Cub2004

CUB SCOUT MONTHLY THEMES

September 2004 to August 2005 Approved by the National Cub Scout Committee in October 2001. DO YOUR BEST

For more information on the theme, click on the MONTH/YEAR of interest.

*MONTH/YEAR*	*CUB THEME*	*WEBELOS ACTIVITY BADGE*
September, 2004	Time in A Capsule	Communicator / Citizen
October, 2004	It's a Circus of Stars	Fitness / Citizen
November, 2004	Cub Scout Collectors	Craftsman / Scientist
December, 2004	Holiday Food Fare	Craftsman / Scientist
January, 2005	Cubs Scouts Spread the News	Showman / Readyman
February, 2005	It's A Scouting Celebration	Scholar / Engineer
March, 2005	Invention Convention	Handyman / Engineer
April, 2005	Waterways of the USA	Sportsman / Athlete
May, 2005	Cub Pet Pals	Outdoorsman/Family Member
June, 2005	Destination Parks	Naturalist / Forester
July, 2005	Play Ball!	Aquanaut / Geologist
August, 2005	Campfire Tales and Traditions	Traveler / Artist

SEPTEMBER 2004 - Time in A Capsule The new Scouting year starts us thinking about the future and what it will hold. Dens can build a time capsule to be opened in the future showing what Scouting is like today. Be sure to include your den and pack photos, newsletters, pack roster, and perhaps videotape of your pack meeting. Present these at the pack meeting as you build a pack time capsule of your pack's history and hopes for the future. Awards could be taken from a time capsule as they are presented to Cub Scouts. The dens could explore space and new frontiers. How about holding a space derby?

OCTOBER 2004 - It's a Circus of Stars "Ladies and Gentleman" welcome to the Cub Scout Circus. It will be a month of entertainment. Dens will practice stunts, skits, songs, run-ons and applauses as part of their advancement --and just for fun -as they prepare to share their talents at the monthly pack meeting. The pack meeting focus will be the magic of a circus, with the Cubmaster serving as ringmaster. The pack meeting may be set up with three rings where each of the dens performs what they have been practicing. Be sure to have lots of balloons, peanuts, and popcorn for the audience, as well as spotlights on each den as they participate. Awards could be presented in each ring.

NOVEMBER 2004 - Cub Scout Collectors Boys love to collect things like bugs, baseball cards, rocks, sticks and candy wrappers. This is a great theme for working on the collections from the boy's handbooks. Take den hikes or trips to start collections and to explore. Make scrapbooks or collection boxes to display your collections. At the pack meeting have a show and tell night similar to a Science Fair where the parents and leaders can view the collections as the Cub Scouts talk about their collections. After evaluation by a panel of judges, award prize ribbons for several different categories making sure that everyone is recognized.

DECEMBER 2004 - Holiday Food Fare Foods help to keep our bodies strong and healthy, and are often a major part of our holiday celebrations. Compare the labels of different foods to learn more about the nutrients they contain. Cub Scouts can use different types of foods to make crafts and holiday decorations to share with others. Experience foods from other countries or prepare delightful treats to share with your family, a needy family or an elderly resident. Have a family or a den dessert contest at the pack meeting. Awards could include the Best Bean Award, Top Carrot Award, or other imaginative categories.

JANUARY 2005 - Cubs Scouts Spread the News Let's make news for the New Year. Cub Scouts can make headlines this month and learn about the history of news reporting. The pack spreads the good news about Cub Scouting by inviting the local radio, TV or cable channels to the pack meeting or the upcoming blue and gold banquet. Plan field trips to visit them at their workplace. Dens can publish articles and pictures in a den or pack newsletter or make their own videotape to be shown at the pack meeting or next months blue and gold banquet. Let your Cub Scouts experience the different roles on a news team and hold either a press conference or a news broadcast at the pack meeting. Use props and scripts created by the boys and a camcorder to record the broadcast or pack events. Cub Scouts can learn many different ways to spread the "news" about Scouting this month.

FEBRUARY 2005 - It's A Scouting Celebration It's the 75th birthday of Cub Scouting! Explore the history and beginnings of Cub Scouting, and the history of the pack and of your den. Celebrate the wonder of Scouting at your blue and gold banquet. The boys will experience the history of Scouting as they prepare centerpieces and decorations for the blue and gold banquet. Consider including a scrapbook of the history of the den or pack. Dedicate your pack meeting to Lord Baden Powell. Skits can bring Scouting highlights to life. Don't forget Scout Sunday and Scout Sabbath!

MARCH 2005- Invention Convention Every Cub Scout can be a genius or an inventor. Give each boy a Cub Scout Genius Kit prepared from odds and ends that can be recycled and tell him to invent something with these materials. Cub Scouts will learn about recycling. What do we recycle, and what becomes of it? How can we help as individuals and as citizens in the community? Present all the inventions at the pack meeting and award prizes to all category winners. Also have exhibits of what recycling is all about and how we can help. Don't forget that everyone is a winner and needs recognition. Learn about inventors and geniuses of the past, present, and future. Let your imagination and your own genius lead the way.

APRIL 2005 - Waterways of the USA Rivers have been a vital part of our environment for many years. Cub Scouts can use a map to trace where their local river begins, then draw other waterways that connect to it as the water flows to the ocean. Dens can invite environmental agencies to talk about the local rivers and their resources. Scouts can also learn how early explorers used rivers, and how important rivers are in transporting people and products. Discover how rivers are used as a water irrigation source and how we harness the power of some rivers for electricity. Investigate the history, folklore or legends, songs, and types of boats that are associated with rivers. Dens can help with the cleanliness of their local river while working on their World Conservation Award or the Conservation Good Turn Award. Packs can hold a raingutter regatta using a variety of boat styles.

MAY 2005 - Cub Pet Pals It's not just our parents and siblings who live with us but our pets do as well. Learn to care for a pet and draw or take their picture to show at the pack meeting. The American Humane Association has designated the first full week of May as "Be kind to Animals Week." Discuss responsible care of pets. Visit a local pet shop and see different kinds of exotic pets. Make something for your pet like a toy or a new home at the den meeting. Remember don't pet strange animals.

JUNE 2005 - Destination Parks America is blessed with an abundance of natural parks. Point out on a map where National or State Parks are located and why the land became a park. Learn the rules of safe hiking, about "hugging" a tree, and the Outdoor Code. Construct your own hiking stick and pack a backpack with personal first aid kit, food, water, insect repellent, sunscreen and a poncho. After exploring the trails at the local park or the council's Scout Camp, Scouts can tell what they saw. Work on a service project to improve the local park. Remember to leave the area better than you found it.

JULY 2005 - Play Ball! The season of fun in the sun is here! This is the time of year for sports, outdoor picnics, and exploring. Dens should play sports and learn about sportsmanship. "Do Your Best" counts. Cub Scouts can work on sports belt loops and pins as they participate with their den or pack. Put the "Outing in Scouting" and go to a baseball game as a pack. Use the big outdoors and the time of summer to enjoy all that it offers. Get the baseball gloves, balls, and bats out and have your own baseball game between the parents and the Cub Scouts.

AUGUST 2005 - Campfire Tales and Traditions A campfire is a great way to close the summer and begin the fall. How about telling a few tall tales, songfest, folklore, and Native American lore? Use the Campfire Planning Guide as dens are assigned to prepare the different parts of your pack's campfire program. This will be a great opportunity to recruit, so invite potential new Cub Scouts. Webelos Scouts can learn about fire building and fire safety. How about marshmallows or s'mores around the campfire? Don't forget to leave the area as clean or cleaner than you found it so that others can enjoy it as well.

Please send me your comments, suggestions, additions, and requests.

CUB SCOUT MONTHLY THEMES

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