April 2008 BSA Theme - Abracadabra

Cub Scouts love to amaze and be amazed! Boys discover secrets of the magician's art this month as they demonstrate magical illusions and learn new tricks with cards, coins and other everyday objects. The Cub Scout Magic Book is a great resource for age-appropriate tricks and puzzles. Visit a magic shop or have a magician come to your den or pack meeting to teach the boys a few tricks of the trade. Prepare to watch in wonder at the pack meeting as your Cub Scouts entertain their audience with skits, stunts and sparklers that they have practiced at den meetings. The Cubmaster uses the magic of ceremonies to pull awards from his hat at the mystifying pack meeting magic show. This would be a good month to hold your pack space derby.

Program Ideas:

Cub Scout Program Helps

Baloo's Bugle (pdf)

Cubcast: Abracadabra, Bullying - March 2008
Now you see it, now you don’t! But you can always hear it on March’s Cubcast, as we discuss ways to enhance the April theme of Abracadabra with Toni Welch, an experienced Cubmaster trainer. Plus, get some sound advice on how to deal with bullies from Dr. Carol Watkins, who is board certified in child psychiatry.

Theme-related activities:

Science Belt Loop and Pin

Sportsman & Family Member Webelos Activity Badges

Wolf Den March 2008

Wolf Rank Badge BSA Theme: Litter to Glitter

Denner: Christopher
Assistant Denner: Avery

Academics: Art
Sports: Table Tennis
Other: Emergency Preparedness

Plastic bag parachute

Aluminum can recycling collection boxes

Aluminum can recycling collection box

Paper Kite

Things to bring for next meetings:

Plastic Bottle pen/pencil/paperclip/nut/bolts etc. holder

Table tennis paddles/bats/rackets

Cub Scout World Conservation Award - Wolf Cub Scouts

The World Conservation Award provides an opportunity for individual Cub Scouts to 'think globally' and 'act locally' to preserve and improve our environment. This program is designed to make youth members aware that all nations are closely related through natural resources and that we are interdependent with our world environment.

As a Wolf Cub Scout, earn the Cub Scout World Conservation Award by doing the following:

Complete achievement #7 - YOUR LIVING WORLD (Page 74)
1. Complete the Character Connection for Respect.
  - Know. Discuss these questions with your family: What things have people done to show a lack of respect to our world? Why is it important to respect our environment and natural resources? How can you show respect for your environment?
  - Commit. Discuss with your family how you feel when you see places in your neighborhood that have lots of litter. Name one thing you can do to help the environment.
  - Practice. Practice being respectful while doing the requirements for "Your Living World."
2. Land, air and water can get dirty. Discuss with your family ways this can happen.
3. It takes a lot of energy to make glass, cans, and paper products. You can help save energy by collecting these items for use again. Find out how recycling is done where you live. Find out what items you can recycle.
4. With an adult, pick up litter in your neighborhood. Wear gloves to protect your hands against germs and cuts from sharp objects.
5. With an adult, find three stories that tell how people are protecting our world. Read and discuss them together.
6. Besides recycling, there are other ways to save energy. List three ways you can save energy, and do them.
Complete all Arrow Points in 2 of the following 3 Electives:
- #13 - BIRDS (Page 174)
- #15 - GROW SOMETHING (Page 184)
- #19 - FISHING (Page 200)
Participate in a den or pack conservation project in addition to the above

Complete and submit the Application Form

US Heritage Awards

There have been several reports that the company who issues these awards has not filled any orders in several months. Some have had their checks cashed but have gotten no response. The website is down and they are not returning phone calls. Our Pack had received the awards in the past, but we are also currently waiting for an order to be filled. If you have any information, please let me know.

It is recommended that you find another award for the boys to work on for the time being. See this link for more.

Silver Award
for Youths 6-10

Gold Award
for Youths 11-18
and Adults

The United States Heritage Awards are designed to give youth recognition for learning about the heritage of the United States of America, and being involved.

These awards may be completed and earned as a unit, group, family, or individually.

Emblem of the Month - Rank Badges

1930-1948

Wolf badge
When Cubbing (as it was then known) first officially began in the USA in 1930, boys were able to join at 9 years of age. They would begin with Bobcat and work their way up through the ranks (Wolf, Bear, and Lion) without regard to age, and cross over into Boy Scouts at the age of 12. Initially, boys could only wear their current rank and associated arrow points. The first rank badges had Cubs BSA embroidered on them, were made of felt, and had wide borders.

The Bobcat pin was introduced in 1938. It was to be worn on civilian clothing and was not officially approved to be worn on the uniform shirt until 1959.

In 1941, the Webelos Award was added for those who had completed the Lion rank and meet the requirements for the first rank in Boy Scouts, Tenderfoot.

Beginning in 1943, once the Bobcat requirements were met, boys began to earn the rank that was appropriate for their age (Wolf = 9, Bear = 10, Lion = 11). Also at this time, boys could wear all of their earned rank and arrow points on the uniform at the same time in the now familiar diamond layout. The Lion badge was at the top, the Bear badge on the left, the Wolf on the right, and the Webelos Award was sewn at the top of the left pocket flap of the uniform shirt:

1948-1950s
"Cubbing" became "Cub Scouts" in 1948 and the rank badges changed from reading "Cubs BSA" to "Cub Scouts BSA" and lost their wide border. In 1949, the age level was reduced by one year for both Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts, lowering the age for Wolves to 8, Bears to 9, Lions to 10, and Boy Scouts to 11. The order of rank badges on the uniform was also changed to Wolf on the top, Bear on the right, and Lion on the left, with the Webelos Award at the top of the left pocket flap:

1950s-1966

In the 1950s, the rank badges were changed from felt to a twill cloth.

In the spring of 1954, the Webelos Den was created for 10½ year olds who had earned the Lion rank. It was thought that this would keep the interest of the older boys and smooth the transition into Boy Scouts. They utilized the newly published Lion-Webelos handbook.

1967-1972
In 1967, the Lion rank was eliminated and was replaced with the Webelos rank, which retained the "Arrow of Light"-style badge design of the former Webelos Award and consisted of a new set of achievements and experiences to better prepare older boys for Boy Scouting. The Webelos colors and activity badges were also introduced at this time, originally numbering 15. Between 1967 and 1972, the Cub Scout uniform only displayed two diamond shaped patches, Wolf and Bear, side by side, with the Webelos rank badge on the pocket flap:

1972-1977
In late 1971 or early 1972, the old Webelos rank badge was slightly altered and was renamed to the Arrow of Light, with a significant change in the requirements.

In late 1972 the Bobcat pin was replaced with an embroidered rank patch and the Wolf and Bear rank badges were updated.:

1978-2000
In 1977, a new diamond-shaped Webelos rank badge was introduced:

In 1982, Tiger Cubs was started as a "Pack-associated" program with Tiger Cubs being 7 years old. They wore special orange T-shirts with iron-on "badges". Beginning in 1996, when a Tiger Cub graduated to the Pack, he was presented with a "Tiger Cub BSA" strip that would be worn just below the right pocket of the blue uniform shirt:

When the grade-based rank system was phased in in 1986, the age for beginning Tiger Cubs was lowered to First grade, and Webelos Scouts became a two year program aimed at 4th and 5th graders. Five new activity badges were added to the Webelos Scout Book in 1987, and the two-year Webelos Scout program became official in 1988.

2001-present
In 2001, a new diamond-shaped Tiger Cub rank badge was introduced:

At this time, the Tiger Cub Den was fully integrated into the pack; Tiger Cubs now wear the blue Cub Scout shirt.

Also in 2001, a new oval Webelos rank badge was introduced. This badge may be worn either on the blue uniform in place of the rank badge diamond, or on the tan uniform like a Boy Scout rank badge.

2010 National Centennial Scout Jamboree

2010 National Scout Jamboree

Celebrating 100 Years of Scouting in the U.S.A.

July 25th - August 4th, 2010

http://www.scouting.org/jamboree/
http://jambo.org/2010/
jambo links

How To Attend the 2010 Jamboree of the Boy Scouts of America

There are three ways to come to Fort A.P.Hill, Virginia for this event: as a participant in your local council contingent troops, or as a staffer, or as a visitor. Each way will have it's own set of rules that must be followed.

Each council will establish a committee to manage their contingents for Jambo 2010, so you need to find out who your Council Chairman is. Only four adult slots are availabe per contingent troop, so apply early.

To be on the national jamboree staff, you need to apply through your local council, be approved by your region, and be chosen by an area. You will be able to list what areas you prefer, but there is no guarantee.

To visit the jamboree, you can come as a group or individually, but the general rule is that you are suppossed to visit for only one day overall. There haven't been tickets required before, but this time it may happen.

The projected dates for this event are: July 25th - August 4th, 2010.

Location

Fort A. P. Hill, located in the rolling hills of Caroline County, Virginia, near the towns of Fredericksburg and Bowling Green is an ideal facility to hold this major national Scout jamboree.

This 76,000-acre U.S. Army facility has served as the permanent site for the national Scout jamboree since 1981. The Boy Scouts of America uses approximately 3,000 acres of land to support a city of more than 40,000 Scouts and leaders.

Program

Program features reflect the skills of Scouting, our national heritage, physical fitness, environmental conservation, and the true spirit of Scouting. Daily activities include archery, bikathlon, buckskin games, confidence course, conservation programs, scuba, kayak fun, racing shell run, and raft encounters. Regional action centers with rappelling towers are truly popular, as are trap shooting, an American Indian village, and the opening and closing arena shows, not to mention daily stage shows and many other activities. It's Scouting and American history at their very best!

Amid the thousands of colorful tents that will house participants and provide program and support services, there is an infrastructure that provides a safe and secure environment at Fort A. P. Hill. Everything from bus and telephone systems to a hospital and first-aid stations, police and fire departments, post offices, food warehouses, a daily newspaper, and retail stores (trading posts) provide all the support and program services needed for an outstanding event.

100 Years of Scouting in the U.S.A.

In 2010, the Boy Scouts of America will celebrate 100 years as an organization.

Official Boy Scouts of America 100th Anniversary site

2010 National Scout Jamboree: July 25th - August 4th, 2010

Music Belt Loop & Pin

Complete these requirements:

Explain why music is an important part of our culture.

Pick a song with at least two verses and learn it by heart

Listen to four different types of music either recorded or live.

Music-related achievements, electives, or other awards:

Wolf: Electives 10b & 11
Bear: Elective 8, CUB SCOUT BAND
Webelos: Showman Activity Badge requirement 15

Music Belt Loop printable page

Music Academics Pin

Earn the Music belt loop, and complete one from each of the five areas below:

1.	Make a musical instrument and play it for your family, den, or pack.
2.	Teach your den a song.
3.	Play a song by yourself or in a group, in unison or in harmony.
4.	Create an original melody and/or original words for a song.
5.	Using a tape recorder, capture natural sounds of the environment or record songs you create, and use your recording as a soundtrack for a short skit. or as background for a movement activity.
6.	Attend a live musical performance or concert.
7.	Demonstrate conducting patterns for two songs using two different meters (two-, three-, or four-beat meter) while your adult partner or den members sing or play the songs you have selected.
8.	Take voice or dance lessons or lessons to learn to play an instrument.
9.	Create movements to a piece of music without words to demonstrate the moods of the music: happy, sad, calm, excited, playful, inspired.
10.	Learn about a composer of some music that you enjoy.

Music Academics Pin requirements checklist

Cub Scout World Conservation Award

This Award is meant for Cub Scouts. Decide for yourself if it is appropriate for your younger scouts or not.

The World Conservation Award provides an opportunity for individual Cub Scouts to 'think globally' and 'act locally' to preserve and improve our environment. This program is designed to make youth members aware that all nations are closely related through natural resources and that we are interdependent with our world environment.

The Cub Scout version of the World Conservation Award can be earned by Wolf, Bear, or Webelos Scouts, but not by Tigers.

This is considered a 'temporary patch' and should be displayed centered on the right pocket. It can be sewn on or displayed in a plastic patch holder hung from the pocket button.

This award can be earned only once while you are in Cub Scouting (i.e. as either a Wolf, Bear, or Webelos Scout).

As a Wolf Cub Scout, earn the Cub Scout World Conservation Award by doing the following

Complete achievement #7 - Your Living World
Complete all Arrow Points in 2 of the following 3 Electives:
- #13 - Birds
- #15 - Grow Something
- #19 - Fishing
Participate in a den or pack conservation project in addition to the above

As a Bear Cub Scout, earn the Cub Scout World Conservation Award by doing the following:

Complete achievement #5 - Sharing Your World with Wildlife
Complete all requirements in 2 of the following 3 electives:
- #2 - Weather
- #12 - Nature Crafts
- #15 - Water and Soil Conservation
Participate in a den or pack conservation project in addition to the above.

As a Webelos Scout, earn the Cub Scout World Conservation Award by doing the following:

Earn the Forester activity badge.
Earn the Naturalist activity badge.
Earn the Outdoorsman activity badge.
Participate in a den or pack conservation project.

Complete and submit the Application Form

Emergency Preparedness Award

Emergency preparedness means being prepared for all kinds of emergencies, able to respond in time of crisis to save lives and property, and to help a community—or even a nation—return to normal life after a disaster occurs.

It is a challenge to be prepared for emergencies in our world of man-made and natural phenomena. The Emergency Preparedness BSA program is planned to inspire the desire and foster the skills to meet this challenge in our youth and adult members so that they can participate effectively in this crucial service to their families, communities, and nation.

Requirements for the award, which are age-appropriate and specified directed for Tiger Cub, Wolf, Bear, Webelos, Boy Scout and Varsity Scout, Venturer, Unit Volunteer, and Council/District Volunteer.

The application form.

The pin may be worn on civilian clothing or on the uniform, centered on the left pocket flap. The award may be earned more than once; for instance, as a young person advances through the ranks and is capable of more complex preparedness activities, but only one pin may be worn.

Scout Sunday

The Boy Scouts of America designates the Sunday that falls before February 8 (Scouting Anniversary Day) as Scout Sunday, which is the primary date to recognize the contributions of young people and adults to Scouting. However, each chartered organization can use either of two other options to celebrate this special day.

An organization can adopt a specific Sunday to celebrate. In the instance of the United Methodist Church, Scout Sunday is celebrated on the second Sunday in February. It also is permissible for a local church to celebrate on the Sunday most acceptable to the pastor and congregation.

A Scout Is Reverent: Scout Sunday Observance

March 2008 BSA Theme - Litter to Glitter

This month Cub Scouts will turn recycled items into treasure and learn about conservation at the same time. Using items that would normally go in the trash or recycling bin, build artistic masterpieces of your own design. It's amazing what some recycled bottles and paper can do when combined with glue and a little imagination. Have a gallery opening at your pack meeting with all your art displayed. Don't forget the Art belt loop and pin.

Program Ideas:

Cub Scout Program Helps

Baloo's Bugle (pdf): March 2008 Theme Info - Litter to Glitter

Cubcast MP3 - 10.4 MB February’s podcast covers the March Cub Scout theme of Litter to Glitter. Get great ideas for how to implement the theme from Ray Alverson, an assistant council commissioner in the Houston area. Then learn the details of the Academics and Sports program from Bruce Hopper, a Cubmaster and District Committee Chair for the Mohican Council in central Massachusetts.

Theme-related activities:

Art Belt Loop and Pin

Wildlife Conservation Belt Loop and Pin

Scholar & Engineer Webelos Activity Badges

Wolf Den February 2008

Denner: Nicholas
Assistant Denner: Avery

Wolf Elective #2
BE AN ACTOR (Wolf Handbook, p118)
1. Help to plan and put on a skit with costumes.
2. Make some scenery for a skit.
3. Make sound effects for a skit.
4. Be the announcer for a skit.
5. Make a paper sack mask for a skit.

Wolf Elective #12
BE AN ARTIST (Wolf Handbook, p168)
4. Help draw, paint, or color some scenery for a skit, play, or
puppet show.
6. Make a poster for a Cub Scout project or a pack meeting.

Basketball Hoops

Basketball neckerchief slide

Basketball mobile

Olympic Blanket Tossing Team Skit

Emblem of the Month - Religious Awards

To encourage members to grow stronger in their faith, religious groups have developed the following religious emblems programs. The Boy Scouts of America has approved of these programs and allows the emblems to be worn on the official uniform. The various religious groups administer the programs. Check with your local council service center or contact the religious organization directly to obtain the curriculum booklets.

Information from the BSA:

The medals are usually only worn on special occasions, pinned immediately above the top of the left pocket flap of the uniform shirt.

A silver square knot on a purple background is permanently displayed on the uniform above the left pocket to denote that the wearer has received the corresponding award as a youth. If a religious award is earned as a Cub Scout, the square knot device for youth may be worn on all subsequent uniforms: Cub Scout, Boy Scout, Venture, and Scouter. A knot device may be used to indicate during which level of Scouting the award was earned.

More information, promotional materials, and asdf may be found at the non-denominatoinal, not-for-profit organization Programs of Religious Activities with Youth (P.R.A.Y.), including the Duty to God Promotion Patch which is awarded for learning about or promoting religious emblems.

Mathematics Belt Loop & Pin

Complete these requirements:

Do five activities within your home or school that require the use of mathematics. Explain to your den how you used everyday math.

Keep track of the money you earn and spend for three weeks.

Measure five items using both metric and non metric measures. Find out about the history of the metric system of measurement.

Mathematics-related achievements, electives, or other awards:

Tiger Cub elective 13: Making Change
Webelos: Scholar Activity Badge requirement 7 & Engineer Activity Badge requirement 10

Mathematics Belt Loop printable page

Mathematics Academics Pin

Earn the Mathematics belt loop, and complete one from each of the five areas below:

I. Geometry is related to measurement but also deals with objects and positions in space.

1.		Many objects can be recognized by their distinctive shapes: a tree, a piece of broccoli, a violin. Collect 12 items that can be recognized, classified, and labeled by their distinctive shape or outline.
2.		Select a single shape or figure. Observe the world around you for at least a week and keep a record of where you see this shape or figure and how it is used.
3.		Study geometry in architecture by exploring your neighborhood or community. Look at different types of buildings-houses, churches, businesses, etc.-and create a presentation (a set of photographs, a collage of pictures from newspapers and magazines, a model) that you can share with your den or pack to show what you have seen and learned about shapes in architecture.

II. Calculating is adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing numbers.

1.		Learn how an abacus or slide rule works and teach it to a friend or to your den or pack.
2.		Go shopping with an adult and use a calculator to add up how much the items you buy will cost. See whether your total equals the total at check out.
3.		Visit a bank and have someone there explain to you about how interest works. Use the current interest rate and calculate how much interest different sums of money will earn.

III. Statistics is collecting and organizing numerical information and studying patterns.

1.		Explain the meaning of these statistical words and tools: data, averaging, tally marks, bar graph, line graph, pie chart, and percentage.
2.		Conduct an opinion survey through which you collect data to answer a question, and then show your results with a chart or graph. For instance: What is the favorite food of the Cub Scouts in your pack (chart how many like pizza, how many like hamburgers, etc.).
3.		Study a city newspaper to find as many examples as you can of statistical information.
4.		Learn to use a computer spreadsheet

IV. Probability helps us know the chance or likelihood of something happening.

1.		Explain to your den how a meteorologist or insurance company (or someone else) might use the mathematics of probability to predict what might happen in the future (i.e., the chance that it might rain, or the chance that someone might be in a car accident).
2.		Conduct and keep a record of a coin toss probability experiment.
3.		Guess the probability of your sneaker landing on its bottom, top, or side, and then flip it 100 times to find out which way it lands. Use this probability to predict how a friend's sneaker will land.

V. Measuring is using a unit to express how long or how big something is, or how much of it there is.

1.		Interview four adults in different occupations to see how they use measurement in their jobs.
2.		Measure how tall someone is. Have them measure you.
3.		Measure how you use your time by keeping a diary or log of what you do for a week. Then make a chart or graph to display how you spend your time.
4.		Measure, mix, and cook at least two recipes. Share your snacks with family, friends, or your den.

Mathematics Academics Pin requirements checklist

The Cub Scout Leader