Activities for Low-Readers

Several of my Webelos Scouts either cannot read at all or struggle, so I developed some activities to help them.  They have worked well so far!  They have been fun for the low-readers as well as the Scouts that read fine.  It levels the playing field for all the Scouts.  (Click title links of each to download.)

First-Class Scout Badge Puzzle:
This can help Scouts practice to learn the parts and meaning of the First-Class Scout badge.  (This is an Arrow of Light requirement.)

Pack for Camping Game: (file 1 and file 2)
We used this to discuss what and how to pack for an overnight camp (Outdoorsman Activity Badge requirement).

Meal Planning:
This can be used for the meal planning requirement of the Fitness Activity Badge.

Uniform Game:
Use this to learn or practice the Webelos Badge requirement (learning the parts of the Webelos uniform) and the Arrow of Light requirement (learning parts of the Boy Scout uniform).

Bridging Ceremony and Bridge Plans

We decided to build our Webelos to Boy Scout bridge as part of the Craftsman activity badge.  The Scouts really seemed to enjoy helping to build the bridge and had a sense of pride and ownership in it.  In fact, they all got out their cell phones and took pictures of themselves on it when we were finished building it!

My husband looked at several different bridge plans online and came up with his own plan.  It worked well and turned out looking great!  He built the frame of the bridge ahead of time and then during our den meeting, the Scouts attached the planks.  The Scouts also inserted the ropes into the posts (my husband predrilled the holes since Webelos cannot use power tools).

We have not done it yet, but we are planning to paint the twelve points of the Scout Law on the top planks.  We are also allowing each Scout to sign his name on a side plank after he bridges over.  Here is what the bridge looks like:

You can view the plans as a PDF or download Google SketchUp (free download) to view the .skp file.  In SketchUp, you can view the plans as a 3D model and look at it from every angle.

For the ceremony we used, see this blog post.

Ceremonies

Ceremonies are (and should be!) an important part of Cub Scouting.  These are some ceremonies that have worked well for our den and pack.  Some I found any hybridized, others I created:

Denner Installation Ceremony

Denner InstallationCeremony (simple, with flag)

Flag Ceremony (for hoisting flag outdoors)

Bridging from Webelos to Boy Scouts Ceremony

Other things that may help with your ceremonies:

For den meetings, I have the Scouts take turns leading the opening ceremony.  When the Scout comes in, I give him one of these worksheets (when you print, you will have two worksheets on each page).  The Scout chooses which options he wants (i.e. using the Cub Scout or Boy Scout salute while pledging allegiance), and then he leads the ceremony.

Another thing I love originally came from Gloria Fox of the High Uintah Council of the Utah National Parks Council.  This file is a flag ceremony card.  Print and assemble the card, and you will have a card to give to Scouts to lead flag ceremonies.  It tells them exactly what to say, and what will happen.  I have found it very useful!

Forester Activity Badge

When we did the Forester activity badge, we combined it with several other requirements!  It worked great.

We planned a longer den meeting.  We drove up to the mountains near where we live, to a place where we could see enough species of trees and other plants to pass off those requirements.  While we were out, we went on our hike (Arrow of Light requirement) to look at what we needed to see.  We also did our conservation project (Outdoorsman requirement) while we were there—we picked up litter in the parking area and also along the trail.  We were able to complete the entire Forester activity badge in one den meeting, as well as the hike and conservation project.  We will be doing it the same way again!  The only thing we would do differently is to schedule a half-day instead of several hours.

Postcards

Communication with parents is very important.  There are several ways that you can keep in touch.  If you and the parents are tech savvy, you could possibly send email reminders or text messages to parents.  You can also call parents with reminders.  My favorite method, however, is to send a weekly postcard to parents and Scouts, and to send one letter per month to parents.  The Scouts can hang up the postcards their refrigerator or calendar at home.  They have worked well in our den.

Here are copies of the postcards I send.  I am attaching a PDF and a MS Word file so you can print them as-is or modify them.  I like to type in the information about where and when we are meeting, what we are doing (i.e. the Readyman Activity Badge), as well as contact information.  I also typed the names and addresses into my personal file so I do not have to write them in each time.

Print the files on cardstock, and cut into quarters.  This will make them the appropriate size and weight for postcards to be mailed by the US Postal Service.

Webelos Den Meeting Postcard—Word or PDF

Pack Meeting Postcard—Word or PDF

I also like to send a letter to parents each month.  In this letter, I give the parent an update on how the Scout is doing, how close he is to the next advancement, and upcoming activities in the den and pack.  This has been a good way to keep parents informed on den plans and activities, as well as to have them part of the advancement process.