#1 Perseverance/Go for the Gold

For May's Round Table We shared ideas for
June's Core Value and Theme
Core Value: Perseverance
Theme: Go for the Gold

Opening Brain Teaser - Answer is at the end of this section. (scroll down)
This would be a great thing to write on the chalk or white board for boys and parents to have something to think about while they wait for everyone to arrive at a Pack or Den Meeting.  (An idea you could use would be to reward the cub scouts a piece of candy if they get it right).

Look at the image above:  "Enter the correct numbers in each row and column to arrive at the totals outside the grid.  (Numbers 1 - 9 are only used once)."

Gathering Activity - Mini Olympics
 

Mark a Starting line with tape on the floor.  Then mark every two feet with a piece of tape.  Have everyone throw a straw, from the starting line, as far as they can for the "Javelin Throw".  Then have them do the same thing with a paper plate for the "Disk Throw". 

Flag Ceremony
 

GO FOR THE GOLD
Have the Cub Scouts hold up a piece of Paper with a letter written on one side and the line to say written on the other.
"G stands for Go out there and work hard"
"O Stand for Outstanding determination"
"L stands for Leave your doubts behind"
"D stands for Demonstrate honor and do your best to Go for the Gold"
Will the audience please arise and say the pledge of allegiance.

Felt Medals
 

These medals are easy enough to make that Bear Cubs can do it and pass off requirements.  Materials: Cereal box cardboard, blue painters tape, glue, blue ribbon 1/4" width, circle template page, yellow, gray, orange felt sheets & scissors.
Directions:
 

1) Cut the blue ribbon 30 inches long for each medal you are going to make.

2) Print off the circle template sheet by clicking on this link(This sheet can be cut up to give each boys a 2" and a 21/2 in circle):https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B0revQcSgs4OXzFWT01IXzg0N0U&authuser=0

3) Cut out a 2" circle & a 2 1/2 " circle.
4) Put a piece of blue painters tape on the back side of each circle.
5) Tape the 2 1/2 inch circle template to the felt sheet and cut out 2 felt circles.

6) Tape the 2 inch circle template to the card board and cut out only one cardboard circle.

7) Put glue on one side of the cardboard circle and adhere to one of the felt circles.

8) Flip this over and put a circle of glue around the edge of the cardboard and felt circles. Then put a big dot of glue in the middle of the cardboard circle.  Put the two ends of the blue ribbon over the middle dot of glue on the cardboard.  Then put more glue on top of the ribbon as shown in the picture.  Lastly, take the 2nd felt circle and place it on top. Let it dry.

9) Repeat process to make more felt medals.  (Yellow = gold, gray = silver and orange = bronze medals).

Torch SnackThese salty treats would be great for a pack meeting!

Materials: An empty box that is deep/wide like a Del Monte box of a Cherry Mixed Fruit (This will allow the cone filled with Cheetos to sit lower when put into it's hole so it will not fall over), Beige colored 8.5x11 paper, tape, Cheetos.

Directions:

1) Take a 8.5x11 sheet of paper and fold over one side about 2 1/2".  Rip or cut this off and discard.  Then with the other piece, twist it to make a cone and adhere a piece of tap to secure the shape.

2) Open up the box so it is flat.  Then refold it so the inside is out.  Before taping it back up, cut out 2 inch circles on one side of the box.  You can get a 2 inch circle template by clicking on this link and printing it off. https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B0revQcSgs4OXzFWT01IXzg0N0U&authuser=0
3) Retape up the box.
4) Place the paper cones inside the holes and fill them with Cheetos.  Enjoy!!

The "I" Plaque (I CAN DO THIS IF I DON'T GIVE UP)

Materials: A wooden "I" (You could get a plank of wood and use the "I" template provided on this link:  https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B0revQcSgs4OcWRPc0NYNXZ5STg&authuser=0     and cut out a few of them fairly cheaply or you could buy one online like I did.  I looked and looked and found one for $6.  It was already painted white.), letter stickers, Mode Podge, paint sponge or paint brush, something to hang it with (see step 5 below).
Directions:
1) Using the template, cut out an "I" from the plank of wood.
2) Paint it white or whichever color you want.
3) Put on the letter stickers. (Note:  I was trying to figure out where to put the letters and pulled them up six times.  This made the stickers not stick so well, so the ends of the letters floated up after I applied the Modge Podge.  To avoid this, tell the boys to not lift the stickers after they put them on their letter "I."

4) Take a paint brush or foam applicator and apply a layer of Modge Podge.
5) After the Modge Podge is completely dry, you can do one of three things to get the plaque ready to hang on a wall.  A)Take a thin wire and make a small loop.  Staple this to the back of the letter to hang on a nail hammered in the wall.  B) Screw in an "Eye screw" in the middle of the top of the "I". Then hang it on a nail in the wall. C) Take some Velcro Command Strips and put them on the back of the letter "I" following the instructions on the package for using them to put things on the wall. (This is what I did).

Father's Day Popsicle Stick Hanger

Materials: 14 big popsicle sticks, green + yellow + orange + red + purple + blue paint, black marker, 1/4" ribbon, masking tape, glue.
Directions:
1)  Water down the paint so it will be transparent (be more like a stain) when used on the popsicle sticks.  Paint 2 popsicle sticks green, two yellow, two orange and two red.  Then paint one purple and one blue. Let them dry.
2) Using a black marker, have the boys write on one of the green popsicle sticks, "Things I Love About You. (This should be the top popsicle stick).
3) Have the boys write on one of the red popsicle sticks, "I Love You!" (This should be the bottom popsicle stick).
4) Help the boys think of 8 things they like about their dads and using the black marker, write these on the remaining popsicle sticks.
5) Line up the popsicle sticks side by side (See image above) with the writing FACING down.  Spread a long piece of masking tape across all of them in the middle of the back side to keep them in the right position.
6) Cut a piece of ribbon 19 inches long. Then glue this to the back side of the plaque as shown above.
7) Put some glue on one side of 4 more (not painted) popsicle sticks. Place them with the glue touching the back side of the plaque, staggering them so they cover all the painted popsicle sticks from top to bottom.  (See image above). Lastly, let the glue dry completely.

Potato Hop Relay Race
Materials: a raw potato for each team.
Divide the boys into two teams and line them up relay fashion. The first player on each team is given a potato. On signal, while holding the potato between his feet, he hops to a turning line and back. Each player repeats the action until everyone has run.

Cheers
Olympics Cheer:  Join hands, raise them over head and shout, "Go for the Gold!"
Audience Watching Runner Cheer: Raise your hand to shield your eyes from the sun.  Move your head from one side to the other as though you are watching an Olympic runner.  Then say "Wow! He ran fast!"
Yes He Did It Cheer: Make a fist with your right hand and raise your right arm up into the air.  Bring it down as you say "Yes! He did it!"

Audience Participation
Sitting Stretches - Staying Limber
The best way to convince cub scouts the benefits of stretching before doing sports is to do them yourself so you will know how good it feels.  Since we are at Round Table and sitting down and do not have a lot of space, here are some sitting stretches to try.
1.  Stand up and sit down. repeat 3 times.
2 . Shrug your shoulders  and hold then release. repeat 3 times.
3. Next stretches:  Step 1: While looking down, move your head to the right.  Hold.  Then move your head to the left.  Hold.  Step 2: While looking up, move your head to the right. Hold. Then move your head to the left. Hold.  Step 3: While tilting your head to the right side, look up. Hold.  Then look down. Hold.  Step 4:  While tilting your head to the left side, look up.  Hold. Then look down. Hold. Note: After each step bring your head back to an upright position.
4. Torso Twist. Twist your body to the right and grab the back of your chair.  Then twist your body of the left and grab the back of your chair.
5. Stretch your arms above your head and interlock your fingers and turn them outward while looking up at the ceiling.
6. Stretch your legs out in front and flex and point your toes three times.
Note: These stretches would be great to do at a desk.

Opening Brain Teaser Answer: For the answers look at the image below.

#2 - Health and Fitness/Backyard Fun

For April's Round Table We shared ideas for
May's Core Value and Theme
Core Value: Health and Fitness
Theme: Backyard Fun

 

Opening Brain Teaser - Answer is at the end of this section. (scroll down)
This would be a great thing to write on the chalk or white board for boys and parents to have something to think about while they wait for everyone to arrive at a Pack or Den Meeting.

"What word can go before each of these words? DIGGER, LEAF, MEDAL, STANDARD, STAR?"

Gathering Activity - Movement Challenges

Pebble Stretch

Materials: 1 pebble or bead for each player.

A player sets his toes at a starting line, stoops forward and, with one hand on the ground, places a pebble as far out as possible. He then springs back to a standing position without shifting the hand on the ground or moving his feet across the line. Also, his knees must not touch the ground. The Cub Scout who places his pebble the farthest wins.

Stork Stand Contest

No materials needed.

Each boy stands with his hands on his hips, raises one knee, and then places the foot of that leg on the knee of the other leg. Hold for as long as possible.

Ankle Ball Toss

Materials: 2-inch diameter ball.

The Cub Scout places the ball between his ankles and then jumps up. While jumping, he kicks his legs back and lets go of the ball. The idea is to flip the ball as high in the air as possible. 

 
Heel Click

No materials needed.

As Cub Scouts jump into the air, they click their heels together while they are off the ground. Once they can click their heels together one time, have them try to do it two times.

Food Facts Place Mats

Helping boys to eat good food may be as simple as teaching them what the food can do for them without letting them know that you are telling them they have to eat healthy.  These place mats are a good idea to help the boys learn about the qualities of food and on their own say, "Mom, Dad, I think we should eat more kiwi or oranges or etc...!"

Instructions: Down load and print off the sheets that contain the pictures & information. Cut out and glue the food pictures onto a 12" x18" piece of construction paper.  After gluing the pictures and information on the place mats they can then be laminated to last through multiple meals.  
Note: The information provided on these sheets is but a small amount of information contained in the books I used.  I recommend purchasing some books on fruits and vegetables to learn more.  The books I used were
1) The World's Best PowerFoods; No author was mention on the book, but the publishing company was Robert Kennedy Publishing.  (This book was bought at a convince store and may not be in print any longer)
2)The 150 Healthiest Foods on Earth by Jonny Bowden, Ph.D., C.N.S.
Click on the Following Links Below to bring up the food pages you can print out.

Apples, Raspberries & Pineapples:https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B0revQcSgs4ONXF6SHBnSWxacDA&authuser=0

Avocados, Celery & Lemons: https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B0revQcSgs4OUUxCWEdEbmVrcHM&authuser=0
Carrots, Cherries & Spinach: https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B0revQcSgs4OSDlTYzM0UlhEb00&authuser=0
Cauliflower & Beans: https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B0revQcSgs4OUWFzUFNaN1lZdzg&authuser=0
Kiwi, Eggs & Grapes: https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B0revQcSgs4OMFJYMGw5LWFZWnc&authuser=0
Water Melon, Garlic & Cinnamon: https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B0revQcSgs4ON1lKTW5SOURhTmc&authuser=0
Blue Berries, Oranges & Almonds: https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B0revQcSgs4OMXpUOWh6YmJObUE&authuser=0
Strawberries, Bananas & Coconut: https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B0revQcSgs4OMzhvSVphTTdLbG8&authuser=0

Food Facts Concentration Game

Print off the following sheets on Card Stock. Almonds, Avocados, Apples & Blue Berries: https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B0revQcSgs4Oal9tZWZlbXM1b2M&authuser=0Oranges, Garlic, Cinnamon & Grapes: https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B0revQcSgs4OaU03NjNLSlNqQTQ&authuser=0
Carrots, Celery, Eggs & Kiwi: https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B0revQcSgs4OVGJUSXZNZ0hWOGM&authuser=0
Cherries, Spinach, Strawberries & Cauliflower: https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B0revQcSgs4ObjQ3SjQ1UW55R0k&authuser=0

Cut out the cards and then have the cub scouts play the game of concentration using these cards as a den opening activity- to give them something to do while everyone is arriving. 

Taste Test Fruits or Vegetables

 

Buy 3 to 6 fruits or vegetables that the boys would not normally eat like  Persimmons, Papayas, Pomegranates, Guava, Kiwi, Mangoes, Turnips, etc... and cut them into little bites for the cub scouts to try out.   Be sure to include 1 or 2 fruits or vegetables that all the boys will mostly like eat so that if a boy does not want to try the unusual ones, they have something they can nibble along with everyone else; like bananas and carrots.

Another idea would be to buy 3 to 6 different kinds of apples and see if the boys can taste the difference.

Tissue Sprint Game

Materials: sheets of facial tissue.

On a signal, each racer throws an unfolded tissue out ahead of him, walks to it, picks it up, and repeats until he has reached the finish line. After a tissue has been thrown, it may not be caught or touched before it hits the ground. If this happens, the player must take two giant steps backward. No one can move forward while holding the tissue or let it blow against his body or clothing.

Cheers
Healthy Smoothie Cheer: Pretend to put fruit, yogurt, honey & ice in blender. Then make a Blurrrrrr sound. Pour some in a glass wipe your mouth and say "Delicious"
Big Hand Cheer: Everyone needs to lend a hand to the environment when having fun outdoors—a “big hand.” This is

done quietly, and in the background. To give a big hand of applause, extend your open right hand into the air. Then there’s a big hand with feeling: Tickle the palm of your right hand with the pointer finger of your left hand. Let’s give ourselves a BIG HAND … with feeling!

Audience Participation Story (Great for Pack Meetings)
The True Story of Smokey Bear
Divide the audience into six groups. Assign each group one of the words listed below. When their item is mentioned in the story, group members should shout the designated phrase. Have a practice session before starting the story.
BIG TREE: “I am tall and strong!”
MIDDLE- SIZED TREE: “I give you shade!”
BABY TREE: “I will grow tall, too!”
BABBLING BROOK: “Babble, babble!”
CAMPER: “I love the FOREST.”
FIRE: “Crackle, crackle, crackle!”
FOREST: All three tree groups say their phrase at the same time.
SMOKEY BEAR: All six groups say, “Only you can prevent FOREST FIRES!”
Once upon a time, in a beautiful, lush, green FOREST, there stood three trees: the BIG TREE, the MIDDLE-SIZED TREE, and the BABY TREE. A BABBLING BROOK coursed through the FOREST, bringing cool water to the plants and animals. One summer day, a CAMPER decided to set up his camp near the three trees. He pitched his tent and then he built a FIRE to cook his breakfast. The CAMPER didn’t remember to clear the leaves, twigs, and branches from the area around his FIRE. And he didn’t remember to set a bucket of water from the BABBLING BROOK near his FIRE.
After breakfast, the CAMPER decided to go on a hike. He didn’t remember to make sure that his FIRE was out and cold before he left the site. A short time after the CAMPER left, the FIRE threw some sparks into dry grass nearby. It started smoldering, and, in a very short time, the FIRE spread to the FOREST. The BABBLING BROOK was not close enough to put out the FIRE. It didn’t take long for the animals of the FOREST to hear the sounds of the FIRE. Soon they smelled the smoke and tried to flee. A bear cub was one of those animals. He couldn’t see where his mother had gone, so he did what she taught him to do when there is danger. He climbed the BIG TREE.  The FIRE roared through the FOREST. It burned the BABY TREE and the MIDDLE-SIZED TREE. It even singed the BIG TREE that the bear cub was clinging on to, but the FIRE did not burn the trunk of the BIG TREE and the bear cub was safe.
After the FIRE, a FOREST ranger found the baby bear still in the BIG TREE. He climbed up and got the bear cub down. The bear cub was scared and singed. He needed the FOREST ranger to take care of him, and soon his burns healed. The FOREST ranger decided to keep the bear cub and raise him. He called him SMOKEY BEAR, because he had found him after the FIRE. The story of the rescued bear cub has been told by many rangers in many FORESTS across our country. SMOKEY BEAR became the symbol to remind CAMPERS and hikers, like you and me, to be careful with FIRE. This message, to help prevent FOREST FIRES, is still told to protect all the BIG TREES, the MIDDLE-SIZED TREES, and the BABY TREES, so we can enjoy the FORESTS with the BABBLING BROOKS running through them. “Remember,” says SMOKEY BEAR, “only you can prevent FOREST FIRES.”

Opening Brain Teaser Answer: Gold