Leave No Trace Banner

For our Leave No Trace Banner/Poster we decided to let the boys walk through paint with their bare feet. Let me say, the boys LOVED it! The concept behind our banner is that when you leave nothing but footprints, eventually your footprints will fade away, but what you leave behind (such as trash) will not.

The boys will be signing the poster and then we will be taking pictures on our service project tonight... a hike with a trash pick up on a frequented trail.

Also... for additional fun, be sure to check into Geocaching. It's on online "treasure hunt". I happen to know that there are "caches" on the trail, so we'll be introducing the boys to that fun activity as well!

Cub and Family is coming up soon!

Camp outs are great fun. Before you go on your Cub and Family camping trip take a few minutes to discuss Wolf Elective 23 B (Explain how to take care of yourself in the outdoors) Wolf Elective 23C (What to do if you think you are lost) and Elective 23D (Explain the buddy system). Wolf Elective 18H pointing out poisonous plants is good one too! Easy Arrow points for your scouts!

While you are at the camp out don't forget to take advantage of Wolf Requirement 2E (How to raise the flag) and Wolf Requirement 2F (Participate in an outdoor flag service). Wolf Elective 23A (Attend a Pack overnighter) and Wolf Elective 23H (Participate in an outdoor worship service if the scout attends).

Keep track of all your activities at camp out. You can also use your camp outs to work on Leave No Trace Principles and complete some of the Leave No Trace Requirements.

Leave No Trace:

• Discuss with your leader the importance of Leave No Trace Frontcountry Guidelines
• On 3 seperate outings, practice frontcountry guidelines of Leave No Trace
• Complete Requirement 7 "Your Living World"
• Participate in a Leave No Trace related service project
• Promise to practice the Leave No Trace frontcountry guidelines by signing the Cub Scout Leave No Trace Pledge
• Draw a poster to illustrate the Leave No Trace frontcountry guidelines and display it at a pack meeting.

Osprey Back Pack Contest

Here's a fun little contest for your little hiker. You can win an Osprey Back Pack via a writing contest. The rules and regulations below are taken from the Osprey website.

http://www.ospreypacks.com/OspreyLifestyle/KidsEssayContest/

Osprey Packs Sprint Series Kid's Reading and Writing ContestOsprey is proud to offer our legendary custom fit in packs specifically designed for kids, the Sprint Series. We consider the opportunity to offer great packs to kids much more than a sale; it is an opportunity to foster stewardship of and passion for the wild places left on our planet. With our children's help we can truly save our natural environment for generations to come.

In that spirit, Osprey is seeking great writing that highlights kid's very best adventures with a pack and demonstrates an understanding of the Principles of Leave No Trace - a key component in preserving our wild places. We are a proud partner of Leave No Trace and you'll find their seven principles screened inside all our packs - including the Sprint Series.

READING GUIDELINES
First, visit the Leave No Trace website and read-up on the seven principles of Leave no Trace.http://www.lnt.org/programs/principles.php

WRITING GUIDELINES
You must be 6 -16 years of age to enter. NO GROWN-UPS! In 250-500 words, tell us about a place you have hiked or backpacked that was especially memorable for you. Why is it special to you? Did you have a special encounter with an animal? Mother Nature? Was the area threatened? Was it well taken care of? Last but NOT least, pick one of the Leave No Trace principles and tell us how you applied it to your adventure. You are also welcome (but not required) to include a photo of yourself.

WHAT HAPPENS IF I WIN?!
Essays will be judged by a panel of wild animals with guidance by your friends at Osprey. All winners will be featured on our website and may be published in future Osprey catalogs.

AHEM - WHAT DO I GET IF I WIN?!
Your choice of any one Osprey backpack from the following series:
Argon & Xenon Series - Backpacking, Men's and Women's Deluxe Custom Fit
Aether & Ariel Series - Backpacking, Men's and Women's Lightweight Custom Fit
Sprint Series - Backpacking, Kid's Deluxe Custom fit
Atmos & Aura Series - Backpacking, Men's and Women's Fit, Ventilated
Kestrel Series - Backpacking and Day Hiking, torso adjustable fit
Stratos Series - Backpacking and Day Hiking, Ventilated

That means you can outfit yourself with a brand new Sprint or if you already have one, get your parents out on the trail with a great fitting Osprey of their own. We'll also throw in a Sprint Series pack towel. Send your entry to sprintcontest@ospreypacks.com with the subject "Reading and Writing".

You'll be notified within 30 days if you are a winner. The contest is open until we get every kid out there hiking and leaving no trace!

Leave No Trace

Are you taking the boys out for a short hike or outing in this beautiful weather? Discuss with your boys the Leave No Trace frontcountry guidelines and then on 3 seperate outings practice the frontcountry guidelines.

The Frontcountry guidelines are:

• Plan ahead
• stick to trails
• manage your pet
• leave what you find
• respect other visitors
• trash your trash

There are 6 requirements for the Leave No Trace Award:

• Discuss the importance of Leave no Trace frontcountry guidelines
• On 3 seperate outings practice the frontcountry guidelines
• Wolves complete Requirement 7 (Your Living World)
• Participate in a Leave No Trace-related service project
• Promise to practice the Leave No Trace frontcountry guidelines by signing the Cub Scout pledge
• Draw a poster to illustrate the Leave No Trace guidelines and display it at a Pack meeting.

This is something that you can do fairly easily if you are already out enjoying nature with your boys.

BSA Family Activity 3

The BSA Family Activity this week is from the Developing Personal Strengths section. You will need to do 2 activities from the Developing Personal Strengths section. You may choose one of the following activities if you want from the Learning Duty to God section.

From the BSA Family Workbook: The purpose of Learing Duty to God is to help children learn more about the teachings of thier family's religious faith and belief.

1. Go on a family hike and acknowledge the beautiful things in nature that God has created. Pick up and litter that you may find, and talk about taking care of our world. (Leave No Trace, Wolf Requirement 7D Pick up litter)

2. As a family, attend a religious service in a church or other setting where people gather to worship. (Wolf Requirement 11C practice or demonstate your relgious beliefs)

3. Learn how to say a grace, prayer, relgious thought or inspirational message. (Wolf Elective 11E Sing a song that would be sung as a grace before meals.)

Outdoor Activity Award

Here is another super easy award to earn if you are sending your boys to day camp this Summer.

The Outdoor Activity Award has the following qualifications:

• Attend Day Camp (Wolf Elective 23E)
• Complete (Assemble) Wolf Elective 23B Explain the basics of how to take care of yourself in the outdoors.

Next, complete 4 of the following:

• Participate in a nature hike (Leave No Trace)
• Participate in an outdoor activity such as a picnic (Wolf Elective 18A) or park fun day
• Explain the Buddy System and tell what to do if you are lost (Wolf Elective 23C and 23D) and explain the importance of cooperation.
• Attend a pack overnighter (Wolf Elective 23A)
• Complete and outdoor service project in your area.
• Complete a nature/conservation project in your area. (Wildlife Conservation Award)
• Earn the Summertime Pack Award
• Participate in a nature observation activity. Discribe/Illustrate and Display your observations at a den or pack meeting. (Wolf Elective 13A if you choose to watch birds)
• Participate in an outdoor aquatic activity. (Swimming Belt Loop)
• Participate in an outdoor campfire program. Perform in a skit, sing a song or take part in a ceremony. (Wolf Elective 23G)
• Participate in an outdoor sporting event. (there are many outdoor sport beltloops available and also corospond with Wolf Electives 20A-O)
• Particpate in Scout's Own or other worship service. (Wolf Elective 23H)
• Explore a local city, county, state or national park. Discuss with your den how a good citizen obeys the park rules.

As you can see, you are probably doing many of these activities with your boys already, so go ahead and grab the award!

Beautification Scout Patch

Did you know that Metro Nashville offers a Beautification Scout Patch? Wolf Cubs must complete activity #1 and then 2 other activities.

1. Plant a tree
2. Visit the Recycling Education Station in Nashville (Wolf Requirement 7C)
3. Have an aluminum can collection through your troop
4. Make a campaign slogan or advertisement for one thing everyone can do to reduce his or her waste
5. Take a tour of the local landfill
6. Learn about composting http://www.nashville.gov/beautification/Publications/HomeCompostingFlyer.pdf
7. Organize a litter clean up with your troop, family or friends. (Wolf Requirement 7D and can also be used as a Leave No Trace Service related project)
8. Participate in the Great American Clean Up in March, April or May
9. Plant a flower bed or wildflower meadow (Wolf Elective 15B)
10. Participate in a Ring around the School clean up (Davidson County Schools)

Here is the link for the Beautification Scout Patch program.
http://www.nashville.gov/beautification/scouts/index.htm