PREPARATION AND MATERIALS NEEDED

• U.S. and den flags

• Materials for Group Juggle activity during the gathering

• Bar of Ivory soap for each Bear’s first carving

• Small blocks of soft wood for the second carving

• Orangewood sticks and plastic knives with serrated edges for each member of the den

• Sample patterns (See Meeting 2 Resources and the Bear Handbook.)

• Twine for cutting (Used to Practice cutting Rope), long enough for each scout to practice cutting. 2 ft each scout

• Basic first-aid kit

• Whittling Chip cards (No. 34398, single; No. 34223, 8-sheet) to present to Scouts at the end of this meeting

• Invite a local wood-carver to attend the den meeting to assist with the carving.

• If desired, invite a parent or grandparent to also assist.

• Prepare copies of the Whittling Chip certificate (No. 512-028WB) for Scouts who will fulfill the requirements by the end of this meeting.

GATHERING: 

The Group Juggle game requires a large playing area and several beanbags or small stuffed animals that can easily be thrown. (Provide at least one object for every two players.)

• Arrange den members in a circle. Have each Bear raise one hand to indicate they have not yet caught a beanbag.

• The game leader begins by tossing a beanbag to one Scout, who then tosses to another Scout, who then tosses to another Scout in the circle. After each player has caught the beanbag, their hand should remain down to ensure everyone gets a turn.

• Players continue to toss the beanbag until each Bear has caught it. Then they return the beanbag to the leader who started the tossing.

Second round:

• Try for speed, using the same order of tosses each time.

Third round:

• Add more bags to the game. Work up to as many bags as there are Bears in the circle. Have fun!

OPENING

• Conduct a flag ceremony of your choosing that includes the Pledge of Allegiance and the Scout Oath and Scout Law.

TALK TIME

• Carry out business items for the den.

• Do a quick review of the knife safety rules from the previous den meeting.

• Review the instructions for creating the soap carving. Point out that a Bear’s first carving should be a very simple pattern. Explain that the carving will complete the requirements for earning the Whittling Chip card.

CLOSING

• Present Whittling Chip cards to Bears who have completed the requirements.

• Offer a leader’s “thought of the day.” This can be any inspirational saying you choose.

• Have each Cub Scout hold up both hands and, as a group, count their fingers. Tell them if they always follow the knife safety rules they have learned, they will always score a perfect set of 10!

Do-at-Home Project Reminder:

If needed, Bears should finish their two carving projects at home in order to complete requirement 3.

AFTER THE MEETING

• Thank any guests and helpers who attended.

• Ask the Scouts to bring their completed carvings to the pack meeting for a display.

• Serve refreshments, if desired.

• Record completion of requirements 2 and 3A, if completed during the meeting.

• Work together to clean up the meeting place.