A Special Den Leader

First Aid Kit

2013-01-18T07:00:00.000-05:00

One of the things I especially like about the Wolf Handbook is the emphasis on safety. There are several opportunities to talk about in several different aspects. Before we got too far into the year, one meeting focused on putting together a first aid kit.

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Easiest Catapult Ever

2013-01-11T07:00:00.000-05:00

In addition to shooting marshmallows, we have flung them with the easiest catapult to make ever.

The Bear Scouts in our pack made some fairly complicated catapults and my Wolves were a bit jealous. I didn't think they could manage the detailed directions of the ones the Bears made, so I found some that were much easier for my special needs boys to handle.
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Marshmallow Poppers

2013-01-04T07:00:00.000-05:00

I have a knack for irritating my Scoutmaster. I don't do it on purpose, honest. He's a great Scoutmaster, but he's not quite as laid back as I am.

So a few weeks ago when I asked for the large fellowship hall in the church where we meet instead of one of the classrooms, he was notably suspicious. When I explained to him that I wanted it so "We can shoot things," he was visible distressed. "Just marshmallows," I added hastily. He gave us the fellowship hall, but he wasn't too pleased about it.
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Gathering Supplies for Projects and Activities

2012-12-21T07:00:00.000-05:00

After I volunteered to be den leader, I was planning out my first couple meetings and it suddenly occurred to me exactly how many materials I would need to provide. Because my family and I are on a pretty tight budget, that means I can't just run out to the craft store, teacher supply store, or home improvement store every time I needed something. So I've had to get inventive in gathering supplies for our projects and activities. Here the things I've done.
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Blow it Up with Baking Soda and Vinegar

2012-12-18T08:23:00.000-05:00

Our first foray as Wolf Scouts into blowing stuff up was to blow up balloons with baking soda and vinegar. Oh my goodness was this a popular activity! I only had two boys this night, but they both went wild!

Because someone on Pinterest pinned another blogger's post about this science experiment and stated that it was a replacement for helium and it went viral, let me say it up front. This is NOT a replacement for helium. This is NOT a substitution for an air tank at your birthday party, baby shower, or wedding! This is a science experiment about an acid based reaction! Balloons blown up in this manner contain carbon dioxide, just like if you blew with up with your mouth. They will NOT "float" like balloons filled with helium.

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A Scout is Reverent - Remembering Those Who Died in Newtown, CT

2012-12-17T00:00:00.000-05:00

My Heart is Heavy...

2012-12-15T11:51:00.002-05:00

There are truly no words to describe how we as a nation feel following the tragedy in Connecticut yesterday. Our hearts are heavy as we mourn the loss of 28 lives that have left us too soon.

My husband yesterday said the following quote by Mr. Fred Rogers is one of the few things that has brought him comfort, so I share it with you.

“When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, 'Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.' To this day, especially in times of disaster, I remember my mother’s words and I am always comforted by realizing that there are still so many helpers – so many caring people in this world.” ~Mr. Fred Rogers

New STEM/NOVA Awards

2012-12-14T13:00:00.000-05:00

Someone recently mentioned to me the new STEM/NOVA awards program for Cub Scouts but didn't know much about it. So I went searching for information.

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Time Capsules

2012-12-10T13:00:00.000-05:00

My 8 year old's time capsule with impressive detail, local newspaper, sale flyer, journal sheets, drawings, recipe for a favorite meal, and one red pencil.

The time capsules we made with the boys at a recent meeting is one of those times our activity just doesn't fit into any category for earning a bead, loop or arrow point. But the boys had fun, so I'm okay with that.

The meeting before we were to work on time capsules I sent a little note home with the boys asking them to bring in 3 to 5 small items that represented what they are interested in right now or reflected a current hobby. I also suggested they bring in family pictures. I did stress that whatever they brought, they would need to be able to live without.

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Following the Handbook?

2012-12-07T13:00:00.000-05:00

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I realized at some point in mid-November that trying to follow the Wolf Handbook too closely was going to bore my boys and make me a little crazy. So, upon the advice of our Bear Leader, who has a Webelos 2 and a Bear Cub, and our Tiger Leader, who earned his Eagle Scout 5 years ago, I ditched the book. I didn't ditch it completely, but I have learned I need to make the book work for me, not the other way around.

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If I worked for the book, many of our meetings would be discussion and answer rather than getting the boys active. They get enough discussion and answer at school. Plus children, boys especially, learn better when they have hands on. In addition, there are too many woodworking projects in the Wolf Handbook for special needs kids like mine. There is no way I'm going to let my 3 boys near saws.

So rather than talk, talk, talking each week for an hour about what to put in a first aid kit, or how to fold a flag, I changed gears right before Thanksgiving to more hands on activities and activities that I think will interest the boys. Then I see how I can fit those activities in with a requirement, elective, or belt loop. And if it doesn't fit, it doesn't fit.