Wolf program changes

tigerwolf_250Last month we presented an article on the changes coming later this year to the Tiger program in Cub Scouting. We’ll continue with an overview of changes to the next level, the Wolf program.

As I mentioned previously, the website Cub Scout Ideas, edited by Sherry Smotherman-Short, has a great overview of the new program that officially begins June 1st. Briefly, the new Wolf program replaces the twelve achievements with seven Adventures, six of which are required and one which may be selected from a choice of thirteen electives. The remaining twelve Adventures are optional but fun, and Scouts will earn an immediate recognition belt loop for each one they complete.

The required Adventures are:

  • Call of the Wild (outdoor adventure)
  • Council Fire (service to others)
  • Duty to God Footsteps (exploration of faith)
  • Howling at the Moon (performing a skit)
  • Paws on the Path (hiking)
  • Running with the Pack (personal fitness)

Electives cover a lot of territory, from growing plants and water conservation to disabilities awareness and hometown heroes. There’s something that every boy will be interested in.

Many of these required and elective Adventures will require some advance planning, so here’s a rundown on things you’ll want to get a head start on, courtesy of Ottawa District Cub Scout Roundtable Commissioner Candy Kniaz.

Wolf Required Adventures that require special planning

Call to the Wild

  • #1: While a Wolf Scout, attend a pack or family campout. Be sure your pack offers a family campout. Ask your parents to help with planning. Remember, Wolf dens can’t camp on their own.
  • #3: While on a den or family outing, identify four different types of animals. A den outing to the zoo would be a good way to do this.
  • #6: On the campout, participate with your family or den in a campfire show. Prepare a skit or song. Look up some fun skits or songs, or write your own if you’re creative.
  • #7c: After your campout, list the ways you demonstrated being careful with fire. Make sure your Scouts have an opportunity to tend the fire – with supervision, of course!

Council Fire

  • #1: Work with your den to develop a den duty chart, and perform these tasks for one month. Some ideas include: Carry the flag to stand; give flag commands; lead the Pledge; lead the Scout Oath or Scout Law; say a closing prayer; bring the snack
  • #3a: Attend the pack committee leaders’ meeting. Present ideas to the pack committee regarding your service project. Make sure your parents know when and where your pack leaders meet, and suggest some simple age-appropriate service projects
  • #3b: Work together on a community service project. Food drives are good; so are litter cleanups or helping your chartered organization
  • #5c: Create a den project from recyclables for a pack meeting. See if there is a re-use facility in your area where leftover materials are offered, and either bring items to a den meeting or have a den outing to the facility.

Howling at the Moon

  • #3: Work together with your den to plan, prepare and rehearse a campfire program to present at a den meeting. This is a good way to practice some skits for the pack campout.

Paws on the Path

  • #6: Go on a one-mile hike with your den or family. Plan this during good-weather months in your locale. Plan the route ahead of time and make sure the hiking is appropriate for little feet. A park where water and restrooms are available would be a good choice.

Wolf Required Adventures that require special planning

Air of the Wolf

  • #4: If your den or your pack has a kite derby, space derby or raingutter regatta, participate in the fun. Either set one up for your den, or encourage the pack to hold one. Kites fly best in the spring; a space derby can be held indoors. A raingutter regatta requires a bit more in the way of equipment, but all can be fun, and your den parents can help.

Finding Your Way

  • #2: Pick a nutritious snack, and find where it came from. Locate it on the map. Have a map handy; both a US and world map would be helpful. This can be ongoing; as each Scout takes his turn to bring a snack, chart it on the map.

Grow Something

  • #3: Visit or research a botanical or community garden in your area, and learn about two of the plants that grow there. Museums and colleges often have facilities open to groups; check in your area or ask your agricultural extension agent.

Hometown Heroes

  • #2: Visit a community agency where you will find many heroes. While there, find out what they do. Fire station, police department or ambulance company are some possibilities. Plan a den field trip.

Paws of Skills

  • #6: Visit a sporting event with your family or den. Attend a high school, college or pro sporting event; some may have group rates or special events for Scouts.
  • #7: With your den, develop an obstacle course that requires five different movements. Suggest some simple obstacles, like crawling under a rope or climbing a small ladder or stepstool.

Spirit of the Water

  • #6: Visit a local pool or public swimming area with your family or Wolf den. With qualified supervision, jump into water that is at least chest-high, and swim 25 feet or more. A trip to the pool is a great den outing, but make sure the facility provides lifeguards. You and another adult should complete Safe Swim Defense training online. Follow the rules taught in the training. It’s a good idea for the Cubmaster and committee chair to give their OK.

(The Roundtable Resources tab has a downloadable version of these notes.)

Fill in some of these events on your den calendar, and start planning so you can have a successful and fun den program.

The next article in this series will cover changes and suggestions for Bear den leaders.

Previous article in this series:

 

This post first appeared on Bobwhite Blather.
Print Friendly, PDF & Email