The new Baloo’s Bugle is out.  Baloo’s Bugle is a great monthly unofficial publication with games, activities, ceremonies, puzzles, crafts, and other ideas for den and pack meetings. This one covers the January “Power Up!” theme.

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

Also inside is a fun article on many ways to recognize Cub Scout leaders.

And Bill Smith, Roundtable Guy, returns with an essay on what Cub Scouting is all about.

Click here (link) to download Baloo’s Bugle in pdf format or here (link) to download it in Word format.

The requirements for the Fitness activity badge are designed to be done primarily at home. But there are some activities you can do during den meetings to help boys get the badge completed.

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

Here are some other Fitness resources that may be helpful:

• Meritbadge.org Fitness Worksheet (pdf)
• Buckeye (SHAC) Fitness Packet (pdf)
• Hendra’s Fitness Packet [via MacScouter and scoutingthenet.com] (pdf)
• Scouting the Net – Fitness
• Pack 152 – Fitness
• Kidnetic.com
• About.com – Fitness for Kids

One of the official suggested Webelos activity badges for January is Fitness.

Here are the requirements for the Fitness Webelos activity badge:

Do this:

1. With your parent, guardian, or Webelos den leader, complete the Health and Fitness Character Connection.

a. Know: Tell why it is important to be healthy, clean, and fit.
b. Commit: Tell when it is difficult for you to stick with good health habits. Tell where you can go to be with others who encourage you to be healthy, clean, and fit.
c. Practice: Practice good health habits while doing the requirements for this activity badge.

And do six of these:

2. With a parent or other adult family member, complete a safety notebook, which is discussed in the booklet “How to Protect Your Children from Child Abuse” that comes with the Webelos Handbook.
3. Read the meal planning information in the Webelos Handbook. With a parent or other family member, plan a week of meals. Explain what kinds of meals are best for you and why.
4. Keep a record of your daily meals and snacks for a week. Decide whether you have been eating foods that are good for you.
5. Tell an adult member of your family about the bad effects smoking or chewing tobacco would have on your body.
6. Tell an adult member of your family four reasons why you should not use alcohol and how it could affect you.
7. Tell an adult member of your family what drugs could do to your body and how they would affect your ability to think clearly.
8. Read the booklet Take A Stand Against Drugs! Discuss it with an adult and show that you understand the material.

Link [Photo via Meritbadge.org]