Scouting can take place anywhere – even in the comfort of your home!
Here you will find a resource hub for parents and leaders to help support Scouting at home, with stay-at-home educational activities for any Scout rank, tips for continuing to work on advancements and kid-friendly content that connects Scouting with their daily lives. We will continue to add new content and resources to this hub regularly.
Our goal is to make it easier to deliver the Scouting program by making plans more accessible to Leaders and those who can help Leaders like our parents.
Cub Scout Rank Requirements
Thank you to units who are sharing their ideas and resources to keep their Scouts engaged during this outbreak. Below you will find resources and ideas that our local units have shared.
Pack 300- Kathy G. & Dustin G
“Instead of the Pack meeting, our Pack came up with a special activity that you can do with your family! Our Pack is printing a special Patch to go with this activity (enough for siblings to also get the patch!)”
CovidActivity and AAB_viral_attack_coloring_packet
Help your Scouts stay involved and entertained over this prolonged period of self-quarantine and social distancing.
Please feel free to download and use as you see fit.
- Loyal Lions Challenge 30-Day-Lion-Challenge
- Terrific Tigers Challenge 30-Day-Tiger-Challenge
- Witty Wolves Challenge 30-Day-Wolf-Challenge
- Busy Bears Challenge 30-Day-Bear-Challenge
- Wondrous Webelos Challenge 30-Day-Webelos-Challenge
- Awesome AOLs Challenge
[tabby title=” Scouts, BSA”]
Help your Scout keep their skills sharp by taking on our 30-day challenge
Merit badges that can be worked on while at home during Coronavirus outbreak.
-Always check with your scoutmaster for approval before starting a new merit badge.
-Most of these will require online research during this time so be sure you have completed your Cyber Chip first.
-Remember to always use speaker phone when talking with a counselor with a parent present or copy parent or another leader into any emails you send regarding merit badges.
– do not adopt or buy a pet/animal just to complete a merit badge if you don’t plan to keep it.
– Remember some requirements require supervision so ask a parent or counselor about these before you start.
No outside requirements:
*American Business, Animation, Basketry
*Collections, Electricity, Electronics
*Energy, Entrepreneurship, Family Life
*Fingerprinting, Genealogy, Home Repairs
*Model Design and Building, Nature, Painting
*Personal Fitness, Personal Management, Photography – but shots might be limited
*Plumbing, Programming, Reptile and Amphibian Study, Wood Carving
Can be done with no outside requirements depending on options chosen:
*American Heritage – #2 Choose 2 options if you choose 2c it could be done over the phone, skype, or family members you can visit. #4 choose 2 options a & c could be done by online research if you choose 4b avoid visit or see if there are virtual tours available.4d would have to be done at a later date, 4e would have to be done at a later date
*Animal Science – depending on what type of farm visit you do it might have to occur at a later date, The Avian option has a option to do this through videos
*Archaeology – #7 choose 2 if you choose option A you will need to do at a later date, #8 choose 1 option A will have to be set for a future date, #9 choose 1 option A will have to be done at a later date
*Astronomy – #8 all options would have to be done at a future date
*Bird Study – If you have a variety of birds in your neighborhood/yard. #8 choose 1 option A would have to be at a later date
*Chemistry – #7 Choose 1 Option A, C, D would have to be at a later date
*Citizenship in the World – #7 choose 2 option c could be done online through email/skype etc, option d & e would have to be done at a later date
*Coin collecting – #10 choose 1 option d is the only one what can be done without being in the community, also might be hard to get all the coins needed if not going into the community but is possible
*Digital Technologies – #8 do two options d&c would have to be done at later date, #9 do one option b would have to be done at later date
*Drafting – #6 choose 1 option A would have to be done at a later date
*Emergency Preparedness – #7 work with councilor to figure out how to complete
*Leatherwork – #5 choose 1 option d would have to be done at a later date
*Moviemaking – #3 choose 1 option 1 would have to occur at a later date
*Nuclear Science – #3 choose 1 option A would have to be done at later date, #4 choose 2 option D would have to be done at a later date, #5 Choose 1 option c would have to be done at a later date
*Pets – #4 A & B might have to be done at a later date
*Pulp and Paper – #7choose 1 all options besides e would have to be done at a later date
*Railroading – #8 choose 1 option A could be done without outside exposure option b would require at least part to be done at a later date
*Reading – #4 could read to younger children if family, read to those listed over skype, or other method, record your own books/magazines and send to those listed, or can be done at a later time, check with your counselor on how you can meet this requirement
*Robotics – #6 choose 1 option A would have to be done later
*Safety – #4 would have to use photos or other options to complete or do at later date, #6 project should be home or talk with counselor about possible other locations that would be safe
*Sculpture – #2 choose 2 option c would have to be done later or possibly online tour
*Soil and Water Conservation – #7 Choose 2 option a would have to be done at later date
*Stamp Collecting – #7 choose 2 option b would have to be done at a later time
*Sustainability – Several options can include community but could be done without community
*Textile – #3 choose 2 option A would have to be done at a later date
Depending on counselor outside requirement might be ok to be done as on online virtual tour
*Art – #6 will have to be done at a later date or check with counselor about an online tour
Has a requirement that would have to he completed once safe to join community events
*American Labor – #2 would have to be done at a later date
*Bugling – could learn skills needed and then serve once meeting resume
*Composite materials – Work with councilor on how to set date and time for projects
*Cooking – camping and trail section to be done at a later date
*Dog care – #8 would have to be done at a later date
*Fire Safety – #10 B & C could possibly be done from home or at a future campout, #11 would have to be done at a later date
*Gardening – #5 would have to done at a later date
*Medicine – #7 Should be done when threat of exposure to illnesses are at a minimum
*Public Health (Might be an interesting one to do now) – #5 would have to be done at a later date
*Radio – #7 would have to be done at a later date, also might be had/expensive if family doesn’t have the equipment need
*Signs, Signals, and Code – #7 would have to be done at a later date
*Soil and Water Conservation – #7 would have to be done at a later date
* Weather – #9 choose 1 option b would have to be done at a later time, #10 would have to be done at a later date
[tabby title=”Venturing”]
[tabby title=”Sea Scouts”]
Set the Pace, Finish the Race- Sea Scout 30 Day Challenge
Working on Apprentice The RED TRACK is your track.
Each day you complete one task toward your goal. Complete 30 days and you will not only complete most of this rank but also make a dent in Ordinary.
Working on Ordinary The BLUE TRACK is your track.
Each day you complete one task toward your goal. Complete 30 days and you will almost complete this rank but also finish your boater’s course and qualify to command a vessel.
Requirement Turn-in
You can video your explanations or write up a small report to send in via email each day. Compete to see who completes the most days! Turn in to ship email!!!!
[tabby title=” How to Campcraft Skills Videos”]
How-to Campcraft Skill Videos Index
[tabby title=”Non-Merit Badge Awards”]
Non Merit Badge Awards:
Nova and Supernova Awards – Several Achievements could worked on during this time especially the 3 hours of reading or watching videos about the topic
Awards for Venturing & Sea Scouts
Outdoor Ethics Awareness Award – requirements 1- 4 can be completed and #5 completed at a later date.
[tabby title=” Presidential Active Lifestyle Award”]
To earn the SCOUTStrong PALA Challenge Award, participants are required to meet a daily activity goal of 30 minutes a day for adults and 60 minutes a day for kids under 18 for at least five days a week, for six out of eight weeks. Also, each week they will focus on a healthy eating goal. There are eight to choose from, and each week they will add a new goal while continuing with their previous goals. Stick with the program, and participants can earn a SCOUTStrong PALA award patch in less than two months.
[tabby title=”STEM on the Cheap”]
STEM does not have to be expensive. Find resources here.
In fact, #STEMontheCheap solutions require more imagination, creativity, innovation, and invention than the shiny, expensive STEM things out there. This page highlights our favorite #STEMontheCheap resources from specific lessons to websites with hundreds of #STEMontheCheap ideas
[tabby title=”STEM Labs at Home”]
STEM Labs you can do at home
| fantastic resource for helping children to handle numbers skillfully, while making it FUN! | http://bedtimemath.org |
| FREE top quality math lessons. 1st – 6th grade | https://www.mangomath.com/blog/free-math-activities-for-students |
| Facebook group “Mind full of Brilliance” fantastic group for anyone to join at anytime, and A+ resources being shared for K-12 and College. | https://www.facebook.com/groups/687860221759257/?fref=nf |
| Fun, on-line educational activities offering FREE access during quarantine! This is an amazing opportunity. | https://www.brainpop.com
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| National Geographic for kids – games, educational, virtual tours, etc. | https://kids.nationalgeographic.com |
| PBS Kids guide for talking to younger kids about the coronavirus | https://www.pbs.org/parents/thrive/how-to-talk-to-your-kids-about-coronavirus |
| Education companies offering free subscriptions due to school closings | http://www.amazingeducationalresources.com |
| NASA K-4 STEM fun activities at home | https://www.nasa.gov/stem-at-home-for-students-k-4.html |
| NASA grades 5-8 STEM fun activities at home | https://www.nasa.gov/stem-at-home-for-students-5-8.html |
| 63 easy science experiments for kids using household stuff | https://mommypoppins.com/kids/50-easy-science-experiments-for-kids-fun-educational-activities-using-household-stuff |
| Free STEM activities using household materials | https://www.sciencebuddies.org/stem-activities |
[tabby title=”Educational”]
Khan Academy
Especially good for math and computing for all ages but other subjects at Secondary level. Note this uses the U.S. grade system but it’s mostly common material.
Futurelearn
Free to access 100s of courses, only pay to upgrade if you need a certificate in your name (own account from age 14+ but younger learners can use a parent account).
Openlearn
Free taster courses aimed at those considering Open University but everyone can access it. Adult level, but some e.g. nature and environment courses could well be of interest to young people.
Blockly
Learn computer programming skills – fun and free.
Scratch
Creative computer programming
Ted Ed
All sorts of engaging educational videos
National Geographic Kids
Activities and quizzes for younger kids
Duolingo
Learn languages for free
Mystery Science
Free science lessons
The Kids Should See This
Wide range of cool educational videos
Crash Course
You Tube videos on many subjects
Crash Course Kids
As above for a younger audience
Crest Awards
Science awards you can complete from home
Tinkercad
All kinds of making
Prodigy Math
Good for elementary school ages
Big History Project
Aimed at Secondary age, multi disciplinary activities
Geography Games
Geography gaming!
The Artful Parent
Good, free art activities linked to from this Facebook page
Red Ted Art
Easy arts and crafts for little ones
The Imagination Tree
Creative art and craft activities for the very youngest
Toy Theater
Educational online games
[tabby title=”Cool Virtual Resources”]
Cool Virtual Resources
- 12 Museums From Around the World That You Can Visit Virtually
- Virtual Field Trips
- Free Audio Books for Kids
- Free Podcast Suggestions for Kids
- Free Art Tutorials by McHarper Manor
- Disaster Detectors App by the Smithsonian
- Bill Nye Home Science Demos
[tabby title=”Virtual Field Trips”]
Over 30 Virtual Field Trips with Links
(Click on colored text for links. Safe Travels!)
| San Diego Zoo | The San Diego Zoo has a website just for kids with amazing videos, activities, and games. Enjoy the tour! | ||
| Yellowstone National Park Virtual Field Trip | Mud Volcano, Mammoth Hot Springs, and so much more. | ||
| MARS!!! | Explore the surface of Mars on the Curiosity Rover.
They are updating from WEBVR to WEBXR now, but 360 Mode offers a digital view! |
||
| Animal Cameras | Live Cams at the San Diego Zoo
Monterey Bay Aquarium live cams Georgia Aquarium has Jellyfish, Beluga Whales, and more |
||
| Virtual Farm
Tour |
This Canadian site FarmFood 360 offers
11 Virtual Tours of farms from minks, pigs, and cows, to apples and eggs. |
||
| U.S. Space and Rocket Museum in Huntsville, AL | See the Saturn 5 Rocket on YouTube and more on this tour thanks to a real father/son outing. | ||
| Discovery Education Virtual Field Trips | A few of the field trip topics include | ||
| The Louvre | Travel to Paris, France to see amazing works of art at The Louvre with this virtual field trip. | ||
| The Great Wall of China | This Virtual Tour of the Great Wall of China is beautiful and makes history come to life. | ||
| Boston Children’s Museum | Walk through the Boston Children’s Museum thanks to Google Maps!
This virtual tour allows kids to explore 3 floors of fun. |
||
Have fun learning at home!
[tabby title=”Virtual Meetings”]
Virtual Meetings
There are several free tools out there that are perfect for virtual meetings. Check out “Scouting Tech: Online Conferencing Tools for Virtual Meetings” for suggestions and tutorials for hosting your own Den and Pack meetings online using Facebook Live, Skype, Zoom, and Google Hangouts. Each option is easy to use and built to suit the needs of each individual unit.
[tabby title=”Scholastic Learn At Home”]
Even when schools are closed, you can keep the learning going with these special cross-curricular journeys. Every day includes four separate learning experiences, each built around a thrilling, meaningful story or video. Kids can do them on their own, with their families, or with their teachers. Just find your grade level and let the learning begin! Start Here
[tabby title=”How to conduct a Virtual Board of Review”]
How to conduct a board of review through videoconferencing
The board of review, like most aspects of Scouting, works best in person.
But sometimes, for a number of legitimate reasons, that’s not an option. That’s why, as outlined in the Guide to Advancement(section 8.0.1.6), the BSA allows units to conduct boards of review by teleconferencing, using tools like Skype, Google Hangouts or Zoom.
Even before the coronavirus prompted families to be justifiably concerned about face-to-face meetings, this option has existed. In the past, it has been most commonly used in two situations:
- young people who have gone off to college or the military
- young people who live in remote areas
But the uncertainty and anxiety surrounding the coronavirus makes this an appropriate time to turn to videoconferencing solutions, as well.
(For questions about how the coronavirus is affecting Scouting where you live, please follow the guidance of your local council. Because the impact of the virus varies greatly by community, your local council is best equipped to answer specific questions. Find your local council here. For the latest official national information about COVID-19, go to coronavirus.gov.)
If you have decided to use videoconferencing for a board of review, here’s what you need to know
***Please note that “Scout” or “Scouts” in this article also refers to Venturers or Sea Scouts as appropriate.***
[tabby title=”Council’s Around the Country”]
Check out what other council’s across the country are doing!
Alamo Area Council, San Antonio, Texas
Atlanta Area Council, Atlanta, Georgia
Blackhawk Area Council, Rockford, Illinois
Capitol Area Council, Austin, Texas
Cascade Pacific Council – Portland, Oregon
Dan Beard Council, Cincinnati, OH
Greater Alabama Council, Birmingham, AL
Hawkeye Area Council, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Heart of America Council, Kansas City, Missouri
Lake Erie Council, Cleveland, Ohio
New Birth of Freedom Council, Mechanicsville, PA
Seneca Waterways Council, Brighton, New York
Spirit of Adventure Council, Boston, MA
[tabbyending]