Palindromes

December 31, 2008 7:50 am

panama_canal_under_construction_1907

Palindromes are a lot of fun. A palindrome is a word or phrase that has the same spelling backwards. (Variation in spacing and punctuation are permitted.)

Some examples of palindromic words are: radar, rotor, and level.

Here are a few palindromic phrases:

  • “Was it a rat I saw?”
  • “Sit on a potato pan, Otis.”
  • “Rats live on no evil star.”

And then there is my favorite: “A man, a plan, a canal: Panama!”

Here are some palindrome website links:

Theme: A-MAZE-ing Games

[Image: Wikipedia]

1 Comment | A-MAZE-ing Games, CUB SCOUTS, Puzzles | Permalink
Posted by Mike Newman

Pinewood Derby Wide Body Side Panels

December 30, 2008 7:40 am

side-panels

BSA Supply Group now carries wide body side panels ($2.99/pair) which you can use to add extra width to your Pinewood Derby car.

Once they are glued on, the panels add an extra 3/8″ over the wheels, but do not cause the car to exceed size regulations.

Link

Leave a Comment » | CUB SCOUTS, Pinewood Derby | Permalink
Posted by Mike Newman

Traveler Resources

December 29, 2008 6:37 am

travelerbadge1

As with all the Webelos activity badges, the best resources for Traveler are the Webelos Handbook and the Webelos Leader Guide.

Here are some other Traveler resources that may be helpful:

Leave a Comment » | CUB SCOUTS, First Aid, Traveler | Permalink
Posted by Mike Newman

Flying Colors Party Supplies

December 26, 2008 5:20 am

patriotic-plate

For your February Blue and Gold Banquet, you may want decorations fitting the official “American ABC’s” theme.

Here are some patriotic party supplies available at PlatesAndNapkins.com:

Shipping is extra.

[Updated: 12-29-2008]

Leave a Comment » | American ABC's, Blue and Gold Banquet, CUB SCOUTS, STUFF | Permalink
Posted by Mike Newman

Traveler Requirements

December 25, 2008 5:45 am

travelerbadge

One of the official suggested Webelos activity badges for June is Traveler.

Here are the requirements for the Traveler Webelos activity badge:

Do five of these:

1. Get a map or timetable from a railroad, bus line, airline, subway, or light rail. The line should serve the place where you live or near where you live. Look up some places it goes.
2. Use a timetable to plan a trip from your home to a city in another state by railroad, bus, airline, or ferry.
3. With the help of your parent, guardian, teacher, or librarian, use a map site on the Internet to plan a trip from your home to a nearby place of interest. Download and/or print the directions and street map showing how to go from your home to the place you chose.
4. With your parent or guardian, take a trip to a place that interests you. Go by car, bus, boat, train, or plane.
5. Figure out what it costs per mile for the trip you took or planned to fulfill requirement 2, 4, 6, or 7. (Don’t forget to include getting back to your starting point!)
6. Decide on four nearby trips you would like to take with your parents or guardian. Draw the route of each trip on a highway map. Using the map, act as navigator on one of these trips. It should start at your home, be at least 25 miles long, and have six or more turns.
7. Decide on a trip you would like to take that lasts at least two days. Pack everything you would need for that trip.
8. Check the first aid kit in the family car to see if it contains what is needed. Explain what you found.
9. Look at a map legend on a road map of your area. Learn what the symbols mean. Show your den members what you have learned.
10. On a road map of your area, find a place of interest and draw two different routes between it and your home. Use the map legend to determine which route is shorter in miles.
11. Make a list of safety precautions you, as a traveler, should take for travel by each of the following; car, bus, plane, boat, train.
12. While you are a Webelos Scout, earn the Cub Scout Academics belt loop for Geography.
13. While you are a Webelos Scout, earn the Cub Scout Academics belt loop for Map and Compass.

Link [Photo via Meritbadge.org]

Leave a Comment » | CUB SCOUTS, Traveler | Permalink
Posted by Mike Newman

New Annual Health and Medical Record

December 24, 2008 5:09 am

ahmr

BSA National has unveiled a new Annual Health and Medical Record that replaces all previous BSA medical forms.

Here are some things to note about the new Record:

  • Parts A and C are to be filled out annually by youth and adult members of all BSA units (including Cub Scout packs).
  • Part B is to be filled out by a licensed health care provider. It is required for resident camp, for events lasting more than 72 hours, and for activities that are  strenuous and demanding such as service projects, work weekends, or high-adventure treks.
  • Units are encouraged to keep the Annual Health and Medical Records in a confidential medical file for quick access in an emergency and to be prepared for all adventures.
  • There is now a mandatory weight limit for those who want to participate in high-adventure activities or events that would require more than 30 minutes for evacuation by ground transportation.

You can download the form here.  Link (pdf)

The official BSA FAQ is here.  Link [Via ScoutingNews.org]

1 Comment | ADMINISTRATION, CUB SCOUTS, Camping, Hiking | Permalink
Posted by Mike Newman

Online Tour Permits

December 23, 2008 5:43 am

online-tour-permits

In early January 2009, you will be able to fill out and submit tour permits online via the BSA MyScouting system.

At this link (via the Atlanta Area Council site) is a set of instructions on the new online tour permit system.  Link (pdf)

Leave a Comment » | ADMINISTRATION, CUB SCOUTS | Permalink
Posted by Mike Newman

Three Fires Council Hiking Program

December 22, 2008 5:53 am

3-fires-hiking

Three Fires Council has a great Cub Hiking Program.  It encourages packs to have a Saturday hike each month, to keep track of each boy’s miles hiked, and to do recognition (such as a patch) at each hiking milestone.

The suggested hikes are usually two to four miles each.

There are many benefits to a Cub Scout hiking program including:

  • Recruitment and retention. Most boys who join Cub Scouting are looking for opportunities to do cool things in the outdoors like camping and hiking.
  • Physical Fitness. Many kids do not get much outdoor exercise. Cub Scout hiking is a great way to stay in shape.
  • Exposure to Nature. When boys spend time on the trail, their knowledge and appreciation of nature will increase.
  • Preparation for Boy Scouts. Webelos Scouts who have been on a significant number of hikes have an easier time adjusting being in a troop than those who have not.

Here is the 2007 “Let’s Hit the Trail” Scouting Magazine article about the Three Fires Council hiking program. Link

And here are the shorter (link) and longer (link) pdf packets from Three Fires Council describing the hiking program.

Link

Leave a Comment » | CUB SCOUTS, Hiking, Recruiting, Retention | Permalink
Posted by Mike Newman

Geologist Resources

December 19, 2008 8:04 am

geologistbadge

As with all the Webelos activity badges, the best resources for Geologist are the Webelos Handbook and the Webelos Leader Guide.

Here are some other Geologist resources that may be helpful:

Leave a Comment » | CUB SCOUTS, Geologist, Science | Permalink
Posted by Mike Newman

American ABC’s – Official Theme Description

December 18, 2008 11:31 am

usa

The February 2009 Cub Scout Monthly Theme is “American ABC’s.”

Here is the official BSA theme description:

“Take a personalized tour of the USA by the letters: Austin, Baton Rouge and Cambridge to Xenia, York and Zion. Our country contains an endless variety of scenic and historic places. What is special about these places? This month we’ll find out by visiting historic places, theme parks, museums, and zoos.

Choose a city or an historical site to highlight. Invite a guest speaker who can share something special about the places your Cub Scouts have picked to discover.

Use maps or collect tourist brochures to learn more about places to visit. Your local historical society or public library is a great place to get started.

Celebrate your blue and gold banquet with local foods from your choices of the ABC’s and decorate to highlight your choice.

This would be a good month to work on the Citizenship belt loop or pin or the Geography belt loop or pin.”  [bold added]

Link [Photo: Wikipedia]

Leave a Comment » | American ABC's, CUB SCOUTS | Permalink
Posted by Mike Newman

Free Maze Generator Sites

December 17, 2008 5:09 am

maze

When I was a kid, I thought mazes (and puzzles in general) were really cool.  So January’s “A-MAZE-ing Games” theme brings back some fond memories for me.

If you would like to make some mazes for a January den meeting, here are some websites that allow you to create computer-generated mazes for free.

[Image: xefer.com]

Leave a Comment » | A-MAZE-ing Games, Puzzles | Permalink
Posted by Mike Newman

« Previous Entries