Ideals of Scouting

[Pack38Scouter]

Here's one that I learned from my OWL training. I used it twice at our Pack meeting, once last year and once this year. Even some of the Tigers (and their parents) got the message. It goes something like this:

 

Equipment: (1) emptied film canister, (3) marbles (small size), rice (enough to fill the film canister).

 

Preparation before the "Minute": a) Place the 3 marbles inside the film canister first. b) Fill the film canister with rice until it is full and you can close the cap. Remember to tap the canister ... making sure that all of the rice settled down inside the canister.

 

Show:

 

1) "The film canister represents a boy, the scout. The contents inside represent various things that he holds close to his heart, things that his likes to do, things that he learned, or things he likes very much. "

 

2) "Boys, notice that the canister is capped and holds everything inside. Everything fits perfectly inside, a complete you."

 

3) (Now empty the film canister onto a piece of paper. Show them the three marbles)

 

"Now, let's say that these three marbles represent the three ideals of scouting, Duty to God and Country, Duty to others, and Duty to self, as described in the scout Oath (and your Cub Scout Promise)"

 

(Quickly point out ... On my honor, I will do my best. To do my duty to God and my Country.... To help other people at all times .... To keep myself physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight.)

 

"Duty to God and Country means that you should serve God and Country as you have been taught. Duty to Others means that you should help others. especially your family, and do your part to make this a better world. Duty to Self means that you need to look after yourself physiclally, mentally, morally so that you will become a better person. Thus the three ideals of scouting, the three fingers sign, the three leaves on the Scout Fleur de Lis, the three parts of the Scout Oath."

 

(You can adlib anything to make the speech a whole lot better.)

 

4) (Show them the rice ... make sure that you don't spill any ... or they will question this later! )

 

"The rice represents everything that is considered external influence and fun, such as sport (soccer, basketball, etc.), gameboy, TV, movies, computer, Internet, etc.... They are things that complement your life."

 

5) "Now let's assume that you place all of the fun things in yourself first."

(Pour the rice into the canister first)

 

6) "Let's place Duty to God and Country, Duty to Others, and Duty to Self in last and close the cap or .... complete yourself ."

 

(Place the three marbles in last, one at a time and try to close the cap. Assuming that you have not spilled any rice. The three marbles should be sitting on top of the mouth of the canister and you can't place the cap back on.)

 

7) (Empty all the contents out again)

 

"Let's us try to put Duty to God and Country, Duty to Others, and Duty to Self in first and then the things that you like to have in last."

 

(Place the three marbles in first and then the rice and cap the canister. It should cap nicely.)

 

8)"So remember boys, if you live by the ideals of scouting, placing Duty to God and Country, Duty to Others, and Duty to Self in you first (hold them close to your heart), everything else should fit nicely there after!"

 

YIS

[OldGreyEagle]

I saw a version of this at Woodbadge. They used big stones, sand, and water. Had the same message and was very effective, this would be great

[ASM7]

Another one I used to do at the first Pack meeting was to have the parents hold one candle and the scout to hold a candle. They would light their candles from the Scouting Spirit candle and hold them separate. Then I asked the audience to observe the light that they emit. I then asked them to touch the two flames together. The flames grew much higher and emitted more light. This represents that the spirit of Scouting is much greater when the Scout is supported by his parents. I only used one candle for the two parents so if a scout only had one parent or guardian, the result was the same.

 

By the way, in another thread somebody was talking about using a film canister for meds or other things. Be sure to wash the canister well before using it for anything that is ingested. Something about the Silver Halides on the film getting into your system is not good.

[ASM7]

Another demonstration was to use two sticks. The parents light their stick and the scout lights his. The flames, held up, will soon go out by themselves, but when done again and held together they continue to burn brite. Demonstrates parents and the scout working together. A scout working without their support may soon lose interest.

Doug