Go West Young Man!

Perseverance

Sticking with something and not giving up, even if it is difficult

►Finish what you start

►Never give up

►Continue to work hard even if you're not successful at first

►Work to get better at things you aren't very good at

►Set personal goals for improvement

►Always do your best

- definitions from Trapper Trains Council

 

RACE TO SUTTER’S MILL (can be a den meeting activity or a pack meeting activity)

This course can berun as a timed race by individuals, race between two teams (one round at a time), or a relay race.

START

Have one Scout as a miner with a wagon, or another Scout as a trusted pack horse instead of the wagon. For a wagon, use a redwagon.

GENERAL STORE

Load supplies (cup, rolled blanket, gold pan --strainer or pie pan with holes) on the wagon or horse.

DESERT

Drink a cup of water (and feed horse) from “spring.”

MOUNTAIN CAMP (Have a few logs ready)

1. Unload supplies. 2. Lay logs for fire. 3. Roll out bedroll. 4. Lay down. 5. Get up.

6. Roll up bedroll. 7. Scatter fire 8. Load supplies.

SUTTER’S MILL

1. Unload supplies. 2. Pan for gold (gold painted pebbles buried in the sand. Use “gold pan.”). Have miner find 2 or 3 nuggets (decide ahead of time).

ASSAYER’S OFFICE

This is the end of the race. Weigh the gold and give scout a certificate for “authentic fake gold.”

- idea from "District 11"

 

Tips for Pack Activity: Western Rodeo Roundup and Pioneer Day. In the spirit of Head West, Young Man, your pack may wish to hold its own Western-themed event.

This activity can be as simple or as elaborate as you like, but either way, playing like cowboys and testing their roping and riding skills will be lots of fun for the Cub Scouts and their families. Consider researching the local history in your area and create games and activities that not only challenge the boys’ physical prowess but also engage them in knowing more about where they live and how it all began. Tips and ideas can be found in the Cub Scout Leader How-To Book, Page 6-23

Sample Ceremony: A rededication ceremony. Materials: A small twig or stick for each participant and a campfire (real or artificial).

CUBMASTER: Fire has been used as a symbol in many cultures. It provides heat for warmth and light of darkness. It cooks our food, and it brings us together in friendship.

Before you is a fire of friendship. All of us in our pack are friends and shall remain so for many years to come. I am going to ask everyone here to add their stick to the fire as a pledge of their continued friendship.

Please make the Scout sign and repeat after me: “I promise to do my best and be a friend to everyone.” Now place your stick on the fire.

Hikes, Hunts, Activities, and Checklists

 

Here is one of our collections of hike ideas, to keep the cubs' minds busy and present (not to get to the end of the hike fast). There are also a couple of scavenger hunts. I particularly like the Camera Scavenger Hunt, because the Outdoor Code is about "Take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but footprints".

Doing a scavenger hunt while hiking will help the boys really explore the world around them while they are walking, rather than getting from point A to point B as quickly as possible. This scavenger hunt is a “check off” type hunt. They don’t actually bring the items with them. This fits in with the Leave No Trace guidelines. 

Here is a list of 14 Themed Hikes, including: Hold the Front, Puddle, Stop-Look-Listen, Crafts, Color, Historical, City, I Spy, Nature Cribbage, Follow the Odor, Awareness, Breakfast, Sealed Orders, Touch and Feel. 

Another fun hike is taking the boys Geocaching! 

Do you have petroglyphs or fossil sites nearby? Have the boys draw a picture of what they see to take home with them.
 

Without A Trace are activities that can help the boys appreciate nature, getting a feeling of why we would want to preserve it and why we adopt ways such as Leave No Trace. 

Ready, Set, Go! includes things the boys need to know before taking a hike, as well as things the adult leaders need to know before taking the boys on the hike. Happy Hiking!