Running, Cycling, Swimming!

[SeattlePioneer]

As Cubmaster for a struggling pack, I'm looking for ways for the pack to be more a part of the parish community.

 

I've also been looking through the new BSA National Strategic Plan:

 

http://digital.scouting.org/strategicplan/strategicplan.pdf .

 

 

The national plan places emphasis on Scouting's role in promoting vigorous outdoor activity by youth and adults.

 

I'm wondering if Scouting and a Cub Scout Pack might help be a spark plug in a parish school and church in promoting running, swimming and cyling as activities to be incorporated in church and school activities whenever possible.

 

Suppose "Running, Swimming, Cycling" was the method we promoted as an organization inside the parish and school, with the idea of encouraging program planners in these organizations to look for ways to incorporate these activities in both everyday and special events.

 

It might be that creating and promoting this kind of program might be a worthwhile Eagle Scout project to get things started.

 

Just to throw out an idea, suppose the parish school adopted "Running, Swimming, Cycling" as a program. Children (adults too?) might be given an opportunity to run a suitable distance during recess or other school activities, and those meeting a certain standard would be recognized.

 

A school or parish cycling night might be a time to bring bicycles in for maintenance and a safe bicycling qualification, and parish activities might include family cycling outings.

 

Swimming might include recommending swimming lessons available in the community and family swims where children could be recognized for meeting various swimming achievements, perhaps using those from Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts as models.

 

This might create a Scouting franchise in the school and parish that might lead families into Scout membership as they recognize and adopt Scouting methods and goals and make them their own.

 

 

 

[Mr. Boyce]

I like this a lot! I think there are a lot of possibilities that can be done along this line.

[ScoutNut]

Instead of trying to get a parish you, and your Scouts, are not a member of, and a school you have no children at, to change their educational programs, you might be better off sending out fliers to the school, and posting an ad in the church bulletin, inviting them to events put on by the Cub Pack.

 

Host a Bike Hike on an area bike path and supply healthy drinks and snacks.

 

Rent the pool for an evening at your local Y, or Park District.

 

Host a Fun Run along a local running path. Again supply healthy snacks.

 

You will probably have to charge for things like the pool party. However, you should try to keep the cost as low as possible.

[desertrat77]

Seattle, great idea!

 

Getting the cubs out of the meeting hall and outdoors is the key to success.

 

Thinking aloud: Maybe teach the cubs some basic bike maintenance--they like those kinds of challenges, and it would encourage responsibility for their own rides.

 

Again, super idea--wish you all the best.

[qwazse]

Also, you don't have to reinvent the wheel.*

Look at the school calendar to see if there's an event (e.g., a carnival or open house) where your boys could provide a service. If you're lucky, the contact-person for the event might also be a cub parent.

 

*No pun intended, honest!