PREPARATION AND MATERIALS NEEDED
• U.S. and den flags
• Gear lists—personal and group (See Meeting 2 Resources.)
• Personal gear list items
• Some group gear list items
• Flying disc or ball for “500” game
• Instructions for “The List Game” (See Meeting 2 Resources.)
• Items for preparing food
• Small tents
GATHERING:
Game: Going the Distance (See Meeting 2 Resources.)
OPENING
• Conduct a flag ceremony of your choosing that includes the Pledge of Allegiance and the Scout Oath and Scout Law.
• Recite the Outdoor Code.
TALK TIME
• Carry out business items for the den.
• Allow time for sharing among Cub Scouts.
Are the barometers working? Did you forecast any interesting weather, such as a rain storm, while recording the measurements? What happened to your readings when the weather changed?
• Discuss with the Scouts what gear they should bring on the campout for their own personal care and comfort, based on where and when you are camping. Steer them toward items like tents, sleeping bags, ground cloths, pillows, sleeping pads or mattresses, warm clothes, raincoats, eating utensils, hats or caps, toothpaste and toothbrushes, etc. (See Meeting 2 Resources.) Ask them which items they think are the most important, going around the group and letting each one choose something. Have each Scout say why he picked that item (i.e., a sleeping bag to stay warm at night, to sleep well, and to be ready for the next day). Continue until all the items have been discussed. Talk about the importance of each item on the list, not just the first two or three that were picked. Don’t forget the Cub Scout Six Essentials!
• Play the “500” game (See Meeting 2 Resources).
• Make a Group Gear List (See Meeting 2 Resources).
— Have the Scouts make their own lists of other gear the group will need to bring, such as a cooking stove, a cooler to keep the food cold, a group first-aid kit, cooking utensils, fire starters, and rope.
— Once they have done this, play ”The List Game” with the lists (See Meeting 2 Resources) and see who has the most items left when they’re finished. The object of this activity is to get them thinking about the needs of the group, not to come up with an exhaustive list.
Review the menu choices that were made last time. Do you need to prepare any food before the trip?
Have all Scouts made plans to bring their required food items?
CLOSING
• Sing Cub Scout Vespers
Song: Cub Scout Vespers
(Tune: “O Christmas Tree” or “O Tannenbaum”)
As the night comes to this land,
On my promise I will stand.
I will help the pack to go,
As our pack helps me to grow.
Yes, I’ll always give goodwill.
I’ll follow my Akela still.
And before I stop to rest,
I will do my very best.
• Review details for the upcoming outing in Meeting 3. Make sure all Scouts and their families know the plans.
AFTER THE MEETING
• Serve refreshments, if desired.
• Record completion of requirements 2 and 3.
• Work together to clean up the meeting place.
• Prepare thank-you notes for the Scouts to sign at the next meeting.