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 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 December “Works of Art” theme.

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

Also inside is a helpful article on “Making Art with Boys.”

There is a sad note concerning Bill Smith, Roundtable Guy. It says that he recently had a stroke and is in rehab.  Please keep Bill Smith and his family in your prayers. 

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

The November 2008 Baloo’s Bugle (by Commissioner Dave) is now available for free download. It has games, activities, ceremonies, puzzles, crafts, and other ideas for den and pack meetings for the December 2008 monthly theme (Holiday Lights).

For Webelos Scout den meetings, it also has activities for the Craftsman and Scientist Webelos activity badges.

And it also has information about Wood Badge training, internet rechartering, and service stars.

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

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

Here are some other Scientist resources that may be helpful:

• Meritbadge.org Scientist Worksheet (pdf)
• Buckeye Scientist Packet (pdf)
• Hendra’s Scientist Packet [via MacScouter and scoutingthenet.com] (pdf)
• Scouting the Net – Scientist
• Pack 152 – Science
• NASA Earth Science for Kids
• Yahoo Kids – Science

One of the official suggested Webelos activity badges for December and January is Scientist.

Here are the requirements for the Scientist Webelos activity badge:

Do these:
1. Read Bernoulli’s Principle. Show how it works.
2. Read Pascal’s Law. Tell about some inventions that use Pascal’s law.
3. Read Newton’s first law of motion. Show in three different ways how inertia works.
4. While you are a Webelos Scout, earn the Cub Scout Academics belt loop for Science.

And do six of these:
5. Show the effects of atmospheric pressure.
6. Show the effects of air pressure.
7. Show the effects of water pressure. This may be combined with atmospheric pressure or with air pressure.
8. With adult supervision, build and launch a model rocket. (NOTE: You must be at least 10 years old to work with a model rocket kit sold in stores.) Describe how Newton’s third law of motion explains how the rocket is propelled into the sky.
9. Explain what causes fog. Show how this works.
10. Explain how crystals are formed. Make some.
11. Explain how you use your center of gravity to keep your balance. Show three different balancing tricks.
12. Show in three different ways how your eyes work together, and show what is meant by an optical illusion.
13. While you are a Webelos Scout, earn the Cub Scout Academics belt loop for Weather.
14. While you are a Webelos Scout, earn the Cub Scout Academics belt loop for Astronomy.

Link [Photo via Meritbadge.org]

This Magic Science Kit available for $12.99 from BSA National could provide some fun “Abracadabra” den meeting (or Webelos Scientist) activities. It has a number of magic tricks that teach facts about science including magnetism, electricity, and friction.

Link