Wednesday 12 June 2013

Cub Scout Den Meeting: June 12, 2013

Theme:    Religion in Life                              

TIME
ACTIVITY
EQUIPMENT NEEDED
BADGE REQUIRMENTS MET
3:45
Gathering Activity: Cupboard Cleanout


4:00
Opening Ceremony
     - Opening Prayer: _____________
     - Grand Howl
     -Attendance: ________________
Attendance Book
Stamp and Ink

4:05
GAME:  Spin-It
Game equipment

4:15
BADGEWORK: Pollution


WSEA Clean Water/Air #3
4:20
THEME ACTIVITY: Write a Poem: Acrostic Poetry


Developing Talents
4:40
GAME:  Animal Croquet
Croquet Game pieces

5:00
THEME ACTIVITY: Make a Thank You Card


Serving Others #1
5:10
BADGE WORK:  Safety and Hygiene rules for camping


Camping Badge #2
5:15
SPIRITUAL FELLOWSHIP
     -Spiritual Thought: ____________
Assignment:
LLG 4b
5:20
Closing Ceremony
     -Cub Promise
     -Closing Prayer
     -Badge worksheets or other information



5:30
Dismiss and Go Home
TAKE HOME PAPER MACHE PROJECTS





GATHERING ACTIVITY:  CUPBOARD CLEANOUT

Clean out any unnecessary items from the Cub Scout cupboard and prepare them for taking home.

GAMES: Spin-It Game

Need: Game Equipment


See who can get the most points in a 10 minute period.

GAMES: Animal Croquet

Need: Croquet pieces


Basic Croquet
 Basic croquet is played by tossing a coin to determine who will begin. The beginning player places the ball midway between the first wicket and the stake. They hit the ball through the wickets. A point is scored each time a ball passes through the wickets in the correct order. Bonus strokes are received each time a player goes through a wicket, hits a stake or hits another ball.
Hitting another ball allows the player two strokes. If the player chooses to roquet the ball. Roqueting the ball is done by placing the players ball against the opponents. The players foot is then placed on their ball. The mallet is used to strike the ball causing the opponents ball to roquet away from the playing field.
Any ball that is hit out of bounce is returned to the playing field by placing it a mallet's length into the field.

Golf Croquet
Golf Croquet is played on very short grass. The game is played like normal croquet except for scoring. Only the first person through each wicket scores a point. Set up ball traps or place the wickets in different locations on the field to make Golf Croquet more challenging.

Bicycle Croquet
The playing field for Bicycle Croquet should be a flat grassy area. The stakes and wickets should be placed farther apart to allow for easy riding of the bicycles. Each player rides a bike and uses a mallet to hit the ball through the wickets and across the field. Scoring is the same as regular croquet. Make the game more interesting by placing penalties on any rider that puts her foot on the ground during play or hits the ball when the bicycle is not moving.

Poison
The object of Poison is to be the first one to make it through the croquet course first and hit the stake. The first person's ball to do this becomes "poison" to the other players on the field. The poison ball re-enters play by playing the course backwards. Any ball that the poison ball touches is eliminated from the game. Normal croquet rules apply to the rest of the game.

BADGEWORK: Pollution

  Materials Needed:
·         Chalkboard and Chalk
Use the worksheet to discuss the different types of soil, water and air pollution that exist.
How do these forms of pollution affect your health and the environment?
What can be done to stop or limit them?

BADGEWORK: Camping Safety and Hygiene

  Materials Needed:


·         Information sheets
·         Chalkboard if desired

Discuss the information on the sheet with the pack.



Camping Hygiene and Sanitation
Hygiene is a clinical-sounding word, but it can have profound consequences on your health and well-being during a backcountry jaunt.
Some tips for staying healthy outdoors:
Keep Hands and Fingernails Clean
Much (and probably most) intestinal illness experienced during or after an extended outdoor adventure is due to poor hygiene, particularly unwashed hands. Solution:
  • ·         Carry a hand sanitizer (available as a gel or as wipes; always pack out wipes). Use them after bowel movements and before handling food. Very handy for use when you're on the move or water is not nearby.
  • ·         Soap and water are considered by some experts to be a more thorough hand-cleansing option because the act physically rubs and rinses away everything from dirt to unseen microorganisms. But the rubbing action involved with sanitizers may accomplish the same result.
  • ·         Important: Never use soap directly in a water source.

Keep Soap Far from Lakes and Streams
Soap residue contains nutriments that can spur algae growth in otherwise pristine water, and algae can spawn populations of disease-causing microorganisms. Some solutions:
  • ·         Bring a lightweight portable sink and carry bathing water far (at least 200 feet, preferably more) from a water source.
  • ·         Sanitizers (gels or wipes) offer an alternative to soap. (Again, always pack out wipes.)
  • ·         If you prefer soap, use a mild, basic or biodegradable style.
  • ·         NEVER lather up directly in a lake or stream.
  • ·         Pour gray water on dirt; soap residue can potentially interfere with lichen growth on rocks. Microorganisms in soil, meanwhile, effectively combat soap residue.
  • ·         Going swimming? Wash off first (as is routinely required before entering swimming pools), removing sunscreen and repellents from skin.
  • ·         Consider carrying a lightweight, fast-drying, made-for-the-trail pack towel.

Soap Versus Sanitizers
  • ·         Scrubbing with soap and water is your best choice for cleanliness. When speed and convenience are vital, sanitizers offer a handy option.
  • ·         The mechanical action of scrubbing with soap and water, including rinsing, flushes material off your skin.
  • ·         Sanitizers (disinfectants) kill microorganisms on skin, though they don't necessarily rinse them off skin. Their effectiveness as a disinfectant may be tied to the quantity used or a length of contact time. Follow instructions on individual products.
  • ·         As stated previously, dispose of soapy water on soil or lichen-free rock far from any lake, river or stream, at least 200 feet away, preferably more.

Evaluate Water Sources
Any adventurer should always be equipped with a treatment method for any situation where water is viewed with suspicion. Some danger signs:
  • ·         Water (particularly lower-elevation water) near meadows or pastures where animals have grazed.
  • ·         Evidence of pack animal traffic or other domesticated animal activity.
  • ·         Signs of sloppy human behavior or a prolonged human visit.
  • ·         Dispose of Human Waste in Accordance with Local Guidelines

It's not a popular chore, but after one run-through most people find that it's a manageable task. Here's the typical process:
  • ·         Move 200 feet (at least) from a trail, campsite or water source.
  • ·         Find a patch of organic soil (darker soil where plants and trees flourish); use a stick, rock or lightweight plastic trowel to dig a hole 4 to 6 inches wide and 6 to 8 inches deep.
  • ·         Pack out toilet paper in a sealable plastic bag if required. Even if it's not required, it's still the best practice for lowering your impact on the land.
  • ·         Burning used toilet paper was once a standard practice. Many land managers discourage (or disallow) the burning of TP due to wildfire hazards.
  • ·         Cover the feces with dirt and refill the hole. Place a rock or large branches atop the space to discourage critters from digging it up.
  • ·         It is not appropriate to urinate into a stream, lake or landlocked body of water.

Maintain a Clean Camp
·         Ideally, a campsite should be a previously impacted area with the following attributes:
  • ·         The sleeping surface should be on mineral (inorganic) soil 200 feet (or more) from a water source.
  • ·         Human waste and wastewater should be deposited at least 200 feet from the campsite (preferably in different locations) and even farther from the water source.


THEME ACTIVITY: Writing Poetry

  Materials Needed:
·         Loose leaf paper
·         Pencils and erasers
1.       Model the format of acrostic poems with your students. Work together to write a collective acrostic poem on the chalkboard.
2.       Give your students a dad-related word list so that they can write their own acrostic poem. Consider: love, hero, sports, family, special, admire, gratitude, and happy. Discuss the meaning of these words as needed and the importance of expressing appreciation to our fathers for Fathers Day.
3.       Give Cubs time to write their acrostic poems. Circulate and offer guidance as needed.
4.       If you have time, allow the students to illustrate their poems.
5.       Suggest that your students give their acrostic poems to family members as Fathers Day gifts.
Sample Fathers Day Acrostic Poem:
F - Forever cheering me on
A - Always guiding me to greatness
T - Truly one of a kind
H - Happy to be your son
E - Each day with you is special, daddy
R - Really love you with all my heart

THEME ACTIVITY: Thank You Cards

  Materials Needed:
·         Wording samples to help boys visualize what they are trying to do
Allow the boys to write their own thank you card to their dads. Be ready to write words on the board to help with spelling as needed.
Dear Dad,
What can I say? You're the man! I've always looked up to you and tried to live by your example. You've taught me everything I know, and I'm a better person because of it. Thank you for being such a great role model. Happy Father's Day!
Dear Dad,
Whenever we spend time together, I feel great joy. You have always been such an incredible father and teacher. You understand me like no one else. On this Father's Day I want you to know just how much I love and appreciate you!



Wednesday 5 June 2013

Cub Scout Pack Meeting: June 5, 2013 Pack Meeting

NO UNIFORMS NECESSARY FOR THE DEN PORTION OF THIS ACTIVITY AS PAINTING TENDS TO BE QUITE MESSY


Theme:    Perseverance                                                                
TIME
ACTIVITY
EQUIPMENT NEEDED
BADGE REQUIRMENTS MET
3:45
Gathering Activity: Cowboy Boot Puzzle
   
Cut out puzzle pieces before hand.

4:00
Opening Ceremony
     -Opening Prayer: _____________
     -Cub Promise: Carrots Presentation
     -Attendance: ________________
     -Welcome/Introduction
Attendance Sheets
Stamp and Ink


4:05
GAME: Bucket Ball Game

BUSINESS:
-Finalize Date for Day Camp
-Focus on Religion in Life award
-Badge worksheets review
-ScoutsTracker
Bucket
Balls
Tape
Day Camp Outline

Badge Worksheets


4:15
RECOGNITION: Talking Feather
     -Den Demonstrations (have cubs talk about some of the projects they have on display)
     -Certificates of accomplishment/Badge presentations
     -Parent Appreciation
     -Update Cub Books if desired
Certificates
Cub Books
Pencils

Feather
Campfire


4:25
CUBMASTERS MINUTE: PERSEVERANCE


4:27
WRAPUP PACK MEETING:
-Handout schedule for next month
-Pertinent information to upcoming activities
INVITE PARENTS TO STAY IF THEY WISH
Assignment Sheets that need to be finished
     -bird feeders
     -plant growth tracker

4:30
GAME: PAUL BUNYAN RELAY
Materials listed below

4:40
BADGEWORK: Photography Knowhow
Have boys bring digital cameras
Photography #1, 2, 3
4:45
THEME ACTIVITY: PAPER MACHE PROJECTS
Paint, brushes, glue, craft eyes, utility knife, etc.
Recycle 2B
5:05
GAME: Paper Darts


5:15
SPIRITUAL FELLOWSHIP
     -Spiritual Thought: ____________
Assignment on assignment sheet

5:20
Closing Ceremony
     -Grand Howl
     -Closing Prayer


5:30
Promptly Cleanup & Go Home


Gathering Activity: Cowboy Boot Puzzle

Materials:


q  Puzzle pieces


Here’s a challenge:  see who can get their “boots” off first with this paper puzzle.  Then be sure to check out all the reasons his boots were a cowboy’s pride and joy, and also important for his safety.  You’ll be surprised why the cowboy boot is designed the way it is!  See A Cowboy and his Gear under Value Related.

Materials:  First, enlarge to about double and cut out these shapes from heavy cardstock.

(solution will be posted after the activity is over)

Directions:  The challenge is to “get your boots on and then off and standing tall.”  I started with the boots as shown in Fig. 2 below, and gave each boy his own puzzle.  So their first challenge was to get their “boots” off.  Fig. 1 shows how to work the puzzle.

Game: Bucket Ball Game

q  Bucket
q  Tape
q  Tennis Balls


Set up buckets on a surface that balls will bounce on about six feet from a line. Divide the boys into teams and have them line up behind the marked line. Object is to bounce the ball once and have it land in the bucket for a point. The team with the most points wins.
Character Connection
Think about the game we just played. Was it fun? How did you do on your first try?
Perseverance is staying with something, doing it over and over. Did you persevere?  Was it hard to persevere; to do it again? Was it worth the effort? When you think of athletes or inventors, or a famous American like Abraham Lincoln, do you think they persevere?

Game: Paul Bunyan’s Perseverance Relay

Materials Needed:
q  Egg carton
q  Wire wisk
q  Bowl of water with bubble solution or dish soap in it
q  Frying pan
q  ‘pancake’ (A circle of craft foam)
q  Large spoon
q  Water balls (can be ice cubes)
How to Play:
Begin by reading the story of Paul Bunyan. Do the following relay.
1.  Boy runs to the station, gathers all the eggs and puts them in the egg carton, closes the egg carton, then dumps the eggs out again.
2.  Boy must run to the station, then use the egg beater or whisk to make bubbles in his bowl of water and soap.
3.  Boy puts a pancake in the pan and flips it at least as high as the top of his head – he must flip and catch a pancake three times, then dumps the pancake out for the next boy.
4.  Boy runs to station and uses the scoop or big spoon to pick up 3-4 “water” balls from a large bowl (forming the Great Lakes) – then return the balls to the bowl for the next boy.

Game: Paper Darts

Materials Needed:
q  Pencils and a large circle of paper (target)
Preparation:
·         Draw a large circle on paper.
·         Divide this into ten equal sections like a pizza.
·         Number each slice from 1 to 10. Mark the middle of the circle as the bulls eye.
How to Play:
·         The aim of the game is to score a bulls eye or the highest points if no bulls eye is scored.
·         The first player must close his eyes and place the tip of his pencil on the circle.
·         Whichever slice the pencil lands on is the number of points awarded to this player.
·         The scorekeeper crosses out that number and no other player can receive points from that pizza slice.
·         Each player then takes a turn.
·         If a player hits the centre of the circle - the bulls eye - with his pencil, he automatically win the game.
·         If no bulls eye is scored, the player with the most points after each player has taken a turn is the winner.

Theme Activity: Paper Mache Piggy Banks

Materials Needed:
q  Craft Paint
q  Brushes
q  Table protection (Newspaper, plastic etc)
q  Water containers
q  Googly Eyes
q  Hot glue gun and glue
q  Utility Knife to cut slit (leader only)
Paint and decorate the Paper Mache animals. Make them into piggy banks using the utility knife and add googly eyes for character.

Cub Masters Minute: PERSEVERANCE

Tonight we have celebrated perseverance. We have learned that Cub Scouts, like pioneers, persevere to meet their goals. Sometimes we face difficult activities or challenges, but if we just give up we will never succeed and meet our goal. So the next time you have a difficult school subject or other challenge, stick with it, don’t give up, and you will eventually succeed. We are Cub Scouts, we persevere.

Recognition: Talking Feather  

Materials Needed:
q  Feather
q  Campfire
AKELA:  Today we have a some awards to present. Would ______ please join me around the campfire?
I hold in my hand a Talking Feather. Does anyone know what a Talking Feather is? (If anyone speaks, ignore them. When someone raises his hand, give them the feather.) A Talking Feather gives the person holding it the right to speak. Everyone else must listen, until the feather is passed to them. (Akela sits.)
Since we are honoring _____ tonight, we will pass the Feather around the circle and each of us will in turn tell about something he has done or learned as we watched him make progress along the Scouting trail. I will begin. (Each person takes the feather, says something nice about the Scout and then passes it on. Even the Scout himself is given a chance to talk.)
Please stand now to receive your award.

ADULT THANK YOU AWARDS:

Ruler: Thank you for your immeasurable support!
Popcorn: Thank you for ‘popping’ in to Cubs every month!