Scouting at Home
Get connected and have fun with the "Scouting @ Home" Challenge!
Start these virtual Scouting adventures and challenges - for youth and adults! Scout on while keeping a social distance!
CHALLENGES: Work on any of the youth or adult leader challenges below and you can earn a special patch!
SCOUTING @ HOME PATCH: To receive the patch, complete the challenge, then:
- use the online completion form and submit
OR
- print the printable completion form, fill-out, scan or send a photo to GatewayAreaCouncilBSA@scouting.org
SHARE YOUR FUN: Share a photo or video of your Scout and Family in Action on the all-new, private Gateway Scouting Family Connection Facebook Group.
Online Merit Badge Classes:
SAFER-SIM with the University of Iowa has developed a free, self-guided, online resource that allows Scouts to complete merit badges completely virtually. We are giving Scouts the opportunity to complete the Traffic Safety Merit Badge and the Engineering Merit Badge at their own pace. Some of the scouts in your council have already utilized this resource, but we would like to expand our reach even more!
Our goal is to gain more awareness for these resources, so if there are any Scouts that may be interested in doing it, feel free to forward this email to them. I have attached fliers for each of the badges and you can also check out our website to learn more about the Traffic Safety Merit Badge and the Engineering Merit Badge.
Cub Scout Advancement Videos:
Scouts BSA Advancement Videos
Doodles – Animation Merit Badge
Draw Every Day – Art Merit Badge
Learn to Splice – Pioneering Merit Badge
Cook a Meal for Your Family- Cooking Merit Badge
The Water Cycle- Weather and Environmental Science Merit Badge
Plan and Analyze Four Games- Game Design Merit Badge
Reinforce a Frame- Home Repairs Merit Badge
Conduct a Home Inspection- Home Repairs Merit Badge
Mime a Story- Theater Merit Badge
How To Prepare A First Aid Kit
Prepare A Family Emergency Plan
Challenges
Note: CYBER CHIP: Scouts should complete the Cyber Chip to work on some of these challenges, as online research or other internet activities may be needed.
Cub Scouts - 30 Day Challenges
(Click the image to view and print the challenge)
Scouts BSA 30 Day Challenges and Online Merit Badge Challenge
(Click the image to view and print the challenge)
Venturing 30 Day Challenge
(Click the image to view and print the challenge)
Scout Leader Challenges:
- Use technology to have meetings via video conference or conference call with Zoom Meeting, Free Conference Call, Google Hangouts, Skype, etc. Here is a video conferencing help sheet.
- Here's a quick video tutorial on How to Use Zoom
- Take the online training that you've been meaning to get to:
https://my.scouting.org/
YOUTH PROTECTION: It’s important that we all continue to keep youth safe whether our Scouting activities are taking place in person or through a digital platform - that means following youth protection guidelines (two-deep) in person, through a web conference, over the phone, via text, or in any other form.
- Detailed youth protection information is available here.
- Safety standards for all Scouting activities is found at Guide to Safe Scouting.
Here are some other resources while Scouting @ Home:
- Visual of How to Tie Knots - Animated Knots
- from Look Wilder Still - How to run a Virtual Pack Meeting
- from Somerset Council - How to run a Virtual Pinewood Derby
- from Bay Lakes Council - How to run a Virtual Troop Meeting
- from Bryan on Scouting - How to run a Virtual Pack, Den, Troop, or Crew Meeting
- from Bryan on Scouting - How to run a Virtual Board of Review
- from Bryan on Scouting - Good Turns during the coronavirus: Acts of Scouting service you can do from home
- from Boys Life - 25 Fun Projects to do When You're Stuck Inside
- BSA Scout On!
- BSA Questions & Answers on how COVID-19 Related Advancement Difficulties
- Education Companies Offering Free Subscriptions due to School Closings
- 12 Famous Museums that offer virtual tours
Self Guided Activities for Cub Scouts
Scouts, be sure to talk to a parent or guardian before trying these at home.
“Virtual Zoo” Activity Instructions
“Motor Away” Activity Instructions
“Games Tigers Play” Activity Instructions
“Picasso Self Portrait” Activity Instructions
“Outdoor Code & Leave No Trace” Activity Instructions
“Getting Knots Squared Away” Activity Instructions
The Importance of Washing Hands
Break Time Activity Ideas
If you need any help with your activities or challenges, please contact your District Leaders or Council Commissioner below:
| Position | Name | Telephone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Community & Volunteer Engagement Team | Justin Holten | (608) 784-4040 | |
| Scouts BSA District Program | Tim Mading | (608) 317-6120 | |
| Seven Rivers District Chairperson | John Parkyn Sr. | ||
| Winding Trails District Commissioner | Mark Siple | ||
| Board Member | Tom Smith | ||
| Scouts BSA District Chairperson | Eric Strauss |