The May 2009 (Leave Nothing But Footprints) Den Meeting in a Box is available from BSA Supply Group for Tiger, Wolf, or Bear den meetings.

It is $37.49 and includes ten “A Walk on the Wild Side!” booklets, 10 photo albums, 10 sticker sheets, 10 monthly theme emblems, and more.

Link

Leave No Trace is a program designed to encourage people to enjoy the outdoors but to do so in a way which has a minimal impact.

Following the Leave No Trace guidelines listed below can help Cubs earn the Cub Scouting Leave No Trace Awareness Award.

Leave No Trace Frontcountry Guidelines for Cub Scouts

1. Plan Ahead
Watch for hazards and follow all the rules of the park or outdoor facility. Remember proper clothing, sunscreen, hats, first aid kits, and plenty of drinking water. Use the buddy system. Make sure you carry your family’s name, phone number, and address.

2. Stick to Trails
Stay on marked trails whenever possible. Short-cutting trails causes the soil to wear away or to be packed, which eventually kills trees and other vegetation. Trampled wildflowers and vegetation take years to recover. Stick to trails!

3. Manage your pet
Managing your pet will keep people, dogs, livestock, and wildlife from feeling threatened. Make sure your pet is on a leash or controlled at all times. Do not let your pet approach or chase wildlife. When animals are chased or disturbed, they change eating patterns and use more energy that may result in poor health or death.

Take care of your pet’s waste. Take a small shovel or scoop and a pick-up bag to pick up your pet’s waste— wherever it’s left. Place the waste bags in a trash can for disposal.

4. Leave what you find
When visiting any outdoor area, try to leave it the same as you find it. The less impact we each make, the longer we will enjoy what we have. Even picking flowers denies others the opportunity to see them and reduces seeds, which means fewer plants next year.

Use established restrooms. Graffiti and vandalism have no place anywhere, and they spoil the experience for others. Leave your mark by doing an approved conservation project.

5. Respect other visitors
Expect to meet other visitors. Be courteous and make room for others. Control your speed when biking or running. Pass with care and let others know before you pass. Avoid disturbing others by making noise or playing loud music.

Respect “No Trespassing” signs. If property boundaries are unclear, do not enter the area.

6. Trash Your Trash
Make sure all trash is put in a bag or trash receptacle. Trash is unsightly and ruins everyone’s outdoor experience. Your trash can kill wildlife. Even materials, such as orange peels, apple cores and food scraps, take years to break down and may attract unwanted pests that could become a problem.

Link

[Updated:  2009-04-16]

The April 2009 Cubcast from BSA National is available (free).  Part 1 has ideas for den meetings and more utilizing the May “Leave Nothing But Footprints” theme.

Part 2 has a number of tips on spring recruiting.

Part 1

Part 2 [Photo: Wikipedia]

Here is the May 2009 (Leave Nothing But Footprints) monthly theme emblem. It is $1.19 from BSA Supply Group.

Link

This new organic Cub Scout t-shirt fits perfectly with the May “Leave Nothing But Footprints” theme. It is made from organic cotton using biodegradable dyes and features footprints of a tiger, a wolf, and a bear.

It costs $14.99 and is available only in youth sizes.

Link

Simon Kenton Council’s Buckeye District roundtable packet for May 2009 is now available on the SKC website.

The Buckeye District puts together a great roundtable packet each month. This one has games, cooking ideas, crafts, songs, skits, ceremonies, and more for the Leave Nothing But Footprints theme including lots of hiking-related ideas.

Link (pdf)

The April 2009 Baloo’s Bugle (by Commissioner Dave) is available for free download.

Baloo’s Bugle is a monthly unofficial publication with games, activities, ceremonies, puzzles, crafts, and other ideas for den and pack meetings. This one covers the May “Leave Nothing But Footprints” theme.

For Webelos Scout den meetings, this Bugle also has activities for the Outdoorsman and Artist Webelos activity badges.

In addition to many different ideas for fun hikes, this issue also has suggestions on annual program planning.

Click here (link) to download it in pdf format or here (link) to download it in Word format.

The May 2009 Cub Scout Monthly Theme is “Leave Nothing But Footprints.”

Here is the official BSA theme description:

“Warm weather is a perfect time for outdoor adventure, complete with den hikes in the neighborhood, park, or on local trails. As we enjoy our outdoor world, we should strive to take nothing but pictures and leave nothing but footprints.

Learn about Leave No Trace frontcountry guidelines and ways we can minimize our impact on the environment. Take a backyard hike and practice the Leave No Trace frontcountry guidelines. Have a contest to see who can take the best wildlife photograph. Earn the Cub Scout Leave No Trace Awareness Award.

Do your Good Turn and leave these areas cleaner then you found them. Remember to record your service with Good Turn for America.

The end of the month has all dens moving up the Cub Scout trail. You might want to consider working on the Wildlife Conservation belt loop and pin this month.” [bold added]

Link [Photo: Wikipedia]