MARCH 2008- Litter to Glitter

This month Cub Scouts will turn recycled items into treasure and learn about conservation at the same time. Using items that would normally go in the trash or recycling bin, build artistic masterpieces of your own design. It’s amazing what some recycled bottles and paper can do when combined with glue and a little imagination. Have a gallery opening at your pack meeting with all your art displayed. Don’t forget the Art belt loop and pin.

Program Resources

Official Cub Scout Program Helps

Baloo's Bugle

Other Related Cub Scout Themes

March 2000 Bugs And Things (recycling)

March 2001 Save It For Us (conservation, recycling)

November 2001 Works of Art (art)

March 2002 Forces or Nature (conservation)

March 2004 Cubservation (conservation, recycling)

June 2004 Fin Fun (conservation)

February 2005 Invention Convention (recycling)

March 2005 Waterways of the USA (conservation)

March 2006 Our Feathered Friends (conservation)

August 2006 Zoo Adventures (conservation)

June 2008 H2Ohhh! (conservation)

April 2009 Leave Nothing But Footprints (conservation)

APRIL 2008 - Abracadabra

Cub Scouts love to amaze and be amazed! Boys discover secrets of the magician's art this month as they demonstrate magical illusions and learn new tricks with cards, coins and other everyday objects. The Cub Scout Magic Book is a great resource for age- appropriate tricks and puzzles. Visit a magic shop or have a magician come to your den or pack meeting to teach the boys a few tricks of the trade. Prepare to watch in wonder at the pack meeting as your Cub Scouts entertain their audience with skits, stunts and sparklers that they have practiced at den meetings. The Cubmaster uses the magic of ceremonies to pull awards from his hat at the mystifying pack meeting magic show. This would be a good month to hold your pack space derby.

Program Resources

Official Cub Scout Program Helps

Baloo's Bugle

Other Related Cub Scout Themes

September 2000 Our Gifts and Talents (talent)

April 2002 Abracadabra (magic, puzzle, talent)

December 2002 Strike Up The Band (talent)

April 2003 Lights, Camera, Action! (magic, talent)

September 2004 It's a Circus of Stars (magic, talent)

November 2006 Cub Scout Stars (talent)

December 2008 "A-MAZE-ing" GAMES (puzzle)

MAY 2008 - Leaf it to Cubs

Cub Scouts will learn about the wonders of nature's gift to us, a tree! Learn to identify poison oak, poison ivy and various trees by their shape and leaf design. Try leaf rubbing, leaf prints, making a leaf collage, preserving leaves with wax paper or making a leaf collection from fallen leaves. Make a leaf boat and race it at a den or pack meeting. Participate in a tree planting or your local Arbor Day activities. Either adopt a tree or plant one and watch it grow. Research how trees are used to help us in our daily lives. Field trips can be to a lumberyard, nature center, forest preserve or local park. Earn the Collecting belt loop and pin.

Program Resources

Official Cub Scout Program Helps

Baloo's Bugle

Other Related Cub Scout Themes

April 2000 See The Forest For The Trees (tree, nature, forest, leaves)

August 2000 Pockets (collecting)

March 2002 Forces or Nature (nature)

May 2002 Critters, Cubs, and Campfires (nature)

June 2003 A Hiking We Will Go (nature)

March 2004 Cubservation (nature)

October 2004 Cub Scout Collectors (collecting)

March 2006 Our Feathered Friends (nature)

April 2006 Diggin' In the Dirt (nature)

July 2006 Scouting It Out (nature)

August 2006 Zoo Adventures (nature)

JUNE 2008 - Go for the Gold

As the athletes of the world strive to do their personal best in international competition, Cub Scouts have the opportunity to ”Go for the Gold“ by doing their best in feats of skill and prowess. This month Cub Scouts learn about exercise and sports and put that knowledge to use playing Ultimate or another sport not played before. Remember that not only is it important to do your best when you play a sport but it is important to understand the rules of being a good sport no matter the outcome of the game. This month would be a great time to work on one of the Cub Scout Sports belt loops and pins in baseball, golf or flag football.

Program Resources

Official Cub Scout Program Helps

Baloo's Bugle

Other Related Cub Scout Themes

July 2000 Toughen Up (sports)

July 2002 Sports Extravaganza (sports)

July 2004 Scouting The Midway (game)

June 2005 Play Ball! (sports)

December 2008 "A-MAZE-ing" GAMES (game)

June 2009 Be A Sport (sports)

JULY 2008 - H2Ohhh!

Dive right in as Cub Scouts spend a month learning about water, our most precious resource. Learn about marine life. Dens can visit a water treatment facility, local aquarium or fish farm. Cub Scouts may even want to prepare their own aquarium or fish bowl and "adopt a gold fish". This is also an excellent opportunity to teach our Cub Scouts about water conservation. Don't forget learning about water safety. Enjoy water games; hunt for shells and experience all the beach has to offer. Cub Scouts love to get wet. What could be better than a water carnival complete with games, competition, and safe swim demonstrations? This would be a great time to work on the Wildlife Conservation, Fishing, or Swimming belt loop and pin. Have an outdoor Cub Scout raingutter regatta race.

Program Resources

Official Cub Scout Program Helps

Baloo's Bugle

Other Related Cub Scout Themes

March 2001 Save It For Us (conservation)

May 2001 Wet and Wild (water, swim)

March 2002 Forces or Nature (conservation)

March 2004 Cubservation (conservation)

June 2004 Fin Fun (water, swim, fish, conservation)

March 2005 Waterways of the USA (water, conservation)

March 2006 Our Feathered Friends (conservation)

July 2006 Scouting It Out (water)

August 2006 Zoo Adventures (conservation)

February 2007 Baloo Skies (water)

February 2008 Litter To Glitter (conservation)

July 2008 S'more Summer Fun (water)

April 2009 Leave Nothing But Footprints (conservation)

AUGUST 2008 - S'MORE Summer Fun

Summer memories can last a lifetime and memories made with your Cub Scout den or pack can be some of the best. So let’s make ”S’More“ Cub Scout memories this month. Since ”outing“ is part of Cub Scouting, let’s get outside and have some fun. Be it having a picnic, water party, softball game or campout; there is no limit to the amount of fun to be had by all this month. Why not have a pack family campout following the guidelines your leaders learned in BALOO training? What could be better than an outdoor pack meeting complete with a campfire? Whether you make a real or synthetic fire, the fun is 100% genuine. This would be a good opportunity to work on the Softball belt loop and pin or the Weather belt loop and pin.

Program Resources

Official Cub Scout Program Helps

Baloo's Bugle

Other Related Cub Scout Themes

April 2001 Happy Trails (outdoor)

May 2001 Wet and Wild (water, outdoor)

March 2002 Forces or Nature (weather)

May 2002 Critters, Cubs, and Campfires (outdoor)

July 2002 Sports Extravaganza (outdoor)

May 2003 Fun In The Sun (summer, outdoor)

June 2003 A Hiking We Will Go (outdoor)

June 2004 Fin Fun (water)

March 2005 Waterways of the USA (water)

May 2005 Destination Parks (outdoor)

July 2005 Campfire Tales and Traditions (camp)

July 2006 Scouting It Out (outdoor, water)

February 2007 Baloo Skies (weather, water)

June 2008 H2Ohhh! (water)

April 2009 Leave Nothing But Footprints (outdoor)

May 2009 A Camping We Will Go (camp, outdoor)

July 2009 Fun In The Sun (outdoor)

SEPTEMBER 2008 -  New Buddies

Wonderful opportunities are waiting! The new school year brings possibilities of new friends. This month a Cub Scout can invite a new buddy to join the fun and adventure of Cub Scouting! This single act can influence the lives of many others. The boys will make new friends while keeping the old by learning to share and treat buddies with kindness. In the den meeting the boys can learn the value of friendship, cooperation, and respect through games and activities. This new team of buddies can develop secret codes and write messages to each other. They will all learn the Cub Scout handshake and motto which will signify belonging to that special group. The boys can practice the buddy system as they go on hikes, work on projects, play games, and participate in sports. This is a great month for boys to earn a Cub Scout Academics or Sports belt loop or pin as they work and play together with an interest they all share.

Program Resources

Official Cub Scout Program Helps

Baloo's Bugle

Other Related Cub Scout Themes

July 2005 Campfire Tales and Traditions (recruit)

August 2007 Cub Scout Express (recruit, join)

OCTOBER 2008 - Adventures in Books

What great adventures come in books? Let's discover some this month. Visit the library and learn to navigate your way through the "card catalog computer," down the aisles of many adventures, and to an adventure of your own choice. Sign up for your library card while on your visit. Create your own outdoor epic adventure on a hike, campout, or maybe at a ball field or park. Make a costume for one of the characters from your favorite story. At the pack meeting the boys can perform some of their favorite stories and share some of their adventures with the pack. Take part in Pedro's "Say Yes to Reading" program in Boy's Life. This might also be a good month to work on the Communication or Computer belt loop and pin. Encourage the boys to have the courage to search for, discover, and share adventure this month.

Program Resources

Official Cub Scout Program Helps

Baloo's Bugle

Other Related Cub Scout Themes

NOVEMBER 2008 - Seeds of Kindness

As we approach Thanksgiving, let us spread seeds of kindness in the form of multiple small service projects. Helping others gives the boys the opportunity to see the bounty produced by spreading many small seeds of kindness and encourages compassion. The boys can discover that just as the large strong oak tree came from the small acorn, big things can happen from spreading small seeds of kindness and charity. Conduct a food drive or collect coats and gloves for those in need; report your hours to Good Turn for America. Work on the Citizenship belt loop and pin.

Program Resources

Official Cub Scout Program Helps

Baloo's Bugle

Other Related Cub Scout Themes

November 2000 What Do You Do At Holiday Time? (good turn)

March 2002 Forces or Nature (good turn)

November 2002 Winter Wonderland (good turn)

October 2003 Pilgrims of Plymouth Rock (thanksgiving)

November 2003 A Cub Scout Gives Good Will (good turn)

DECEMBER 2008 - Holiday Lights

The Star of Bethlehem, the Miracle of the Lamp, the Morning Star that enlightened Buddha, the bonfires of Yule: many of our holiday traditions this month involve lights. Share your holiday traditions with your pack and den: lights on a Christmas tree, candles on a Menorah for Chanukah, or on a Kinara for Kwanzaa. Boys can be stars this month by brightening someone's holiday season with a gift of compassion. As a pack or den, visit a nursing home, preschool, or children's ward and sing holiday favorites. End your outing by sharing cookies that the boys decorated. Help those less fortunate with a service project or toy drive. How about a holiday campfire at your pack meeting? This is great month to work on the Language and Culture belt loop and pin or the Heritages belt loop and pin.

Program Resources

Official Cub Scout Program Helps

Baloo's Bugle

Other Related Cub Scout Themes

November 2000 What Do You Do At Holiday Time? (holiday)

November 2001 Works of Art (holiday)

January 2002 Our Native People (traditions)

November 2002 Winter Wonderland (holiday)

November 2003 A Cub Scout Gives Good Will (holiday)

November 2004 Holiday Food Fare (holiday)

November 2005 Faith, Hope, & Charity (holiday)

May 2006 Invent a Reason to Celebrate (holiday)

November 2007 Celebrations Around The World (holiday)

JANUARY 2009 - A-MAZE-ing Games

January is a good time for indoor fun. Make and solve puzzles. Stump your friends with riddles. Build a maze, do crossword puzzles, and word searches. Have a pack games night in which your family joins in for relays, board games, and other cooperative games. Play Cub Scout Jeopardy; how much do you know about Cub Scouting? Rediscover some of the games that your parents and your grandparents could have played and work on the Heritages belt loop and pin. Discuss why playing by the rules is important. The pinewood derby is a good opportunity to learn about rules and good sportsmanship. Why not work on the Chess belt loop and pin.

Program Resources

Official Cub Scout Program Helps

Baloo's Bugle

Other Related Cub Scout Themes

October 2000 Turn On The Power (pinewood, derby)

April 2002 Abracadabra (puzzle)

July 2004 Scouting The Midway (game)

June 2007 The Rockets Red Glare (derby)

December 2007 Cub Scout Car Show (pinewood, derby)

March 2008 Abracadabra (puzzle)

May 2008 Go For The Gold (game)

February 2009 When I Grow Up (derby)

July 2009 Fun In The Sun (derby)

FEBRUARY 2009 - American ABC's

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 ABCs 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.

Program Resources

Official Cub Scout Program Helps

Baloo's Bugle

Other Related Cub Scout Themes

January 2000 Turn Back The Clock (blue and gold)

June 2000 From Sea To Shining Sea (america)

January 2001 Passports to Other Lands (blue and gold)

June 2001 American ABC's (america)

September 2002 It's A Jungle Of Fun (zoo)

January 2003 Uncle Sam Depends On You (blue and gold)

January 2004 Fiesta!! (blue and gold)

April 2004 My Home State (state, america)

December 2004 Cubs Scouts Spread the News (blue and gold)

January 2005 It's A Scouting Celebration (blue and gold)

May 2005 Destination Parks (park)

January 2006 Cubs in the Future (blue and gold)

August 2006 Zoo Adventures (zoo)

December 2006 Poles Apart (map)

September 2007 Down On The Farm (zoo)

January 2008 Chinese New Year (blue and gold)

March 2009 Jurassic Pack (museum)

May 2009 A Camping We Will Go (park, map)

MARCH 2009- When I Grow Up

Explore career possibilities of the 21st century this month. Host a pack career fair, inviting several adults to share what they do for a living and how these career opportunities might change as you grow up and technology advances. Discover how having a positive attitude is essential in reaching career goals. Den meeting plans could include field trips to learn about different occupations of interest to the boys and playing games centered on different jobs. This would be a good month to work on any of the Cub Scout Academics and Sports belt loops and pins - let the boys vote on the one that fits best with what they want to be when they grow up. For those future astronauts this month is a perfect time for a space derby!

Program Resources

Official Cub Scout Program Helps

Baloo's Bugle

Other Related Cub Scout Themes

May 2000 Space: The New Frontier (space)

October 2000 Turn On The Power (derby)

December 2000 When I Grow Up (career)

August 2002 Blast Off (space)

February 2003 Why Does It Do That? (space)

August 2004 Time in A Capsule (future, space)

January 2006 Cubs in the Future (future, space)

November 2006 Cub Scout Stars (space)

June 2007 The Rockets Red Glare (space, derby)

December 2007 Cub Scout Car Show (derby)

December 2008 "A-MAZE-ing" GAMES (derby)

July 2009 Fun In The Sun (derby)

APRIL 2009 - Jurassic Park

Explore the land before time! Imagine living in a time when dinosaurs roamed the Earth. What have paleontologists learned about the great beasts that roamed the Earth millions of years ago? Did any dinosaurs live where you do now? Find out what they ate, where they lived, and how they moved. What could we learn of these creatures that lived so long ago? Make a model of a dinosaur or visit a museum where dinosaur fossils can be seen. Make your own "dinosaur footprints" or "fossils" in plaster. Take a "dinosaur" scavenger hike by going on a hike and looking for things that might have been found during the Jurassic era. This would be a great time to work on the Geology belt loop and pin.

Program Resources

Official Cub Scout Program Helps

Baloo's Bugle

Other Related Cub Scout Themes

January 2000 Turn Back The Clock (prehistoric)

August 2002 Blast Off (model)

May 2004 Cub Rock (geology, prehistoric, dinosaurs)

September 2006 Cub Scout Shipbuilders (model)

June 2007 The Rockets Red Glare (model)

August 2007 Cub Scout Express (model)

January 2009 American ABC's (museum)

MAY 2009 - Leave Nothing but Footprints

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.

Program Resources

Official Cub Scout Program Helps

Baloo's Bugle

Other Related Cub Scout Themes

March 2001 Save It For Us (conservation)

April 2001 Happy Trails (outdoor, hike)

May 2001 Wet and Wild (outdoor)

March 2002 Forces or Nature (conservation)

May 2002 Critters, Cubs, and Campfires (outdoor)

July 2002 Sports Extravaganza (outdoor)

May 2003 Fun In The Sun (outdoor)

June 2003 A Hiking We Will Go (hike, outdoor)

March 2004 Cubservation (conservation)

June 2004 Fin Fun (conservation)

March 2005 Waterways of the USA (conservation)

May 2005 Destination Parks (hike, outdoor)

March 2006 Our Feathered Friends (conservation)

July 2006 Scouting It Out (outdoor, hike)

August 2006 Zoo Adventures (conservation)

April 2007 Cubs and Bugs Galore (hike)

February 2008 Litter To Glitter (conservation)

June 2008 H2Ohhh! (conservation)

July 2008 S'more Summer Fun (outdoor)

May 2009 A Camping We Will Go (outdoor)

July 2009 Fun In The Sun (outdoor)

JUNE 2009 - A Campin' We Will Go

This month Cub Scouts go camping! Have a backyard campout with your family. Pitch a tent or sleep out under the stars! Conduct a pack campout at a nearby Scout camp, state park, or even the local museum. An outdoor pack meeting might include a nature observation hunt, followed by an evening around the "campfire". Attend your council's Cub Scout or Webelos Scout resident camp as a den or pack or the council's family camp with your whole family. Camping doesn't always mean overnight; day camp is always lots of fun. Get those boys outdoors and let them discover the fun of camping while working on their Cub Scout Outdoor Activity Award. Whatever you do, do it outside and find out what the outing in Scouting is all about. While out on the trail, you can work on the Map and Compass belt loop and pin or the Astronomy belt loop and pin.

Program Resources

Official Cub Scout Program Helps

Baloo's Bugle

Other Related Cub Scout Themes

April 2001 Happy Trails (outdoor)

May 2001 Wet and Wild (outdoor)

May 2002 Critters, Cubs, and Campfires (outdoor)

July 2002 Sports Extravaganza (outdoor)

May 2003 Fun In The Sun (outdoor)

June 2003 A Hiking We Will Go (outdoor)

May 2005 Destination Parks (park, outdoor)

July 2005 Campfire Tales and Traditions (camp)

July 2006 Scouting It Out (outdoor)

December 2006 Poles Apart (compass, map)

July 2008 S'more Summer Fun (outdoor, camp)

January 2009 American ABC's (park, map)

April 2009 Leave Nothing But Footprints (outdoor)

July 2009 Fun In The Sun (outdoor)

JULY 2009 - Be a Sport

Not only is it important to do your best when you try new sports but it is important to understand the rules of being a "good sport" no matter how the game goes. Play ball, soccer, tennis, or any sport! Learn about a sport that you've never played before. Have a sports competition with another Cub Scout pack in your area. Have athletes from a local high school or college speak at your den or pack meeting. Ask them to teach you about their sport. Learn a sport you can play with your family: golf, tennis, bowling, swimming, or skating. Have a pack sports day. Cub Scouts can create an obstacle course for the pack to enjoy while earning the belt loop and pin for Physical Fitness or any of the many Cub Scout Sports subjects.

Program Resources

Official Cub Scout Program Helps

Baloo's Bugle

Other Related Cub Scout Themes

July 2000 Toughen Up (sports, fitness)

July 2002 Sports Extravaganza (sports)

June 2005 Play Ball! (sports, ball)

May 2008 Go For The Gold (sports)

July 2009 Fun In The Sun (sportsmanship)

AUGUST 2009 - Fun in the Sun

Let's go outside and have fun in the sun. Plan some outdoor activities this month that will encourage dens to meet and make preparations together for your pack event. It's a great time for a pack picnic, with each den planning a game or activity. Have a Cubanapolis derby with dens preparing their vehicle and practicing maneuvers during den meetings. Stress good sportsmanship and team building during the planning stages, as well as during the actual event. Create kites in your dens and have a kite flying derby or a family picnic to show off your creations! This might be a great month to work on the Cub Scout Outdoor Activity Award or a Cub Scout Sports belt loop or pin.

Program Resources

Official Cub Scout Program Helps

Baloo's Bugle

Other Related Cub Scout Themes

October 2000 Turn On The Power (derby)

April 2001 Happy Trails (outdoor)

May 2001 Wet and Wild (outdoor)

May 2002 Critters, Cubs, and Campfires (outdoor)

July 2002 Sports Extravaganza (outdoor)

May 2003 Fun In The Sun (outdoor)

June 2003 A Hiking We Will Go (outdoor)

August 2003 Soaring To New Heights (kite)

May 2005 Destination Parks (outdoor)

July 2006 Scouting It Out (outdoor)

February 2007 Baloo Skies (kite)

June 2007 The Rockets Red Glare (derby)

December 2007 Cub Scout Car Show (derby)

July 2008 S'more Summer Fun (outdoor)

December 2008 "A-MAZE-ing" GAMES (derby)

February 2009 When I Grow Up (derby)

April 2009 Leave Nothing But Footprints (outdoor)

May 2009 A Camping We Will Go (outdoor)

June 2009 Be A Sport (sportsmanship)