Baloo's Bugle

February Cub Scout Roundtable Issue

Volume 14, Issue 7
March 2008 Theme

Theme: Litter to Glitter
Webelos: Engineer & Athlete
Tiger Cub Activities

WEBELOS

This could be a Webelos Den’s last salute and thank you to the pack before graduation.     CD

Graduation of a Webelos Den to Boy Scouts
Adapted from Alapaha Council Pow Wow Book

All graduating Cub Scouts stand at the front of the room.

Props:  10 candles, 10 cards with verse

Dim lights - candles are lit:

  • We’ve played together and worked together.
  • Maybe had a fight or two.
  • We’ve taken trips and had some slips.
  • And seen many projects through.
  • That Tiger Badge seems so long ago
  • We earned our Wolf and Arrow Points.
  • And passed the tests for our Bear degree.
  • We earned Activity Awards for Webelos
  • And finally those for Arrow of Light
  • Now, Boy Scouts we’ll soon be.

Leader:   We hope you remember Den (#) with delight!

CM:        We salute you Den (#)! Good luck! Happy Scouting!

At this time, the den does its cheer one last time and the Bridging Ceremony to Boy Scouts is begun

WEBELOS -to- Boy Scouts Bridging Ceremony
Del-Mar-Va Council

I picked this up at Del-Mar-Va Council Pow Wow a few years ago and it has become my favorite bridging ceremony.  The bridge I made for this ceremony generally gets used several times each year as other Packs in my district borrow it for the ceremony.  CD

Props

4 -     5 to 6 foot 4 X 4's (or 2X6’s) for foundation notched to interlock

5 -     4 foot 2x10's - one plain, one yellow, one blue, one green, one red

Set Up -

All words are spoken by same person (Narrator, Cubmaster) but you could divide them up amongst several leaders.

Ceremony -

WEBELOS leader, will you please place the first post on the stage in a North/South direction.  (WL places post)

WEBELOS Asst. leader, please place the second post on the stage three feet away from the first post in the North/South direction. (WA places post)

These two posts placed here are symbolic of the foundations of Scouting that these WEBELOS leaders have instilled in their WEBELOS Scouts through activities and outings as represented by the natural brown color.

Scout Master (name) and Assistant Scout Master or Senior Patrol leader), please place your posts in an East/West direction 3 feet apart over the North/South posts that are already in place.  (SM and SPL place posts)

As represented by the structure assembly, Boy Scouting will build on the Scouting foundation begun in WEBELOS.  These leaders have set the stage for bridging the boys from Cub Scouting into Boy Scouting.

WEBELOS Scout  (name), will you and your parents please bring the unfinished plank forward and place it across the east/west posts.  (Scout places plank)

This unfinished plank represents the boys as they arrived in Cub Scouting, full of potential but unfinished.

WEBELOS Scout  (name), will you and your parents please bring the blue plank forward and place it snuggly against the unfinished plank.  (Scout places plank)

This Blue plank represents the Wolf and Bear years of Cub Scouting where with the help of their parents the Scouts became true blue and loyal friends.

WEBELOS Scout  (name), will you and your parents please bring the gold plank forward and place it snuggly next to the blue planks.  (Scout places plank)

This Gold plank represents their golden years in Cub Scouting as Webelos learning important skills through activity badges and culminating in the Arrow of Light.

WEBELOS Scout  (name), will you and your parents please bring the green plank forward and place it next to the gold plank.  (Scout places plank)

This green plank represents their new beginning as Boy Scouts, who will soon be green Tenderfoot scouts, anxious to begin the Boy Scout trial toward Eagle.

WEBELOS Scout  (name), will you and your parents please place the final plank onto the bridge.  (Scout places plank)

This last plank is red the predominant color in the Eagle Scout Badge and represents the fact that as they step off the bridge from Cub Scouting to Boy Scouting they are beginning of their journey to becoming Eagle Scouts.

Webelos entering Troop (number), please assemble with your parents at the unfinished board of the now completed Bridge to Scouting?

As we present you with your Pack graduation Certificate, will each parent please remove your sons Webelos neckerchief and slide. 

Scoutmaster invites boys across the bridge, calling each by name and (performing whatever ceremonies are customary for your pack and troop)

After all have crossed - Pack (number) please stand and show your pride to the new Boy scouts from this Pack. (Cheer (Blast Off), Applause)...

We are very proud of you all.

ENGINEER
TECHNOLOGY GROUP

Great Salt Lake Council

Den Activities

  • Arrange for boys to visit an engineer or surveyor in a municipal county office.  Plan for the boys to look through the surveyor's manual and read a rod.
  • Visit a construction site and see the plans that are being followed.
  • Visit the county water works or a TV or radio station.
  • Have someone explain how to read topographic maps.
  • Make a block and tackle.  Be sure to explain its purpose.
  • Make catapults and demonstrate themat pack meeting, shooting at a safe target (away frompeople) candies for distance.
  • Discuss different types of engineers.  If one can visit your den, let himdescribe briefly what his duties are.
  • Have an engineer or surveyor visit your den meeting.
  • Demonstrate the basic principles of leverage by using a teeter-totter or a plank with a fulcrum made of bricks or blocks.
  • Invite a civil, electrical, mechanical or chemical engineer to the meeting to discuss his/her occupation.
  • Obtain a blue print of a building and ask an engineer to discuss the plans.  Then tour the building.
  • Measure the dimensions of your meeting place and include the locations of doors and windows. Show how to sketch a simple floor plan with these measurements.
  • Have a resource person demonstrate the use of drafting tools.
  • Invent a machine to do a task. You might even have fun concocting a "Rube Goldberg" invention.
  • Have an engineer visit your den and tell about his profession.  He might be able to bring a set of blueprints, and explain the symbols used, and show how he uses blueprints.
  • Ask your local Boy Scout troop to give a demonstration ofsome ofthe skills needed for the Pioneering Merit
  • Badge.  One particular itemof interest would be to see a rope monkey bridge being lashed together.

Model Monkey Bridge
Circle Ten Council

Based on a foot bridge found in the high mountains of India, the monkey bridge uses one thick rope to walk on and two others as hand ropes.

The same design and knots used in the full-sized version are used in this model. The monkey bridge is often built in Scout camp as part of the Pioneering merit badge.
You'll need some hemp cord, some pieces of strong string, four 1/4" dowels 10" long, and two 1/4" dowels 4" long. A piece of scrap lumber at least 30" long and 4" wide makes a good base.

Make the shear lashings first, about 4" from the top of the shear legs. Tie loosely so the legs can open. Add the crosspieces, fastened with square lashings about 2" from the bottom. All lashings begin and end with a clove hitch.
Stretch the cord between the supports and tack the ends in place. Add the hand ropes and fasten them to the same anchor. Paint or stain the wood to give the bridge a rustic look.

Speakers in the following Fields of Engineering
Circle Ten Council

You may be lucky enough to have some Moms and Dads of your Scouts who are Engineers.  Invite them to speak about what they do.  Perhaps, they could even take the den to see where they work and what they do.  Or maybe there is a big local plant near you that has Engineers who would be willing to volunteer some time to show your den around.  I live near a large Dupont facility and have met some of their staff and toured their Waste Treatment facility. 

Here are some ideas about what engineers do -

Aeronautical Engineering - deals with the whole field of design, manufacturing, maintenance, testing, and the use of aircraft.

Industrial or Management Engineering - pertains to the efficient use of machinery, labor, and raw materials in industrial production.

Chemical Engineering - concern with the design, construction, and management of factories in which essential processes consist of chemical reactions.

Civil Engineering - is one of the broadest of the engineering fields dealing with the creation improvement and protection of the communal environment. Buildings, roads, bridges, airports and other constructions are just a few of the areas civil engineers impact.

Electrical Engineering - involves the use of electrical power, electrical machinery and communication, information, and control systems.

Geological and Mining Engineering - includes activities related to the discovery and processing of minerals.

Mechanical Engineering - speaks to the design and operation of all types of machinery.

Safety Engineering - is concerned with the prevention of accidents.

Make A Steam Engine
Circle Ten Council

A Webelos Scout may get a graphic demonstration of the power of steam by building the simple steam turbine shown in this illustration. Materials needed are a tin can, a lid from a second tin can, a pair of tin snips, a sheet metal screw, a cork, a power drill, an extra piece of tin to make the support for the turbine wheel, a finishing nail, and a source of heat.
Assemble to look like the illustration.

Blueprint Symbols.
Circle Ten Council

Can be used in floor plans drawn for requirement 8 of the Webelos Engineer activity badge. Make a game of learning them by putting each one on a 3" x 5" card and using them as flash cards.

Paper Bridge Competition
Karen, Webelos Leader (and an engineer),
Pack 23, Suffern, NY

Materials:         

  • 2 rolls masking tape
  • 2 stacks of newspaper  (a good size Sunday paper will do)
  • 4 chairs with backs
  • 2 identical sets of books or blocks (for weight)

Divide the Den into two groups.  Let an adult help each group if available.  Give each group a roll of masking tape and a stack of newspapers.  Set up the chairs in pairs about 4 feet apart.  Each group must make a bridge using the materials provided that spans from one chair to the other. 

After a set amount of time (15 to 20 min), see how much weight each bridge can support without failing.  The bridges may be a truss, suspension, or cable stayed bridge, but must span from one chair to the other without touching the ground in between.

Gumdrop Truss Bridge
Karen, Webelos Leader (and an engineer),
Pack 23, Suffern, NY

This is a fun project that illustrates the strength and rigidity of a truss bridge.  You will need a box of round toothpicks and a couple of bags of inexpensive gumdrops (or spice drops).  Scouts can work as pairs or individuals on this project.  Each scout should start by assembling a single triangular panel using 3 gumdrops and 3 toothpicks.  (It is important to notice the strength of the triangular shape.)  From there they can extend the side panel of the truss by adding more toothpicks and gumdrops. 

Once the single truss is about 4 panels long, the scouts can begin the second side truss.  The two sides are then connected together by adding toothpicks between matching gumdrop node points.  This short bridge span, which is about 8 inches long, will be very stiff and strong.  Spanning the bridge between two stacks of books, or the like can test the strength.  A cup full of pennies can be used to load the truss.  After testing the strength, the scouts can extend the bridge length by adding more pieces.  A second level of truss may be added for really long spans  (2 ft or more).  The scouts will enjoy testing out various different bridge configurations.   

The Right Person for the Job!
Annawon, Cape Cod and Islands, and 
Old Colony Council Pow Wow Book

Use a word from this list to fill in the correct answer.

Aeronautics                    Electrical

Chemical                        Physical

Computer                      Industrial

City                           Mechanical

Agricultural                         Civil

  • An engineer who designs plants to make water safe to drink - __________.
  • An engineer who designs machines in a factory - _________________.
  • An engineer who tests new processes and checks old ones in a chemical plant - ________________.
  • An engineer who plans new circuits and directs workers in an electrical plant - ________________.
  • An engineer who designs and tests new space techniques - ________________.
  • An engineer who designs and tests new techniques for new equipment for industry - ___________________.
  • An engineer who designs and tests equipment for farmers and ranchers - __________________.

Bridges & Machines
Annawon, Cape Cod and Islands, and 
Old Colony Council Pow Wow Book

Use a word from this list to fill in the correct answer.

Catapult                    Arch Bridge

Pulleys             Suspension Bridge

Beam Bridge                      Levers

Plank Bridge         Block & Tackle

Truss Bridge               Pier Bridge

  • A flat surface over two supports - _________________
  • A flat surface over three or more supports -__________
  • A flat surface over an arched support - _____________
  • A flat surface with turned up edges - _______________
  • A bridge with sides made up of a series of triangles - ___   
  • A bridge that appears to hang from strong strung cables               
  • A pulley(s) and a rope or cable - __________________
  • A slingshot or other device used to project something -   

Rubber Bands & Engineering
Rubber Band Strength
Annawon, Cape Cod and Islands, and 
Old Colony Council Pow Wow Book

One of the requirements for engineer is to make a catapult. This requires the use of a rubber band or two, or a piece of tire inner tube. The rubber band is "elastic" and it stretches, but then returns to it's original shape. Before using materials in building, engineers must know the characteristics. Does it expand or contract? Is it weak or strong? Does it burn or not?

You can try an experiment to learn more of the characteristics of rubber bands and other elastic material. Get a collection of different sized rubber bands. Measure them for length, width and thickness (if you can). Make a chart that shows this information and mark each rubber band clearly so you know which is which. (Using colored rubber bands is best.)

Rubber band

Original

Stretched

Length

Width

Thickness

Length

Width

Thickness

With each rubber band, attach one end to a cup hook that is screwed into a board. Attach the other end to a known weight. How far down does each rubber band stretch? Does its thickness change? Does its width change? Which rubber band is the strongest? Which rubber band is the weakest? How can you tell?

Basketball Catapult
Annawon, Cape Cod and Islands, and 
Old Colony Council Pow Wow Book

Instructions

  1. Base, backboard and hoop are made from a 1"x4" board.
  2. Drill holes in base and backboard 3/8" diameter and 1/2" deep.
  3. Cut a slot at a 15 degree angle in a cube block large enough for the handle of a plastic spoon.
  4. Cut hole for the hoop first; then finish cutting the hoop piece. (We used a slice of 2" diameter PVC pipe and screwed it into backboard.)
  5. Glue the hoop to the backboard; then glue dowel rod into backboard and base.
  6. Glue cube block to base and insert spoon into slot.
  7. Cut string and attach one end to dowel rod at base and the other end to any 1" sized ball (ping pong balls work well). 

ATHLETE
PHYSICAL SKILLS GROUP

Sam Houston Area Council

Athletes persevere to meet their goals. They try to do things that are a little bit harder than what they can do right now. With those goals, they make improvement and become a great athlete as they do their best one little step at a time.

DEN ACTIVITIES 
IDEAS FOR DEN ACTIVITIES 

  • Take the den on a short bicycle trip
  • Have a tug of war.
  • Do exercises as a den.
  • Attend a high school or college athletic event.
  • Attend a track meet or gymnastic event
  • Visit a gym and try out weight lifting equipment.
  • Invite a physical education teacher or gymnastics instructor to talk about fitness.

REMEMBER

    • When putting boys to any test, the important point is that they do their best!
    • While some in physical feats do excel, some others in mental abilities do well.
    • So don’t compare and expect the same of all.
    • Let each set his personal best goal.
    • Give them encouragement and praise their skill, and you’ll find they will strive their best to fulfill.

EXERCISES AND GAMES 

AGILITY EXERCISES 

Perform these exercises within the designated time limits. Be sure to rest for two minutes between each set.

Set 1 – within 8 minutes

  • Fish Flops – Lie flat on your stomach with arms and legs extended and off the ground. Rock back and forth. Do for two minutes.
  • Grass Drill – Run in place. Drop to the ground and bounce up again for two minutes.
  • Quick foot – Knee Touch – Drop quickly to one knee and bounce up again. Alternate knees for two minutes.

Set 2 – within 4 minutes

  • Crab mirror – Two players on all fours. One moves at random to the left, right, back or forward. The other mirrors his moves. Switch leaders at the one minute mark. Do for two minutes.
  • Sit ups – Lie on back with feet together, hands clasped behind head. Rise up and touch elbows to knees. Do as many as possible for one minute.

FLEXIBILITY EXERCISES 

  • Fingers – Extend arms to side, palms down. Quickly flex the fingers by alternating between fist and open hand position. Continue for 30 seconds.
  • Wrists – Extend arms to front, palms down, wrists locked. Rotate wrists clockwise, then counterclockwise. Continue for 30 seconds.
  • Palms – Same position as wrists. Turn palms inward and outward in quick short movements. Continue for 30 seconds.

PULL OVER 

This game is similar to tug-of-war – without a rope!

Divide the Scouts into pairs. Each pair grasps right hands, braces their feet and each tries to pull the opponent over a center line on the ground. The game may be varied by changing hands.

GORILLA RELAY 

Webelos Scouts spread their feet shoulder width, then bend down and grasp their ankles. They then walk forward, keeping their knees locked and their legs straight. Divide into teams, and run as a relay over a course of however long you want it to be.

TORTOISE AND HARE 

Boys are in a circle, about three feet apart, and begin jogging slowly in place. When the leader calls, “Hare,” the tempo is stepped up, knees are lifted high, and the arms are pumped vigorously. When the leader calls, “Tortoise,” the tempo slows to an easy jog. Make changes swiftly for more fun.

TREES IN THE WIND 

Boys are in a circle facing counter-clockwise. They run slowly around the circle, bending left, right, forward, and back as though swaying in a breeze. On command, “Reverse,” they turn and run in the opposite directions.

INCHWORM 

Boys assume push-up position. Holding their hands in place, they walk their feet up as close to the hands as possible. Then, holding their feet in place, they “walk” their hands out to push-up position again.

TIN CAN WALKER RACE 

Needed: Several large tin cans and rope

  • Make tin can walkers by punching two holes opposite each other near the tops of the tin cans. Tie ropes in large loops which pass through the holes in the tin cans.
  • Boys stand on cans and hold ropes in hands. Pulling up on the ropes and stepping forward take steps.
  • Try relay races between dens. Using three cans and two boys, (Sharing the middle can) a three-legged race can be run.

Being Healthy
Circle Ten Council

Good Health Habits Quiz

Circle the correct answer(s).

  1. Bathe/shower (everyday OR once per week) and especially after exercise.
  2. Wash your hair (1/month OR 2+ times/week).
  3. Wash hands (before eating OR after using the restroom) and when they're dirty.
  4. Eat right - (3 OR 4 OR 6) regular meals each day at regular times!
  5. Eat (just some OR a variety of) food from each of the 4 food groups.
  6. The average 10 year old should get at least (6 OR 9 OR 12) hours of sleep each night.

ANSWERS: 1. Everyday, 2. 2+ times, before eating and after using restroom, 3. 3 meals, 4. Variety, 9 hours

Clean & Strong
Circle Ten Council

Circle T for True or F for False.

T    F

Our bodies "repair" themselves while we sleep.

T    F

Clean clothes aren't necessary after a bath or shower - they are just in the morning.

T    F

Use proper lighting for all activities including reading, TV viewing, and playing.

T    F

Fitness is never just physical - it involves both the mind and body together.

T    F

Stand tall, and walk tall with shoulders back and stomach in.

T    F

It's OK to share drinking cups, washcloths and towels.

T    F

Different foods provide different nutrients, and no one food can sustain us.

T    F

Rushing meals or skipping meals can be harmful to your body.

ANSWER: 1 - T, 2 - F, 3 - T, 4 - T, 5 - T, 6 - F, 7 - T, 8 - T

Volleyball Serve it Underhand
Circle Ten Council

The underhand serve is the easiest to master for volleyball. In a game you must put the ball into play from a 10 foot wide area behind the end line. Always practice with a line in front of you so you will learn not to cross it until you have released the ball.

For the underhand serve (if right handed), stands with your left foot about 13” in front of the right foot. Bend both knees a little, lift the ball in both hands out in front of your chest, to your right side. Hold the ball in the left hand and start to bring the right hand down. Close the finger of the right hand as if you were making a loose fist.

Keep your eyes on the ball. Bring right hand down, back, and up behind you. Step a quarter step forward on your left foot. Swing your right hand at ball. Just before you hit it, toss the ball up a little and drop your left hand away from it. (The rules say – release your left hand from the ball before hitting it.) Strike ball solidly with the palm side of your fist and follow through. (Of left handed, reverse from right to left.)

Once you master the serve, try using the heel of hand instead of fist. Close hand instead of your fist. Close your hand half-way so fingertips come just below the base of the fingers with thumb-tip beside the first joint of forefingers

The Athlete
Circle Ten Council
Tune: My Bonnie

They gave me a suit and a number
And sent me out on the field
They gave me a ball called the pigskin,
And shoes with some cleats, toe and heel

CHORUS

Muscles, Cramps, wracking my body with pain, with pain
I stand, wondering, if ever I’ll do this again!
Next time they gave me a racquet,
They sent me out on the court
Funny the things you encounter,
While trying to learn a new sport.

(CHORUS)

The ordeal was finally over,
At least, that’s what I thought,
When they shoved me the soccer equipment
I fainted dead on the spot!

(CHORUS)

Athlete Den Activities
Circle Ten Council

TOWEL PICKUP - Take off your shoes and socks. Pick up a towel with your toes.

PAPER PICKUP - Pick up a piece of paper from the floor without bending your knees

BOOK CARRY - Walk across the room with a book balanced on your head.

SKIN THE CAT - Clasp your hands in front of you. Try to step through the ring formed by your hands and finish standing upright with them clasped behind you. Return to your original position by stepping backwards through the ring.

TOE WRESTLING - Two wrestlers sit on the floor, facing each other with arms clasped around knees. When they are in this position, place a stick over each person’s elbows and under his bent knees. Their feet should be flat on the ground with the toes of one touching the toes of his opponent. The object is for one wrestler to get his toes under the toes of his opponent and roll him over backwards. If either wrestler breaks the handclasp above his knees, the other wins the contest.

SIDEWALK TENNIS - Played with a tennis ball on two squares of sidewalk or patch of level ground marked off in similar size. Ball is batted with the hands. Use regular tennis rules, except that there is no serving court


SUGGESTIONS FOR COMPLETING ATHLETE ACTIVITY BADGE

Requirement #1

Can be combined with the Fitness Activity Badge and the Sportsman Activity Badge. The subjects of being physically healthy, balanced diets, and bad effects of drugs, alcohol, and tobacco can be combined and signed off all together.

Requirement #2

Takes the longest amount of time to complete and sign off of all the Physical Skills Group. To earn the Physical Fitness Sports Pin, the boy needs to earn 60 points in a 90 day period. They must exercise or be involved in some activity for 30 minutes to earn one point. The boy can earn a maximum of five points in a day. Just remember 30 minutes for one point, 60 points total in a 90 day period.

You can pass off requirements 3 through 9 as part of this pin, use requirement 3 and 4 of the Sportsman badge to meet the requirement.

 


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