Resourcefulness/LIttler to Glitter

                                       
          FEBRUARY'S CORE VALUE & THEME
                    Core Value: Resourcefulness
                     Theme: Litter to Glitter

RECYCLE BINGO GATHERING ACTIVITY

For template to make copies click here: https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B0revQcSgs4OdE94TVlhU05ibGs&authuser=0

Materials: BINGO Board for each participant.
• The purpose of the game is to meet people and learn about them.
• The object is to make as many bingos as you can.
• Try to complete the board or make X bingos.
• How to play: Introduce yourself to someone you don’t know, strike up a conversation, and then tell them, “Say, you look like someone who might. …”
• A person can only sign once!
• The center square is free. Sign it now!

OPENING CEREMONY: LITTER TO GLITTER

Materials: 6 large cards with the letters to spell out LITTER on one side and the Cub Scouts’ lines on the other side in large print; one large card with the capital letter G in glitter on one side, and Cub Scout #7’s lines on the other side. The cards that spell LITTER can be decorated with litter-like materials (wadded up paper or tinfoil, bottle caps, torn labels). The card with the letter G is decorated with glitter. The boys can draw pictures on the front of the cards as well. Six Cub Scouts line up, holding the cards that spell LITTER.
Cub #1 (holding L): Let’s all
Cub #2 (holding I): Invest our
Cub #3 (holding T): Time and
Cub #4 (holding T): Talents to
Cub #5 (holding E): Embellish, Enhance and
Cub #6 (holding R): Recycle and Re-use
Leader (from the side): And then what will happen?
Cub Scout #7, holding the G card, enters and stands next to the L to spell GLITTER.

Cub #7: We will turn Litter into Glitter.

TUMBLING TOWERS GAME

Materials: a recycle bin full of clean aluminum cans (for example, soda pop cans) for each team. If you’re short on cans, this activity can be done one team at a time. At a signal, Cub Scouts have 2 minutes to stack the cans one atop another.

Individual: Each Cub Scout on a team takes a turn at building a tower by stacking the cans. The boy who builds the tallest tower then represents his team in a final team-against-team stacking competition.

Team: Each den/team builds a tower by stacking cans one atop the other. The den/team with the tallest stack wins.

CHEERS
1) Litter to Glitter Cheer: Divide the audience into two.  one group yells, "There's some Litter!" The second group yell, "Make it glitter!"  Repeat 3x getting louder each time.

2) Carpenter Cheer: Pretend to be holding a hammer in one hand and a nail in the other.  Start pounding the nail with the hammer while saying, "Bang, bang, ouch!"

3) Recycle Cheer:  "Use it up, wear it out! Make it do, or do without!"

DEN TOTEM POLE
Materials
7 - #10 cans or large coffee cans (Stores that sell bulk items also have large cans).
12 plastic lids (big butter tub lids work to)
Plaster or Cement
2 Pipe cleaners
2 large flaps from a cardboard box
1 inch PVC Pipe at least 2 1/2  feet long (This one will be cut up into small pieces).
1/2 inch PVC pipe 6 feet long

1 can brown spray paint
Blue Tape
Duct Tape
Scissors
Pencil
Then anything you want to use to decorate the faces.

Decision
First Make the decision to A. build the totem pole yourself and label each can on the back with a den duty assignment or B. give the boys a can to create their own face when they enter your Den.  Then when they leave, they get to keep their can. If you choose A, then print off the blank mustaches and write the names of the boys on them.  If you choose B. Then print off the mustaches with the den duties on them.  The Den duties are rotated among the boys by switching the mustaches around.
 

Mark and Cut PVC Pipe
Start by taking a 1 inch PVC Pipe and cut a piece that is 6 inches longer than the can, so when the cement/plaster is dried, you can carry it by grabbing the PVC pipe. (The picture shown is of a different project and that's why the PVC pipe looks larger than 1inch diameter. However, I liked the idea of extending the PVC pipe beyond the can so you can grab it to carry it that I decided to go ahead and use this picture). Then take the rest of the 1 inch PVC pipe and cut 5 small pieces 1 1/2 inches in length and 2 more pieces at 2 inches in length. 

 Fill Can With Cement or Plaster
Take the PVC pipe that you just cut which is the height of the #10 can and tape off both ends using blue painters tape.  This will keep the cement or plaster from getting inside the tube when you pour the cement or plaster in the can.  Mix your cement or plaster and pour it in the can. If you do not have enough plaster or cement, you can use rocks to create fill. (If the PVC Pipe tends to float up while pouring the cement or plaster, tape it criss-cross with blue painters tape across the top securing the tape to the sides of the can).  After pouring the cement or plaster, take off the blue painters tape on the top end of the PVC pipe making sure to not let any cement or plaster fall inside.   Let this harden for few days. Then with a hammer, pound in the edge of the #10 can to secure the dried cement/plaster inside.

Preparing the PVC Top Piece
Take two pipe cleaners and twist one end of each together to make one long piece.  Then take one of the 2" PVC pipe pieces and tape one end with duct tape.  Poke a tinny hole in the duct tape to the side.  Then stick one end of the pipe cleaner in the hole.  Wrap the pipe cleaner around the PVC 2" piece and fold the other end inside the bottom of the PVC pipe tube.  Secure with a small piece of duct tape.  Set aside for painting later.

Preparing The Wings
Cut off two long flaps from a card board box.  Draw the wings as shown above.  Make sure the extended arm can clear the cans.  Then cut the end of the arm in half about 1 1/2 - 2 inches on both wings.  Fit them together as shown and use duct tape to tape one side.  Flip over and place the other 2" PVC pipe piece inside wrapping the flaps around it.  Tape with duct tape.  Set aside for painting later.

Preparing Cans and Lids
Cut out the bottom end of 6 more #10 cans or coffee cans. Then using the end of the 1/2 inch PVC Pipe as a template, cut out a circle in the middle of 12 plastic lids.

Paint
After the cement/plaster base has completely dried and solidified, spray paint everything as shown.  You do not need to paint the cans if you decide to have the boys build a robot looking face.  BE SURE TO TELL THE BOYS TO LEAVE ENOUGH SPACE BETWEEN THE NOSE AND THE MOUTH FOR A MUSTACHE when making their face. *Note: when making a robot face, first make a hole with a nail then use screws, nuts and bolts to secure in place.

Assembling the Totem Pole
After the paint has dried and after all the cans have been decorated with a face, place a plastic lid on both ends of each can. Then place the long 6 foot PVC pipe inside the 1 inch PVC pipe in the cement/plaster can.  Then side on one can decorated with a face. Next, slide on one of the  1" PVC pipe pieces which will create separation between cans.  Then slide on another 'face' can. Repeat until the top can is left.  Before putting on the top can, slide the wings on.  After the top can has been slid in place, place the topper PVC/pipe cleaner piece on.  (Note: Because I learned about extending the pole in the cement/plaster can after doing this project, unlike the picture, you will have a 6 inch space between the base and the first 'face' can.  If you do not want this, just cut the hole in the lids a little bit wider on that bottom 'face' can. You will also need to shorten the pole that extends up through all the face cans). Yeah! You now have an awesome totem pole to use for your den. :)

Mustaches
Print off template and cut them out.  Use tape to secure to face of can. 

1) MUSTACHES WITH DEN DUTIES WRITTEN ON THEM:

 https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B0revQcSgs4OalVnUXp0eTJZRTQ&authuser=0

2) BLANK MUSTACHES
https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B0revQcSgs4OOWVpVVNpaGlMUEU&authuser=0

A Scale
Materials: 3 wood skewers, 2 bendable straws, 6 small beads, two empty cans that held chicken pieces (bought at Sam's Club or Costco), two small containers (these can either be the ones from Little Caesars that they put their marinara sauce in or fruit cup containers), 4 popsicle sticks, 2 pieces of string about 12 inches long, one small stirring straw, thin cardboard to make arrow, spool.  Tools you will need, scissors, glue gun, super glue, nail, red marker and hammer.

Take one of the wooden skewers and cut off a piece that is 5 inches long.  Using a glue gun put some glue along one end of this skewer and place it into the short end of the bendable straw.  Do the same with the other side of the skewer and ANOTHER straw.  *Note: if you want to have less friction, BEFORE you apply the glue and place the ends in the straws, cut the short end of the bendable straws to allow space for the spool to sit only on the wooden skewer. For the legs of the scale, take another skewer and apply glue to one end and stick it in the long end of one of the straws.  Do the same with the last skewer.

Using the glue gun, adhere a Popsicle stick on each end of the spool.  Be sure not to cover the middle hole of the spool.  Then on top of those two Popsicle sticks near one end glue another Popsicle stick.  Do the same on the other side.  Afterwards, glue the beads fairly close to the ends of the two top Popsicle sticks.  Taking the skinny stirring straw, cut it in half.  From cardboard, cut out a small triangle and color it red.  Glue the triangle to one end of the skinny straw. Then glue the skinny straw to the middle of the Popsicle stick which was secured to the spool.   Lastly, take the spool contraption that you just made and slide it up one skewer/straw leg to the middle of both skewer/straw legs, through the hole in the middle of the spool.

Next take the two cans and using a nail the SIZE OF YOUR WOODEN SKEWERS, hammer a hole in the middle.  On the top of the can, using super glue, place the beads over the holes you made in each can.  Note: the hole of the beads needs to be about the same diameter as the hole you made in the cans. Also, the skewer/straw legs need to be able to slide through when dry.  Hint: So that you do not touch the super glue, use the end of a skewer to slide the bead in place so it's hole is directly over the hole in the can.

For the holding cups, make two holes on either side of each cup and thread a piece of string through it tying a know at each hole. 

To Assemble.  Stick the skewer legs through the bead and can.  If the cans slide around, so will the legs.  They are only held in place by the combination of the can, bead and table.  Then slip each string holding the cups over the beads.

Using small items and money figure out how much money you will need to place in one cup to equal the weight of the small item in the other cup.  Variations on this idea can be done and small games can be made up so have fun with it.  (The orgianl idea was found on pintrest at http://www.filthwizardry.com/search/label/science. The scale on this blog was made with chicken cans & small beads for the base instead of large beads).

BOTTLE CAP ANIMAL INVITATIONS/TABLE NAME TAGS 

Can be used for a Blue and Gold Banquet
Materials Needed:
1) Collect colored bottle caps for the invitations. 
2) Collect clear bottle water caps for the Table Name Tags.
4) Cereal Box Cardboard
5) Colored Markers (For the invitations)
6) Black Marker (For the Table Name Tags)
7) Scissors
8) Glue
9) Sheet of ideas of the kind of animals you can make click here:https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B0revQcSgs4OMHFlVXF1ekFseUU&authuser=0

Name Tags
For each Table Name Tag, using the cardboard from a cereal box, cut a 4 1/4 x 5 1/2 piece. Fold this in half with the brown side showing. Then cut a piece of white paper to go on one side of the folded name tag as shown above. Glue the bottle cap off to the Left side leaving enough space to draw your animal. Use the colored markers to draw your animal. On the right side, write the name of the person.

Invitations
For the Invitations, Take a piece of 8 1/2 x 11 sheet of white card stock.  Cut it into 4 exact same size pieces.  Pick the animal you want to make and the corresponding colored bottle cap.  Using the idea sheet and a black marker draw your animal.  then write in the Date, Time, When, Where your Blue and Gold Banquet will be.

Positive Attitude/Yes I Can

Core Value: Positive Attitude
Theme: Yes I Can!

Gathering Activity
Easy Tortoise & Hare Racers

In the famous fable, the tortoise agreed to race the hare. Even though the tortoise was much slower, he stuck to the task, while the hare got sidetracked. With a “Yes, I Can” attitude, the tortoise DID HIS BEST and won the race! Find the fable online and, if there is time, read it to the pack before the activity. If time is limited, give them a short summary.

Materials: separated egg carton cups; markers; paper for hares’ ears and cotton for the tails; marbles; a piece of wood or other material for a racing ramp.

Craft: Decorate the egg carton cups to resemble tortoises and rabbits, and put initials inside (in case the cups look alike!). Bring these to the race location.

Game: Place a marble under each tortoise cup and hare cup. Put the critters at the top of the ramp. On the signal, release them and watch them race. The ramp can be any length; it just has to go

downhill. See which animal wins the most times!

Opening Flag Ceremony
Quick Words of Wisdom

Materials: words of wisdom on individual, numbered slips of paper. (Maybe pick 10 or so of these; it will take too long to do them all.)

Hand out the slips of paper to parents as they come in to the pack meeting. When the meeting starts, tell everyone that there are parents in the audience with “words of wisdom” to share to help everyone have a positive attitude. Ask them to stand in place and read their slip of paper in number order.

1. If you see someone without a smile, give him one of yours!

2. True happiness is not having what you want; it’s wanting what you have!

3. Where the loser sees barriers, the winner sees hurdles.

4. We cannot control the wind, but we can adjust the sails.

5. V ery often a change of attitude is needed more than a change of scene.

6. Surrounded by people who love life, you love it too; surrounded by people who don’t, you don’t.

7. Nothing great was ever accomplished without enthusiasm.

8. Things turn out best for the people who make the best out of the way things turn out.

9. It isn’t our position but our disposition that makes us happy.

10. A cloudy day is no match for a sunny disposition.

11. Attitudes are contagious. Are yours worth catching?

12. Wherever you go, no matter what the weather, always bring your own sunshine.

13. Believe you can, and you’re half way there.

14. If you think you can, you can. And if you think you can’t, you’re right.

15. Nothing can stop the man with a positive attitude from achieving his goal; nothing on earth can help the man with a negative attitude.

16. Take charge of your attitude. Don’t let someone else choose it for you.

17. We each shape our own lives, and the shape is determined largely by our attitudes.

18. More than any other quality, optimism is the one most associated with success and happiness.

19. A happy person is not someone in a certain set of circumstances, but rather, someone with a certain set of attitudes.

20. When you choose to be pleasant and positive in the way you treat others, you have also chosen, in most cases, how you are going to be treated BY others.

21. People are just about as happy as they make up their minds to be.

22. Sometimes your joy is the source of your smile, but sometimes your smile can be the source of your joy.

23. A cloudy day is no match for a sunny disposition.

24. When everything seems to be going against you, remember the airplane takes off AGAINST the wind, not WITH it.

Training Topic
“Preventing Leader Burnout” (begins on p. 32):

http://www.scouting.org/filestore/training/pdf/511-410_wb.pdf

 

Audience Participation Activity
CHRISTMAS WITH THE RIGHT FAMILY

Christmas was almost here, and Mother RIGHT was finishing the Christmas baking. Father RIGHT, Susan RIGHT, and Billy RIGHT returned from their last minute Christmas errands. “There’s not much LEFT to be done,” said Father RIGHT, as he came into the kitchen. “Did you leave the basket of food at church?” asked Mother RIGHT. “I LEFT it RIGHT where you told me to,” said Father RIGHT. “I’m glad my shopping is done,” said Billy RIGHT, “I don’t have any money LEFT.” The hall telephone rang, and Susan RIGHT LEFT to answer it. She rushed back and told the family, “Aunt Tillie RIGHT LEFT a package for us RIGHT on Grandma RIGHT’S porch.” “I’ll go over there RIGHT now and get it,” she said as she LEFT in a rush. Father RIGHT LEFT the kitchen and brought in the Christmas tree. By the time Susan RIGHT returned, Mother RIGHT, father RIGHT and Billy RIGHT had begun to trim this year’s family RIGHT’S Christmas tree. The entire RIGHT family sang carols as they finished the decorating. Then they LEFT all the presents arranged under the tree and went RIGHT up to bed, hoping they had LEFT all the gifts in the RIGHT place and had selected the RIGHT gift for each member of the RIGHT family. Now I hope you have the RIGHT present for yourself, because that’s all that’s LEFT of our story, except to wish you a Merry Christmas. Isn’t that RIGHT?

 

Cheers

Winner: Put two thumbs up and yell, “You’re a winner!”
Yes I Can!: On the count of 3, everyone shout, “Yes, I Can!”
Big Sneeze: Cup hands in front of nose and sneeze in hands. Having nowhere to put it, wipe your hands on your shirt.
Clam: Fold hands together, interlocking fingers. Make noise by clapping palms together.

Shovel: For those who dig right in and do their best. Make a motion of shoveling snow or dirt three times.
Spring: For those who spring into action. Everyone stands and jumps in place, saying “Boing, boing, boing!” 

#1 Responsibility/Dollars and Sense

Core Value: Responsibility
Theme: Dollars and Sense

October Pack Meeting Plans: “Responsibility” AND “Dollars and Sense”

Gathering Activity
How Much Does It Cost

Have participants work in teams (or as individuals). Cut out pictures of different items of interest to Cub Scouts, and have these mounted around the room. Using your greatest diligence (searching high and low) try to come up with real, advertised best prices for those items. Ask the teams to guesstimate the price of each item, and then compare their guesses to the prices you found. Winner is the guess that comes closest without going over the correct price.

Alternate: Post several prices below each picture and ask people to choose the correct price.

Opening Flag Ceremony
Freedom

Personnel: Cub Scouts enter, each holding posters with pictures of the United States flag on front and their lines on the back in large print. The narrator (Cubmaster or den leader) begins:

CM (DL): This month’s theme deals with dollars and sense, and the price we have to pay for things. In our country, we are privileged to experience the joy of freedom. But let us always remember that this privilege was not gained without a cost.

Cub #1: Stand up for the flag of America, wherever you may be.

Cub #2: Respect it and protect it, for it shall keep you free.

Cub #3: Free to do what you want to do, and say what you want to say.

Cub #4: Free to go where you want to go, and pray the way you want to pray.

Cub #5: Stand up for the flag of America, for all the world to see.

Cub #6: Stand up for the flag, that star-spangled flag, that stands for you and me.

ALL (or CM/DL): And now stand and all together say the Pledge of Allegiance.

Training Topic 

“Bobcat Badge” (begins on p. 48):

http://www.scouting.org/filestore/training/pdf/511-410_wb.pdf

Audience Participation Activity
Skit:The Trade

Materials: 5 different toys (e.g., small boat, small truck, small teddy bear, small book, ball).

Personnel: 5 participants and a den chief. When the scene opens, each participant is playing with a toy.

Den chief: Long ago, before there was any money, everyone traded or bartered the things they didn’t need for the things they wanted.

Boy #1 (with boat): Hey, want to trade me for that truck?

Boy #2 (with truck): No way! But I might trade for a book.

Boy #1 goes to find #3, who has a book.

Boy #1: Hey, want to trade that book for a boat?

Boy #3 (with book): No way! But I might trade for a bear.

Boy #1 goes to find #4, who has a bear.

Boy #1: Hey, want to trade that bear for a boat?

Boy #4 (with bear): No way! But I might trade for a ball.

Boy #1 goes to find #5, who has a ball.

Boy #1: Hey, want to trade that ball for a boat?

Boy #5 (with ball): Sure! I always wanted a boat.

Boy #1 leaves the boat, takes the ball, and returns to #4.

Boy #1 (now with ball): Hey, want to trade that bear for a ball?

Boy #4 (with bear): Sure! I always wanted a ball.

Boy #1 leaves the ball, takes the bear, and returns to Boy #3.

Boy #1 (now with bear): Hey, want to trade that book for a bear?

Boy #3 (with book): Sure! I always wanted a bear.

Boy #1 leaves the bear, takes the book, and returns to Boy #2.

Boy #1 (now with book): Hey, I’ve got a book. Want to trade for the truck?

Boy #2 (with truck): No, but have you got a boat?

Boy #1 runs off, screaming for his boat.

Cheers

Nickel’s Worth: Flip your thumb as though flipping a coin, and then catch it and slap it on the back of your hand. Then yell “Heads, a winner!”

Flip a Coin: If it’s heads everyone cheers. If it’s tails everyone claps.

Dollar Bill: Toss a dollar bill into the air. The audience claps while it is falling. Vary how long it takes to fall by catching it midair at different stages.

Heads and Tails: Divide the audience into two groups. One yells “Heads.”The other yells “Tails.” Point to one group and then the other, varying the speed until both groups are shouting in unison.

How to Clean Pennies

http://www.wikihow.com/Clean-Pennies

Edible Campfires:



#2 Citizenship/Give Goodwill & Respect/Stars and Stipes

November's Core Value: Citizenship
November's Theme: Give Goodwill
December's Core Value: Respect
December's Theme: Stars and Stripes

November Pack Meeting Plans: “Citizenship” AND “Give Goodwill”

December Pack Meeting Plans: “Respect” AND “Stars and Stripes”

Gathering Activtity
Five-Pointed Stars in One Snip

Materials: 8½” x 10” (not 11”) pieces of paper; scissors.

Background: George Washington’s original pencil sketch for our country’s flag indicated six-pointed stars, a form he apparently preferred. Betsy Ross, however, recommended a five-pointed star. When the committee protested that it was too difficult to make, she took a piece of paper, folded it deftly, and with a single snip of her scissors, produced a symmetrical five-pointed star. This seeming feat of magic so impressed her audience that they readily agreed to her suggestion.

To you, we pass along the secret: Take a piece of paper, 8½” x 10” (or an exact multiple), fold it as indicated, and cut a perfect five-pointed star. For more detailed instructions, visit http://www.ushistory.org/betsy/flagstar.html.

Step #1: Fold the paper vertically and horizontally into 4-inch squares as shown.

Step #2: Fold corner A and crease.

Step #3: Fold corner B to touch corner A, and crease.

Step #4: Fold corner C over the other folds, and crease.

Step #5: With scissors, snip across the folds on dotted line, as shown.

Step #6: Unfold the small triangle, and you have a five-pointed star.

Opening Flag Ceremony
It’s Just a Piece of Cloth

Post a United States flag in the front of the room. Dim the lights and place a spotlight on the flag. If possible, have a fan blowing on it, causing it to flutter. Then ask one or several Cub Scouts to solemnly read aloud the following poem:

It’s just a piece of cloth, that’s all it is.

Just a piece of cloth.

But when a little breeze comes along, it stirs and comes to life.

It flutters and snaps in the wind, all red and white and blue.

Then you realize that no other piece of cloth could be like it.

It has your whole life wrapped up in it …

The meals you eat, the time you spend with your family.

The things you learn at school.

The strange and wonderful thoughts you get at church.

Those stars on it: They make you feel just as free as the stars in the wide, deep night.

And the stripes; they are the bars of blood to any dictator that would try to change this way of life.

Just a piece of cloth, that’s all it is.

Until you put your soul into it, and give it meaning.

Then it is the symbol of liberty and decency and fair dealing for everyone.

It is just a piece of cloth, until we breathe life into it.

Until we make it stand for everything we believe in, and refuse to live without it.

Training Topic
“Community Service” (begins on p. 34):

http://www.scouting.org/filestore/training/pdf/511-410_wb.pdf

Opening Flag Ceremony #2
Prisoner of War Flag Ceremony

Equipment: American flag mounted to a blanket

Personnel: Two Scouts to hold flag, and a reader

READER: On a summer day in a prison camp during World War II, the prisoners were just completing a talent show when, without any announcement, two soldiers stood up in front of the group holding a rolled-up blanket. They looked quickly but carefully in all directions to make sure no guards were watching. Then, holding the blanket high, they let it unroll. Fastened to the inside of the blanket was the beautiful Stars and Stripes of the flag of the United States. (Scouts match their actions to the story.)

At the time of their surrender, one of the soldiers had taken down the flag and somehow managed to wrap it around his body. Covered by his uniform, it had not been discovered during the inspection of his personal belongings. He had been able to keep it hidden until he had arrived at the prison camp. As the blanket was unrolled, the other prisoners saw the flag. A ripple of wonder and amazement ran through the group, followed by a deep silence that comes only when the heart is too full to permit words to be spoken. With their eyes still gazing upon this beautiful banner, the soldiers rose to their feet and began to sing softly, but with pride. They sang our national anthem. Will the audience please rise, salute our flag, and join in singing our national anthem.

Cheers

Do a Good Turn #1: Everyone stand up, turn around, and sit back down.

Do a Good Turn #2: Have the group stand up to applaud. They clap once, and then make a quarter turn and clap again. They repeat this three times in the same direction, so everyone comes full circle.

Fireworks: Make a fist and raise it up in front of you and over your head.  Then open your fist and let your fingers flutter as your hand goes downward and you say, “ooooh, ahhhh.”

Constitution: “We the People, approve!”

Liberty Bell: Divide the group into two parts: the Dings and the Dongs. Alternate yelling “Ding---Dong---Ding---Dong---Ding---Dong!” Then all yell, “Let Freedom Ring!”

Firework  Neckerchief Slide

Materials: 18 inches of doorbell wire (or other wire that has multiple wires inside—the more colors inside, the better). **I used sprinkler wire.

Strip the wire apart so you now have a bunch of individual strands. Tie a square knot in the middle around either a dowel or a broomstick. Then curl the wires, using a pencil.

 Remember to come to the District Awards Night instead of Roundtable on December 4th. The attendance bead will be this clear one:

Cooperation/Under the Big Top

Core Value: Cooperation
Theme: Under the Big Top

September Pack Meeting Plans: “Cooperation” AND “Under the Big Top”

Gathering Activity
Circus Photo Booth

Opening Ceremony
Under the Big Top

Personnel:

 10 Cub Scouts in circus costumes. (Or if you are short on boys, use 5 and double the parts.)

Materials:

Cards with circus pictures facing the audience. Parts are written on the back in large print.

Cub #1:

Under the Big Top is the theme for tonight. We love circuses and think it is a dilly;

Cub #2:

Both circuses and little boys can sometimes be quite silly.

Cub #3:

Den leaders find it a natural to do this kind of show.

Cub #4:

They run a three-ring circus every single week, you know.

Cub #5:

At a circus there is shouting, roaring, stamping, whistles tooting;

Cub #6:

Tumbling, pushing, falling, wrestling, and a rolling and a-rooting.

Cub #7:

At den meetings things keep moving, constant motion, constant noise.

Cub #8:

There are lots of things in common between circuses and boys.

Cub #9:

We’ve put all the dens together; it’s not Ringling Brothers, you know.

Cub #10:

But we think you will enjoy it, so let's get on with the show.

Training Topic
“Join Scouting Night” (begins on p. 45):

Circus Ideas For Handing Out Awards

1) Put slips of paper telling which award the Scout is getting inside blown up balloons and have them throw darts to pop the balloons.

2) Have the boys walk a pretend tightrope holding an umbrella. If they make it to the other side they receive their award.

3) Make a cardboard cutout of a lion’s mouth. They boys receive their awards if they are brave enough to put their heads in the lion’s mouth.

4) Have the boys wear a clown costume and ride a mini-bike through an obstacle course to receive an award.

5) Attach awards to the inside of a blow-out noisemaker and when the boys blow the paper to unroll it they will see the award.

6) Have the boys perform a feat of strength by lifting a “heavy” barbell to receive their award.

Cooperation Run-Ons

All during the meeting, boys suddenly appear and demonstrate working together to do something – choose activities that require more than one person – in other words cooperation.  Here are some possibilities:

1)  Folding a Flag – one boy comes out, tries to fold the flag, then says, “Hey I need another set of hands”   Another boy or boys appears, and together, they get the job done.

2)  Playing catch – one boy comes out, says “Wish I had someone to play catch with!”  Another boy joins him, and they toss the ball back and forth a couple of times.

3)  A boy comes out with a big stack of newspapers, which he drops so they scatter all over the floor.  “Oh, no – look at this mess.  Wish I had some help!”  Another boy or boys appear and they get the papers stacked in no time and leave.

4)  A boy comes out with a paint can and a paint brush – he pretends to look at a very LONG fence.  “I’ll never get this fence painted in time to play ball” he says,  “Wish I had some help!”  Out comes another boy or even several boys with a brush – together they make motions of painting the whole length of the fence.

After each run on, either the boy or a Leader says, “Great. Now that’s what I call Cooperation!”

Cheers

Ferris Wheel (Swing your arm in a large circle. When you go up, everyone says “oooh!” and when you go down, everyone says “ahhh!”)

Strongman (Pretend to lift a barbell, straining with all your might. Grunt “ah, ah, ahhh” as you lift and “THUD” when you drop the barbell to the floor.)

Elephant (Everyone makes a trunk with their arms and makes elephant trumpeting noises.)

Heart & Sole (For someone who gives their heart and “sole” to Scouting. Everyone puts their hand over their heart and then touches one hand to one of the soles of their feet.)

Honesty/Heroes of History

Core Value: Honesty
Theme: Heroes of History

August Pack Meeting Plans:
“Honesty” AND “Heroes of History ”

GatheringActivity
My Story Mystery Game

The My Story Mystery Game is a great way to get to know some “history” about a group of individuals. It makes a great icebreaker. It can also serve as an introduction to a discussion about oral history and storytelling.

Materials
• Small slips of paper or index cards (one per player)
• Pencils (one per player)
• Container
 Instructions
1. Give each player a pencil and a piece of paper.
2. Have them write a few sentences about something which actually happened to them. Explain
that the others will have to guess who wrote it, so they should not use their name or write
something the others already know about in the story.
3. They must also write their name on the paper, so the leader will know whose story it is.
4. Put all of the stories in the container and mix.
5. The leader selects three of the stories from the container and those three people go to the front
of the group.
6. The leader tells the three stories which were selected.
7. The members of the audience get together and try to decide which story belongs to which
person.
8. Select three more stories and play the game again. Make sure each Scout gets at least one turn
to be one of the three people standing in front.

Opening Ceremony
Trailblazers

Preparation: Find the prop for each person and write what they are going to say on a card.

Narrator (opening a history book to read): Come join me now for just a minute while we look for heroes in history in my book. There are many heroes on these pages with tales of deeds through the ages.

Thomas Jefferson ( three-cornered hat or Declaration of Independence): I am Thomas Jefferson. The Declaration of Independence I did write, helping our country in its freedom fight.

Squanto (Indian headdress): I am Squanto. I helped the Pilgrims to stay alive that first winter in their
struggle to survive.

Neil Armstrong (astronaut helmet or hand-held flag): I am Neil Armstrong. I helped to blaze the trail into space for our land, and I was the first person on the moon to stand.

Abe Lincoln (stovepipe hat): I am Abraham Lincoln. As president, my best to the country I gave, and
helped to end the War Between the States.

Thomas Edison (lightbulb): I am Thomas Edison. I did my best to help my land without wait; the electric light I did create.

Paul Revere (lantern): I am Paul Revere. I made a famous ride to every farm to warn of the British and spread the alarm.

Cub Scout (in uniform): All these men who blazed a trail did their best and did it well. We are the future trailblazers of this land. You can bet we'll do our best to do our job grand!

Training Topic
Safe Scouting: The Rules That Keep Your Scouts Safe

Discussion leader should show the Guide to Safe Scouting, No. 34416C, to the Cub Scout leaders.
• Ask who in the class is familiar with the guide and its contents.
• Select several Cub Scout activities and discuss with the class how the guide addresses the safety issues of these activities.
• Discuss why Scouting places such emphasis on safety.
• We, as leaders, should model safe behaviors.
• Review the reporting procedures in the event of an accident.
• Discuss the BSA Annual Medical Form. The use of this form can help to assure that the boys are
healthy enough to participate in Scouting activities.
• Review the age-appropriate guidelines.
• Review two-deep leadership requirements.
• Youth protection begins with “You”!
• Adult leaders must repeat the course every two years.
Resources:
• Guide to Safe Scouting, No. 34416C
• Safety Thoughts—scouting.org
• Youth Protection training—www.scouting.org/Training/YouthProtection.aspx

Audience Participation Song
“American Legends”

Tune: “Davy Crockett”

Born on a mountaintop in Tennessee,
Greenest state in the land of the free.
Raised in the woods where he knew every tree
Killed him a bear, when he was only three
Davy, Davy Crockett,
King of the wild frontier.

Walked across the country with a sack on his back,
Saved Ohio settlers from Indian attack.
Shared all he had with anyone who lacked,
Apple trees now mark the path where he walked.
Johnny, Johnny Appleseed,
King of the farming man.

Made his living laying railroad rails,
The strongest man who could hammer those nails,
Then he was challenged to the race of his life,
Outworked a steam drill, but didn’t live through the night.
Big John, Big John Henry,
King of the railroad man.

Raised by coyotes and schooled by a bear,
His horse was a Widowmaker to those who dared,
Roped every varmint that flew through the sky,
Even a cyclone ‘cross the prairie he’d ride.
Pecos, Pecos Bill
King of the wild, wild west.

Commissioner’s Minute
Real Strength

America’s history is dotted with famous people—men and women and even children. We gain
inspiration from their stories. America’s strength has always been in her people. It took character to
survive that first winter in Plymouth, and another bad winter at Valley Forge. It took character to put
belongings into a rickety old wagon and push off into a land of vague promise. It took character to
tell a nation that slavery was wrong. Because character is needed today more than ever before, the
Boy Scouts of America is concerned about building strong character in boys. The BSA wants to help
guarantee that America is as strong in the future as it was at its birth. Our heroes in history show us
examples of great character. Cub Scouts can be the heroes of tomorrow as they learn about and develop that same character.

Cheers

Henry Ford cheer: Stand, pretend you are turning the crank on a Model T car (make chugging noises), then let out a big engine “ROAR” and sit down. Take the steering wheel and drive, blowing the horn with one hand and saying, “Aah-oo-gah!”
Paul Bunyan cheer: Divide the audience into two groups, the Chips and the Chops. As you point to each group, they yell in unison either “Chip!” or “Chop!” Repeat faster and faster until the tree is chopped down, then all holler, “Timber!”
Casey Jones Railroad cheer: CHOO, CHOO, CHOO, CHOO, CHOO, CHOO! WHOOOO! WHOOOO!
Grand Salute cheer: Slap your knees five times and count, “1-2-3-4-5,” then stamp your feet five
times as you count, then stand up and salute.

Closing Ceremony
Johnny Appleseed

Materials: An apple for each family or each Cub Scout or everybody. Your choice!
Johnny Appleseed was a pioneer hero, one of the very best. He didn't look much like one.
He was small and not very strong. He wore a tin pot for a hat and a coffee sack for a coat. Under his arm he carried a Bible and over his shoulder, a bag of apple seeds.
He had no knife. He had no gun. But he walked through sunshine and walked through rain--over the mountains, over the plains, and through forest trails knee-deep in mire looking for places to plant apple seeds.
While he was working, he thanked the Lord for giving him "the sun, the rain, and the apple seed." As legend goes, God was so pleased with Johnny Appleseed's selfless service that He put in the middle of every apple a star.
As we close our meeting, I will give each person an apple and ask that when you get home you slice the apple in half (demonstrate this) as I just did. You will see the star given to Johnny and to you for being part of our pack.