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GAMES
Claim Jumper
Great Sauk Trail Council
With string, mark a circle about 15 feet in diameter on the floor. Using a small weight, anchor a balloon in the center; it is the "Claim." The Prospector stands guard over it. The other players stand outside the circle. One at a time, they enter the circle and try to jump the claim by stomping the balloon and breaking it while the Prospector tries to stop them. He holds off the claim jumpers to keep his claim safe to the count of three (five if your group is really good). When a claim is jumped, start over with a new balloon and the new Prospector. NO HITTING IS PERMITTED, THIS IS A FEET ONLY GAME.
The Pot of Gold
National Capital Area Council
This game is especially fun to play outside. In one spot, hide prizes that have been wrapped in gold foil or paper. Next, write out clues that will lead to this pot of gold. For instance, the first clue might read: "The prize is not here as you can see. But you'll find another clue hiding by the big tree."
The second clue (Which is placed by the big tree) could read: "You still must search more. Go look at the clue by the back door."
The last clue could read: "Now you must know where the gold will be. Go under the kitchen table, there your prize you will see." (This is where you hide the "gold".)
'49er's Obstacle Course
National Capital Area Council
The following tests are set up as stations and manned by adults or Den Chiefs who give each boy a gold nugget (painted rock or piece of wrapped candy) if he performs the test required.
- 1. Climb Rope - climb the rope and touch the 8' mark
- 2. Quicksand Bottom - run over six tires, stepping in each one.
- 3. Cross the Gulch - swing across ladder/monkey bars, using hands
- 4. Over the Cliff - scale a 5' plywood wall
- 5. One push-up
- 6. One chin-up
- 7. Jump the Creek - do a 6' running broad jump
- 8. Dodge the Rattler - standing broad jump (at least 2')
- 9. Tunnel Escape - crawl under sticks or through cardboard box for 10'.
Jump the River
National Capital Area Council
Two parallel lines are drawn (12" apart) to represent the river. The players line up on one side and run in a group to jump across the river. Then they turn around and come back across the river with a standing jump. Then a new line is drawn to make the river wider and the players jump again. After each round, a new line is drawn, making the river wider and wider. Anyone who falls in the river by landing between the two lines is out of the game. The game continues until just one boy is left.
California Gold Rush
Three Fires Council
Material:
A wagon for each team
Gold-painted rocks (size of a sugar cube and one for each boy on the team)
Prepare a wagon for each team. Use a box large enough for a Cub Scout to ride in and with sides low enough for the boy to get in and out of. Fasten several ropes to one end of the box so that the "horse team" can pull the wagon. This event is done on a smooth floor so that three or four Cub Scouts can pull the wagon and "driver". Also prepare the "gold" which will be in bags or piles at the goal line.
To begin the Gold Rush, each wagon driver has his wagon on the straight line with his team standing in front of it holding their ropes. At the start signal, the driver must get into the wagon, then signal for the horses to run. The first wagon team to get to the goal line, pick up the gold and return to the starting line is the winning team. To get the gold, the driver must get out of the wagon, pick up the gold and get back into the wagon before it can start the trip back. At the finish line, the driver must get out of the wagon and run behind it over the finish line.
Make gold nuggets by spraying gold lacquer on stones about the size of a sugar cube. Each piece could be a souvenir for the driver and each horse.
Gold Nugget Relay
York Adams Council
Because the California Gold Rush was on the West Coast (as in California), there were a significant number of Chinese immigrants working the gold mines. Combining the Asian influence with the gold gives you an opportunity for a gold nugget relay—using chopsticks!
Materials:
Gold nuggets (1/2-inch diameter stone painted gold, at least one per person)
Chopsticks for each team
Four mining (pie) pans
Divide the den into two teams. Each team is given a pair of chopsticks. The gold nuggets are evenly divided into two pans at the starting line. In turn, each boy takes a gold nugget from the pan, carries to the "finish line" where the other pan is, and deposits it. He runs back to the starting line and hands off the chopsticks to the next boy. Hershey almond kisses make great gold nugget "rewards" at the end of the game!
Note: As long as the number of nuggets is the same for each team, the teams can be uneven. Some boys will just have to go more times.
Gold Nugget Toss
York Adams Council
Note: Half the fun in this game is the boys making the game.
There's gold in them thar hills! Have the boys' make a mountain target out of poster board backed by a sturdy stand (an easel or frame). Have them cut holes (large enough to toss nuggets through but small enough that it's an age-appropriate challenge) at different "elevations" on the mountain. You'll also need gold nuggets made by spray painting small stones.
Assign a point value to each hole and have the boys toss the nuggets to see who gets the highest score.
Gold Nugget Toss II
York Adams Council
This is similar to the game above, but has a different target. Try to find different size pie pans and then glue them together one inside another inside another, etc. for as many different sizes as you find. Assign a point value to each pan area.
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Materials found in Baloo's Bugle may be used by Scouters for Scouting activities provided that USSSP, Baloo's Bugle and the original contributors are cited as the source of the material.
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