10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1.... Blast Off into another exciting year of Cub Scouting with a voyage into the frontiers of space! Build model rockets that zoom into the next millennium. Explore the possibility of life on other planets and imagine how these civilizations might communicate with other life forms. Boys learn about and make models of constellations and hear the myths behind the names. Dens might form their own crew to build an imaginary base or outpost on another planet. Give the base a name, tell what the crew will eat, what they will do, and what creatures or life forms they may encounter. Cub Scouts can describe their space base to prospective members at the pack meeting and encourage visitors to launch into the new frontier of Cub Scouting.
OCTOBER 2002 - IT'S A JUNGLE OF FUN
Help boys discover fun and adventure in the wilds of Scouting. Take them on a month-long safari, being sure all the boys remember the Cub Scout Promise, Law, and Motto. Use stories of Akela, Baloo, Bagheera, and Kaa to highlight den meeting games, crafts, and making costumes for the pack meeting. Take a den trip to a local zoo, animal rescue facility, or wildlife refuge. Encourage every boy to receive an achievement or elective award at the pack meeting. Finding shelter, food, and co-existing in the jungle with wild beasts could all be incorporated into ceremonies.
NOVEMBER 2002 - KIDS AGAINST CRIME
Crime Prevention is everyone's job. Cub Scouts will spend the month learning how to keep themselves, their families, and their homes safe. Plan to visit your local police department, or have an officer or McGruff attend your den or pack meeting. Pass out home safety checklists for Cub Scouts to check how safe their home is. Prepare a skit or demonstration for the pack meeting about what your den has learned. Dens or packs can plan a service project for the BSA Crime Prevention Award. Ethics in Action modules, "Saying No" and "Shoplifting is Just Plain Wrong" provide meaningful activities for Cub Scouts. This would also be a good month for your pack to view the Youth Protection video for Cub Scouts, "It Happened to Me."
DECEMBER 2002 -- WINTER WONDERLAND
The excitement of the holiday season brings magic to the eyes of Cub Scouts as they prepare decorations, make gifts, and sing songs of the season. Den or pack activities may include a Good Turn field trip to bring some holiday magic into the lives of others. Cub Scouts will enjoy winter games in the snow and might work on the Cub Scout Sports belt loop or pin for ice skating or skiing. Southern Scouters might play games with paper snowballs or take to the beach for a Klondike Derby in the sand!
JANUARY 2003 - STRIKE UP THE BAND
Everyone loves music, so this month Cub Scouts design their own instruments and become part of a den band. The boys can play games like "Name That Tune" during den meetings. They can learn about songs and instruments from other countries, including some songs that we sing in the USA that had origins in other countries. The month culminates in a mini-concert at the pack meeting, with each den playing a song or two on their homemade instruments. The boys that play a real instrument could share their talents with others, either at a den or pack meeting. During the month, the history of certain musical instruments, or music in general, could be discussed. Dens or individuals could work on the Music academics belt loop or pin.
FEBRUARY 2003 - UNCLE SAM DEPENDS ON YOU
The anniversary week of Scouting is a great time for Cub Scouts to set the example of good citizenship. Check with your school or chartered organization about opportunities for uniformed dens to raise and lower the flag. Boys can discover the responsibility and adventure associated with commitment to United States military service as they tour the nearest military installation to see firsthand what goes on there. Dens can be encouraged to write letters to servicemen stationed in other countries. Den activities will also center around making placemats, centerpieces, and other decorations to honor our country at the Blue and Gold Banquet. After learning flag etiquette and the proper way to say the Pledge of Allegiance, Cub Scouts will conduct an extraordinary flag ceremony led by Uncle Sam to begin the Blue and Gold banquet.
MARCH 2003 - WHY DOES IT DO THAT?
Encourage the natural creativity of your Cub Scouts with a project for the pack Science Fair. Boys can exercise their minds and their handicraft skills while making these projects from materials found around the house. Projects could be completed by dens or by individual Scouts. Many Wolf and Bear achievements and electives can be worked on this month, including Space, Radio, Electricity, and Things That Go. This is the month for boys to work on the Science academic belt loop or pin. Show off science projects at the pack meeting and award a special ribbon for each.
APRIL 2003 - LAND OF THE PHARAOHS
Cub Scouts travel back in time to the amazing world of ancient Egypt. Explore the tombs of Egyptian kings and learn about the music, food, art, and science of ancient Egyptians. Use hieroglyphics to write secret codes. Observe how the Egyptian stargazers used the constellations to predict events, leading to the basis of early calendars. Boys can build their own sand pyramids and then float down the Nile River in the pack's Raingutter Regatta. King Tut can make a visit to present awards!
MAY 2003 - LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION!
Everyone wants in on the act! What fun it will be for Cub Scouts to spend the month preparing to act in a play, sing a song, dance, do a magic trick, or perform a puppet show at the pack meeting. Dens might take a field trip to the local TV or cable station to see how the pros do it! A variety show at the pack meeting might also include acts featuring parents and siblings. Dens can create posters announcing their show, make programs, and let everyone know what's coming. Commercials, written and videotaped by dens during their den meetings, could be shown between acts. Popcorn will make a great treat for this pack meeting !!
JUNE 2003 - FUN IN THE SUN
Plan some outdoor activities this month that will encourage dens to meet and make preparations together for your pack event. It's a great time for a pack picnic, with each den planning a game or activity. Or have a Cubanopolis with dens preparing their vehicle and practicing maneuvers during their den meetings. Stress good sportsmanship and team building during the planning stages, as well as during the actual event.
JULY 2003 -- A HIKING WE WILL GO
"Over hill, Over dale, We will hit the Outdoor Trail, As the Cub Scouts go hiking around." This is the place to be to take a close-up look at nature. A field trip to the Forest Service or to a state, national, or local park will enhance the boys' imaginations as they participate in various kinds of hikes during the month -- alphabet hikes, crayon hikes, inch hikes, or one of the many others described in the Cub Scout Leader How To Book. Even the back yard can stir the imagination with a micro-hike! Hiking is a great way to find adventurous ways to complete Cub Scout outdoor achievements, electives, and activity pins. The pack's big outing could be a joint adventure with a local Boy Scout troop.
AUGUST 2003 - CIRCLE THE WAGONS
With summer ending, it's time to round-up your Cub Scouts to begin another Scouting year. Boys spend the month learning about the "Old West". What did frontier boys do for fun? There are lots of good stories to be told around the campfire and lots of fun costumes to make. Cub Scouts can use cardboard boxes to make their own covered wagons and horses, then have rodeos, roping contests, and wagon races. Circle those wagons around the campfire and have a Chuckwagon Dinner at your pack meeting. Don't forget the tin cups and plates!
Please send me your comments, suggestions, additions, and requests.
Please send me your comments, suggestions, additions, and requests.
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