* 2017 BSA Modifications are exactly the same as in the handbook for Running with the Pack
Complete the following requirements.
Requirement
1. Play catch with someone in your den or family who is standing 5 steps
away from you. Play until you can throw and catch successfully at this distance.
Take a
step back and see if you can improve your throwing and catching skills.
( Easy- had our boys do this with a ball from the dollar store . Did not take long.)
2. Practice balancing as you walk forward, backward, and sideways.
(did this at Camp on a tree that was down. The boys loved it.)
3. Practice flexibility and balance by doing a front roll, a back roll, and a frog stand.
( Had the boys do this during a den meeting. Easy and they were laughing at how they looked.)
4. Play a sport or game with your den or family, and show good sportsmanship.
(We started playing this during a den meeting with just wolves but others started joining in .)
5. Do at least two of the following: frog leap, inchworm walk, kangaroo hop, or
crab walk.
( We did this at the same time as the front roll, back roll, ect from Req 3.)
6. Demonstrate what it means to eat a balanced diet by helping to plan a healthy menu
for a meal for your den or family. Make a shopping list of the food used to prepare
the meal.
(My son decided on grilled chicken, corn on the cob, and salad. )
After that, your child will get the Running with the Pack beltloop.
My son did all the requirements from the handbook BUT
BSA has issued a 2017 modification to the Wolf Scout handbook
to make it easier. So to make life easier on your scout, thats what I will post.
Paws on the Path
Complete requirements 1–5. Requirements 6 and 7 are optional.
( In the handbook you have to do 8 requirements vs these 6, even though #2 combines req 2 and 3 together))
Requirement
1. Show you are prepared to hike safely in any outdoor setting by putting
together the Cub Scout Six Essentials to take along on your hike.
(Req 1 in handbook)
(I wrote a whole post on this that you can view here. )
2. Tell what the buddy system is and why we always use it in Cub Scouting. Describe
what you should do if you get separated from your group while hiking.
( Req 2 and 3 from book)
3. Choose the appropriate clothing to wear on your hike based on the expected weather.
( Req 4 from book)
4. Before hiking, recite the Outdoor Code and the Leave No Trace Principles for Kids
with your leader. (This may be combined with requirement 3 of the Call of the Wild
adventure.) After hiking, discuss how you showed respect for wildlife.
(Req 5 from book)
5. Go on a 1-mile hike with your den or family. Find two interesting things that you’ve
never seen before and discuss with your den or family.
( Req 6 in handbook)
Now after you did 1-5, choose one more from below to do.
6. Name two birds, two insects, and/or two other animals that live in your area. Explain
how you identified them.
( Req 7 in book)
7. Draw a map of an area near where you live using common map symbols. Show which
direction is north on your map.
knows my son is not athletic. So for his STEM patch, he had the choice of
doing either Motor Away or Paws of Skill.
He chose Motor Away!
So lets follow the directions to finish it.
Also, it seems like there are no changes for this even with the modifications.
So lets begin!
I always read what it say in the book to my son, then we do what it says to do.
Requirement 1A
Create and Fly 3 different types of paper airplanes. ( Love this!) Before launching them, record which one you believe will travel the farthest and what property of the plane leads you to this prediction.
( We made it into a competition. Like I would let him choose one, I wrote his name on it. I chose one too. Then we flew them. Then we would scream " Mine beat yours", if it did. )
Here is the Arrow Plane above from page 269.
Great this about that Wolf Handbook is that it GIVES you the
directions on how to make 3 airplanes. We followed those directions.
Here below is the Delta airplane from page 271.
And Lastly, here is the Dart from page 272!
Now here is all 3!
If you noticed, we wrote on them, which will go farthest and which will go least.
We did multiple races. It was funny!
Requirement 1B-
Make a paper airplane catapult. Before launching, record how far you believe it will travel and explain what info you used to make this prediction. After, launch the plane and measure how far it flies.
We used the 3 airplanes from 1A. We punched a hole in all 3. After launching one, we would take the rubber band out and and launch the next 1.
Remember to record at least one on how far it flew. We had to go back and do that because we forgot the measuring tape.
See, more fun if it's a competition.
Again, make sure to record your measurements!!
Requirement 2
Make 2 different boats and sail them. Choose 2 different shapes.
We chose to make 3 different boats.
I asked the question about paper boats. He said paper doesn't float.
So, we followed this video on YouTube to make one.
And here is our special paper boat!
We made 2 and yes they float.
Here my son used recycled stuff to make a sail boat.
And lastly, a aluminium barge.
All 3 floated. Sail boat was the most difficult to sail in the bathtub later because the sail kept falling off. The Barge held up a lot of weight. Also learned about displacement. Made a small one vs a large one and kept adding coins to both until the smaller one sank.
Requirement 3
Create a car that moves under its own power
We tried 2 different Balloon cars. Had 4 adults and my son work on them. Both cars failed to move. I think if you plan on making one, maybe try a bendy straw and see if you can have the straw blow against the ground. Might work then.
So since that failed for us, we also made the Spool car.
Make sure if you do this one, that you have the washers. I forgot at 1st and it did not move. After the washers were on, it moved. My son played with it till the rubber band finally popped.
And there you go. If your child likes crafts, creating something, science or even competition,
he will love Motor Away!
So have fun with it. And if something doesn't work like it should, ask your scout what he would change to make it work. Add some suggestions. Make sure they try their best.
And remember, if your scout is doing STEM, the Motor Away works for either Tech Talk or Swing. But you can NOT use it for both.
Have a great day.
I honestly don't know what the actual name of this experiment is
but I heard someone refer to it as the thirsty candle or Rising Water Secret.
Here is an experiment that I saw in my 3rd grade science fair and forgot about.
Until Scouting University, where they did the experiment in a Nova class I took!
So for Spring Break, I allowed my son to do it.
Note: This uses dye. My son spilled the watered dye on our light counters in the kitchen.
It took a lot of bleach to get off. Please put plate in something so that it doesn't spill. Or use an aluminum tray instead of the plate.
Ok, so what you need is:
1 candle
1 plate or aluminium tray
water
dye
lighter/matches
clear glass
Experiment
1. Adult Supervision because of the matches or lighter.
2. Fill a cup with water, doen't need to be a lot.
3. Add 2 or 3 drops of food coloring to the water. My son used the gel stuff and gave it a good squeeze.
4. Pour the water into the plate or pan and place the candle in the middle of the water.
5. Light the candle.
6. Cover the candle with the clear glass and think about what is taking place both inside and outside of the vase. What invisible thing is
inside the vase? Carefully observe what happens to the water around the vase. It's bubbles a little. What happens to the candle flame?
It goes fast, so you may want to do multiple times. We did it once and then searched for answers. Apparently it wasn't as cool as the Elephant toothpaste, according to my son.
What Is actually happening?
How Does It Work?
The candle flame heats the air in the vase, and this hot air expands. Some of the expanding air escapes out from under the vase —
you might see some bubbles. As the flame goes out, the air in the vase cools down and the cooler air contracts and creates a
vacuum. This imperfect vacuum is created due to the low pressure inside the vase and the high pressure outside of the vase. We
know what you're thinking; the vacuum is sucking the water into the vase right? You have the right idea, but scientists try to avoid
using the term “suck” when describing a vacuum. Instead, they explain it as gases exerting pressure from an area of high pressure to
an area of low pressure.
A common misconception regarding this experiment is that the consumption of the oxygen inside of the bottle is also a factor in the
water rising. Truth is, there is a possibility that there would be a small rise in the water from the flame burning up oxygen, but it is
extremely minor compared to the expansion and contraction of the gases within the bottle. Simply put, the water would rise at a
steady rate if the oxygen being consumed were the main contributing factor (rather than experiencing the rapid rise when the flame
is extinguished).
*This information was sent to me by one of the SHAC STEM guys out of Brazos.
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OK, So I am the one in our Pack that does all the awards and crafty stuff for us.
After searching Pinterest, I found something that was like a pit pass for someones Pinewood Derby.
They made the frame and had each boy take pictures in it, then printed them.
So of course, I had to do that too but I knew I didn't have time to do everything 2 weeks before derby. So I made a stat card for each boy for Blue and Gold.
I made the frame out of black poster board.
Then I cut out some shapes and glues it on for the derby car, the tent, the boat and the fire. I even used some paint for the fire to make a little more real.
The Pack # was in gold because it looked cool and they were getting these at Blue and Gold!
I glued on the year and the pack # permanently to the board, along with those designs of the car, boat and fire/tent.
The names were done with letters that were like sticky notes, so I was able to redo them over and over without messing up the frame. This is what I used:
It made it personalized for each kid and they loved it.
Then, I just took the pics, printed them and glued them on to a thick scrapbook paper that I bought at Hobby Lobby for 50% off. I also found out info on each kid and put it on the back.
Like, what year did they join?
What is their fave food?
Fave scout activity?
Birthday?
Just basic stuff.
Then I laminated each card. I don't know how the other boys like them but I know my son loves his. I made 2 for each that way they can give one to their parents as a keep sake, or trade them like baseball cards. Here are some examples of the cards. Enjoy!
Requirement 1- Show you are prepared to hike safely by putting together the Cub Scout 6 Essentials
When my son has to hike, I always make him wear a backpack with his 6 essentials plus some extra stuff. Do we use it? Sometimes. It's just better to get them in the frame of mind now better than later.
1. First Aid Kit- our 1st aid kit came from
a booth at a fun run or festival. Around here, a lot of hospitals participate with a booth where you get free stuff. Usually a small 1st aid kit and hand sanitizer. The one we have actually clips onto the backpack zipper, making it light, easy accessible, and doesn't take up space in the pack. We had one Webelos who had a big 1st aid kit but after a little while, he didn't want to wear it any longer. So he gave it to a den leader to carry around for a 3 mile hike.
If need be, just make one with a Ziploc bag with neosporin, some band-aids, moleskin band-aid for blisters, hand sanitizing gel and I add tweezers for those pesky splinters.
You can also buy a small one:
I found them starting at 99 cents online, around $4 at Walmart, I mean they are everywhere!
2. Flashlight
We have a $1 LED light that he got as a stocking stuffer in a burnt orange color, just so that it was easy to find in a backpack on the side.
Also he has a Cub Scout Flashlight that he received from his pack that we have inside the back pack.
This is the exact one he has that was $1 at Walmart.
3. Filled Water Bottle
Again, have a lot from Fun Runs and festivals that were free. Alot of times we will have an ozarka water bottle and then he has a water bottle that he received from Scout Day camp with his name on it.
4. Trail Food
We usually have beef jerky with, preferably from Bellville Meat Market. But sometimes he will make a mixture of nuts and chocolate to keep with just in case. But you can always just have an oatmeal bar or something.
5. Sun Protection-
My son hates hats! But on hikes, I make him wear one along with sun screen.
I tried buying the Bullfrog Sunscreen and mosquito spay in one. I haven't bought it since. But I always have at least 30 spf sunscreen spray. We burn easily so it is very important for us to keep on hand.
6. Whistle
He has the cub scout whistle that clips to his backpack. Works just as good as any other whistle, nothing special. So you can buy just a plain old whistle, just make sure it works.
Now I am going to suggest a 7th item for us southerners! This is just as important as the others, here in the south.
7. Mosquito Spray
LOAD UP!
They say everything is bigger in Texas. That includes the monster size mosquitos that I have seen. They bite through your clothes! So spray those clothes down too. Warning-They say don't use Deet products on children. They have child safe products out there. And load up a few more bottles if your camping. Your going to want them!
My son completed this at our fall camp out and received
his belt loop by the camp fire.
* BSA 2017 modifications don't change this one. Still need all 4 requirements from the book!
This has only 4 requirements, unlike Council Fire or Paws on the Path.
So it's easy to do!
Requirement 1- Show you can communicate in at least 2 different ways.
We discussed the 4 different different ways located in the book. We talked about each one. We used learned the ASL way of signing the Cub Scout Motto. We even did the American Indian Sign Launguage shown. Then we went to the library and checked out The Black Book of Colors by Menena Cottin(Goodreads Author), Elisa Amado(translator), Rosana FarÃa(illustrator). It has braille in it, so it showed him that people can read another way too.
And for our den activity, the boys were blind folded and were told which way to go to find an object. By the way, at this age, left and right are not always known.
The kids will laugh and have fun with it but make sure they understand that for people that can't see, it's not fun and games.
Requirement 2- Create an original skit
My boys were hesitant about this. So I started throwing out suggestions on a subject. Minecraft and Pokemon Go were the 2 they had trouble picking between. Pokemon Go was chosen and they made a skit of walking in the woods looking for an elusive Pokemon. Also, they never said the word Pokemon, so it went kind of like this:
" It's over here!" " No, it moved behind that tree", you knew they were tracking something on a screen, just not what. Then another boy jumps out and roars and they say we found " insert weird name of fictional Pokemon creature here". The other scouts were laughing once hey caught on because a lot of them play Pokemon Go. Remember, if you don't have enough boys in your den, ask the other dens if someone would like to help.
Requirement 3- Work together with your den to plan, prepare and rehearse a campfire program to present at a den meeting
1st- I read the story of the Lone wolf to them. Then we already planned our skit and the boys chose to sing a song about underwear. We also howled by the campfire. The next morning, my son went and grabbed some of the cold ashes for the next campfire to " keep the scouting tradition alive"
Requirement 4- Practice and perform your role for a pack campfire program
Skit didn't take a lot of practice but the underwear song did. They even had to read some of the forgotten words as they sang in front of the fire. Cub Scouts are supposed to "Do your Best" and they did. They gave it their all and we still had a blast.
Congratulations! See how easy it was?
I wish I had some of the videos of the skits and songs but I can't seem to find them. Ugh!
