April 2015 Newsletter

Core Value:  Health and Fitness

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Supplemental Theme:  Backyard Fun

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Upcoming Events:

Basic Training:

Elkhorn District:  Sat., May 9, 8 am - 12 pm, 110 S Main, Millville

Cub Scout Walkabout:  Sat., May 2, 9 am - 4 pm.  Willow Park Zoo.  Cost is $5 per Cub Scout.  Enjoy Cache Valley's Willow Park Zoo, and earn Cub Scout requirements at the same time!  During this activity, Cub Scouts (Tigers, Wolves, Bears and Webelos) will be able to experience the wild creatures at the zoo, and pass off activities for rank advancement!  Register at trappertrails.org, then Program, then Advancement.
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Training Highlight:  Cub Scout Summer

Boys are entitled to a full year of program fun and activities.  Summer den and pack activities are informal and often held outdoors, and families are often asked to help with the leadership.  Even though some families will be on vacation at various times during the summer, enough people will be around to enjoy and benefit from the activities.  Boys have more free time during the summer, so it is a great time for Cub Scouting.  Districts and councils help support the year-round pack program by providing opportunities such as day camp. (from the Cub Scout Leader Book)

So, what can your pack or dens do during the summer?  Try some of the following ideas:

*Campfire Program

*Derbies, such as Raingutter Regatta, Kite Derby, Bike Rodeo, etc.

*Conservation service projects

*Hiking

*Day Camp

*Aquatic activities such as swimming, canoeing, or fishing

*Field trips to outdoor location such as farms and wildlife refuges

*Visits to local parks (don't forget to take bags to do a quick clean-up service project)

*Stargazing

When planning your summer activities, make sure to take your supplemental training (Weather Hazards and Safe Swim Defense) and review the guidelines in the Cub Scout Leader Book and the Guide to Safe Scouting.

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Patch of the Month:  SCOUTStrong PALA Challenge

The SCOUTStrong Presidential Active Lifestyle Award (PALA) challenge will help your unit members add physical activity to their lifestyle, as well as help them improve their eating habits.  This challenge is for Scouts and their entire families, as well as for leaders and their families.  To earn the SCOUTStrong PALA Challenge Award, participants are required to meet a daily activity goal of 30 minutes a day for adults and 60 minutes a day for kids under 18 for at least five days a week, for six out of eight weeks.  Also, each week they will focus on a healthy eating goal.  There are eight to choose from, and each week they will add a new goal while continuing with their previous goals.  Stick with the program, and participants can earn a SCOUTStrong PALA Award patch in less than two months.

How does a Unit get started?  Participants can enroll and track their progress either online with a free online activity tracker or on a paper activity log or downloading an activity log at www.scouting.org/SCOUTStrongPALA.

A certificate is available to print online (http://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/BSAFit/ScoutStrong.aspx), or you can purchase patches at the scout shop.
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Resource of the Month:  Cub Scout Leader How-to Book

The Cub Scout Leader How-to Book is a book every den should have a copy of.  It's filled with games, tricks, puzzles, crafts, stunts, skits, puppets, nature and outdoor fun, and special pack activities.  This book will show you how to make your den and pack activities sparkle!  You can pick up a copy at the Scout Shop or find an online download at http://cubsource.org/trng/HowTo.pdf.

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Web Highlight:  Cub Scout games at MacScouter

This month's theme of Backyard Fun is a great excuse to get outside and play some games!  Games are:

• Lessons without teachers
• Body builders
• Mind stretchers
• Friend makers
• Building blocks
• Most of all games are fun

Check out this link http://www.macscouter.com/games/Games_INPowwow.asp for all kinds of great Cub Scout games!  You'll find the following types of games:  active, target, goal, relay, balloon, tag, ball, pack meeting, and word.  Links on the left hand side will take you to the Big Book of Games, Volumes I and II, as well as several other game ideas.

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Scouting Outing:  Visit a park

Beautiful summer days are a great time to take your Cub Scouts out and about!  Cache Valley is host to a large number of city and canyon parks.  You can find information about the various parks at the following locations:

*Cache Valley Visitor Bureau (located in the Old Courthouse on Main Street in Logan).  Pick up brochures for everything to do with Cache Valley and Logan.  Or visit the website at http://www.explorelogan.com/

*An article about Cache Valley parks at http://cachevalleyfamilymagazine.com/cache-valleys-best-parks/

*Logan City Parks and Trails at http://loganutah.org/PR/parks_and_trails/index.cfm

Share your favorite parks and outdoor experiences at the blog; elkhorncubs.blogspot.com

Don't forget to take plenty of water and snacks, and use sunscreen and bug spray to make your visit enjoyable.  Take along some plastic grocery sacks and do a quick clean-up project!