How did maps develop? How were early maps used? Have you ever heard of the Anaximander map? Who are some people and cultures from around the world who helped improve maps throughout the ages?
Read how April and Miguel Rivas, Scouter parents from Circle Ten Council , passed their passion for the great outdoors on to their children through family Scouting adventures in this ‘Families Like Mine’ story. What Scouting programs are you connected to?
A reader asks: My boys just joined or local pack in our area last August. This pack has like 60 kids. The 1st thing I noticed was that everything was very very unorganized, but I didn't want to be one of those parents that gripes and does nothing.
Jonathan Andersen never let a little fame get to his head. But he did let it serve as extra motivation along his Scouting trail. Jonathan and his dad, Bruce, were photographed together in 2008 for a Boy Scouts of America recruiting campaign.
Update: On October 23, the BSA announced the new fees, as you’ve probably heard: Youth members in Cub Scouts, ScoutsBSA , Venturing and Sea Scouting, $60 per year Youth members in Exploring, $36 per year Adult members, $36 per year Annual charter fee, $60 per unit (previously $40) More information and links in this post on…
An awesome array of new resources for Cub Scout leaders is designed to help you welcome new families to your pack, learn more about the Cub Scout program and recruit new leaders. Regularly refreshing resources is just one way the BSA has your back as you deliver an amazing program to your Cub Scouts.
As our volunteers’ lives continue to become busier, the BSA has looked for ways to streamline and simplify our leaders’ ability to deliver the Scouting program effectively. Recently, a cross-functional team of some 20+ BSA employees has been developing an innovative set of Den Leader Experience features for Scoutbook, the free web app used by…
Want to know how to run your first Cub Scout den meeting? Whether this is a brand new den of Lions or a returning Arrow of Light den, these ideas will help!
This is Unsung Heroes , a Bryan on Scouting blog series celebrating under-reported acts of Scouting heroism. These are stories that don’t make national headlines — but should. That’s doubly true in this world that can always use more good news. Read the latest story below, and find instructions for sharing your own Unsung Heroes story at…
Cub Scouts doesn’t happen without our parents and volunteers. It is, at its core, a family program. I say it often and I’ll say it again: I am incredibly grateful to each of you who give your time to drive your children to meetings, volunteer to coordinate program activities or answer the call to serve…
Sara asked this question: I'm trying to gain advice. We have only about 8 female Cub between the grades of 1-5. I'm fairly certain that even after recruitment we will still have ot at least be divided 1-2, 3-4, and 5.
Our pack was in need of a Cubmaster. I waited because I didn't want to take the position from one of the parents if they wanted it,. But since school is right around the corner and nobody had volunteered yet, I said that I would love to be Cubmaster.
If you’re a den leader, you’re going to love the latest update to Scoutbook ! T he Boy Scouts of America’s online tool for tracking Scouting advancement just rolled out a new update that’s going to make it easier than ever for den leaders to prepare for and lead meetings, track advancement and attendance, and more.
It’s still summer across the country and we’re mostly in that mode of thinking – summer camp or day camp, pack picnics and bike rides, hiking and weekend camping. Families are enjoying vacations, relaxing in the back yard or at the lake, working in the garden or taking in the splendors of summer.
The Animal Kingdom adventure introduces Lions to the concepts of service, responsibility, and citizenship. Here are a few ideas to help you with this achievement. First, remember the fun. Here are a couple of ideas 911 Song Elbow Balloon Pass Game (to teach cooperation) Red Light Green Light 1.
This post was originally published June 25, 2018, and last updated July 17, 2019. Despite being one of the smallest patches in Scouting, square knots tell a big story. Many of these tiny, colorful rectangles represent an award earned as a youth or adult.
Read how Alma Castaneda, Scouter and mom from the Yucca Council, went from Scouting skeptic to Committee Chair for her son’s pack, thanks to inclusivity and family fun in this ‘Families Like Mine’ story. Scouting Wire: What Scouting programs are you connected to?
This is Unsung Heroes, a Bryan on Scouting blog series celebrating under-reported acts of Scouting heroism. These are stories that don’t make national headlines — but should. That’s doubly true in this world that can always use more good news. Read the latest story below, and find instructions for sharing your own Unsung Heroes story at…
This is Unsung Heroes, a Bryan on Scouting blog series celebrating under-reported acts of Scouting heroism. These are stories that don’t make national headlines — but should. That’s doubly true in this world that can always use more good news. Read the latest story below, and find instructions for sharing your own Unsung Heroes story at…
Have you heard about the new Cub Scout Preview Adventures? Learn the details about the Protect Yourself Rules adventure and the Yo-Yo adventure.
When welcoming a new family to your pack or troop, nothing beats a personal phone call, email or text message from you. But when welcoming tens of thousands of new Scouting families into our movement, a series of helpful and cheerful emails from the BSA comes in a close second.
Adventures await Cub Scouts — not only can they find them in their handbooks, but now they can find adventures online. You can find brand-new, online-only Cub Scout adventures, called Preview Adventures, on the Cub Scouting program page . You won’t find these adventures in a handbook, at least, not yet.
Article contributed by Michael Ramsey, BSA Director of Marketing and Brand Management As part of the National Service Center’s 2018 fall Cub Scout digital media buy, we learned just how important it is to hold joining events in locations that are familiar to parents.
The mailbag brought a couple more questions to the Bobwhite’s attention in the last few weeks. I’ll take a stab at answering your conundrums this week. First, a question from an experienced den leader – and thank you for your service, as you are the front-line deliverer of Scouting to our Cub Scouts!
They’ve led giant corporations and highly ranked universities. They’ve skied at the North and South poles and chased eclipses around the world. They’ve volunteered with music education programs and at their places of worship. Impressive stuff, but there’s something even more remarkable on the résumés of the 13 men and women receiving the Silver Buffalo…
When someone needs help, Scouts are there to jump in and serve. That’s what Scouts do, even when it’s their fellow Scouts who are in need. Service plays an integral part in rank advancement, so when Scouts help each other out, the question sometimes comes up: Can helping another Scouting unit count for service hours…
As part of a new series, Scouting Wire is taking a look at how members of our Scouting family across the country observe a variety of religious holidays of their own faith and support fellow unit members in theirs. This month, join us as we hear from the leader of a Cub Scout den from…
Following tonight’s troop meeting program, the senior patrol leader had a game of capture the flag on the agenda. However, with strong thunderstorms rolling through the area, the SPL is at a loss for an impromptu fun indoor alternative. So, our question is this: what are some good indoor games you’ve seen Scouts enjoy in…
Providing a quality, year-round Scouting program should be the goal of every Scouting unit. This program planning guide will help district executives develop an annual program plan, a budget to go along with that plan, and a fundraising plan to reach program goals.
Boy Scouts of America has teamed with the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) and its award-winning environmental education program, Project Learning Tree (PLT). We’ve been working together to provide Scout leaders with ideas and outdoor, hands-on activities from PLT to help support Cub Scouting Adventures and Scouts BSA Merit Badges.
Are your Webelos working on the First Responder adventure? Learn how to make a mini Cub Scout first aid kit with ideas for 3 different containers.
Asia Preciado was a “clueless but excited den leader” when she and her family began their Scouting journey six years ago. Asia’s son, then 6 years old, was an eager Tiger Cub Scout. Her daughters, then 2 and 8, couldn’t officially join Scouting at the time, but they tagged along at every camping trip, meeting…
For this group of Scouts in the Boy Scouts of America Del-Mar-Va Council , experiencing their first crossover ceremony represented something more than a simple transition from Cub Scouts into Scouts BSA. It was a chance to continue a journey that, for some of them, had started in another country.
One of the tenants of Scouting is a reverence to God and a respect for all religions. And for Scouting families who want to go the extra mile, the Cub Scout Religious Emblems program is there. Read on to learn how your Scout can earn emblems in your faith of choice!
Check out these 15 Cub Scout Blue and Gold centerpieces for your next banquet. From simple to elaborate, you'll find the perfect one for your pack's event!
Looking for first-rate representation in Washington? The BSA has you covered. A group of 12 of the country’s finest young people have been selected to deliver the 2018 Report to the Nation. The delegates, who represent all BSA regions and programs, will meet with elected and appointed officials in Washington, D.C., to share the Scouting…
Looking for ideas for awesome DIY Pinewood Derby awards? Check out these that are made from old car parts! Learn how one Cubmaster created these.
We’re wrapping up of one of the most fun seasons in the Scouting calendar – Pinewood Derby season! For those who came up through Cub Scouts or who are involved in our program today, you know the excitement of building, decorating and racing those cars.
