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November cubs in shining armor - Medieval Fantasies … cubs in shining armor Webelos activity badges: craftsman/readyman Let our heroes shine as they welcome new Cub Scout Knights

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Page 1: November cubs in shining armor - Medieval Fantasies … cubs in shining armor Webelos activity badges: craftsman/readyman Let our heroes shine as they welcome new Cub Scout Knights

November cubs in shining armorWebelos activity badges: craftsman/readyman

Let our heroes shine as they welcome new Cub Scout Knights into their den and pack. Learn about chivalry and the rules of the Roundtable. Make medieval cos-

tumes and design your own coat of arms. Find out what life was like in the times of castles and knights. Cub Scouts can be “knighted” as they advance in rank.

PACk PlAnningStories of King Arthur and his Knights of the Roundtable and of other lone

knights who roamed Europe during the Middle Ages always capture a boy’s imagi-nation. For this theme, your Cub Scouts can have a lot of fun playing knights and learning about the Age of Chivalry. Highlights of the month will be a pack meeting tournament patterned on the medieval tournaments at which knights matched their fighting skills. Dens will spend the month preparing costumes, equipment, and shields for the tournament. They’ll also practice some of the tournament contests and perhaps prepare a skit or song for the pack meeting.

Appoint the following committees to help with the meeting:Decorations Committee. Decorate the meeting place in colorful medieval style.

For ideas, review books about knights and King Arthur’s court. Make crepe paper streamers; cut pennants from construction paper. Suggest that each den make a large banner with a coat of arms.

Program Committee. Plan the tournament events and secure referees and judges as needed.

Ceremonies Committee. Emphasize the pomp and pageantry of kingly courts in the Middle Ages by planning more elaborate ceremonies than usual. The Cubmaster may dress as King Arthur or a feudal lord.

Some of the purposes of Cub Scouting developed through this month’s theme include:

• Friendly Service. Chivalrous conduct was about friendly ser-vice to others. Boys can learn to practice chivalry in the 21st century.

• Good Citizenship. Cubs in shin-ing armor will learn that as a knight they must be prepared to honor and defend their country.

This theme is designed to pro-mote character development by emphasizing these core values:

• Resourcefulness. Boys will learn to be resourceful as they make their costumes and equip-ment and learn what it means to be a knight in shining armor.

• Honesty. Boys will learn that competition is good but winning is only satisfying when done honestly.

Pack Meeting

before the MeetingThe decorations committee should

arrive early to prepare the room for the tournament. Put up streamers, banners, and pennants, and have display areas for den exhibits of knights’ weapons and shields. Have a separate exhibit table for Webelos activity badge proj-ects. If there is enough room, set up a “roundtable” arrangement of chairs like King Arthur’s court.

gAtheringMembers of the welcoming commit-

tee give out name tags in the shapes of castles, shields, helmets, and knights-in-armor to all family members and guests as they arrive. Show den mem-bers the area set aside for displays and encourage them to visit them before and after the meeting. Have material for everyone to make a shield that reflects their heritage or interests (2 NOV).

MAin PArt of the Meeting

Opening Use the Grand Knights Opening

Parade (2 NOV) to start the meeting off on a majestic and knightly note.

PrayerA preselected Cub Scout shares the

Code of Honor Prayer (2 NOV).

Welcome and IntroductionsThe Cubmaster, dressed in costume as

King Arthur, welcomes families and vis-itors and recognizes all pack members in costume. Review the many shields participants made during the gathering activity. Do an applause in recognition of all those who participated.

SongThe pack song leader leads “Cub

Quest” (2 NOV).

Den DemonstrationsDens share skits, songs, and costumes

that they made during the month.

GameAll dens participate in the Medieval

Tournament (3 NOV).

RecognitionUse the Roundtable Advancement

Ceremony (3 NOV) or choose another from Cub Scout Ceremonies for Dens and Packs.

AnnouncementsA pack committee member dressed

as a squire holds up a scroll and makes announcements. Highlight upcoming deadlines and events. Announce the date and time of next month’s meeting.

Draw attention to the upcoming pack Good Turn for America project (4 NOV), and encourage all family members to contribute their time and effort to it.

1 NOV 06

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Cubmaster’s MinuteUse the Knights’ Code Cubmaster’s

Minute (3 NOV).

Closing Perform the Knights of Old Closing

Ceremony (3 NOV) or choose another from Cub Scout Ceremonies for Dens and Packs.

uniforM insPeCtionsSchedule a uniform inspection for the pack at least once a year. As Cubmas-

ter, you set the scene by always appearing in uniform or an appropriate costume. Boys will follow that lead. To make the best use of the uniform inspection oppor-tunity, pay attention to the following:• Encourage boys to sew their patches on soon after they have received awards.• Prepare the den leaders in advance for when the inspection will happen so

they may alert their Cub Scout den.• Point out that inspection sheets may be found in the Cub Scout Leader Book.• Have fun with the inspection and use every opportunity to give boys positive

feedback on their accomplishments as shown on their uniforms.

Ceremonies, Games, Songs, Stunts

gAthering ACtivity: MAke A shield

Materials: Large sheets of paper, markers, background information from library books, stencil patterns of lions, bears, eagles, etc.

Encourage all pack members to pre-pare a shield with designs and color them in. Once the shields have been colored, tape onto the walls for display.

oPening CereMony: grAnd knights oPening PArAde

The first tournaments started out as mock battles—simple contests between knights. They slowly evolved into more elaborate, exciting, and expensive affairs. A mass of tents were set up on a level field outside of a town or castle. People came from all around to watch from the gaily decorated stands and pavilions. The knights hung up their shields out-side the pavilions, adding to the color. When all was ready, a fanfare of trum-pets marked the opening of the games. Then all the knights marched forward.

Have all the Cub Scouts assemble outside of the meeting room. Remind them of the proper use of swords (see Pack Leaders’ Planning Meeting, 4 NOV). With the help of den leaders and den chiefs, boys line up single file, with the Webelos Scouts bringing up the rear. One Webelos den carries the U.S. and pack flags.

Before the Cub Scouts enter the meet-ing room, read this opening:

NARRATOR: In medieval times there rode through the forest, in what is now

a corner of London, a powerful knight, clad in shining armor with lance and hel-met and plumes. Like his rider, the great war horse was protected by armored trappings. At the knight’s side rode his squire, a young knight in training, and behind him came his picked patrol of men-at-arms, strong and brave, a gal-lant band, alert and ready to help the poor and defend the weak. (Play martial music such as “Pomp and Circumstance”; Cub Scouts parade in and form a semi-circle in front of the audience.)

NARRATOR: Such were these knights of old who lived by a simple

but majestic code. (Cub Scout knights now raise their swords and the narrator reads the Knight’s Code of Honor. This could be written on a scroll to be unrolled and read.)

NARRATOR: History and song are full of their deeds. These knights of high ideals made the first steps toward freedom. Their descendants were the law-abiding and industrious pioneers who laid the foundation of our nation.

(Now the Webelos Scouts advance with the flags and stand at attention facing the audience with the Cub Scouts and Tiger Cubs in the semicircle behind the colors. Everyone is asked to join in saying the Pledge of Allegiance.)

PrAyer: Code of honorLet us keep from our land and from

our daily lives those things that are not in keeping with our Code of Honor. Amen.

iCebreAker: shield revieW

The Cubmaster can review the shields that participants have created and make positive comments about the representations.

song: Cub quest Tune: This Old Man

Knights of old, stories tell,Lived their code of honor well,Help-ful-ness and loyalty their call,And to show respect to all.

Like the knights, Cubs today,Pledge to live a helpful way,To honor God and country is our quest,And we try to do our best.

2 NOV 06

Cubmaster Corner

The Knight’s Code of Honor

Be always ready with your armor on, except when you are taking your rest at night.

Defend the poor and help those who cannot defend themselves.

Do nothing to hurt or offend any-one or anything.

Be prepared to fight in the defense of your country.

At whatever you are working, try to win honor and a name for honesty.

Never break your promise.

Maintain the honor of your country with your life. Die honestly rather than live shamefully.

Chivalry requireth that youth should be trained to perform the most laborious and humble offices with cheerfulness and grace.

And do good unto others.

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AdvAnCeMent CereMony: roundtAble

Setup: Enough chairs to seat the boys receiving awards are arranged in a semicircle around either side of a central table.

CUBMASTER: Lords and ladies, noble members of the pack, we bid you welcome to the Court of Pack [number]. We come this day to recog-nize those knights who, by their dili-gent effort, cheerful spirit, knowledge, and willingness to do their best, have earned a seat at the Roundtable. They have proved themselves to be worthy of this honor.

Knights of the Order of the Bobcat, come forward. Sir [boy’s first name] of [boy’s last name]. (Each boy comes forward with his parents as his name is called, and his rank is presented.)

CUBMASTER (after all boys have received their rank): Will you uphold the honor of the Order of the Bobcat?

CUB SCOUTS: I will. CUBMASTER: Then take your place

at the Roundtable. (Parents return to their seats, and each boy takes a chair in the circle.)

(Repeat with each rank until all boys earning recognition have been seated in the circle.)

CUBMASTER: Knights of the Roundtable of old were men of great courage, honesty, humility, loyalty, and strength. These young knights today have, by their hard work, shown that the spirit of the Roundtable lives still. Lords and ladiees, Cub Scouts, and honored knights of the Roundtable, please rise and repeat with me the Cub Scout Promise.

MedievAl tournAMentThe tournament chair explains the

events and rules.

Moat Challenge Game Setup: Set up a “safe area” by drawing

two lines around the safe area to cre-ate a “moat.” This may be drawn with chalk, marked with rope, etc.

The moat was a water-filled trench around the castle. Built for security, it was often also filled with sharp and dangerous objects such as rusty metal and glass.

Set up an area with the castle “safe zone” placed in the middle. Place a string or tape outside, and then another string 2½ feet farther out. Boys are challenged to jump the moat and land in the safe area of the castle.

To make this challenging for dif-ferent age levels, vary the size of the jumping space. Assign different points for the amount of distance from the outside of the moat to the safe area.

Robin and Little John Equipment: Wide flat board, prefer-

ably 1-by-6 ft. or 1-by-8 ft., 6 feet long (long enough for two boys to stand on)

Lay the board on the ground. The boys stand right shoulder to right shoulder, facing opposite directions and clasp right forearms. Keeping the left hand free and not using anything but their clasped right arms, the boys try to knock each other off the board and into the “stream.”

TiltingEquipment: 4-in.-diameter ring (can

be a canning ring from a large-mouth jar, a plastic ring cut from a margarine tub lid, or something of similar size), string, 3-ft. length of soft foam stick or pipe covering

Suspend a ring on a string so that the ring hangs about shoulder high for a Cub Scout. Each Cub Scout gets a turn as a knight jousting for a prize. Using a lance (foam stick), each knight runs at the target and tries to spear it.

To Arms! To Arms! Materials: Lots of old adult-sized

clothes (armor), various toy weapons (such as the “lances” used in Tilting)

Form two teams. Mix together the armors and weapons of each team. Boys sit on the floor. At the call “To Arms! To arms!” both teams scramble to find their own weapons and armor. When each boy is fully armed, he races to the finish line.

CubMAster’s Minute: knights’ Code

Whatever you are, be noble. What-ever you do, do well. Whatever you speak, speak like a knight. Spread hap-piness wherever you dwell.

Closing CereMony: knights of old

Personnel: Den of Cub Scouts in costume

NARRATOR: Knights of old stood straight and tall as they pledged them-selves to defend all things that were good and to strive to always do right. (Boys turn and form a Living Circle.)

Cub Scouts today stand straight and tall as they pledge themselves to do good, taking the Cub Scout Promise as their code while they do what they should. (Boys repeat the Cub Scout Promise.) Let each of us now tonight silently pledge again to live up to a good knight’s code of friendly service to others.

skit: ChessBoys pose as the pieces of a chess

board as the narrator explains each one. Then pantomime a chess game.

NARRATOR: The origins of chess are uncertain, but it may have come from a game in India, and before that, China. In the Indian version, the pieces stood for parts of an Indian army: elephants, cavalry, chariots, and infantry. Europe-ans changed the pieces to reflect their lives. Like a medieval European city, the chessboard has the following pieces:

KING: Dignified and deliberate, he takes only one step at a time.

QUEEN: She has the power to move in any direction, including diagonally. But her move has to be in a straight line.

CASTLES (or ROOKS): They move across and back and forth, protecting the king in times of danger.

BISHOPS: They move only on the diagonal.

KNIGHTS: Riding on horseback they make an L-shaped move, two steps for-ward, and one to the side.

PAWNS: These humble foot soldiers pay the price of war. They move one step forward at a time, attacking on the diagonal. As in real life, they’re the first to fall in battle.

APPlAusesKnight Applause. Kneel and place

your right hand on your left shoulder, then on your right shoulder, while say-ing “I dub thee Sir Knight.”

Roundtable Applause. Move your hands in a big circle while clapping.

3 NOV 06

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November Pack Program Page: Cubs in Shining Armor

ACAdeMiCs And sPorts ProgrAM

AcademicsChess. Chess is an ancient game (3

NOV). Boys can learn chess, and maybe it will become a lifelong interest. They can refine their skills year after year through practice. Ask a member of a local chess club to come and explain his or her interest in the game.

SportsBasketball. The beginning of winter

brings the blow of the whistle as basket-ball goes into full swing. As boys par-ticipate in this game, they learn about sportsmanship, develop new skills, and get recognition.

fAMily ACtivity“Being Patriotic” in Cub Scouting’s

BSA Family Activity Book will help boys and families by emphasizing the pride each person can feel for our country. Suggested activities encourage families to recognize Veteran’s Day this month. A fun outing for the families is to participate in or watch a community parade on a national holiday.

did you knoW?Arrow of Light

The Arrow of Light Award is the highest rank in Cub Scouting. It is the only award that a Cub Scout continues to wear on his Boy Scout uniform. Once a Cub Scout has earned the Arrow of Light and is 10 years old, he is eligible to become a Boy Scout. The Arrow of Light is one of the terms in Cub Scout-ing that reflects the British background of Scouting, referring to the Arrowe Park World Scout Jamboree in Birken-head, England, in 1929.

good turn for AMeriCAKnights lived by a

code of bravery, cour-tesy, kindness to oth-ers, and doing good deeds. Boys can experi-ence these virtues by helping to collect canned foods to be donated to a local food bank. Or find a local shelter where boys can help serve meals. Cub Scouts will see how important warm friendly meals can be—and how not everyone can take them for granted.

bsA resourCes highlight

Cub Scout Power Pack Pals Comic Book. Bullying in our schools and commu-nities is a challenge that has come down to the Cub Scout level. This fun comic book opens lines of communication between boys and adults, and boys and boys. Cub Scouts can explore in a non-threatening way how bullying affects everyone. Like the knights of old, Cub Scouts of today can be the ones to chal-lenge the threat of bullying!

PACk leAders’ PlAnning Meeting

Pack adult leaders meet one or two weeks before the pack meeting to check details for this month’s meeting and plan December’s activities. Make sure each den has an important part.

Finalize plans for the pack meeting. In pack meeting preparation, explain to den leaders that knights must be told that they are never to take out their swords at the pack meeting unless specifically “commanded” to do so by the Cubmaster. Den leaders and parents should be enlisted to ensure that knights obey this order from King Arthur.

Assign a committee member to take care of decorating the meeting hall.

Assign refreshments.

Discuss how your pack might par-ticipate in any local Veteran’s Day celebrations.

Begin planning the pack meeting to be held in December with the theme “Cub Scout Stars.” You might invite members of a local amateur astronomy club to share their hobby with Cub Scouts.

Discuss the type of activity that the pack will support as a community-based service project. You will find many agencies that will benefit from a food drive; or you might be able to make a happy holiday for a family in need or help neighbors with holiday projects in the area.

Conduct the Unit Leadership Enhancement that best meets the cur-rent needs of your pack. Choose a topic for next month’s discussion. See the Cub Scout Leader Book for detailed outlines.

looking AheAdBegin planning now for the pack

celebration of the blue and gold ban-quet to be held in February. Verify the date, time, and location. If reservations need to be made, they should be con-firmed this month. The theme will be “Aloha, Cub Scouts.” The adult leaders can brainstorm some clever ideas on how to make this a special event for pack families and invited guests.

Holiday celebrations are coming in December. Plan for festive events that encompass the beliefs of all members of the pack—such as the Christian Christ-mas, Jewish Hanukkah, or Buddhist Rohatsu celebrations.

outdoor ideAs for everyone

Tiger Cubs. Play a game of soccer, weather permitting.

Wolf Cub Scouts. The den could par-ticipate in a hayride if they are available in your area.

Bear Cub Scouts. Take a hike in search of different colors in nature.

Webelos Scouts. Go roller skating—outdoors or indoors at a rink.

4 NOV 06

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Cubs in Shining Armor: Tiger Cub Den MeetingsEach Tiger Cub and his adult partner should attend all meetings as a team.

Dens may meet in the evenings or on weekends.

WHEN FIRST WEEK SECOND WEEK THIRD WEEK FOURTH WEEK

The Tiger Cub den leader shares leadership with a Tiger Cub adult partner.This team should review plans before each meeting and check equipment needed.

BEFORE THE MEETING STARTS

Have supplies for Family Crest Scrapbooks (6 NOV), U.S. flag.

Have supplies for the Knight’s Tournament (6 NOV) and Crowns (6 NOV), U.S. flag.

Call the Go See It destination to confirm arrangements, times, fees, etc.

Host team writes a thank-you note to the destination of last week’s Go see It.

Den leader may collect dues.Den leader checks boys’ books for completed advancement requirements and records them on

Den Advancement Chart. Boys record own advancement on den doodle, if den has one.

GATHERING Make Thanksgiving cards for residents of a care facility (Elective 12).

Make Crowns.

GO SEE IT: Visit “modern knights” at a police station or fire station

(Achievement 2G).

OR

visit a museum that has medieval items to explore.

At the end of the trip, lead a reflecting discussion with

boys and adult partners about their outing.

Stress the connection between how knights of

the Middle Ages and police officers help people.

A totem bead may be presented for participation

in and completeion of Achievement 2G.

Participate in the monthly pack meeting

by sharing “The Code of the Tiger” and information about

the den’s Go See It.

Tiger Cubs and adult partners sign the thank-you note.

OPENING Recite the Pledge of Alle-giance. Repeat “The Code of the Tiger” (6 NOV).

Recite the Pledge of Alle-giance. Say the Cub Scout Promise.

SHARE Each boy shares something that is special about his family.

Each boy shares how he helped someone during the week. Collect the food that boys brought (Elective 11).

DISCOVER Make Family Crest Scrap-books (Achievement 1 D).

Have a Knight’s Tournament.

SEARCH Talk about how knights helped people. Then ask Tiger Cubs how they can help people. One example is the Thanksgiving cards boys made. Another is having a food drive. Ask each family to bring at least one can of food next week.

Talk about how knights helped people. Ask boys who modern-day knights might be. For instance, talk about the valuable jobs that police officers and firefighters do.

CLOSING Say the Cub Scout Promise. Encourage any boy who has not yet earned his Bobcat requirements to finish them.

Form a Living Circle and recite “The Code of the Tiger” (6 NOV).

This month’s shared leadership team reviews the meeting.The den leader should meet briefly with the Tiger Cub and adult partner who will share leadership at the next den meeting.

AFTER THE MEETING

Den leader files tour permit with local council service center for the Go See It.

Den leader talks to Tiger Cub team in charge of next month. Offer resources or ideas as needed. Drop off the canned goods collected at a food bank or other agency.

Den leader fills out den advancement report for the pack leaders’ meeting.

Den leader mails the thank-you note.

CHECK WITH YOUR PACK TRAINER OR CUBMASTER FOR ROUNDTABLE DATES AND OTHER TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES.

5 NOV 06

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This month’s theme, “Cubs in Shining Armor,” offers a good time to stress how Cub Scouts can help other people and be someone else’s knight in shining armor. Electives 10 (“Helping Hands”), 11 (“Helping the Needy”), and 12 (“A Friendly Greet-ing”) are good ones to use to get your Tiger Cubs thinking about helping other people. Also encourage boys to think about the people who help them. A visit to a police station will reinforce in boys the important work that police officers do for our world much as knights did during the Middle Ages.

Tiger Cub Den Activities

the Code of the tigerUse this as an opening or closing and

have the Tiger Cubs line up and each say one line.

A knight searches for wrongs to right.A knight discovers many new lands.A knight shares what he has with those

in need.We Tiger Cubs are like knights.We search, discover, and share.

fAMily Crest sCrAPbook(Achievement 1D)

Materials: White cardstock, scissors, markers or cray-ons, three-ring binder, plain white copy paper, hole punch

Adult part-ners draw a large shield on white cardstock for each Tiger Cub. It should come close to filling up the page. Divide the shield into quarters. In each quarter, Tiger Cubs and their partners place a design that tells some-thing about their family and things that are important to them (such as favorite family activities, favorite family foods, TV shows that you watch as a family; or you could draw a family member or pet). These designs together form a family crest. Cut out the shield and glue it onto the front of the binder. Use the hole punch to put white copy paper into your scrapbook.

treAsure ChestMaterials: Small shoebox, cardboard

oatmeal container (one per two boys), strong packaging tape, aluminum foil, glue, assorted flat jewels, brown package paper or brown paper sacks, scissors

Before the meeting, cut the oatmeal container (including the lid) in half

lengthwise, making two tops for two treasure chests. Use the packaging tape to attach these to the lid of the shoebox. Also, use the tape to create a hinge on one side of the lid and the shoebox.

At the meeting, Tiger Cubs and adult partners cover shoeboxes in brown paper. Use aluminum foil to make the metal straps found on chests. Glue jew-els on to decorate. Use your treasure box to save important Cub Scouting mementos.

fAMily bAnner(Elective 2)

Celebrate your family with a home-made banner that represents your col-lective interests.

Materials: Enough 72-inch-wide felt to make banners for all den family members, assorted 9-by-12-in. felt rect-angles, 3½ yards of decorative cording, craft glue

Trim the large piece of felt into tri-angular pennants, one for each family member. Make an extra for the center of the banner (you might want to make this one rectangular) and glue on letters (cut from a contrasting color of felt) to spell your family name. Individuals can decorate their own pennants by gluing on a variety of felt shapes. A dancer, for example, might choose ballet slippers. A sports fan could add a basketball. The family gardener could fashion a bold sunflower. And don’t forget to include a likeness of the family pet. You may want to consider using liquid embroidery paint to write a motto on the flag.

To assemble the banner, place the completed pennants face-down on a flat surface, spacing them about 3 in. apart. Place the one with the family name in the middle. Run a bead of glue along the upper edge of each pennant. Lay the cording on top of the glue; press down gently to make it stick. Once the

glue is thoroughly dry, you’re ready to raise your banner!

CroWnsMaterials: Kraft paper, scissors, cray-

ons or markers, glue, stapler, clear tape, additional ornamentations such as flat jewels, stickers, pom-poms

Cut the Kraft paper into 8-by-30-in. lengths before the meeting. At the meeting, give each Tiger Cub a piece of paper and let him design his own crown. Use scissors to make points on the crown if desired. When boys are finished decorating their crowns, adult partners staple the crown to the right size. Use the clear tape to cover the staple so that the edges don’t poke boys’ heads.

knights’ tournAMentHave a variety of challenges to pre-

pare Tiger Cubs to become knights. At the end of the tournament, have a simple “knighting” ceremony, and pres-ent each boy with a medal that shows that he “Did His Best.”

Archery PracticeMaterials: Table tennis balls, plastic

spoons, a target (basket, bowl, or hat)Tiger Cubs stand behind a line and

use the spoon to fling table tennis balls into the target. Each Tiger Cub gets five shots.

Armor-Donning ContestMaterials: Lots of old adult-sized

clothesTwo Tiger Cubs race each other to see

who can get their armor on the fastest. Boys start at a central point and race down to two piles of old clothes. They have to get all of their armor on and then race back to the starting point, then back to the pile point, and remove all the armor. Adult partners work as squires and assist with the donning of the armor as needed.

6 NOV 06

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7 NOV 06

Cubs in Shining Armor: Wolf Den MeetingsDens may meet after school, in the evenings, or on weekends.

Review the theme pages before planning den meetings.

WHEN FIRST WEEK SECOND WEEK THIRD WEEK FOURTH WEEK

Den leader, den chief, and denner review plans before each meeting and check equipment needed.

BEFORE THE MEETING STARTS

Have leaves, supplies for Chain Mail Vests (8 NOV), permission slips.

Have materials for Sandy Hourglasses (8 NOV), supplies for feats of skill (Achievement 1).

Call the destination of your field trip to confirm arrange-ments, times, fees, etc.

Denner writes a thank-you note, if needed, to last week’s destination. Have materials for Flying Falcons (8 NOV), recycled items boys brought for Costume Accessories (8 NOV).

Den leader collects dues

WHILE CUB SCOUTS GATHER

Take advantage of the fall leaves by gathering piles of different kinds and colors of leaves.

Collect permission slips. boys do Dragon Art (8 NOV).

Collect permission slips. Discuss the Outdoor Code (see Elective 18e). Explain

that the boys will be putting the Outdoor Code

into action. Explain the importance of the buddy

system (Elective 23d).

Boys sign thank-you note. Make Flying Falcons. Take them outside and fly toward a target.

OPENING Sing “When You Are a Knight” (8 NOV).

Boys respond to roll call by giving his name as Sir [first name] the _______, naming a quality to describe himself that begins with the first let-ter of his name (Sir Alan the Alert, etc.).

Den forms a semicircle and face the flag. Denner leads the Pledge of Allegiance (Achievement 2a).

Den leader checks boys’ books for completed achievements and electives and records them on Den Advancement Charts. Boys record own advancement on den doodle, if den has one.

BUSINESS ITEMS

Explain the knights’ round-table and “Cubs in Shining Armor” theme. Ask boys to bring recycled items to use during the fourth week for making Costume Accessories (8 NOV INTRO).

Discuss the emphasis of the pack meeting and additional features of the “Cubs in Shining Armor” theme.

Go on an autumn walk (Elective 18).

At the end of the trip, lead a reflecting discussion with

boys about their outing.

Discuss the pack meeting plans and how the den will participate.

ACTIVITY Go outside for some fun with leaves. See the Cub Scout Leader How-To Book for ideas. Make Chain Mail Vests (8 NOV).

Boys make Sandy Hour-glasses (8 NOV). Knights had to be agile. Go outside and have boys do various Feats of Skill (Achievement 1).

Boys use recycled items to make Costume Accessories. Boys practice the song for the pack meeting while wear-ing their costume accessories.

CLOSING Lead the Quest Closing Dis-cussion (8 NOV). Send each boy home with a list of items that could be used for mak-ing armor, etc. Send home permission slips for field trip during the third week.

Say the Law of the Pack. Use the Cub Scout Shield Den Leader Closing (8 NOV).

Denner supervises putting away equipment. Den leader, den chief, and denner review the meeting and check details for the next meeting.

AFTER THE MEETING

Den leader files local tour permit with council service center for third week field trip.

Den leader fills out den advancement report for the pack leaders’ meeting.

Den leader mails thank-you note.

CHECK WITH YOUR PACK TRAINER OR CUBMASTER FOR ROUNDTABLE DATES AND OTHER TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES.

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8 NOV 06

This month Cub Scouts will go back in time and learn about the knights of old, with a focus on the positive aspects that knights supported. Using recycled items, they will make a modern version of armor, shields, and swords like knights of old used. These will be great props as the boys perform a song at the pack meeting this month.

Encourage Cub Scout families to work on additional achievements and electives that support this theme such as:• Achievement 12a, 12d, 12i, “Making Choices”: Knights were very courageous. Complete the Character Connection for

courage and show that you could be a knight by thinking about and knowing how to help others.• Elective 7a, “Foot Power”: Jesters entertained the king during meals by walking on stilts or juggling. Cub Scouts can test

their skills of balance on stilts.• Elective 12a, “Be an Artist”: Cubs Scouts can draw a picture of a castle, dragon, or knight.

Wolf Den Activities

song: When you Are A knightTune: Farmer in the Dell

When you are a knight,Good is what you do.The Good Knight’s Code is what you use,To live your whole life through.

When you are a Scout,Good is what you do.The Cub Scout Law is what you use,To live your whole life through.

flying fAlConFalconry was a

popular sport during the Middle Ages. Many knights trained falcons to hunt s m a l l animals and other birds.

To make your own flying falcon, fold a piece of paper in half. Duplicate the half-pattern shown and place the edge of the pattern with the dotted line on the fold of the paper. Trace. Cut on the solid line. Fold the falcon’s wings down. Then fold down each side of the tail diagonally. Add a piece of tape or a paperclip at the front of the bird to give it the necessary weight.

How far will your falcon fly? Make a game of seeing which bird will fly farthest, land closest to a target, or sail through a suspended hoop.

drAgon Art(Elective 12a)

Materials: Paper, markersCub Scouts take off one shoe and sock.

Put paper on the floor and then draw

around the foot. Turn the outline into a dragon by adding a fire-breathing head, legs with sharp claws, and long spiked tail. Draw freehand a knight fighting the dragon, or a castle next to it.

ChAin MAil vestMaterials: 14 plastic six-pack soda

holders, stapler, spray paint, stringStaple three holders together along the

long sides. Repeat to make three more sections. Staple two sections lengthwise for the front and two for the back. Staple the remaining two holders to the top outside of the front and back pieces to form the shoulders. The den leader or assistant spray paints vests silver. When dry, place over boys’ heads and use string or yarn to lace up the sides.

An alternate way to create vests is to use metal juice can lids. Punch small holes on the tops and bottoms and con-nect the lids with twist ties.

den leAder’s Closing: Cub sCout shield

With Cub Scouts holding shields in front of them say, “These Cub Scout shields are designed to protect boys from the dangers of drugs. Your best armor against drugs is to know that you are too valuable to waste your life with drugs.”

sAndy hourglAssMaterials: Two equal-sized salad

dressing bottles (wide on the bottom, narrow on top) with shaker tops (little holes); enough sand to fill one bottle; piece of wide, clear postal tape; watch or clock with a second hand; small funnel or piece of cardboard to fill one bottle

Remove the labels and the shaker tops of the bottles, and wash and dry them thoroughly. Fill one bottle with

sand and put the shaker top back on. Then tape the other bottle to it upside down, so the necks are joined. To time your hourglass, wait until the second hand on your modern clock or watch gets to the 12. Then flip the sand clock over. Keep track of how long it takes for all the sand to fall into the other bottle. Your sand timer won’t measure an hour, but it will be dependable because sand always falls at the same speed.

denner instAllAtion CereMony

Prop: Cardboard swordDEN LEADER: As we meet as Knights

in Shining Armor, I beckon Sir [Cub Scout’s name] to come forward and kneel. With this sword, I dub thee Sir Denner, keeper of the roll, example to all Cub Scouts, noble assistant to your den leader and reminder of meetings. (List any other jobs he will do).

Stand, O Noble Knight, and greet the noble Cub Scouts.

brooMstiCk tWistMaterials: Broomsticks for each pair

of boysTwo boys

of similar height and weight grasp a broomstick held horizon-tally with both hands. Each tries to touch the end of the broomstick to the floor.

quest Closing disCussionLead a discussion in which you ask

each Cub Scout what his knightly quest is—what thing of value is he seeking? (to earn a rank, to be stronger, to get better at something, to learn or do something).

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Cubs in Shining Armor: Bear Den MeetingsDens may meet after school, in the evenings, or on weekends.

Review the theme pages before planning den meetings.

WHEN FIRST WEEK SECOND WEEK THIRD WEEK FOURTH WEEK

Den leader, den chief, and denner review plans before each meeting and check equipment needed.

BEFORE THE MEETING STARTS

Have materials for Castle Neckerchief Slides (10 NOV), Castle Pencil Holders (10 NOV), and Castle Bowl-ing (10 NOV).

Have materials to continue Castle Pencil Holders, sup-plies for Coat of Arms (10 NOV) and Bas Relief Shields (10 NOV), premade materi-als for Teeterboard Jousting (10 NOV).

Call the destination of your field trip to confirm arrange-ments, times, fees, etc.

Denner writes thank-you note, if needed, to last week’s destination. Have projects started during the first week.

Den leader collects dues

WHILE CUB SCOUTS GATHER

Den chief leads the Be a Knight activity (10 NOV).

Collect permission slips. Boys play Teeterboard Joust-ing. Collect permission slips.

Review expectations for field trip behavior.

Boys sign the thank-you note. Boys paint their Castle Pencil Holders.

OPENING Use the Knights Opening Ceremony (10 NOV).

Recite the Law of the Pack. Lead the Cub Scout Promise.

Den leader checks boys’ books for completed achievements and electives and records them on Den Advancement Charts. Boys record own advancement on den doodle, if den has one.

BUSINESS ITEMS

Introduce the “Cubs in Shining Armor” theme and explain that Cub Scouts and knight are similar because Cubs follow the Law of the Pack like knights of the Roundtable followed a code of honor. Talk about simi-larities between knights and modern police officers.

Explain that the boys will be making a Coat of Arms to wear at the pack meeting and to think about they might like to design and decorate it.

Take a trip to a retirement center to share a skit or song with the residents. Go in cos-

tume for more fun.

At the end of the trip, lead a reflecting discussion with

boys about their outing.

Review the den contribution to the pack meeting. Practice staging and voice projection so all can hear.

ACTIVITY Make Castle Neckerchief Slides or play Castle Bowling. Start Castle Pencil Holders, to be completed next week.

Make Coats of Arms. Add another layer of peas to the Castle Pencil Holders started last week. Make Bas Relief Shields.

Boys go outside to work on a Knight’s Competi-tion of two-person contests (Achievement 16b). Boys can compete as knights did to become physically fit and alert.

CLOSING As Cub Scouts file past the den leader, they make a formal bow. Ask a parent to make a teeterboard (10 NOV). Send home permis-sion slips for field trip during the third week.

Explain that religion was an important part of life during the Middle Ages. Observe a moment of silence.

Den leader announces: “Knights unite! What’s your den yell?” Cub Scouts give the den yell.

Denner supervises putting away equipment. Den leader, den chief, and denner review the meeting and check details for the next meeting.

AFTER THE MEETING

Den leader files local tour permit with council service center for third week field trip.

Den leader fills out den advancement report for the pack leaders’ meeting.

Den leader mails thank-you note.

CHECK WITH YOUR PACK TRAINER OR CUBMASTER FOR ROUNDTABLE DATES AND OTHER TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES.

9 NOV 06

Page 10: November cubs in shining armor - Medieval Fantasies … cubs in shining armor Webelos activity badges: craftsman/readyman Let our heroes shine as they welcome new Cub Scout Knights

Hear ye! Hear ye! All Cub Scouts can be Knights. With some creative costuming and imagination, boys can be transported back to the Middle Ages. The ideals of truth and honesty ring true today as they did long ago. The quest to achieve a noble cause is reinforced for boys this month as they explore their own desires. Enlist parent help to prepare a great Teeterboard Jousting set, which the den can use again and again.

Encourage Cub Scout families to work on additional achievements and electives that support this theme such as:• Achievement 21c, “Build a Model”: Boys can make a model of their room and change the furniture around. Imagine how

the furniture of the Middle Ages would have been different. • Achievement 23e, “Sports, Sports, Sports”: Families will enjoy attending a sporting event together.• Elective 21a, “Sales”: Knights presented themselves with honor and courage. Boys can do the same as they participate

in a council- or pack-sponsored money-earning sales program. Parents can review safe sales tactics with Cub Scouts.

Bear Den Activities

be A knight ACtivityThe den chief provides each point

of the Scout Law (trustworthy, loyal, friendly, helpful, courteous, kind, obe-dient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, reverent) on a card for the boys and asks each to choose one as his per-sonal standard for the month: “Knight [Cub Scout’s name] the Trustworthy,” for example. The den chief then intro-duces each Cub Scout with his knightly name while he holds up his card during the opening.

knights oPening CereMony

CUBMASTER: Like knights of old, our den knights pledge their allegiance to our flag. Its colors stand for principles we treasure and defend: red for bravery, white for purity, and blue for loyalty. Knights, please join in the Pledge of Allegiance to our flag.

CAstle neCkerChief slideMaterials: Empty film

canisters, scis-sors, white paint (or fabric paint)

Cut edges along the top of the film canister as shown to look like the top of a castle. Slice into the bottom of the canister as shown (this is where the neckerchief slides through). Paint on lines to resemble bricks or window openings in your castle tower.

CAstle PenCil holders Materials: Empty soup cans, split

peas (found in the grocery store), gray paint, glue

Spread glue all around the back half of the outside of the can; roll it in the

peas. Let dry. (You may choose to first tape or glue construction paper to the can before spreading glue on it.) Paint a “window” onto the sides or front of your castle. Spread glue around the windows and add peas, surrounding the window. Let dry. Paint the peas gray.

CoAt of ArMs Materials: Pillowcases, paint, cardboardKnights wore bold colors on their

tunics and shields so that everyone knew who they were. Only seven colors were used: gold, silver, red, blue, green, black, and purple. Using these colors, boys can decorate their “knight’s tunic” with a symbol meaningful to each. The tunic can be a pillowcase in which they cut holes for the head and arms. Put cardboard between layers of tunic while painting to keep colors from bleeding through. Another choice is to cut out symbols and glue on to the tunics.

bAs relief shield Materials: Cardboard, aluminum foil,

rubber cement, paint, scrubbing padOverlay a piece of cardboard cut to

the shape of a shield with cardboard cutouts of each knight’s special symbol. Glue them to the shields. Cut heavy-duty foil several inches larger than the shield. Gently crumple it and straighten it out again, so that it forms small creases.

Cover the shield with rubber cement. Center the crumbled and straightened foil over the shield and smooth out from the center gently, emphasizing the cutouts. Tape foil edges to the back of the shield. Paint with matte black paint. When dry, carefully rub a kitchen scrub-ber or fine steel wool over the design to remove paint from the smooth areas. You have an antique shield!

Several animals—bears, lions, eagles, or horses—can be used as designs on shields, as well as the shape of a cross.

knight’s helMet Using a 3-gallon round ice cream car-

ton or similar-sized square cardboard carton, cut out an opening for the face. Paint the helmet silver. From card-board, cut out a triangular face guard to fit the helmet and make slits in the face guard. Using paper fasteners, attach to the front of the helmet. Glue a feather plume on top of the helmet.

sPeAr the ring Bend several coat hangers into circles

and hang at different levels. Using oblong balloons, twist into swords for each boy. Cub Scouts spear as many rings as pos-sible in the allotted time. Each boy tries to improve his score with each turn.

teeterboArd Jousting

Making a teeter-board for the use of the den is a helpful project for a parent. See the Cub Scout Leader How-To Book for directions.

CAstle boWlingMaterials: Six half-gallon milk car-

tons, scissors, construction paper, glue, markers, small lightweight ball

Using scissors, remove the pointed top of the milk cartons; cut the top in several places to resemble castle turrets. Cover with construction paper and draw windows. Set the castles up like bowling pins. Boys take turns bowling with the small ball.

10 NOV 06