Cub Scout Games - Part 1

	Three-Legged Soccer Set up for a regular game of soccer:  teams, goals, boundaries, etc.  You might want to make the field a bit smaller, though, and have about 20 players on each side.  The only modification to regular soccer rules is that the players on each team must pair up and tie their ankles together in three-legged race fashion.  Players can kick the ball with either their free feet or the "big foot". The goalie might be two people tied back-to back at the waist. To add another dash of random craziness, use a rubber football from a variety store.  Why not have two balls - one for each team - going simultaneously?  Three teams?  One goal in the center?  Try anything! Catch the Dragon's Tail It's one thing when a puppy chases its tail - and quite another when a dragon tries it.  The difference you'll find in these "tails" is more than just size. You'll need a good-sized area for this game, clear of holes in the ground and trees.  About eight to ten people line up, one behind the other.  Everyone puts his arms around the waist of the person in front of them.  (You can't be ticklish around dragons.)  The last person in the line tucks a handkerchief in the back of his belt.  To work up steam, the dragon might let out a few roars. On a signal, the dragon begins chasing its own tail, the object being for the person at the head of the line to snatch the handkerchief.  The tricky part of this struggle is that the people at the front and the people at the end are clearly competing - but the folks in the middle aren't sure which way to go.  When the head finally captures the tail, who's defeated and who's the victor?  Everyone!  The head dons the handkerchief and becomes the new tail, and the second from the front becomes the new head. Two dragons trying to catch each other's tails can be formidable - and also a great game.  How about a whole field full of tail chasing dragons? Standup Sit on the ground, back-to-back with a partner, knees bent and elbows linked.  Now, simply stand-up together.  With a bit of cooperation and practice, this shouldn't be to hard.		After you have this mastered, add a third person.  Have him join you on the ground, and all three of you try to stand up.  Now, add a forth person.  Four people standing up together might be a tremendous accomplishment. By this time, you should realize that there's more struggling, stumbling, and giggling each time you add another person.  This game guarantees lots of spectators ready to join in the fun and help you get off the ground. A gracefully executed mass standup (any number greater than five) is like a blossoming flower - but a more rare event.  To achieve it, start by sitting close and firmly packed.  The all stand up quickly and at precisely the same time. Standoff This one-on-one battle for balance can be played almost anywhere and anytime, and the only equipment need is you!  To play the game, two players stand face-to-face on a level surface at arm's length.  (If one player's arms are shorter or longer than the other's, split the difference.)  Each player's feet must be side-by-side, together.  The players present their hands with palms facing their partners.  The object of Standoff is to cause your partner to lose balance, making contact with your hands only. If your partner moves one or both feet while you retain your stance, you get one point.  If he lunges forward and wraps himself around you in an impromptu "abrazzo", that's also a point for you.  If both of you lose balance, no one gets a point.  The game is won by the player who scores two out of three points. It is permissible to dodge and feint with your hands, but at no time during the game may players make contact with any part of their partner's body other than the hands.  If such contact is made, no penalties are imposed, but the offending player should reflect upon the real point of the game. Another version of standoff is inspired by the graceful martial art of Aikido.  The players start with their palms together and keep them in contact through each round.  The object is still to make your partner lose balance, but sudden moves are not permissible.  Played this way, the game becomes a beautiful slow-motion act that looks far more like a dance than a contest. Note:  A long session of standoff can make your arms sore and leaden.  Remember, you can always stop playing.

Cub Scout Outdoor Activity Award

	Tiger Cubs, Wolf and Bear Cub Scouts, and Webelos Scouts have the opportunity to earn the Cub Scout Outdoor Activity Award. Boys may earn the award in each of the program years as long as the requirements are completed each year. The first time the award is earned, the boy will receive the pocket flap award, which is to be worn on the right pocket flap of the uniform shirt. Each successive time the award is earned, a wolf track pin may be added to the flap. Leaders should encourage boys to build on skills and experiences from previous years when working on the award for a successive year. Requirements All Ranks Attend Cub Scout day camp or Cub Scout/Webelos Scout resident camp. Rank-Specific Tiger Cubs Complete one requirement in Achievement 5, "Let's Go Outdoors" (Tiger Cub Handbook) and complete three of the outdoor activities listed below. Wolf Cub Scouts Assemble the "Six Essentials for Going Outdoors" (Wolf Handbook, Elective 23b) and discuss their purpose, and complete four of the outdoor activities listed below. Bear Cub Scouts Earn the Cub Scout Leave No Trace Award (Bear Handbook, Elective 25h) and compete five of the outdoor activities listed below. Webelos Scouts Earn the Outdoorsman Activity Badge (Webelos Handbook) and complete six of the outdoor activities listed below. Outdoor Activities With your den, pack, or family: Participate in a nature hike in your local area. This can be on an organized, marked trail, or just a hike to observe nature in your area. Participate in an outdoor activity such as a picnic or park fun day. Explain the buddy system and tell what to do if lost. Explain the importance of cooperation. Attend a pack overnighter. Be responsible by being prepared for the event. Complete an outdoor service project in your community. Complete a nature/conservation project in your area. This project should involve improving, beautifying, or supporting natural habitats. Discuss how this project helped you to respect nature. Earn the Summertime Pack Award. Participate in a nature observation activity. Describe or illustrate and display your observations at a den or pack meeting. Participate in an outdoor aquatic activity. This can be an organized swim meet or just a den or pack swim. Participate in an outdoor campfire program. Perform in a skit, sing a song, or take part in a ceremony. Participate in an outdoor sporting event. Participate in an outdoor Scout's Own or other worship service. Explore a local city, county, state, or national park. Discuss with your den how a good citizen obeys the park rules. The award requirements are detailed in the Cub Scout Outdoor Activity Award brochure, No. 13-228.

LNT TRAINER COURSE

LEAVE NO TRACE TRAINER March 30th - April 1st    Information Details The principles of Leave No Trace have been recently integrated into many areas of the scouting program . . . from Cub Scouting to second and first class Boy Scout rank advancements, merit badges and many outdoor programs and activities. In addition, a new Boy Scout leadership position has been developed called "Leave No Trace Trainer". To help facilitate these changes, we will be offering the three day Leave No Trace Trainer course for both youth and adults during selected times of the year. The classes will be conducted in the field throughout the day on Saturday and during an overnight backpacking trek to the HSR wilderness area. Upon successful completion of the course, each participant will be registered as a certified LNT Trainer with the National Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics in Boulder, Colorado. LNT Trainers are authorized to teach the official LEAVE NO TRACE AWARENESS program, LNT 101 and also qualify to serve as staff instructors in future Leave No Trace Trainer courses. PRE-REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED
Dates:	March 30th - April 1st Registration deadline: March 26th
Start Time:	Friday 6 PM
Location:	Horseshoe Scout Reservation Camp John H. Ware III (239 Jubilee Road, Peach Bottom)
Who:	• Pack, Troop and Crew adult leaders.
	• Boy Scouts and Venturers
Program Cost:	$65 per person
Pre-requisites:	All participants must be currently registered in the Boy Scouts of America Adult Leaders: Must have previously completed Introduction to Outdoor Leader Scout Training (IOLST) Boy Scout Youth: Must have achieved the rank of First Class Venturers: No pre-requisites
Course Length:	Three days - Friday evening through Sunday noon
Things to bring:	Backpack Sleeping Bag Backpacking tent * Personal camping gear and equipment appropriate for a backpacking trek and the season * Please contact us if you do not have access to a backpacking tent
Your fees cover:	Meals - Saturday AM through Sunday AM. Please either have dinner before arriving on Friday or you are welcome to bring it with you. All Leave No Trace program and training materials One year registration with the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics in Boulder, Colorado as a certified trainer.
Contact Info:	Ray Hayden 717-548-3352
How to sign up:	Class size is limited!!!! Maximum number per class is 10. Register here

“Old School” Pioneering Weekend

Horseshoe Scout Reservation

April 13, 14 & 15, 2012

A pioneer’s journey begins with your trek in your covered wagon to Camp Horseshoe, along the banks of the creek the Indians called Octoraro. After arriving and looking for favorite sites with names like Lenni Lenape, Octoraro, Dan Beard, Kit Carson, Conestoga, Boonesboro and Trailblazer, you’re ready to greet the great wilderness as your forefathers did. By campfire, blankets, tents and the call of nature.

From there, your journey continues with the hard work of setting up a fine wilderness camp with your troop of travelling pioneers. This camp could include making articles that add some creature comforts to a pioneer’s camp.

From the great wilderness camp, with a walking trek through the evening hours to the great Goodman wilderness barn, the trek continues with the group of pioneers learning about using ropes, block and tackles and rope block and tackles.

From here the great journey continues back to those famous wilderness camp area and night of rest, for we know that the great journey will continue at first light.

As first light approaches, cooking fires are lighted, the smell of a wood cooking fire, the preparations of a meaningful, well cooked breakfast at the start of a day filled with a long journey.

The journey continues with a short walk for the quest of the pioneer skill of making a rope, trestle and ladder building. After a busy morning of making rope, the pioneers trek back to camp for a well cooked lunch and time to make camp living easier by making gadgets using rope, wood and natural materials. As our pioneers finish cleaning up after a hearty lunch the journey continues.

The journey moves to the great field by the bridge crossing the mighty Octoraro River. In this great field is the need to construct towers for alerting pioneers as to the great dangers that lie ahead. Towers to be built using handmade rope, spars and the knowledge of these young pioneers. The towers so strong and tall that signals can be seen for miles from the tops. From here, after the great judging of these fine works of art, the journey continues.

The pioneers head tiredly back to their great camp to enjoy the great chili cook off and a well earned camp dinner. After this great dinner the leaders of the pioneers will be judged as to who is the best chili cook.

With full bellies and a nice campfire, stories will be told of the days adventures. The night is growing old as sleep call these young pioneers, who know that they will be up with first light.

As first light approaches, the pioneers know that they will soon have to pack up their wagons for the trek through the great wilderness and as they are leaving this wonderful area, they know that there must not be a trace that they have been here…….

Just a quick note, this is a troop activity that will upon completion of the requirement allow the boys to earn the pioneering merit badge. This will also allow for completion some of the night required for the camping merit badge and the cooking merit badge.                                     

Friday

6 - 8 PM          Checkin, turn in blue cards, set up tents. 

8 - 10 PM        Group session-work on Requirements 4 & 8

9:30 - 10PM     Crackerbarrel

11 PM              Lights out

Saturday

7 - 9 AM          Breakfast

9 - 11 AM        Rope Making, Simple Trestle, 15 foot ladders

11 - 1 PM        Lunch at camp sites

1 - 5 PM          Build Towers & Camp Gadgets

5 - 7 PM          Dinner at campsites

                        Judging of Projects, Cooking & Iron Chef Dessert

11 PM             Lights out

Sunday AM

7 - 9              Breakfast, clean up camps, pack up

9 - 9:30         Complete blue cards

9:30 - 10       Awards ceremony

Bring: Tents, First Aid Kit, Food, Bow Saw, Dutch Ovens

Leave at Home:  Propane, charcoal, stoves

Pioneering Weekend Prerequisites

1.    Show that you know first aid for injuries or illness that could occur while working on pioneering projects, including minor cuts and abrasions, bruises, rope burns, blisters, splinters, sprains, heat and cold reactions, dehydration, and insect bites or stings.

2.    Do the following:

a.   Successfully complete Tenderfoot requirements 4a and 4b and First Class requirements 7a, 7b, and 7c. (These are the rope-related requirements.)

b.  Tie the following: square knot, bowline, sheepshank, sheet bend, and roundturn with two half hitches.

c.   Demonstrate the following: tripod and round lashings.

3.    Explain the uses for the back splice, eye splice, and short splice. Using 1/4- or 3/8-inch three-stranded rope, demonstrate how to form each splice.

  

Supplies for Pioneering Weekend:	Cost
3-20’ spars for triangular tower	$0
20-10’ spars for  ladder/tower/triangular tower	$0
16- 6’ spars for cross members & railings	$0
??-4’ spars for gadgets	$0
12-2’ spars for ladder rungs	$0
1500’ box of 3/8” sisal rope (if needed - can be ordered from HSR)	$45
Rope whipping materials	$0
3 - 24” stakes for guy ropes on tower	$0
Sledgehammer to drive stakes	$0
Twine for use in ropemaking machine to  make 3-50’ foot guys lines	$0

Pole Ladder

What I refer to as a 'pole' ladder is the more traditional type of ladder. This simply involves choosing two strong spars of the required length and attaching rungs at regular intervals using a square lashing.

One important thing to note is that the two main uprights are not parallel to each other. They should be angled inwards towards each other as you go to the top of the ladder. This will prevent the rungs from slipping downwards.

I suggest that you test the strength of each rung (and lashing) carefully before using the ladder.

Triangular Tower

A Pioneer's Journey Registration

A Pioneer's Journey - Cub Scout Registration Registration

Local Attractions Close to HSR

Longwood Gardens consists of over 1,077 acres (4.2 km²) of gardens, woodlands, and meadows in Kennett Square,Pennsylvania, United States in the Brandywine Creek Valley. It is one of the premier botanical gardens in the United States and is open to visitors year-round to enjoy exotic plants and horticulture (both indoor and outdoor), events and performances, seasonal and themed attractions, as well as take part in educational lectures, courses and workshops.

Approximately 45 minutes from HSR

http://www.longwoodgardens.org/


Wolf Sanctuary of PA In the heart of the Pennsylvania Dutch country, quietly secured on 22 acres of natural woodland, you will find the home of the Speedwell Wolves. For over 20 years the Darlington Family has offered refuge to Wolves who have found themselves without a place in the natural world. It has been over a hundred years since the last wild Wolf was known to exist in Pennsylvania. More...
Approximately 1 hour and 5 minutes from HSR

Brandywine Battlefield Historic Site is a historical park that was operated by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, on 50 acres (200,000 m²), near Chadds Ford, Delaware County, Pennsylvania in the United States. It is part of the site of the Battle of Brandywine fought on September 11, 1777, during the American Revolution. The battle was a major victory for the British and enabled them to capture the city of Philadelphia. Brandywine Battlefield Park became a Pennsylvania State Park in 1949 and a National Historic Landmark in 1961.

To the north, another part of the battlefield is maintained by Birmingham Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania as "Battlefield of the Brandywine Park," or "Sandy Hollow Heritage Park." Much of the afternoon's fighting took place between Birmingham Friends Meetinghouse and Dilworthtown.

Approximately 52 minutes from HSR

http://www.brandywinebattlefield.org/

Valley Forge National Historic Park Of all the places associated with America’s War for Independence, none convey the suffering, sacrifice and ultimate triumph of our nation more than Valley Forge. No battles were fought here; no bayonet charges or artillery bombardments took place. Nonetheless, some 2,000 soldiers died – more Americans than were killed at the battles of Brandywine and Germantown combined. Valley Forge is the story of an army’s epic struggle to survive against terrible odds, hunger, disease and the unrelenting forces of nature. Rows of cannons in Artillery Park; the soldiers’ log huts; and earthen fortifications around the rim of the park are silent reminders of the past.

Approximately 1 hour, 22 minutes from HSR

http://www.visitphilly.com/history/philadelphia/valley-forge-national-historical-park/

Gettysburg Battlefield  The Battle of Gettysburg was fought July 1–3, 1863, in and around the town of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. The battle with the largest number of casualties in the American Civil War, it is often described as the war's turning point. Union Maj. Gen. George Gordon Meade's Army of the Potomac defeated attacks by Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia, ending Lee's invasion of the North.

Approximately 1 hour, 57 minutes from HSR

http://www.nps.gov/gett/index.htm

The Strasburg Rail Road is a heritage railroad located near Strasburg, Pennsylvania. It operates excursion trains hauled by steam locomotives in the heart of Pennsylvania Dutch Country.

Across the street lies the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania. The Strasburg Rail Road functions as the Museum's link to the Amtrak main line in Paradise, Pennsylvania.

Approx 30 minutes from HSR.

http://www.rrmuseumpa.org/

Philadelphia is the largest city in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Philadelphia County, with which it is coterminous. The city is located along the Delaware and Schuylkill rivers. It is the fifth-most-populous city in the United States, with a population of 1,526,006 as of the 2010 U.S. Census. Philadelphia is also the commercial, cultural, and educational center of the Delaware Valley, home to 6 million people and the country's fifth-largest metropolitan area. The Philadelphia metropolitan division consists of five counties in Pennsylvania and has a population of 4,008,994. Popular nicknames for Philadelphia are Philly and The City of Brotherly Love, the latter of which comes from the literal meaning of the city's name in Greek "brotherly love", compounded from philos "loving", andadelphos "brother".


Approximately 1 hour, 29 minutes to downtown Philly from HSR

http://www.visitphilly.com/

Philly's historical attractions

Lancaster County, known as the Garden Spot of America or Pennsylvania Dutch Country, is a county located in the south central part of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, in the United States.

Lancaster County is a popular tourist destination, due mostly to the many plain sect residents, known as the Amish or Pennsylvania Dutch. The term Pennsylvania Dutch comes from the earlier use of Dutch to apply to all immigrants from Europe speaking German. They are the descendants of Germans (Deutsch) who immigrated in the 18th and 19th centuries for the freedom of religion offered by William Penn, and were attracted by the rich soil and mild climate of the area.

Approximately 39 minutes to downtown Lancaster

http://www.padutchcountry.com/activities/index.asp

Pa Dutch Country hiking and biking

Plain and Fancy Farm The nine pristine acres that make up Plain & Fancy are surrounded by Amish farmlands and located midway between Bird-in-Hand and Intercourse on Route 340, an AAA cultural scenic byway. In Lancaster County, Plain & Fancy Farm is the only place where visitors can find it all, including Aaron & Jessica's Buggy Rides, The Amish Experience Theater, Country Homestead and Farmland Tours, Sarah Mae's Ice Cream & Soft Pretzels, Bird-in-Hand Junction, the Country Store, gardens and farm animals.

http://www.plainandfancyfarm.com/

Baltimore Inner Harbor is a historic seaport, tourist attraction, and landmark of the City of Baltimore, Maryland, United States. Described by the Urban Land Institute in 2009 as “the model for post-industrial waterfront redevelopment around the World. The Inner Harbor is actually the end of the Northwest Branch of the Patapsco River and includes any water west of a line drawn between the foot of President Street and the American Visionary Art Museum. The name "Inner Harbor" is used not just for the water but for the surrounding area of the city, with approximate street boundaries of President Street to the east, Lombard Street to the north, Greene Street to the west, and Key Highway on the south. The harbor is within walking distance of Camden Yards and M&T Bank Stadium and has a water taxi that connects the Inner Harbor to Fells Point, Canton, and Fort McHenry. 

Museums

• Maryland Science Center
• Reginald F. Lewis Museum of African-American History and Culture
• American Visionary Art Museum
• Baltimore Museum of Industry
• Geppi's Entertainment Museum (opened September 2006)
• Jewish Museum of Maryland at the Lloyd Street Synagogue – one of the oldest synagogues in the United States.
• Civil War Museum at the President Street Station
• Port Discovery Children's Museum (on the site of the historic Baltimore Fishmarket and the 1988–1989 Fishmarket dance/music complex)
• Sports Legends at Camden Yards
• Museum of Dentistry

Ships

Vessels on active/reserve status: Baltimore Maritime Museum:

• USCGC Taney – last fighting ship still afloat that survived the attack on Pearl Harbor
• USS Torsk – Tench-class submarine; last ship to sink enemy vessel in World War II
• Lightship Chesapeake
• Seven Foot Knoll Lighthouse
• USS Constellation – last Civil War-era ship still afloat
• Vessels on active/reserve status: 
• • USNS Comfort – US Navy hospital ship
  • SS Wright – US Navy Aviation Logistics Support (roll-on/roll-off) container ship

http://baltimore.org/about-baltimore/inner-harbor

Campmaster Training Course

What: Campmaster Training Course
Who: Registered adults
When: January 28, 2012

9AM - Noon
Where: HSR Ranger Station
(Camp Ware side)
Cost: Free

Campmasters are members of a team of specially trained, dedicated volunteer scouters with a strong camping and scouting background. During the weekend they can either serve Camp Ware or Camp Horseshoe as an official representative of the Chester County Council and the Horseshoe Scout Reservation. Their goal is to provide support to the units during their stay at the reservation. Chester County Council Campmasters are trained to ensure a safe and positive outdoor experience for the Packs, Troops and Crews that utilize the HSR during the weekend camping season.

Register Here