- Large glowsticks (usually found in the camping section)
- Disposable clear containers
- You will want to cut one end of the glow stick off being careful not to break the glass tube inside.
- Allow the liquid from the glow stick to collect into one of the containers.
- Wipe the glass tube carefully so that the chemicals will not cross contaminate when you empty the tube.
- Now you must be incredibly careful and remove the liquid from the glass tube and allow it to drain into another container.
- Test your chemicals before your ceremony! I usually dip the end of a paper towel into one solution and then pour a little of the other solution onto the towel so that they so not mix in the cups. Check in a dark room to insure that they glow!
- Cover both containers.
Now you have your prep done and it’s time for your ceremony. Turn the lights off and have a little camp light in the corner to give yourself enough light to work with, but dark enough to see the glow.
It’s time to work up your “story”.
Here was one you can try:
Cubmaster: When you become a Cubmaster there are several things that you get to do and see that no one else gets to see. One of those things you will get to see when you become a Cubmaster, is the Well of Akela.
Now the Well is a special place where the Spirit of Akela lives. As a Cubmaster, we are allowed to collect some of the well water to share with you. The Well water is very special. It will bond with the words that you say and will glow if you tell me the truth.
Now, I need you all to be very quiet. Only the Scouts who are advancing to the rank of (insert the appropriate rank) may speak.
Cubmaster: (At this point remove the cover from the “water” cup).
Cubmaster: Now (insert the appropriate rank), I ask you to tell me the Cub Scout Promise.
Cub Scout: (Cub Scout Promise)
Cubmaster: Have you completed all of your requirements to the best of your ability?
Cub Scout: (Yes)
Cubmaster: And have you been a cheerful helper at home?
Cub Scout: (Yes)
Cubmaster: Very well, the water from the Well of Akela has bonded with your words. I will now mix the bonded water with the original water from the well, and if you are speaking the truth, your cup will glow.
(mix the chemicals and they will glow.)
Congratulations Scout on achieving the Rank of (insert the appropriate rank).
Note: one of the chemicals will be colored. I used a baby nose suction bulb to squirt the colored chemicals so that the boys didn’t notice the color. Also do not reuse any of the containers. These are chemicals after all and not designed to be ingested. I did not allow any of my boys to touch the glowing substance as there may have been glass particles from the glass tube.
The boys love this ceremony. And it is lots of fun to see their faces light up.
Cub Scouts create a great centerpiece for the holiday dinner table with this snow-covered pine cone craft!
What you’ll need:
- Pine cones-take a trip with to your backyard or local park with your Den!
- Glue
- Glitter of various colors
- Glitter glue or glitter fabric paint, optional
How to make it:
- Place glue on ends of individual cone “leaves” and sprinkle glitter on Or, you can use glitter colored fabric paint glued directly to ends of cone “leaves.”
- Arrange and glue the pine cones to a base or some kind.
- Add ribbons or additional decorations as you like! Hey it’s your centerpiece.
Tips:
Tacky Glue is better for crafts than hot glue, which Cub Scouts can easily get hurt using. Tacky glue is thicker and tackier than Elmer’s Glue and dries quickly.
Submitted by: Jennifer Volz – Patriots’ Path Council
Hello fellow Scouters,
Should you bother with leader recognition knots? Do they add any value to your Scouting program? Isn’t it really about the boys, not us leaders? I hear these questions a lot when I discuss leader recognition. I say it does matter! I believe that every Scouter should try to attain the knot for their position. If you serve at a den level or the pack level, there is a knot that you can earn. Here are some reasons why earning knots are important.
Quality – All of the leader recognition knots require training: required training for the position and attendance to either a Pow Wow/University of Scouting or four monthly roundtables. As a trainer, I know that training is key to developing a quality program. By following the guidelines of the leader recognition knots, you are getting the training needed to bring a quality program to your unit, either at the den level or pack level. And the individual requirements to earn the knots are all quality standards, as defined by National.
Consistency – We are charged with taking the program that National BSA has developed and bringing it to our units. Following the guidelines of BSA, as reinforced in the requirements for the leader’s recognition knots, help towards maintaining a program that is consistent with what National has devised. We are all meeting the same guidelines that National has determined is appropriate for our Scouting position.
Recognition – There is nothing wrong with us Scouters being recognized for our hard work. It’s a great way to encourage our leaders while awarding them for their efforts. And it sets a good example to our boys, as they see us in front of the pack being awarded for the program we’ve brought to them. And if the leaders themselves aren’t tracking their progress towards their knot, then someone at the pack committee level can. What a great way to surprise a leader, by presenting them with their recognition knot.
Roundtables – Most of the knots have a requirement to attend four roundtables. Roundtables are an excellent way to get more training and network with other Scout leaders. Attending roundtables is a great way to further develop the skills of the Scouting leader. Since we are mid-way through the Cub Scout year, there still is time to get to four roundtable meetings. If you need help finding your district roundtable, please contact your Pack Trainer, Cubmaster, or Committee Chair.
Links – Here are some links to provide more information about leader knots.
1) Scouting Magazine – January/February 2009 issue of Scouting magazine had an excellent article on recognition knots. Here’s the link to this article.
2) Individual Requirements - You can print out the requirement for your specific position by looking for the “Progress Record” link under each of the individual knots at the U.S. Scouts website.
If you serve the youth in Scouting, it’s worthwhile to earn your leader recognition knots. If you serve at the pack level, and aren’t sure you’ve done anything to earn a knot, you have! Serve for two years, and get trained and go to roundtables, and you can qualify for the Cub Scouter knot. Some units don’t allow assistant den leaders to get knots, so if you are in this group, and you work hard and would like to be recognized, ask your unit to change your status to co-leader. If you are working hard for your boys, a title shouldn’t get in the way of being recognized for your efforts.
Post provided by:
- Scouter Jeff Cummings (The Trainer’s Corner)