Cub  Scouts learn about the "bigger than life" characters in the land of make believe. Fairy tales... folklore... tall tales... or are there any local legends or stories from your area? Add a little local heritage to this theme to bring the "bigger than life" characters to life at your pack meeting. The boys will enjoy a local field trip, research and reliving this piece of local history. How about making up your own? Pack meetings and awards can be built around one or more of these characters -- Pecos Bill in the west, Paul Revere in the east, Paul Bunyan in the north, or even Mother Goose. Let your imagination fly.

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Last Update: 8/2/07
 
 

Lift the latch, turn the knob, and walk in, friends of boys, to the Land of the Story-teller. Here is a land which all friends of boys should learn to know and love. In the following paragraphs we offer you a ‘map” of the Land of the Story-teller, which will help to guide you and keep you on the trail


A. Things to determine when selecting the story.
 
What is the average age of the group?
Where will the story-telling take place and at what hour?
How long may the story last?
Has the group any marked characteristics?
If it has, suit the story to these characteristics.
Have they recently listened to other stories? If so, what kind?
How many are expected to be present?
Is there any objective in view beyond the entertainment value?
Will an open fire be available?
B. Things to be avoided.
 

1. Trash of any kind 2. Love stories 3. Divorce, scandal, etc. 4. Disrespect in any form

5. Fear 6. Gruesomeness 7. Femininity 8. Profanity

C. Steps in preparation of the story.
 
• Read the story over for general plot, getting clearly in mind the general scheme and atmosphere.

• Read the story over again, noting the following items:

a. Characters
b. Places
c. Climax
d. Specialists which appeal to you
e. Make notes in your story book
• Tell the story to yourself. (Not merely a process of memorizing.)

• Lay aside everything else, forget everything else, go before the group and LIVE THE STORY AS YOU TELL IT.
 

D. Hints on Story Telling
 
• The story teller must be completely at ease.
• Use gestures frequently if you are able to.
• The listeners must be at ease.
• Arouse interest by an interesting beginning.
• Create the atmosphere of the story.
• Interpret the characters as an actor would.
• Remember the importance of the voice and its correct usage.
• Suit the speed and pitch of the voice to the action of the story.
• Dramatization is always impressive if cleverly used and not overdone.
• Make good use of suspense.
How Book of Cub Scouting (1955 Edition)

 
 
Think of an appropriate costume to wear for story telling: an eye patch for a pirate story or a worn denim jacket for a story about the Yukon gold rush. It helps set the mood and provides a jumping off point for the boy’s imagination.

Make your story interactive. At a dramatic point, ask your audience “What do you think happened then?”  or, “Who can help our hero now?” Audience participation stories like the ones in Group Meeting Sparklers involve the whole pack.



THE ART OF STORYTELLING

Storytelling is a good way for the den leader to introduce the theme for the next month. Depending on the theme, this could be done with a true story from nature or an incident from the life of a famous person, a myth, or an Indian legend. The Cub Scout Promise, Law of the Pack, Cub Scout Motto and Good Turn can all be explained and illustrated by stories.
 

A story can set the scene for a special meeting or trip. It can meet a special need such as helping solve a behavior problem, allowing you to get the point across without actually pointing out any particular boy or incident. One of the best reasons for telling stories is because they are fun and boys enjoy them. They are sometimes just the right thing to change the pace of a meeting from noisy to quiet, or to put a finishing touch on a pack campfire.

Here are a few tips to help you become a good storyteller: Choose a story that appeals to you and is suitable for the occasion. Read the story carefully for plot.  Try to put yourself in the situation so you can really feel it.  Take notes of characters, places, and situations that are important or interesting.  You may want to use these notes when telling the story.

Review the main points again as you 'live' the story in your mind.
Decide on a catchy line for a beginning. "Did you know the first Akela was a wolf?"
You may wish to practice the story in front of your family, or record it on a tape recorder to see how it sounds before you tell it to the boys.
Decide exactly when and how to end your story. Don't make it too long.
Before you begin telling the story, be sure the boys are comfortable and haven't been sitting for too long a time.
Use your catchy line to create interest.
Let the plot unfold as if it were jewels sewn into a carpet that you are unrolling at their feet.
Live your story. Don't be afraid to ggrrroooww~wlll, to speak in a whiny voice or to use hand gestures to emphasize a point.
Follow the outline you have made. If you do wander from the point, don't get nervous. Just pause and back-track until you find your place again. Then proceed.
Speak clearly, naturally. Use simple language that the boys will understand.
Make use of suspense by pausing at a dramatic point, but not long enough to let minds wander.
When you're finished, stop talking. This will be the time the boys want to talk, and you'll need to listen, particularly if you're trying to get across a message.

There are many different places to obtain material for storytelling. A few are: Local library, personal experience, magazines, "Boys' Life" and "Scouting" magazine ... and your imagination!

Animatics

 
 

Why Should Your Den Do Skits? It's not only fun, and boys just like to show off but getting your den to perform at a pack meeting will help Prepare Them For Boy Scouts.

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THE FABLE OF THE SNAKE

Many years ago, Indian youths would go away in solitude to prepare for manhood.  One such youth hiked into a beautiful valley, green with trees, bright with flowers. There he fasted. But on the third day, as he looked up at the surrounding mountains, he noticed one tall rugged peak capped with dazzling snow.

I will test myself against that mountain, he thought. He put on his buffalo hide shirt, threw his blanket over his shoulders and set off to climb the peak

When he reached the top he stood at the rim of the world. He could see forever, and his heart swelled with pride. Then he heard a rustle at his feet, and looking down, he saw a snake. Before he could move, the snake spoke: ‘I am about to die, said the snake.  ‘It is too cold for me up here and I am freezing. There is no food and I am starving. Put me under your shirt and take me down to the valley.’

No,’ said the youth. ‘I am forewarned, I know your kind. You are a rattlesnake.  if pick you up, you will bite, and your bite will kill me.’

Not so,’ said the snake. ‘I will treat you differently. If you will do this for me, you will be special. I will not harm you.’

The youth resisted awhile, but this was a very persuasive snake with beautiful markings.  At last the youth tucked it under his shirt and carried it down to the valley. There be laid it gently on the grass, when suddenly the snake coiled, rattled and leapt, biting him on the leg.
 

‘But you promised -“ cried the youth. ‘You knew what I was when you picked me up, said the snake as it slithered away. And now, wherever I go, I tell that story. I tell it especially to the young people of this nation who might be tempted by drugs. I want them to remember the words of the snake.  You knew what I was when you picked me up.

by Iron Eyes Cody, Movie and TV Star
St. Joseph’s Indian School, Chamberlain, SD 5732

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A Pack Meeting Story

RINDERCELLA

Once upon a time in a corn foundry there lived a geautiful birl and her name was Rindercella. Now Rindercella lived with her mugly other and two sad blisters. Also in this same corn foundry there lived a pransome hince, and this pransome hince was going to have a bancy fall and he'd invited people for riles amound especially the pich reople. Now Rindercella's mugly other and her two sad blisters went to town to buy some dancy fesses for the bancy fall, but Rindercella couldn't go cause all she had to wear were some old rirty dags. Finally the night of the bancy fall arrived and Rindercella couldn't go so she just crank down and shried. And she was sitting there shrieing when all of the sudden there appeared before her, her gay mudfather and he touched her with his wagic mand and there appeared before her a kig bulch and bix hig white sorces to take her to the bancy fall, and he said -- "Rindercella, be sure and be home before midnight or I'll purn you into a tumpkin!"
 

When Rindercella arrived at the bancy fall the pransome hince met her at the door because he'd been watching behind a wooden hindow. Rindercella and the pransome hince nanced all might until didnight and they lell in fove. And finally the mid clock struck night, and Rindercella spaced down the rairs and just as she beached the rottom she slopped her dripper!

The next day this pransome hince went all over this corn foundry looking for the geautiful birl who had slopped her dripper. They finally came to Rindercella's house, and he tried it on the mugly other and it fidn't dit.Then he tried it on the two sisty uglers and it fidn't dit and then he tried in on Rindercella and it fid dit!
It was exactly the sight rize!

And so they were married and lived heavenly after happily. Now the storal of the mory is: if you go to a bancy fall and you want a pransome hince to lell in fove with you -- don't forget to slop your dripper!

As told by Archie Campbell

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SKITS

TIPS TO HELP CUB SCOUT ACTORS

Let's face it ... Cub Scouts are not professional actors, but they can have fun presenting skits and pantomimes. The audience should also be part of the fun. Here are a few tips that may help your skit to be the smash hit of the meeting -- simply because the audience could tell what was happening or being said.
• Speak clearly, distinctly, and a little slower than normal. Remember that the people in the back row want to hear you.
• Every action should have a purpose or meaning -- movements should be somewhat exaggerated.
• Events in action should be performed one at a time so that the audience will not be confused.
• It is important to know what to say -- and it is also important to know when to say it.
• If your Cub Scouts understand how a character feels (happy, sad, sorry, angry, proud, etc.) in a given situation, and why a character does a particular piece of action, the Cub Scout will be able to react in a similar manner.
• Two characters engaged in dialogue should not face each other directly. Instead, they should face the audience in a 3/4 position, so that the audience will be able to hear them more clearly, as well as have a better view of facial expressions.
• In Pantomime, gestures and facial expressions are more important than costumes. What is done is more important than what is said.
 

Writing a skit is not as hard as it may seem, though it does basically take some imagination. A basic subject or plot, such as the theme of the month, will get you started in the right direction. Make the skit fun for the Cub. To avoid problems in skits, keep the following in mind:

• Keep the Skit Simple - Don't expect boys at this age to understand complicated plots. It possible, have the boys compose the skit. You may give them ideas, but if they compose the skit they will enjoy it more and also better understand it.
• Keep It Short - (3-5 minutes). A long, drawn-out skit will make the audience restless.
• Avoid Long Memorized Dialogue. - Again, boys of this age cannot be expected to memorize long lines of dialogue.  Keep the dialogue to a minimum. Have the boys speak slowly and loud. It is a good idea to let the Cubs practice their skit at the pack meeting place in advance of the pack meeting.
• Use Simple Props - Props can be made from cardboard and signs can be put up to indicate scenery. Adding appropriate accessories to everyday clothes can make costumes. Most costumes, intended to be cut from fabric and sewn, can also be cut from crepe paper and glued and/or stapled by the Cubs themselves.
• Let Every Boy Participate.

HERE ARE SOME IDEAS ON SKITS:

• Act out a favorite story
• Act out parts of a well-liked story such as Treasure Island
• Use new ideas
• Act out poems
• Jokes (from Boy's Life even?)
• Act out songs
• Fairy tales
• Nursery rhymes
• Indian legends
• Trip to the moon by astronauts
• Satirize commercials

The easiest way to create a play is to parody or take a familiar story and change the end, sometimes making the characters sillier. This is the essence of all those crazy scout songs that have familiar tunes and absurd lyric. One really creative way of making a puppet came from a boy: Take a common baseball or basketball card of the scout’s favorite team member and cut around the shape of the athlete and glue him on to a popsicle stick.

Use a music teacher through the boys’ elementary school, someone who does music at the boys’ place of worship, go to a music store as a field trip, or find a parent or other relative that is musically inclined who would be willing to be a guest speaker as a resource to help with the requirements and add enthusiasm! Singing is portable music, and boys can learn to use songs to help them express their feeling and give them courage or cheer them up when they feel down. Let the boys feel they can perform in den or pack meeting and have a built-in cheering section. Frequently there are free concerts by a city band or orchestra. Give the boys opportunities to hear music of all types. They can surprise themselves by the variety of music they enjoy or recognize. Help the Scouts earn the Music belt loop and the Academics pin.

The Golden Age of Radio NEWS BREAKS
These can done as a skit or as a series of run-ons. Boys should be costumed as old-time radio reporters with props to indicate a radio station news studio. (Remember Les Nesman on WKRP-Cincinnati?)
 
• This just in. Two freighters, one carrying red paint and the other carrying purple paint, collided yesterday. It is believed both crews are marooned.
• From the world of entertainment. An orchestra leader hired a new assistant. He is the first band aide.
• And now the business report. Miners called a strike saying that wearing the new illuminated helmets makes them feel lightheaded.

 

 
 
 

MERRY MUSICIANS The conductor enters and makes a flowery introduction about how fortunate the audience is to have the opportunity to hear the gifted musical talents of the group about to perform. After the introduction, the group (at least six) marches on stage and lines up across the front.

The conductor states that their first number will be the appealing ballad, "The Lost Sheep." Following a bit of throat clearing and changing places, the singers open their mouths and produce a long, loud, "Baa-a-a-a-!" The conductor comes forward and says that they were just kidding, that everyone in the group really is full of musical talent.

Al this point, group members line up across the stage and get down on their hands and knees, facing the audience. Each has been assigned a note of the scale: "Do, re, mi, fa, so, la, ti." The conductor dramatically plays "Twinkle, twinkle, Little Star" (or another short tune with six notes or less), by lightly tapping the head of each member, in the correct order, with a baton or stick. Each sings his note at the proper time, when tapped. All stand together and take their bows.

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EMERGENCY BROADCAST

Line up at least 6 scouts in front of pack meeting or camp fire. Leader stands behind boys and says the following: BEEP! BEEP! BEEP! this a test , this is only a test , this a test of the emergency broadcast system , if this had been a actual emergency this is what really would have happened.

THE BOYS GO OFF IN EVERY DIRECTION SCREAMING !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Dennis Webelos Den Leader,'Scorpions',

Pack 503 , Margate , FL

LAW OF THE PACK

I can't remember where I heard this from but I thought it would be fun to do and an easy way to learn the Law of the Pack ( which often seems to be the hardest for the boys to learn)

(in rap song mode)
The Cub Scout! (points a thumb at his chest while chanting this)
The Cub Scout! (points other thumb at chest)
The Pack! ( draw out the word Pack just a bit and spread both arms out)
The Cub Scout! (points both thumbs at chest)

The Cub Scout follows Akela (points a thumb at his chest while chanting this)
The Cub Scout helps the Pack go (points other thumb at chest)
The Pack helps the Cub Scout grow ( spread both arms out)
The Cub Scout gives good will! (points both thumbs at chest)

I thought it would be fun for the New Bobcats to do at the Pack meeting they get their badge.

CT, Pam Hughes

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PUMPKIN PATCH

Characters:  speaking parts: 10 boys dressed as pumpkins, a mother and children non speaking parts: other boys maybe dressed up as pumpkins sitting on stage at the sides.
Setting: Pumpkin Patch sign in placed on stage. The 12 pumpkins sit on floor in single file. Mother and children enter and remain on stage pretending to look at the pumpkins.
Costumes: Boy's may either make actual pumpkin costume or may make large paper pumpkins and pin them on their clothing.
Props: One sign saying "PUMPKIN PATCH" and 12 signs saying "THE END."

Pumpkin 1: (Angrily) Well, here we are once again. I hate being a pumpkin.
#2: I know what you mean. Pretty soon they'll all be over here poking and squeezing, and trying to decide how to dress us up.
#3: (Loudly) I'm tired of being CARVED! IT HURTS!
#4: (Smiling) I wish they'd give me a pretty smile and not tooth decay.
#5: Well, it's better than crayon all over your face. They really get carried away. I even had a beard and mustache.
#6: Be thankful for a beard and mustache. How would you like to be wearing a girl's wig! I was humiliated!
#7: I keep getting a spot on the window sill. I need more room than that. You can't imagine the bruises I have from falling. (Rubs his back.)
#8: (Disgustedly) I've been listening to you all complain for the last 10 minutes, and not one of you mentioned being put outside. Every
year, for one solid week, I get the place of honor on the front porch.
#9: (Shaking his head in agreement) Me, too. The least they could do is take us in when it rains, or give us a raincoat.
#10: (Pointing to the family coming over) Be quiet; here they come. Maybe we'll be too small or the wrong shape.
Children: (Excitedly) Mommy, over here! Look at all the pumpkins!
Mother: Why, these pumpkins are too small and are all twisted out of shape.
Pumpkins: (In unison) Thank goodness!
Mother: (Very slowly says as she is eyeing each pumpkin) But . . .they'll make perfect . . .pumpkin pies.
Pumpkins: (Groan in unison) Oh NO! (All hold up sign saying, "THE END")

CT Julie

KAYAK SKIT------- Scouts bring in a 2-man (or two one-man) kayak or mime being in a kayak (double bladed paddles are all you really need).
S1: Boy, sure is pretty here.  But I'm getting cold.
S2:  Me, too.  (peers off in the distance)  Too far to shore, let's build a fire here in the kayak!   That'll heat us up.
S1: Good idea!
Scouts mime building the fire,
S2: Aah, that feels good, etc.
S1:  (suddenly) Hey, we're sinking!
Frantic bailing, then turn to Audience and shrug shoulders in exaggerated style.
S1: well, that just goes to show you
Both:  You can't have your kayak and heat it, too!

 

The Lost Quarter Number of Participants: 5 or more
Props: Flashlight

Scene: One person acts as a lamp post, shining a flashlight on the ground.
Another (He's # 1). is groping around in the pool of light.

A third person enters, sees # 1, and asks: "What are you looking for ?"
# 1: "A quarter that I lost".
He joins # 1, and helps him search.  A fourth and fifth enter and repeat the above scene.

Finally one of them asks # 1: "Where did you loose the quarter ?"
# 1: (Pointing away) "Over there:.
Boy: "Then why are you looking here ?"
# 1: "Because the light is better over here !"

nelsonb@aztec.asu.edu (Bill Nelson)

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CUB SCOUT UPSIDE DOWN STEW Setting:  On stage is a huge pot, made from a cardboard carton.
    The pot could be painted on the side of the carton.  Boys getting into the pot, pile on top of each other face down.
Boy with chef's hat is stirring in pot with a broomstick.
CHEF: (Pretends to taste) Hmmm-mm.  Tastes like a well rounded den to me.
Den Leader: What did you put in it:
Chef: (reading from oversized card marked "Recipe") Cub Scouts that do their best.  (Any number of uniformed Cub climb into pot)
"A sense of humor"
(Grinning Cub wearing sign "Humor" climbs into pot)
"A pinch of wanting to please:
(Cub wearing sign, "I want to please" climbs into pot)
"A dash of mischief"
(Cub wearing sign 'Mischief' climbs into pot)
"A bit of Obedience"
(Cub wearing sign "Obedience" climbs into pot)
A bundle of sunshine"
(Cub wearing "Sunshine' sign climbs into pot)
"And a ton of energy"
(Cub wearing 'Energy' sign scampers into pot)
"Stir well and you have Cub Scout Upside Down Stew".
Den Leader: (Pretends to taste) "Tastes like dirty blue jeans to me!"

BB

 

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WHY WE USE PUPPETS Puppetry is an ancient art that appeals to boys of all ages, perhaps more to boys of Cub Scout age than any other. Puppets can be used in connection with several achievements and electives and with many of the monthly themes. Webelos Scouts may expand their knowledge of puppetry while earning the Showman activity badge.

Puppetry can help Cub Scouts to:
· Improve enunciation and voice projection.
· Develop coordination and a sense of timing.
· Gain self-confidence and personal satisfaction.
Release fears and frustrations in an acceptable way.
Recognize the importance of teamwork and cooperation.
Develop creativity.
Improve listening habits.
Learn the lessons of everyday living, good health habits, getting along with others, and good sports-manship.
Learn and appreciate the effects of light, sound, and movement.
Experience the enjoyment of entertaining others.
In addition, teachers and leaders of the handicapped find puppets very useful in helping children to overcome stut-tering, relieve tensions, strengthen weak muscles, develop coordination, and overcome inhibitions.
 
 

PAPER PUPPETS

Material: Newspaper, wire, tape, construction paper, yarn, nylon stocking, material for clothing. Instructions: Crumple a double sheet of newspaper to form a ball. Place the ball in the center of an unfolded sheet of newspaper. Gather the paper around the ball to form the neck and body. Holding the paper securely around the head, tape beneath the head to form the neck. Leave the remainder of the paper hanging down to form the body. Roll a sheet of newspaper lengthwise for the legs. Roll another sheet crosswise to form the arms. Tape arms and legs as needed to hold in shape. Insert a medium weight piece of wire in the arms and legs before attaching to the body. Lay the legs across the body about 3" from the bottom of the body. Bring the paper back over the legs and tape securely. Fold the legs down.

Secure the arms in place by taping in a crisscross fashion around the body. Cover the head with a piece of white cloth. Stretch a flesh colored nylon stocking over the cloth and secure at the neck. To finish the head, add eyes, mouth and nose cut from construction paper. Use yarn for hair. Paint the arms and legs with tempera, if desired. Newspaper puppets can be manipulated as rod puppets or hand puppets, or operated above by strings. Dress as desired.

MANIPULATING PUPPETS The following actions help show puppet personality and characterization:
Excited - Clasp hands, jump up and down
Angry - Beat head, bang hands
Sad - hand to face, head slightly bent
Afraid - tremble and shake
Tired - slow, languid movements

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AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION

There are many different kinds of audience participation stunts which can serve to get the whole audience involved in doing something together. Some kinds serve the purpose of letting the people stand and take a stretch by going through motions under the direction of a leader.
Others are in the form of a story, with either worthwhile points or just plain fun. In this type of stunt, the audience is usually divided into groups which respond to a key word read by the leader. Sometimes these stunts can be adapted into skits which can be performed by the boys.
Applause stunts are short and snappy and lots of fun for everyone. There are many different ones which can be adapted to fit the monthly theme.
Sometimes rounds and other songs are used as audience participation stunts.
Which ever type of audience participation stunt you plan to use, remember that the key word is “involvement”. The more people who are involved, the more fun it will be for everyone. These stunts add variety, action and fun to den and pack meetings.
One of your best resources for audience participation stunts is “Group Meeting Sparklers” You will obtain other ideas at your monthly Cub Leader roundtables and Pow Wow.

 Animatics, TRW

A NIGHT AT THE PACK MEETING The pack meeting seemed to drag that night, and people were tiring fast.
The Cubmaster sensed the feeling and hoped through the meeting he'd last.
Then came a lull in the meeting: the Cubmaster wiped sweat from his brow,
If only he could perk things up - he sure wished that he knew how.
Then suddenly quite like magic his assistant appeared on the stage,
He held a book called Sparklers opened to a certain page.
With enthusiasm he announced that the whole audience would help out:
He divided them into groups, and tested each one for their shout.
Before they knew what was happening, they all joined in the fun:
Each group was doing their best to outdo the other one.
They listened as the leader read, waiting to hear their key word:
The fun that they were having could now be seen and heard.
Right then and there the meeting perked up; things moved along in style,
And the Cubmaster heard people murmur ‘Best meeting we've had in a while
So when your meeting begins to lag, be prepared with something to do
Which will involve all the audience, whose enjoyment depends on you.
Remember the word ‘involvement’ - it's a very special key
And your meetings will always be lots of fun -- as fun as they can be.

AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION
 

0LE JOE

Ole Joe  "The Desert Net"
Pete l,  "You're Crazy, Joe"
Wild Cat- "That's Some Cat"

When the time comes to save energy and time we have heard many ideas, but this story is one before our worries of sewing energy, It is based on the true story of Ole Joe _____, his sidekick Pete ____ and a wild cat ____, yet untamed. Ole Joe--- used to say he had a close acquaintance with all the creatures that ranged the SunBack country except one, The Wild Cat_____. And as soon as he could, he was going to ketch and tame him one. Joe_____ always said it was easy to tame a Wild Cat______ when you knew how.

Pete ______  Joe's _____ sidekick knew that Joe spoke few idle words. Joe          _____ and Pete ______          were riding along the San Fe when they chanced upon a Wild Cat ____ not more than thirty feet away.
For some reason, the Wild Cat_____ didn't see Joe   ____and Pete_____. Joe _____ takes out his rope and snakes it out. The rope sung through the air and caught the Wild Cat's _____ grey head. Joe _____ hollered, "Come here." The Wild Cat _______ lost no time in coming. He lit right on top of Joe's _____ head. Joe's horse throwed him and he hit the ground. The Wild Cat____ climbed up a tree as fast as you can say Jolly Green Giant three times. Pete ___, catch him!" Joe ____ yelled. "Not on your life!" answered Pete ____. The Wild Cat ____ was about 2/3 of the way up the tree and was hanging on a small limb. "I'm putty heavy to climb trees" Joe ___ said. "Besides, the feller on the ground has the worst end of the deal, so you go up and get him
Pete _____ and I'll tie him up." Pete ___climbed the tree and grabbed the Wild Cat ___by the leg and dropped him into the sack that Ole Joe ___was holding.

Joe ___ and Pete ___ took Mr. Wild Cat ___ home and had plans to tame him. After about a week of trying to pet him though the bars of the cage Ole Joe ___ decides he is going to pet him outside of the cage. Joe ___and Pete ___ carry the cage into their tent and shut the flaps down. Joe   had no sooner opened the cage door than Mr. Wild Cat ___ came out. He lit right in the middle of Ole Joe's ___ chest. When Joe ___
yelled, “Pete ___ open the door!”, Pete ___opens the doer and Mr. Wild Cat ___ made four trips around the tent and then out. Pete ___ said, "It's easy to tame a Wild Cat ___ when you know how." Joe ___ said, "That's some cat". And believe me boys it was.

Theodore Roosevelt Council, Animatics

 

THE LITTER BUG

PAPER           Crackle, crackle CANS             Clatter, clatter TRASH           Dump, dump LITTER BUG  Toss and Throw God put bugs in this world for many reasons, He made them to live in every kind of season. But the pesky LITTER BUG, with his PAPER and CANS Was made through neglected TRASH by the foolish man. To keep our land beautiful, get rid of that LITTER BUG, So beach goers can again lounge on a clean, sand rug. Because of this pest, we must walk around In PAPER and CANS and TRASH on the ground. Just who are the LITTER BUGS who mess up our land? Do you really ever see them toss that PAPER or CAN? And in dumping his TRASH he is very sly. So most of the time it just appears there, As if it had dropped right out of thin air. Could it be we are so used to throwing things there, That we dump PAPER AND CANS without being aware? Without even thinking when we toss TRASH and waste, We could be a LITTER BUG in all of our haste. So when you unwrap that gum or candy, Don't throw down the PAPER just because it is handy. Next time stop and think when it's pop CANS you toss, 'Cause if you're a LITTER BUG it's also your loss If every single person would take note of his habit That pesky LITTER BUG we could certainly nab it. Then that terrible bug we could surely stamp it out, With no more PAPER or CANS or TRASH about TO KEEP OUR LAND BEAUTIFUL WE MUST ALL DO OUR PART, By taking care of our TRASH properly from the start. BB - Simon Kenton Council

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THE LITTERBUG
(Divide participants into groups for the sounds, use in appropriate place.)

Paper -- Crackle, Crackle
Cans -- Clatter, clatter
Litterbug -- Toss and Throw
Trash -- To the Dump

God put bugs in this world for many a reason.
He made them to live in every kind of season.
But the pesky litterbug ....  with his paper .... and his cans
Was made through neglected trash ... by the foolish man.
To keep America beautiful, get rid of the litterbug .....
So beach goers can again lounge on a clean sandy rug.
Because of this pest, we must woollier around.
In paper... and cans ... and trash ... all over the ground.
Do you ever really see them toss that paper ... or can ...?
Quite often the litterbug ... is a sneaky guy,
And at dumping his trash ... he's oh, so sly.
So most of the time, it just appears everywhere,
As if it had dropped right out of thin air.
Could it be we are so used to throwing things here and there,
That we dump that paper ... and can .... without being aware?
Without even thinking when we toss trash ... and waste
We could be an unconscious litterbugs .... in all of our haste.
So when you unwrap that gum or small piece of candy,
Next time stop and think, when a pop can .... you toss.
So if every single person, would take note of his habit,
That pesky litterbug..., we could certainly nab it!
Then that terrible bug we would surely stamp out,
With no more paper .... or cans .... or trash .... about.
To keep America beautiful, we must all do our part,
By taking care of our trash ... properly from the very start!

GCC

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---

A LESSON FOR THE BIG BUG
(Yet Another Audience Participation Stunt)

BEES: Buzz-buzz
ANTS: Hup-2-3-4
MOSQUITOS: Bite-E-Bite
FROG: Croak-croak
WOODS: All sounds together

This is the story about Billy and his family and their adventure in the woods One fine spring day, Billy's family decided it was a good day for a picnic in  the woods, where they could enjoy the outdoors. They packed a nice lunch and left on their outing.
As soon as they arrived at their destination, they picked out a nice spot to spread their picnic. Billy and his brother ran off to chase a frog. They heard some bees gathering nectar, and watched some ants    busy at work. They swatted some mosquitoes and felt right at home with their nature friends.
When they got back to the picnic area, they began telling the rest of the family about the woods      ; the bees ; the frogs ; and even the mosquitoes. Dad listened intently as he opened another sandwich and carelessly threw the wrapper on the ground. Their sister threw her pop can under a bush, and ran off to chase a frog  that hopped by. Rom threw her paper napkin on the ground and jumped up in disgust. 'That does it!" she said. 'The ants seem to have taken over our lunch."
Dad stretched out for a nap and had just about dozed off when he heard Sister scream. She had been stung by a bee  Mom took care of her, so Dad tried again to sleep. But this time the pesky mosquitoes  would not leave him alone. Finally he announced they were all going home.
Billy said, “Why do we have to leave now?" Dad replied, Well, Billy, it seems we aren't wanted by the woods. We sure haven't been treated very well. The mosquitoes are eating me alive; the ants took over our lunch, and a bee stung your sister.
Billy said, "It seems to me that the woods and the mosquitoes, and the ants , and the bees are trying to tell us something." "What's that?" asked Dad. "Well," said Billy, "just look around us and you will see that we haven't been very nice visitors in the woods         Look at all the trash we've thrown around. It seems that we're the worst bugs of all -- we're litterbugs."
So the family started to clean up the mess and afterwards they felt better. They took a nice walk through the woods, listening to the sounds. They actually enjoyed the buzzing of the bees; the croaking of the frogs and they even watched an army of ants     at work.
When they returned home they were tired, but happy that they had learned an important lesson that day. The worst kind of bug is a LITTERBUG!!

 

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SPINNING YARNS Boys sit in a circle. The first player starts to tell any story of his own choice. At any point, he may stop and the next player must continue the same story.  Continue around the circle, with each player adding to the story. The last player must end it.
Variation: Wrap short pieces of yarn.  a ball. Each player slowly unwraps a piece of yarn as he tells his part of the story.  When he comes to the end of his piece of yarn, he stops the story and hands the ball to the next player

STORYTELLING LINKS:

Tim Sheppard’s Storytelling Resources for Storytellers
Storytelling: Passport to Success in the 21st Century
East Texas Storytellers
Aaron Shepard’s Storytelling Page
The Storytelling Ring
Storytelling Activities
The Story Connection
The Cremation of Sam McGee
Katha [Mythological Stories from India]
Jeff's Poems for Kids
The Campfire Stories Handbook

Some Books and Authors that Cub Scout Leaders might find useful:

• Art of the Story-Teller, Marie L. Shedlock. Available on EBooks.

• Rootabaga Stories, Carl Sandburg. Good for Tigers.

• Cowboys, Cowboys, Cowboys, and other triple anthologies on Dogs, Pirates, Space, Indians and Fun edited by Phyllis Fenner.

• The Children of Odin, and other books on Greek and Norse Mythology by Padric Colum
 

Some Internet Sites:

• Campfire Stories for Boy Scouts

• The Inquiry Net

• Native American Lore

• Tim Sheppard’s Storytelling Resources for Storytellers

• Troop 836 Cub Scout Skits
 

  W. T. Smith