WEBELOS
Showman
Heart of America
HURRY, HURRY, HURRY, STEP RIGHT THIS WAY FOLKS ITS
SHOWTIME'. Does that bring a flood of old memories back to you? Most all boys
have a generous chunk of ham in them and want nothing better than a chance to
let it out. The Showman activity badge gives them a chance to let out the
hidden parts of their style. It also allows them to express themselves
musically by providing the entertainment for the pack meeting.
In most units the boy will also get to demonstrate two of
these skills around the campfire. The ham will have a chance to surface as
his Patrol is called upon to give a skit and his singing talent, or lack of
it, will take a back seat to his volume as the campfire fun continues.
This badge covers most of the field of entertainment and
acquaints the boys with ways of putting on various shows or skits. Making the
props also can be used as part of the Craftsman badge. Skits and some
Costumes are covered elsewhere in this book so look them up and use the ideas
presented which are usually proven and tested ideas.
There
are three areas a Webelos can choose from to work on his Showman badge:
puppetry, music, and drama. There is an excellent section on puppetry in the
Cub Scout Leader How-To Book. Also check the Webelos Den Activities
book and the Webelos Scout Book.
Drama: Putting on a play will let the boy's
talents shine like stars. The boys can write, direct, produce and even act in
their own play. The play can be a short skit or an elaborate one with props
and scenery. See the Webelos Scout Book for examples.
Music: How can a Scout have fun with music? Well,
if he plays an instrument at school, let him bring that instrument to a den or
pack meeting to play for the group. If you have several Webelos that play
instruments let them form a band. What is you don't have the luxury of store
bought instruments? Improvise! Make you instruments form cardboard boxes,
oatmeal boxes, rubber bands, tissue paper rollers, aluminum foil, rolled up
pieces of tin, or just about anything; then let your boys have some fun.
While making instruments, your Scout can learn about
music. The Scouts can pretend that they are rock-and-roll singers. Let them
think up their own name and perform at the den meeting, or the pack meeting.
They can perform to recorded music and that way they don't have to really
sing.
Puppets: Puppetry can offer a lot of fun for your
boys. Puppets can be made from just about anything. Stage settings can be
simple or elaborate. For the shy boy, puppetry can be a means of expressing
his talents while drawing attention to the puppet and away from himself. This
not only comforts the shy boys but affords them a chance to grow.
Activities:
Attend a play.
Play Charades.
Take your entertainment to a home or hospital as a good
turn.
Write a puppet play and wake the puppets act it out.
Assist with an advancement ceremony at your pack meeting.
Talk about sound effects and let the boys try some of
them
Write a one-act play for pack meeting.
Make a puppet stage and use it for your puppet show.
Plan a family entertainment night - let the boys show off
their talent to their parents.
Exhibit props used or built such as puppets, costumes,
etc.
Demonstrate talent - musical, puppet show or skits.
Skits: writing a skit is not as hard as it may
seem, though it does basically take some imagination. A basic subject or
plot, such as the some of the month, will get you started in the right
direction. Make tow skit fun for the Cub. To avoid problems:
1. Keep the Skit Simple - Don't expect boys
at this age to understand complicated plots.
2. Keep It Short - (3-5 minutes). A long,
drawn-out skit will make the audience restless.
3. Avoid memorization - Keep the dialogue to
a minimum. Have the boys speak slowly and loud.
4. Use Simple Props - Props can be made from
cardboard and signs can be put up to indicate scenery. Costumes can be made
by adding appropriate accessories to everyday clothes.
5. Let Every Boy Participate.
Here are some ideas for skits:
Act out a favorite story, song or poem
Jokes (from Boy's Life even?)
Fairy tales
Nursery rhymes
Indian legends
Trip to the moon by astronauts
Satirize commercials
Games
Scrambled Words
These are all music terms or names of musical
instruments.
Answers:
1. COFISUMLK--FOLK MUSIC
2. RUDM--DRUM
3. LECOL--CELLO
4. NILOIV--VIOLIN
5. LETUF--FLUTE
6. CEVOI--VOICE
7. TARUIG--GUITAR
8. MICERULD--DULCIMER
9. HATUPORA--AUTOHARP
More Games:
1. NEWSPAPER MAGIC...Announce that you can perform a
strange feat. You take an ordinary sheet of newspaper, lay it on the floor
and have two people stand on it, facing each other. Say they will be unable
to see or touch each other. Make you claim come true by laying the paper in
the doorway, with the door closed. One person stands on each side of the
door.
2. NAME THAT TUNE...Record the first line of about 15
different songs on a tape player. The Webelos who can correctly name the most
songs wins.
3. MUSICAL CHAIRS...Cub Scouts move around chairs as
music is playing. When the music stops, all must sit in a chair. However,
there is always one less chair than there are boys. The boy not seated is out
of the game. This game can be done with partners holding hands and remove two
chairs each turn. This game can also be played without chairs by having the
Cub Scouts sit on the ground when the music stops and having the last one down
drop out. To make it more interesting have them balance books on their heads
and kneel when the music stops. The last one down and anyone dropping his
book is out.
MUSICAL NUMBERS...Cub Scouts form a ring, join hands and
march around the room until the leader calls out a number. The Cub Scouts
must form smaller rings containing the same number as the one the leader
called. The leader (knowing the number of players) should call a number that
will force some to be left out of the game. The remaining players reform one
circle again and continue until only two groups remain.
Webelos
(Tune: "Polly Wolly Doodle")
Middle Tennessee Council
Oh, I
worked real hard to be a We-be-lo;
Growing stronger; getting smarter everyday.
Gonna earn near every pin there is;
Growing stronger; getting smarter everyday!
Chorus:
Joining in; having fun;
I will always do my best!
'Cos I'm proud to be a We-be-lo;
We're a cut above the rest!
Oh, the
Arrow of Light is my next goal;
Growing stronger; getting smarter everyday.
Then I'll move on to my Boy Scout troop;
Growing stronger; getting smarter everyday.
Chorus:
