November for Citizenship

Building a Better World replaced the Citizenship Pin for Webelos a couple years ago. Each of you earned this pin last year as you worked toward the Arrow of Light Award. In order to achieve the Rank of Eagle Scout, you must earn the Citizenship in the Community, Citizenship in the Nation and Citizenship in the World Merit Badges. 

Citizenship in the Community is displayed when we honor those fallen at the 9/11 ceremony or when we retire flags, those are things we do for our community.

Citizenship in the Nation is displayed when we do things that help our nation as a whole. We discussed some of the questions on the citizenship test. Knowing how our government works helps you understand Citizenship in the Nation.

Citizenship in the World sounds confusing. We are American citizens, but no matter what nation we are from, we are in this world together. When traveling abroad, always represent yourself as a model scout. Learn about other countries and understand the customs of other places. Conserve energy and water. Recycle. These are the things that make you a citizen of the world

Sharpening and Cleaning Knives

You are less likely to get cut when using a sharp knife. A dull knife will slip in the wood and increases the chance of getting a cut.

There are dozens of different knife sharpeners on the market ranging in price from $5 to well over $100. Which one of these is the best? The best sharpener is the one you can use best.

Whet Stones

Diamond Sharpens

Lansky Kits

Rod Sharpeners

Chef Choice

Honing Steel

Strops

Keeping your knife clean will also extend its service life. A knife is a tool and must be kept in working order. Keep the blade clean by using a soft cloth and a small drop of oil at the hinge will keep the blade opening and closing easily.

As part of this activity we will be crafting Knife Sharpeners from recycled materials and we will be learning about saws and axes

As Boy Scouts you will be using and maintaining Knives, Saws and Axes

Using Blue Cards

Everything that you have earned in Cub Scouts was recorded by your den leader or your parents. In this way, an adult made sure that you got the merit badge that you earned. In Boy Scouts, its the scout's responsibility to make sure they get credit for their merit badges. Scouts use Blue Cards to apply for their merit badges. There will always be adult leaders to guide the scout, but the responsibility is shifted to the scout.

Here is a pdf of the Blue Card Process

We are going to try using Blue Cards for a few Webelos Pins to get you accustomed to the Blue Card.

Scouting in the UK

Lord Baden-Powell founded the Boy Scouts in Great Britain in 1907.

He felt that young people should be prepared for the world that awaits them.

Scouting came to the US in 1910.

There are numerous differences between the US and the UK and that reflects in scouting.





The differences between the UK and the US include many of the names we call things, the kinds of foods we eat, the kinds of drinks we drink and the presence of the Royal Family.


Last year, most of us were drinking tea at our Webelos Spring Camporee. Tea is the preferred drink in the UK.

Scout Troops in the UK include girls among their ranks. In the US, boys and girls do not scout together until age 14 when Venture Scouting becomes an option.

This year we will be reaching out to a Scout Troop in the UK.

Scout Skits

In the past, Webelos Scouts have had the opportunity to earn the Showman Activity Pin. This pin required the scout to perform skits, puppet shows, musical numbers or dramatic monologues. Last year, the Showman Pin was replaced with the Maestro Adventure. The Maestro Adventure focused only on music. 

This year, Pack 569 is bringing back the Skit!  

Hiking Sticks

The hottest ticket item at the Heritage Reservation Trading Post this summer was the Hiking Stick. They sold out almost as the store opened. 

Hiking sticks can be wood, fiberglass, carbon fiber, bamboo, telescopic, store bought, recycled, homemade or acquired along the way. A hiking stick can help you keep your footing on a rough trail and can give you something to lean on while you take a break.

Here is a handout on homemade hiking sticks

You can customize you own hiking stick with paracord, carvings and medallions. 

Scouting Adventure

This adventure will fully prepare you to crossover to the Boy Scouts. If you have camped at Heritage Reservation or if you competed in the Klondike Derby, you have already completed most of this adventure.

We will be attending a Patrol Meeting with Troop 510 as part of this adventure.

By the time you earn your Arrow of Light, you will have the skills and knowledge to easily earn the Scout and Tenderfoot ranks and be on your way to First Class.

Scouting Adventure Workbook

High Adventure camping is something to look forward to as you grow in scouting. 

Arrow of Light

The Arrow of Light is the highest honor a Cub Scout can earn. It is one of the very few Cub Scout badges that can be worn on the Boy Scout uniform. By earning the Arrow of Light, you have demonstrated that you are ready and well prepared to cross the bridge and become a Boy Scout. 

We only have a couple adventures to complete before you have all earned the Arrow of Light.

As a final project, you will prepare your Arrow of Light Plaque. This is a keepsake that will chronicle your career in Cub Scouts.

We will order plaque kits well in advance of the Blue and Gold Banquet.

Fire Safety

October is Fire Safety Month.

As Boy Scouts, you can earn the merit badge for fire safety and as Cub Scouts, we can start making sure that we are safe with fire and that we are responsible with fire.  

You all have experienced Fire Drills at school, but what would you do at your own home.  Would you know were to go or who to call?

Its a good idea to have a plan just in case there is a fire.  Select a meeting spot outside and make sure your smoke alarms have fresh batteries. Now is a good time to change them.

If you have a two story house, you can keep an escape ladder in a room with a window.  This ladder fits in a box about 12"x 12" and will reach the ground from a second floor window.  

If a door is warm to the touch, there is probably fire on the other side.  If a room is smoke filled, crawl on the floor where the fresh air is.

Fire extinguishers are important pieces of safety equipment to have in case of a fire. Not all fire extinguishers are the same. Each type of extinguisher has a purpose and is designed to best put out a certain type of fire.  

Here is a link to the National Fire Protection Association and to Smokey the Bear's Website