Scout Themes
Below is just an example of how we like to tie our activities to a common theme for each month. These are just suggestions from the BSA as we do vary our activities or the timing of themes sometimes based on availability of facilities or to take advantage of local opprtunities.
September – Hoop-De-Doo: As sports are starting back up, this is a good time to learn and play a sport while you learn about sportsmanship. Use sports and sportsmanship as themes. Also tie into how sports / being active keeps you healthy. Play other games such as ring toss, hoop games, soap bubble contests, and hoop obstacle course. The boys will be able to earn a Sports belt loop and pin of their choice, including the Physical Fitness belt loop and pin.
October - Scout Salute: This month Cub Scouts salute those heroes who help keep us safe and secure each and every day. Can only adults be heroes? Heroes are often ordinary kids who did something out of the ordinary! A den can decide what makes a hero and who the heroes of tomorrow might be by looking at people they know today. Learn about heroes in your own community, as well as Scouting heroes who have earned BSA heroism awards. Have your Cub Scouts invite their hometown heroes to a den or pack meeting. Perhaps your den can become "silent heroes" by performing service for others without seeking any recognition. Visit a fire station, veteran's hospital (Veterans Day is this month), police station, or teacher's classroom and learn about their heroic deeds and reciprocate with a "Scout salute" for their contributions. You might work on the Citizenship belt loop and pin.
November – Waves of Fun: Jump in and make a BIG splash with fun activities that explore water and waves. There is an adventure waiting in one of Earth's final frontiers, the depths of the ocean floors. Creatures never imagined before can be found there. What kinds of animals live there? What does the ocean floor look like? The den could discover what makes a boat float, learn about different sea vessels, and even make their own boats. The pack can celebrate this month with a family picnic as they enjoy the great outdoors. Top it off with a raingutter regatta. This is a wonderful opportunity to teach water safety and practice the buddy system while having fun and earning the Swimming belt loop and pin.
December – Works of Art: December is a time of celebration and giving. This is a perfect month for involving friends in doing good deeds and creating holiday magic through art. Cub Scouts use their artistic abilities to create holiday decorations, gifts, or cards. This artwork might be put on display in nursing homes, in churches, schools, or homes, and at the pack meeting or at a meeting of the chartered organization. Boys can make cards and ornaments and share them with residents of a local nursing or retirement home, children's hospital, or community center and do a "Good Turn for America." Boys can discover different forms of art, write poems, attend a musical or performing art show, or visit a local art museum. Works of art can become gifts for family members. The Academic belt loop or pin in Art or Music could be worked on in conjunction with these projects.
January – Power UP: Boys explore the science of energy through solar, electrical, and wind power and how this energy is used in their everyday lives. They can explore different ways to conserve energy and protect the world we live in. Work on the Science or Weather belt loop and pin. Boys can invite friends to join in the pinewood derby and discover the power behind those little cars. What types of things are powered up by the flip of a switch? A field trip to the local water works or power plant might be part of the den's monthly plan. Finish up the month with a real power-packed pack meeting. The boys can power up by being physically fit and working on the Physical Fitness belt loop and pin.
February – Happy Birthday BSA: It's time to celebrate with a big birthday bash. Boy Scouts of America is 100 years old this year. Learn the history of how Scouting came to the United States. Find out about those who have given us this great Scouting legacy such as Daniel Carter Beard, James E. West, Ernest Thompson Seton, Waite Phillips, and W. D. Boyce. Let's play birthday games, make party decorations, and have birthday cake for our blue and gold banquet.
March – Take Flight: The Wright brothers had a lot of courage to accomplish their dream to fly. Air has power to push and pull objects so that they can fly. This month learn all about air, what it consists of, and why it is needed to fly. Learn about gravity. Make your own flying machines as you hear about the Wright Brothers and their invention. Explore different types of paper airplanes. Figure out which ones fly farther, higher, faster, longer, and why? Hold a pack-wide paper plane derby fun night! How many things can you name that can fly? Study birds and their flyways. Why do some fly in a V formation? Take flight outdoors with a den or pack kite derby or Space Derby this month and enjoy that air! Take a field trip to the airport, hobby shop, or a science museum. Earn the Science belt loop and pin.
April – Spring Into Action: This month is a good time to spring into action with outdoor activities such as hikes, sports and games, cleaning up litter along ponds, parks or roadsides, or planting some trees for improved habitat. Make plaster casts of the animal tracks you find on your hike. Visit and talk with someone who works with wildlife conservation and visit a fish hatchery, zoo, animal shelter, or wildlife sanctuary. Bring along food and supplies that they might need as part of your "Good Turn for America." Build bird houses, bird baths, feeding stations, or boxes for nesting materials. Do a community service project with your chartered organization to show your positive attitude in doing your best. This would be a good month to work on the Wildlife Conservation belt loop and pin.
May – In the Spotlight: It's time to perform and be in the spotlight! This month spend some time making musical instruments to be used in the pack meeting variety show. The variety show could be skits, songs, puppet shows, magic trick - you name it. Have the boys and their parents and families participate in a variety show and have some adults record the show. Dens can create posters announcing the show and make programs to let everyone know what's coming. Commercials could be videotaped by the den during their den meetings and then be shown between acts. (Get the parents involved) Take a photo for the local newspaper or a video clip for the local TV station for recognition of their achievements and put Cub Scouting in the spotlight. Visit a television, radio, or cable station to see how they prepare and produce their shows. Attend a play or musical production. The Cub Scouts can earn the Music belt loop and pin.