Join in olympics Cubs booklet

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CONTENTS Introduction 4 Bronze 6 Silver 18 Gold 28 Acknowledgements

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The London 2012 Inspire mark copyright Š London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games Ltd 2008. All rights reserved.

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Congratulations!

Seb Coe photo I know you’ve been awarded the London 2012 Inspire mark for your sporting adventure, and that’s good. When we went to Singapore to bid for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, we were always very clear that it wasn’t simply about competitive sport.

It’s about encouraging you as leaders to do things slightly differently, and to figure out what values the Olympic and Paralympic Games give you, in terms of friendship, respect, courage and determination. As Scouts, these are all the things that you will understand anyway.

You have a big head start on everyone, because if you’re involved in Scouting, you know that those are your values as well.

Good luck,

Lord Sebastian Coe Chairman, London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games

I am delighted to join Lord Coe in commending The Scout Association for Our Sporting Adventure, and very pleased that the Peter Harrison Foundation has provided support for this resource.

This project will give hundreds of thousands of young people the chance to share the adventure, fun and ideals of the Olympic and Paralympic movements.

As a youngster in the 2nd Cheadle Scouts, I was introduced to sport and the outdoors through hikes and camps, where I learned teamwork, responsibility and leadership. I remember sailing on the Norfolk Broads, and my love of nautical activities continues today.

I hope that through this project, even more young people will take up the challenge and enjoy being involved in these great movements – Scouting and the Olympics and Paralympics.

Peter Harrison CBE Chairman, Peter Harrison Foundation

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INTRODUCTION

WELCOME TO OUR SPORTING ADVENTURE

The London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games will bring over 200 nations of the world under one roof in a festival of sport and culture, united by common values. To celebrate the values of the Olympic and Paralympic movements, all Scouts are invited to compete in a series of activities and challenges – Our Sporting Adventure – which will run from 1 January to 30 September 2012.

ABOUT LONDON 2012

Between 25 July and 9 September 34 venues across the UK will host more than 300 events from Greco-Roman wrestling to synchronised swimming, and from archery to wheelchair tennis. The Games also coincide with the Cultural Olympiad, which will bring together art, film, music and theatre in a festival of events and celebrations all over the UK.

THE INSPIRE MARK

Our Sporting Adventure has been granted the prestigious London 2012 Inspire mark, the badge of the London 2012 Inspire programme which recognises exceptional and innovative projects inspired by the 2012 Games.

The Inspire programme is run by the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games. It is an opportunity for everyone to be a part of the London 2012 Games – a broad participation programme spanning sport education, sustainability, volunteering, and business opportunities and skills. New opportunities are being created to inspire young people and encourage the whole of the UK to join in.

‘Winning and achievement inspires me. Every day I go sailing I set goals; this can be the smallest tweak on a training day or the biggest push on a medal race day. It’s important to always look ahead to the next test.’

Ben Ainslie, Olympic gold medal winner, sailing

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HOW IT WORKS

Our Sporting Adventure is based on the Olympic and Paralympic Values. These are: Olympic Values • Respect • Excellence • Friendship Paralympic Values • Courage • Determination • Inspiration • Equality Just like at London 2012, Our Sporting Adventure is about working towards medals as part of a team. There will be a medal table, which will chart the progress of your team and encourage you to push on for higher achievements.

Though the activities have been designed to be done within your section, the medal table will allow Cub Packs to compete against Beaver Colonies, Scout Troops, Explorer Units and Scout Networks. There are some top prizes on offer for the highest scores as well.

GETTING STARTED

Here’s what you need to do to embark on your sporting adventure.

1. Pick your team You can compete as a single section or join up with another Pack to make up the numbers and gain medals. Come up with a fun team name or keep it the same as your Group or section name.

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5 2. Register Go online to register your team before the competition starts in January 2012. Visit www.scouts.org.uk/oursportingadventure and start planning your assault on the medal table.

3. Plan Decide which activities you want to do with your team. There are 28 bronze, 14 silver and 7 gold activities. Once 2012 arrives, have fun running them. Whenever you complete an activity, update your team’s record on the website. Bronze activities are worth 50 points, silver are worth 100 points, and gold 200 points. You could choose to focus on the seven more challenging gold activities as a way of getting more points, or you could incorporate the 28 bronze activities into your normal programme during the year. It’s up to you.

THE MEDAL TABLE

You’ll be able to check your progress online by viewing the medal table. Compare your score with other sections, or those in your District and County.

PRIZES

A prize will be available for the team with the greatest number of points. Full terms and conditions will be available at www.scouts.org.uk/oursportingadventure

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There are 28 bronze activities, each worth 50 points for your sporting adventure. They’re the perfect way to get your team’s quest for greatness underway.

EVENT HUNT

VALUE Excellence PROGRAMME ZONES Fitness, Outdoor and Adventure DESCRIPTION Show your Cubs the huge variety of Olympic and Paralympic events in this fun wide game.

TIME 20-30 mins EQUIPMENT • Packets of coloured stickers/dots – one colour for each team • Copies of the sheets listing the events cut into individual cards • Boxes or envelopes to use as posting boxes INSTRUCTIONS 1. Create cards with the names of Olympic and Paralympic sports on them, split into different categories. Examples could include: - Athletics: pole vault, javelin, 400m hurdles -C ycling: BMX, individual pursuit, time trial -G ymnastics: pommel horse, parallel bars, balance beam -S ailing: Laser class, Finn class, sailboard -S wimming: 100m freestyle, 400m butterfly, 200m medley.

2. Define the play area. It is ideal if there is a wooded area available with clear boundaries.

This should include a base, where the box of event cards is placed.

3. Split the Pack into teams, making sure there is at least one adult/Young Leader per team, but not with them.

4. Assign a colour to each team and give the adult/Young Leader a sheet of coloured stickers matching the team colours. The adults may swap stickers with each other so that they do

not always have the same colour stickers. The players have to find the adult/Young Leader with the correct coloured stickers for their team.

Adults should move around but not hide.

5. There should be another area with 5 boxes or envelopes labelled according to the category of your sports.

6. To start the game, hand out an event card to each team. On the command to start, they go off and try and find the leader who has the coloured stickers they need. They stick the sticker on their card and then go and post it in what they think is the appropriate posting box.

They then go and choose another card from the base and repeat the process. Teams should only have one card at a time.

BUILD A FRIEND

VALUE Friendship PROGRAMME ZONES Creative, Beliefs and Attitudes DESCRIPTION What makes a good friend? Get your Cub Scouts to work together to find the perfect pal in this quick creative task TIME 15 mins EQUIPMENT • Large sheets of paper • Pens • Scissors INSTRUCTIONS 1. Each Six makes two life-size Cub Scouts by drawing round a Cub Scout and cutting out the outline.

2. The Six decides how each part of the body could be used either to be a good friend or a poor friend, e.g. legs – you could play football with a friend, but they wouldn’t be a friend if they kick you! Mouth – they could cheer you on or say something hurtful.

3. On one ‘body’ they draw or write the ‘good friend’ actions and on the other the ‘poor friend’ actions.

4. Sixes present their ‘bodies’ to the rest of the Pack and discuss whether any of them had the same or similar results.

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FLY THE FLAG

VALUE Friendship PROGRAMME ZONES Creative, Global DESCRIPTION As Olympic nations proudly display their flags and the athletes representing them, get your Cubs to discover what they have in common as they work together to create their own flag.

TIME 15 mins EQUIPMENT • Large sheets of paper or sheeting • Pens/fabric crayons • Pole/cane • String • Scissors INSTRUCTIONS 1. Explain that during the opening ceremonies of the Olympic and Paralympic Games each participating country carries a flag that shows the country that their athletes will represent.

2. Ask pairs/small teams to chat about things they have in common and do together as friends.

3. They then design a flag to represent these and tie it to the pole/cane.

4. Each pair/team then parades behind their flag, forms a circle and shows their flag to the others.

BLINDFOLD WALK

VALUE Courage PROGRAMME ZONES Outdoor and Adventure, Beliefs and Attitudes DESCRIPTION How will your Cubs cope when they’re stripped of one of their senses? Will they have the courage to carry on in this challenging blindfold task?

TIME As long as it takes for each Cub to have a turn at the route

INSTRUCTIONS 1. Lay out a trail with thickish string/rope that goes round trees, under/over obstacles; through muddy puddles if there are any.

2. Let each Cub look at the route before they start to give them an idea of where they are going.

Then blindfold them and set them on their way.

3. If you like, you can pair up the Cubs with one not blindfolded and they can help and encourage their partner along. When the first one has finished, they swap over.

4. After completing this activity it could be a good opportunity to chat about what it was like to have to walk around and not be able to see and what it must be like to have to do this on a daily basis.

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WE LIKE...

VALUE Friendship PROGRAMME ZONE Beliefs and Attitudes DESCRIPTION Highlight your Cubs’ similarities and differences with this energetic game.

TIME 10 mins EQUIPMENT None INSTRUCTIONS 1. The Cubs move around the room until a leader calls out ‘We like...’ and adds something – a food or an activity or a hobby or a place.

2. All those Cubs who like whatever is mentioned join the leader at one end of the meeting place, while the others run to the opposite end.

3. The Cubs scatter and the game restarts.

4. At the end of the game the leader asks them if they always ended up with the same people or if they were surprised when someone that they don’t know very well likes the same things as them or if their friends always agree with their likes and dislikes.

ONGER EQUIPMENT • Long length of thick string/rope • Blindfolds

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FOOD FOR THOUGHT

INTRODUCING THE ALIENS

VALUES Respect, Equality PROGRAMME ZONES Beliefs and Attitudes, Global DESCRIPTION Help your Cubs explore different faiths and cultures in this taste test TIME 15-20 mins

VALUES Respect, Equality PROGRAMME ZONE Beliefs and Attitudes DESCRIPTION Challenge perceptions and stereotypes with the help of some very special intergalactic guests.

TIME 45 mins

EQUIPMENT • Various foods • Brief description of the meanings and roles of foods (from www.scouts.org.uk/ oursportingadventure)

EQUIPMENT • Assorted scrap paper • Pencils • Craft materials for Cubs to make posters • Costumes for the alien visitors

INSTRUCTIONS 1. Try some of the foods that are associated with different faiths, such as Halal or Kosher foods.

Check that none of your Cubs have special dietary requirements or allergies.

2. Food can have a surprising number of meanings and roles within faith and trying the foods can lead to interesting discussions about this.

• You could discuss: - Lent - Halal food - Kosher food - Fasting - Passover.

INSTRUCTIONS 1. Ask two adults to pretend to be aliens and have them enter the room toward the beginning of a meeting, talking in their alien language and looking inquisitive.

2. The aliens ask the Cubs to describe themselves, both in how they look and lead their lives. The aliens then ask if all Earth people are like this.

3. Ask the Cubs to produce (in Sixes) some posters for the aliens to take back to their home planet to explain what Earth people are like, then present the information back to help the aliens explain it.

4. Talk about whether we make up our minds by how people look or act and if it’s easy to make mistakes by stereotyping them. Ask them if they have been stereotyped – how did it make them feel? What can they do to avoid stereotyping people?

‘When I was in Scouts I had a go at archery and enjoyed it. Ten years later I’m training for the London 2012 Olympic Games, hoping to qualify as part of Team GB. ‘My ultimate goal is to do something no-one else has ever done and defend an Olympic title. Embrace whatever you enjoy, because you never know where it’s going to take you.’

Tom Barber, Olympic archery hopeful

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THE GREAT EGG RELAY

STAYING ON THE BALL

VALUE Respect PROGRAMME ZONE Fitness DESCRIPTION This new twist on an egg and spoon race will show your Cubs how to cake care of and co-operate with each other.

TIME 15 mins

VALUE Excellence PROGRAMME ZONE Fitness DESCRIPTION A game of ‘catch’ with a twist or two, to show your Cubs the importance of doing their very best at everything they try.

TIME 20-30 mins

EQUIPMENT • 1 dozen eggs • 1 small spoon per Six • Polythene/ground sheet for the floor if playing indoors • Cleaning equipment

EQUIPMENT • Football

INSTRUCTIONS 1. Split each Six in half and position each half at different ends of the hall.

2. Give one Cub the raw egg and small spoon.

3. Explain that when the race starts, the Cub with the egg and spoon must move as fast as possible to the other end of the hall and pass the egg and spoon to another member of the Six, who must transport the egg and spoon back to the other end of the hall and repeat the process.

4. Tell the Cubs that if they drop the egg they will have to clean the mess up (this should help the Cubs respect the egg a little more and deter any that fancy the idea of dropping the egg to see what happens).

5. The team who successfully transfers the egg from one end of the hall to the other, using all members of the Six, without breaking the egg, or with the minimum number of broken eggs, wins.

6. Discuss the need to be careful with the egg and how this shows that we should also be careful with each other.

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INSTRUCTIONS 1. Give an adult the football and get one half of the Pack to form a circle around them.

2. Line the other half of the Pack up at one end of the hall with another adult.

3. Explain that when the game begins the adult in the middle of the circle will pass the ball to each Cub who must then throw it back to the leader.

4. The adult works their way around the circle until told to stop and keeps count of the number of times that the ball is thrown and passed back without being dropped.

5. The other adult explains to the line of Cubs that one at a time they must run around the circle of Cubs and return to the end of the line.

6. The ball stops being thrown after all the Cubs in line have run around the outside of the circle.

7. The two halves of the Pack then change places and repeat the process.

8. The winners are the half of the Pack that catch and throw the ball the most.

9. After playing the game once, explain to the Cubs that athletes are all trying to get better at what they do and that this is excelling at what they do.

10. Mention that the Cub Scout Promise also mentions this. ‘I promise to do my best’ can mean that you are promising to try and excel at what you do.

11. Now get the Cubs to redo the game but ask them to try to excel at what they are doing.

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INTERNATIONAL GREETINGS

VALUE Friendship PROGRAMME ZONES Beliefs and Attitudes, Global DESCRIPTION From ‘how do you do’ to a hearty handshake, introduce your Cubs to ways of saying hello from all over the world.

TIME 15 mins EQUIPMENT • Information on how different countries greet each other INSTRUCTIONS 1. Explain to the Cubs that in Scouting we shake hands with our left hand and that this is also how Zulus shake hands. This is a sign of trust and friendship as Zulus used to carry a small spear and a shield and in order to shake hands with your left hand you would have to put your shield down. This meant that you were trusting the other person not to stab you.

2. Ask the Cubs if they know of any other ways people from different countries or cultures greet each other. For example: • Eskimos greet each other by rubbing noses • Japanese people bow to each other • French people greet each other by kissing each other on the cheek • British people shake hands with the right hand.

3. Ask the Cubs to try the different ways of greeting friends.

4. Get them to come up with a new way of greeting each other, which can be used in the Pack.

COURAGE MIME

VALUE Courage PROGRAMME ZONES Beliefs and Attitudes, Community DESCRIPTION Introduce Cubs to the concept of everyday courage with this fun mimed game.

TIME 30 mins EQUIPMENT None

INSTRUCTIONS 1. Introduce the concept of courage and explain how people demonstrate courage in everyday circumstances. Describe how someone who is afraid of heights is courageous every time they go up a ladder or go to the top floor of a skyscraper. Go on to use other similar examples.

2. After a short discussion ask the Cubs, in their Sixes, to come up with a mime depicting how someone uses courage in everyday life.

3. Let them practise the mimes in their Sixes and then get each Six to perform their mime to the rest of the pack. Allow the rest of the pack to try and guess what each Six’s mime is about.

INSPIRED COLLAGE

VALUE Inspiration PROGRAMME ZONES Outdoor and Adventure, Creative DESCRIPTION Cubs get back to nature and using objects they find make a collage of someone who inspires them.

TIME 30-40 mins EQUIPMENT • Paper • Scissors and glue • Sticky tape • Bags INSTRUCTIONS 1. Tell the Cubs what inspiration is and how people can inspire others to achieve great things.

2. Now give them a bag. Say you are all going outside to collect natural objects and when they get back they have to make a picture of how someone has inspired them.

3. When you come back in, let the Cubs make their collage out of the assembled materials.

4. While they are doing their collage ask them about it. Who inspires them, and why?

5. Ask Cubs to present their collages to the rest of the Pack.

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WHAT’S MY GOAL?

VALUE Determination PROGRAMME ZONE Beliefs and Attitudes DESCRIPTION Get an insight into what your Cubs really want to do as they set themselves goals to achieve.

TIME 15-30 mins EQUIPMENT None INSTRUCTIONS 1. Explain the meaning of determination and give some examples of how determination has helped people to achieve their goals.

2. Give an example of how being determined to achieve something has helped you.

3. Now ask the Cubs what things they are determined to do over the next year and how determination will help them achieve their goals, making notes of what they say.

4. Ask Cubs to make a wall chart or poster displaying their main goal, deciding the deadline for achieving it and a method of assessing their progress.

POND DIPPING

VALUES Respect, Excellence PROGRAMME ZONE Outdoor and Adventure DESCRIPTION Make a splash with your Cubs by taking them pond dipping. How many different animals will they be able to find?

TIME 1-2 hours EQUIPMENT • Long-handled nets (ideally one per Cub, one per Six is manageable) • Identification charts/keys • Trays/buckets to put your catch in • Wellington boots

2. Give the Pack a safety briefing before you get to the water.

3. Depending on the depth of the stream or pond, the Cubs can either enter the water or dip from the bank. No one should enter water that is deeper than their wellies.

4. Put any ‘catches’ in the tray for identification, making sure that everyone gets to see any particularly interesting finds.

5. By the end of the activity each of the Cubs should have had the opportunity to identify a minimum of four species.

6. Once identified, return all catches to the pond.

7. Consider a further creative task where the Cubs have to draw pictures of the identified species.

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Note: For safety advice refer to www.scouts.org. uk/watersafety

PIONEERING

VALUES Excellence, Determination PROGRAMME ZONES Creative, Outdoor and Adventure DESCRIPTION Can your Cubs master their knots and take on the challenge to build a flag pole and gateway?

TIME One or two meetings EQUIPMENT • 1 length of rope per Cub • 2 staves/pioneering poles per Cub • Instructions on how to do the knots and lashings (from www.scouts.org.uk/ oursportingadventure) INSTRUCTIONS 1. Teach each Cub how to tie a clove hitch, reef knot and square lashing 2. In their Sixes, challenge them to build a flag pole, and a gateway.

ONGER INSTRUCTIONS 1. Get the necessary permission from the landowner before the activity, and make sure parents/carers know in advance so that the Cubs will be suitably dressed.

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THE NAME GAME

VALUES Friendship, Respect PROGRAMME ZONES Community, Beliefs and Attitudes DESCRIPTION A getting-to-know-you game, where the Cubs search for a name to match a sheet of characteristics.

TIME 10-15 mins EQUIPMENT • Activity sheet (from www.scouts.org.uk/oursportingadventure) • Pencil INSTRUCTIONS 1. Give each Cub a pencil and the sheet of paper with categories that could relate to members of the Pack.

2. Explain that they have to try and get a name for each item by asking different Cubs (or leaders ) if they can fill in a space. Some might be easier than others (and you should feel free to amend the sheet according to your Pack).

3. Give the Cubs a set time to complete as much of the sheet possible. There are no right or wrong answers. The idea is to talk to as many different Cubs as possible and find out something about the ones they may not know as well.

ALPHABETICAL SCAVENGER HUNT

VALUE Excellence PROGRAMME ZONES Outdoor and Adventure, Community DESCRIPTION Let your Cubs find their way from A to Z in this fun scavenger hunt.

TIME One meeting EQUIPMENT • A-Z checklist (one per Cub) • Pens and pencils

INSTRUCTIONS 1. Give each Cub a checklist and explain that they have to find something that corresponds to each letter of the alphabet, for example A = apple core, F = feather.

2. In their Sixes, send the Cubs out to explore the area around your meeting place. Give them a strict time limit.

3. Get them to write or draw what they find on the checklist and the person with the most letters ticked off is the winner. Cubs shouldn’t pick up any of the objects.

4. If you want to challenge your Cubs further, you could give them a set route to follow and tell them they have to complete the checklist in order.

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WALK THE MARATHON

VALUE Determination PROGRAMME ZONES Fitness, Outdoor and Adventure DESCRIPTION Push your Cubs’ endurance levels in this mega walking challenge.

TIME Over a period of several weeks EQUIPMENT None INSTRUCTIONS 1. Walk 42.195 kilometres (26 miles and 385 yards) as a Pack.

2. You could either challenge each Cub to walk the distance in more ‘bite sized’ chunks over a period of time, or each Cub could be responsible for walking 2km which would cover 44km if you have 22 Cubs in the Pack. Make a wall chart showing Cubs’ progress.

SOAP TROPHY

VALUE Inspiration, Excellence PROGRAMME ZONES Creative, Beliefs and Attitudes DESCRIPTION Can your Cubs come up with a trophy fit for a champ from just a bar of soap?

TIME One meeting EQUIPMENT • Blank paper • Pens and pencils • Bar of soap per Cub • Plastic picnic knives (or similar), one per Cub INSTRUCTIONS 1. Get the Cubs to think about who their heroes are, or the people that inspire them. They don’t have to be famous people, but could be people such as a parent, a teacher, or even the Cub Leader.

2. Once every Cub has thought of someone, explain that they are going to create a trophy for this person. The design of the trophy will need to be thought through beforehand, as they will be

carving it out of soap. Let each Cub draw their design before giving them the soap.

3. Give each Cub a bar of soap and a plastic knife and explain the safety aspects.

4. It may take some time for them to get used to the carving techniques, but you are sure to be amazed by the final creations!

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LIFE CYCLES

VALUES Respect, Inspiration PROGRAMME ZONES Creative, Outdoor and Adventure DESCRIPTION Test your Cubs’ investigative skills as they learn about the life cycles of different animals.

TIME One meeting EQUIPMENT • Paper • Glue • Scissors • Sticky tape • Reference material • Pens and pencils • Craft materials INSTRUCTIONS 1. Before the meeting, gather some reference material on butterflies, moths and frogs and their respective life cycles.

2. Let each Cub decide whether they would like to concentrate on butterflies, moths or frogs.

3. Give them ten minutes to find out all they can about their chosen species, including the different breeds and their life cycle.

4. Challenge them to identify at least six breeds of their chosen species.

5. In small groups, ask them to design a poster showing their chosen species life cycle.

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BLESSINGS

TIN-CAN TELEPHONES

VALUES Inspiration, Respect PROGRAMME ZONE Beliefs and Attitudes DESCRIPTION It’s the little things which make us happy. Get your Cubs to take time out to think of the everyday blessings that make their life great.

TIME Two meetings

VALUE Determination PROGRAMME ZONE Creative DESCRIPTION Teach your Cub Scouts the power of communication in this new twist on Chinese Whispers.

TIME 40 mins

EQUIPMENT • Pen and paper

EQUIPMENT • Plastic cups • String • Scissors • Pen and paper

INSTRUCTIONS 1. During the first meeting, introduce the activity, explaining to the Cubs that every day over the next week they are going to think of ten different things that they consider blessings in their life. Give examples from your own life: it could be the smell of fresh coffee, having a giggle with your friends, spending time with your family, enjoying a good meal.

2. Over the next week the Cubs and leaders write down ten different things each day.

3. At the next meeting, ask each person to read out a few of their blessings from the week – these will soon mount up and there will be a variety of blessings.

4. Put all the blessings together in a book and allow the Cubs and leaders the opportunity to read what others have as blessings.

INSTRUCTIONS 1. Explain to the Cubs that you are all going to make tin-can telephones and use them to pass messages around the Pack.

2. Each telephone will be made of two plastic cups and a length of string. You will need to make a small hole in the bottom of each cup before the meeting.

3. Give each Cub two cups and a length of string and ask them to thread the string through the bottom of each cup and tie a big knot inside the cups – the telephones are now ready to use.

4. Pair up the Cubs and allow them to try out their telephones. They will soon work out that to use them the string has to be taut for messages to pass from one to another.

5. Ask a few Cubs to make up a message to do with the Olympic and Paralympic Games. In the meantime spread the Cubs out (preferably in a circle) so that they can pass the message using the telephone – do the messages get back to the first person without being changed?

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MAP YOUR WORLD

VALUE Inspiration PROGRAMME ZONE Creative DESCRIPTION The Pack makes a 3D map of their local area, this can show local amenities including where they meet, tourist spots etc TIME One meeting EQUIPMENT • A3 card • Cardboard boxes • Sticky tape • Scissors • Felt-tipped pens • Pencils • Crayons • Rulers • Map of local area INSTRUCTIONS 1. Explain to the Pack that they are going to make a 3D map of their local area. To help make this easier, divide the Pack into Sixes and ask them to work on a different part of the map.

2. To help each Six, give them the portion of the map they are working on.

3. To start with, the Six will mark out their bit of the map. They will need to work with the other Sixes on the areas that they join up with.

4. Once the map has been drawn, the Sixes can start making models of important buildings on their bit of the map. This could be the library, post office, park, castle, places of worship etc.

5. Once all the parts of the map are complete, join these all up with the models to show a 3D model of the local area.

IN THE COMMUNITY

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VALUE Respect PROGRAMME ZONE Community DESCRIPTION Find out first-hand the good deeds done by people working in your community.

TIME One meeting EQUIPMENT • Pens • Colouring pens INSTRUCTIONS 1. Talk to the Cubs about people who help in your local community. Examples could be the police service, fire service, medical workers, traffic wardens, lifeboat crew, mountain rescue etc.

2. Arrange a visit by one of these people, or if possible, arrange to visit them yourselves at their workplace.

3. Follow all procedures for taking Cubs on an outing and make sure parents have been informed.

4. Ask Cubs to report on or draw a picture about the visit.

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MY SISTINE CHAPEL

MINI PARACHUTES

VALUE Inspiration PROGRAMME ZONES Creative, Beliefs and Attitudes DESCRIPTION Cubs can follow in the footsteps of a master as they create their own mini Sistine Chapel ceiling.

TIME One meeting

VALUES Determination, Inspiration PROGRAMME ZONES Creative, Outdoor and Adventure DESCRIPTION Cubs can put their engineering skills to the test when they compete to build the most effective parachute.

TIME One meeting

EQUIPMENT • Large sheets of paper – rolls of wallpaper or newsprint • Pencils • Craft material • Tables and chairs • Sticky tape • Glue • Pasta, lentils etc

EQUIPMENT • Craft material • Scissors • Plastic bags • String

INSTRUCTIONS 1. Introduce the Cubs to the story of the Sistine Chapel, describing the hard work put in by Michelangelo, painting upside down and very high up.

2. Explain to the Cubs that they are going to create their own version of the Sistine Chapel ceiling and in a similar way that Michelangelo created the original.

3. Tape pieces of paper to the underside of tables and chairs – the Cubs have to be able to get underneath to create their artwork 4. Before they start, ask them to think about the design of their picture.

5. Each Cub then creates their artwork on the underside of the tables and chairs using the craft material 6. When all the Cubs have finished their artwork have an exhibition – you can either pin the art to the walls or ask the Cubs to view the art still stuck to the underside of the tables and chairs.

INSTRUCTIONS 1. Before the meeting create your own simple parachute so that the Cubs know what they need to do. You will need a square of plastic, four lengths of string and some form of weight (Blu-Tack works well for this).

2. Let the Cubs create their own mini parachute using the materials – this could be as simple as your model or they could make very elaborate ones.

3. When all the parachutes are finished, take them outside and test them out. The Cubs will see how well (or not) they work and could have a discussion on the best design.

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FAITH VISIT

VALUES Inspiration, Equality PROGRAMME ZONES Beliefs and Attitudes, Community DESCRIPTION Introduce the Cubs to a different culture with a fact-finding mission to a place of worship.

TIME Two meetings EQUIPMENT • Map of local area INSTRUCTIONS 1. On a map identify local places of worship, and which faith they relate to.

2. See if any of the Cubs attend any of the places on the list. Do they all know where they are?

3. Organise a visit to one of the places that the fewest Cubs have been to.

4. Before the visit, help the Cubs think of some questions they can ask while they are there.

5. Get them to find out some information about the building, its contents and its form of worship.

PICTURES IN PICTURES

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VALUE Inspiration PROGRAMME ZONE Creative DESCRIPTION Have your Cubs got what it takes to be super spies? Test their espionage skills in this fun activity inspired by Lord Baden-Powell.

TIME 1 hour EQUIPMENT • Paper and pens • Pencils • Crayons • Felt-tipped pens • Images of the moth drawings with the hidden maps inside (from www.scouts.org.uk/ oursportingadventure) INSTRUCTIONS 1. Explain to the Cubs that when Baden-Powell was a spy in the Mediterranean he used to hide the maps he had drawn of the enemies’ strongholds within drawings of moths.

2. Ask the Cubs to draw a picture with another picture hidden inside it in some way.

3. When the pictures are all drawn, hold an exhibition and see if the others can find the hidden picture.

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SILVER

Silver activities require a little more commitment, whether in the planning or the levels the Cub Scouts need to reach. That’s why they’re each worth 100 points.

THE REAL ABOLITIONISTS

VALUES Equality, Respect PROGRAMME ZONE Beliefs and Attitudes DESCRIPTION The Cubs start thinking about the theme of resistance to slavery and the contribution of women to the anti-slavery campaign; in particular, Mary Prince.

TIME Two or three meetings EQUIPMENT • A4 and A3 paper • Pens and pencils • Felt-tipped pens • Rulers • Excerpt from Mary Prince’s book and information about her (from www.scouts.org.uk/oursportingadventure)

INSTRUCTIONS 1. The Cubs in their Sixes are journalists who hear Mary Prince (one of the leaders) reading an excerpt from her book at a public meeting in the Town Hall. This is the first time that they have heard someone talking in this way about slavery in connection with the UK. The reading deeply moves them and they want to write an article about Mary Prince and the slave trade for a national newspaper.

2. As well as writing the article the Sixes need to think of an eye-catching headline to make people want to read it. The article needs to make people aware of who Mary Prince is, her plight and others who have been and are still enslaved.

3. As well as writing the article, ask each Six to design a poster to advertise Mary’s book to encourage as many people to buy and read it.

The advert needs to be clear and simple but also thought-provoking and relevant.

Note: Activity used with permission of Anti Slavery International

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TIME-TRAVELLING SPORTATHON

VALUES All PROGRAMME ZONES Fitness, Global DESCRIPTION Take the Pack back in time to Ancient Greece and compete in events inspired by the first Olympic Games.

TIME One meeting EQUIPMENT • Old bed sheets • Broom handles/foam tubes • Heavy disc/metal plate/frisbee • Heavy ball • Tape measure • Stopwatch • Paper and pens • Sound effects of a time machine • Belt/string • Bronze, silver and gold medals

INSTRUCTIONS 1. Tell the Pack that you are going to travel back in time. Get them to close their eyes.

2. While they are doing this, play the time machine sound effects and get out the sheets, belts and string.

3. When the sound effects finish, help the Cubs put their togas on (old sheets) and use the belts/ string to tie around their waists.

4. Now give each Six the name of an Ancient Greek City State eg Athens, Sparta, Troy etc. Once you have done this, run some athletic sports such as: - Running races - Relay races - Javelin, using a broom handle or foam tubes - Discus, using the disc/plate/frisbee - Shot put, using the ball - Long jump.

5. After each event, hold an awards ceremony and award the relevant medals. Why not see if a special guest can come down for the night and award these?

6. To go a step further, you could start off with the entry of the teams at Mount Olympus, where the Cubs could parade behind flags that you make at a Pack meeting prior to this event. You could even get your District to organise this and have several Pack meetings where you make your flags and costumes .

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SILVER

ATHLETIC VISIT

CITIUS – FASTER

VALUES Excellence, Inspiration PROGRAMME ZONE Fitness DESCRIPTION Your Cubs can get the inside line on what it’s like to be an athlete with a visit to your local sporting club or event.

TIME One meeting EQUIPMENT None

VALUE Determination PROGRAMME ZONE Creative DESCRIPTION Inspired by the Olympic Motto Citius, Altius, Fortius (Faster, Higher, Stronger), bring out your Cubs’ competitive edge in this challenge to build and race boats.

TIME One or two meetings

INSTRUCTIONS 1. Research where your nearest athletics or other sporting club is and arrange a visit. It’s likely there will be a rowing, sailing, tennis or archery club nearby that would let you come down for the evening. Make sure you follow the rules and guidelines for taking Cubs on an outing and running an activity with external providers.

2. Before the visit, ask the Cubs to come up with some questions they want to ask or some of the things they’re expecting to see.

3. Liaise with the club and organise what the Cubs will be able to do on the visit. Explore the possibility of Cubs being able to try some of the events.

4. After the visit, ask Cubs to collaborate on a poster, which shows all the things available to do at the place you visited.

EQUIPMENT • Balloons • Lolly sticks • Sticky tape • Elastic bands • Cardboard • Scissors • Blu-Tack • Silver takeaway containers • Empty plastic bottles/food containers • Glue • Paper • Paddling pool/similar (to race the boats across) INSTRUCTIONS 1. In their Sixes, Cubs have to design, build and then race a vessel that can float on water.

2. Give them 15 minutes to design their boat, explaining that one of the rules of the race will be that once it is in the water, no-one is allowed to touch it.

3. Cubs then have 20-30 minutes to build and test their constructions. Once the time is up, race them across the water .

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ALTIUS – HIGHER

VALUES Respect, Friendship, Inspiration PROGRAMME ZONES Beliefs and Attitudes, Fitness DESCRIPTION Inspired by the Olympic Motto Citius, Altius, Fortius (Faster, Higher, Stronger), take your Cubs to new heights for a very special Scouts’ Own. TIME Several meetings EQUIPMENT • Maps of your local area • Any equipment needed to run the Scouts’ Own • Instructions to tie a friendship knot (www.scouts.org.uk/oursportingadventure) INSTRUCTIONS 1. With your Cubs, work out where the highest place around your meeting place is. It could be a church tower, tower block or hill.

2. Based on the location chosen (and depending on the necessary permission), plan a Scouts’ Own with the Cubs, to hold at your ‘high point’.

3. Are there any particular songs or poems that the Cubs enjoy and feel inspired by? Get them to draw pictures of things that they are thankful for, that you can talk about at the Scouts’ Own. 4. Consider reading out ‘Smiles’ before discussing the pictures, finishing up with ‘A Knotty Problem’ and teaching your Cubs to tie a friendship knot. Get instructions from www.scouts.org.uk/oursportingadventure

Smiles - Karen McLendon-Laumenn Smiling is infectious You can catch it like the flu; When someone smiled at me today I started smiling too!

I passed around the corner And someone saw me grin; When then he smiled I realised I’d passed it on to him!

I thought about this smile And realised it’s worth; A single smile like this Could travel round the earth!

If you feel a smile begin Don’t leave it undetected; Let’s start an epidemic, quick!

And get the world infected!

A Knotty Problem - unknown If I were a knot, which knot would I be?

I could be a bowline, a knot that is dependable and safe.

Maybe I could be a reef knot, everyone knows a reef knot regardless of background, origin or country.

Perhaps I could be a half hitch, a safety knot, a knot that ties off loose ends and complements other knots.

How about a sheet bend, holding everything together no matter what their strengths or abilities?

No, I don’t think so, these knots aren’t for me, they are too hard. I think perhaps I’ll be a friendship knot.

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FORTIUS – STRONGER

TRADING POST

VALUE Friendship PROGRAMME ZONES Community, Creative DESCRIPTION Inspired by the Olympic Motto Citius, Altius, Fortius (Faster, Higher, Stronger), get your Cubs to work together and with another section to put on a very special event.

TIME Several meetings EQUIPMENT Variable

VALUES Excellence, Equality PROGRAMME ZONES Creative, Global, Beliefs and Attitudes DESCRIPTION Teamwork is the key to success in this competitive and varied challenge to win a medal.

TIME One hour

INSTRUCTIONS 1. This activity allows Cubs to explore how working together makes us stronger, emphasising the Fortius part of the motto .

2. Join up with your Scout Troop to put on an event for others. An example would be a party for your local senior citizens’ club or residential centre.

3. Pick a suitable venue and a date – two and a half hours in the afternoon works well.

4. The Scouts could act as hosts, organising the visit, venue and producing invitations.

5. Meanwhile, the Cubs can prepare entertainment for the afternoon. Plays, sketches and songs go down well. Make sure they understand they need to speak loudly, slowly and clearly and are well-rehearsed.

6. Nearer the time, Cubs can make table decorations and crackers.

7. Plan out the afternoon to include the Cubs’ entertainment, perhaps some music if the young people are talented that way and snacks.

8. Run through your afternoon event.

9. Consider the possibility of this being an annual event.

10. At the end of the event, talk about whether working together with the Scouts helped make the job of organising the event much easier.

EQUIPMENT • Different coloured pasta to represent different amounts for the tokens • Pre-agreed sheet of questions for bingo (www.scouts.org.uk/oursportingadventure) • Paper and pens • Thread for friendship bracelet and instructions for making (www.scouts.org.uk/ oursportingadventure) • Washing-up bowl of water • Cream crackers • Stopwatch • Medals/certificates for winners INSTRUCTIONS 1. Explain to the Cubs the variety of tasks to be completed and that the aim of the game is to get the most tokens.

2. Cubs can complete the tasks in whichever order they would like and can complete the same one more than once (eg made a paper boat that sank but made changes to it and tried again) each turn will incur the relevant cost.

3. Leaders are responsible for handing out the tokens (pasta), for counting up and announcing the winner at the end and presenting a medal or certificate.

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The tasks • Friendship bingo: How well do you know the rest of your pack? Hand out the grid with set of questions (eg someone who plays a sport, someone who has a sister etc.)

Cost: 3 tokens for pen, paper and leader time to check Completion: 1 token for every space correctly filled • A to Z of Olympic events : Can you think of an event for every letter?

Cost: 3 tokens for pen, paper and leader time to check Completion: 1 token for every correct answer • Make a friendship bracelet: Collect them at end of night and distribute among Cubs Cost: 3 tokens for thread and instructions Completion: 40 tokens • Make a paper sailing boat that will stay afloat with a small weight in it Cost: 2 tokens for paper and use of the ‘lake’ Completion: 30 tokens upon boat successfully staying afloat for 4 minutes.

• Cream cracker challenge: Can you eat a cream cracker and whistle in 30 seconds?

Cost: 2 tokens for cracker and leader to keep time Successful completion: 25 tokens • How many press-ups can you do in a minute?

Cost: 1 token for leader time Completion: a token for every press-up.

FEAST OR FAMINE BANQUET

VALUE Equality PROGRAMME ZONES Global, Beliefs and Attitudes, Creative DESCRIPTION Show Cubs the reality of the world’s inequalities in this challenge which highlights the issues faced by people on a low income.

TIME 1 hr 30mins EQUIPMENT • Cooking equipment • Various ingredients depending on the meals you choose INSTRUCTIONS 1. As Cubs enter the meeting place, split them into three groups: high, middle or low income.

2. The low-income group are given rice that they have to cook. They have no cutlery to eat with and have to sit on the floor.

3. The middle-income group have to cook their own rice and beans, which they can eat with a fork, sitting at a table.

4. The high-income group have meat, potatoes to make mash (which you may need to pre-cook a little beforehand), butter, and some vegetables.

This group should also be given some form of dessert. They can sit at a table with a tablecloth and have a full set of cutlery each.

5. At the end of the feast, discuss how it felt to see what the others were eating, and what they think can/should be done to overcome the inequalities.

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PYRAMID FIRES

VALUES Determination, Courage PROGRAMME ZONE Outdoor and Adventure DESCRIPTION One match is all it takes… Can your Cubs build and light a pyramid fire?

TIME One meeting EQUIPMENT • Punk wood or tinder – dead leaves, paper, bark, birch, wood chippings, pine cones • Kindling — thin twigs and sticks • Larger twigs, sticks, and wood of different sizes • Logs or stones to contain the fire (optional) • Matches (kept in a plastic bag or waxed in case of wet weather) • Knife or spade if turf needs lifting • Bucket of water, sand or fine soil INSTRUCTIONS 1. Give a brief explanation of what to do first (see instructions below) and then divide the Cubs into smaller groups (the smaller the better, but there should be one adult per group) to light a fire and to report back on what happens.

2. Stand the first twig upright in the ground and surround it with tinder or punk wood.

SOPHIE CHRISTIANSEN, PARALYMPIC EQUESTRIAN What are you most looking forward to about the London 2012 Paralympic Games?

Having been to Athens and Beijing, the Games are such an amazing and unique experience. I would love to have my friends and family share with me in the biggest sporting event on the planet. London will be transformed so that Great Britain can be proud that the world’s eyes are on us.

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3. Build a wigwam shape by surrounding your tinder with kindling.

4. U se progressively thicker twigs, expanding the shape but leaving a gap at the bottom for your fire.

5. Light a match, shielding the flame in your hand and getting as near as possible to the fire.

6. Light the tinder or punk and any small pieces of kindling.

7. Add more twigs as necessary to each flame until it spreads to thicker wood.

8. I f you need to blow the fire, get in close and blow gently.

9. Once alight add larger and larger twigs and sticks. Then add a few pieces of wood at one end so that they catch light. When these are well alight, add more wood to the other end.

10. When it is firmly established, and the wigwam shape has been abandoned, lay bricks or thick logs parallel with the wind direction on either side of the fire.

11. If you build a fire carefully, you should be able to light it with one match. Never use paraffin or petrol to get a fire going.

What inspires you?

I have always wanted to push myself to my full potential in everything that I do. The pinnacle of my sport is winning a Paralympic gold medal, so that’s what inspires me to train every day. Having a goal at the end helps you focus.

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MAKE A SPLASH

VALUE Courage PROGRAMME ZONES Fitness, Outdoor and Adventure DESCRIPTION It’s time to take to the seas, well maybe just the water, in an evening of adventures in boats.

TIME 2 hours EQUIPMENT • Will depend on the chosen activity INSTRUCTIONS 1. Find a local provider of water activities, such as a local leader within Scouting, parent or local centre. Organise an outing for your Pack. Follow the relevant activity rules in chapter 9 of POR. 2. Try to use a type of boat the Cubs haven’t experienced before. There is no real limit to what you could do, just what is available locally.

3. Once you’ve made your plans it’s time to get the Cubs on the water. Make sure you’ve checked who can and can’t swim (although this won’t stop them from taking part) and then get going.

You could arrange for them to play games, learn new skills or have races (bell boats and dragon boats are great for this).

CLIMBING MARATHON

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VALUES Determination, Courage PROGRAMME ZONE Fitness DESCRIPTION Put the Cubs’ stamina to the test in this physical challenge.

TIME 2 hours EQUIPMENT • Local climbing wall INSTRUCTIONS 1. Challenge your Cubs to do a team marathon on a climbing wall. This could be a revolving wall where they are always quite close to the ground, a man-made climbing wall at your local campsite, a mobile climbing tower or even on real rock.

2. As a group you could challenge the Cubs to climb for a certain time, or to a certain height.

Note: Make sure you follow the activity rules for climbing in chapter 9 of POR

Note: You will need to make sure the Cubs come appropriately dressed, with clothes that can get wet, waterproofs in case it rains and shoes which can get wet and muddy.

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SILVER

WILDLIFE DOCUMENTARY

VALUES Respect, Inspiration PROGRAMME ZONES Outdoor and Adventure, Creative DESCRIPTION Turn your Cubs into wildlife experts as they go behind the camera to make their own documentary.

TIME 2 hours EQUIPMENT • Wildlife reference books/facts from the internet • Coloured paper/card • Colouring pencils/pens • Paint • Craft materials • Cloth • Scissors and glue • Stills/video cameras INSTRUCTIONS 1. In Sixes let the Cubs decide what their documentary is going to be about. It could be one particular species, or habitat, or a specific topic such as migration.

2. Encourage them to think about any existing knowledge/experience they may have before they go away and research their topic.

3. At the next meeting provide them with some more information about their chosen subject (for those Cubs that always return empty handed!).

4. Explain how most wildlife documentaries rely on good background knowledge of the subject, charismatic presenters, some form of script, and amazing visuals.

5. As a Six, they need to ensure that their documentary has all of these qualities. They are unlikely to get film footage of their chosen subject, so they will have to improvise by drawing/painting scenes, or creating costumes for ‘live footage’.

6. Set them a time limit for the length of their documentary – between five and ten minutes should be enough.

7. Once they are all ready, give each Six a chance to show their completed wildlife documentary to the rest of the Pack.

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COMMUNICATION WIDE GAME

VALUE Determination PROGRAMME ZONES Outdoor and Adventure, Creative DESCRIPTION A wide game where task instructions have to be passed around the Pack over a large area using different communication methods.

TIME: 2-3 hours EQUIPMENT • Semaphore flags (home made) and semaphore alphabet lists (www.scouts.org.uk/ oursportingadventure) • Whistle • Morse code lists • Sign language alphabet (www.scouts.org.uk/ oursportingadventure) • Tin-can telephones (made during bronze activity) • Pen and paper • Equipment to complete the task INSTRUCTIONS 1. This meeting should be run at a Scout Activity Centre or another place with lots of open space.

2. Before the meeting decide what activity the Six at the end of the communication chain have to do, this could be to build and light a fire, make a card using specific instructions etc.

3. Divide the Pack into Sixes and give each Six a specific space to stand.

4. The first Six will have to use one method of communication to pass a set of instructions to the next Six. They will have another communication method to pass the instructions to the third Six and so on.

5. The instructions should be passed a little bit a time. The instructions should be quite short so that the full message will get through.

6. The final Six will be receiving the instructions and completing the task.

WATER, WATER EVERYWHERE

VALUES Equality, Respect PROGRAMME ZONES Global, Beliefs and Attitudes DESCRIPTION Help Cubs realise how much water they use during a week and how they can save water.

TIME Several meetings EQUIPMENT • Paper and pens • Water usage table (from www.scouts.org.uk/oursportingadventure) • Tips for saving water in the home (www.water-guide.org.uk) INSTRUCTIONS 1. During the first meeting explain to the Cubs that they are going find out how much water they use during the week, for drinking, washing and cooking.

2. Hand out the table so that the Cubs can work out during the week how much water they use.

3. At the second meeting find out how much each Cub has used during the week. Look at the tables with them; see if they can work out how they could save water.

4. During the second week they try to save water (whilst maintaining basic hygiene). At the third meeting compare the differences. The challenge is to maintain this.

5. To bring home to the Cubs how lucky they are to have so much water available, on one day at your next camp each Cub is only allowed to use the same amount of water that a child in a developing country uses which is ten litres.

On average people in Britain use about 150-200 litres. Tell the Cubs that for many people the water they have access to is neither clean nor safe to collect.

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GOLD

To get a gold medal, you need to be determined and courageous. How many of these more challenging activities will your team tick off?

THE GREATEST SHOW ON EARTH

VALUE Excellence PROGRAMME ZONE Fitness DESCRIPTION It’s the greatest show on Earth and Cubs will get the chance to learn first-hand the huge variety of sports available in the Olympic and Paralympic Games as they learn about – and even try out – some of London 2012’s most challenging events.

TIME At least 3-4 meetings EQUIPMENT • Cards/sticky notes • Equipment to try out the different sports INSTRUCTIONS 1. Before a meeting, prepare cards or sticky notes each with a different Olympic or Paralympic sport written on them. Some examples: • Swimming/diving/water polo • Cycling • Hockey • Volleyball/ football/ handball/ goalball/boccia • Tennis/table tennis • Rowing/sailing • Athletics/gymnastics • Fencing • Boxing • Archery/shooting • Equestrian

2. Ask the Cubs to decide in a group whether sports are team efforts or competed in by individuals.

Ask anyone who has heard of a particular event to describe it to everybody else. Do they know anybody who actually plays that sport?

3. Give each of the Cubs (or in pairs) a sport and give them until the next meeting to find out more about it and whether it would be a good sport for the Cubs to do.

4. Once all Cubs have reported back on their sports, compile a chart and ask Cubs to shout out at least one ‘good thing’ and ‘bad thing’ about the sport being suitable for them to take part in.

Then have a vote and select which sports they’d like to take part in or see demonstrated.

5. Once the sports have been selected, arrange for visits to the nearest facility where these sports can be demonstrated to you. If Cubs have shown an interest in a sport which may not be appropriate (eg boxing) or there isn’t equipment readily available, arrange for these sports to be demonstrated, but come up with safer alternatives.

6. Arrange, over several meetings, for the sports to be demonstrated and then give the Cubs the chance to have a go. Take photos and keep scores so you can reward achievement and progress, as well as look back on great memories.

7. Once the events are over, arrange a special evening of prize-giving or rewards for taking part. Ask the Cubs which sports were their favourites and what they learned, and consider doing the sport again as a Pack, to encourage repeat plays.

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10-MILE BIKE TRIP

VALUE Determination PROGRAMME ZONES Outdoor and Adventure, Fitness DESCRIPTION What’s the best way to understand the pluck and determination needed by an Olympic or Paralympic athlete? Put your Cubs’ strength and stamina to the test, and have a lot of fun along the way, with a 10-mile bike ride.

TIME 2–3 meetings of planning. Full day for the bike ride.

EQUIPMENT • Bicycles • Cycle repair equipment • Stopwatch or timer • Camera • Map • Compasses INSTRUCTIONS 1. Introduce to the Cubs the idea of endurance, determination and stamina. Talk not only about physical determination leading to medals and sporting achievements, but also the determination of people to overcome adversity, like growing up in less fortunate circumstances or with a disability.

2. Discuss with them the concept of a mile, using landmarks or distances between areas which would be known to them, and ask them to guess how many miles they would be able to walk/run/cycle/swim before they got tired. Use examples like the Tour de France or marathons all over the world to show how far people can go when they push themselves.

3. Consider doing the requirements of the Cub Cyclist Activity Badge as a group before commencing the 10-mile challenge.

4. As a group, plan together the route you may take on a 10-mile bike ride. Talk about the different kind of terrains you’d encounter and also ask the Cubs to identify which would be the easiest to cycle on. When the route is planned, and depending on the size of the group, make one or two Cub Scouts ‘responsible’ for each mile of the challenge. Get them to find out more about it (from the internet or their family, or you could help point them in right direction) and report back on it. What’s the terrain like? Is there anything interesting to see? Where could they stop for refreshments or to use the loo?

5. When drawing up the final route ensure that it is challenging, yet achievable, and there are ample opportunities for Cubs to stop and rest or have refreshments.

6. When doing the ride, take it fairly gently and consider stopping after every mile to get feedback from Cubs on how they did. Stop and point out interesting landmarks. Get someone to time each mile, too. It’s a good way to see if anyone is flagging.

7. In case of bad weather, consider doing half the route on another day.

8. A sk Cubs to feed back on their experiences after the ride. Talk about the different cycling events in the Olympic and Paralympic Games and discuss how much more challenging the task would have been using a different kind of bike/terrain/distance or being less able. Work out the time taken, average time per mile and make a list of all the interesting things you encountered, using photos and Cubs’ personal accounts or artwork.

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GOLD

FRIENDSHIP CAMP

VALUE Friendship PROGRAMME ZONES Community, Outdoor and Adventure DESCRIPTION What better way to meet new people and find out if they like the same things as you than organising a camp with another Pack or section? Share knowledge, swap stories and enter into a little friendly competition to make some new friends for life.

TIME Four months or so planning, with at least two meetings of icebreaking/activities before the camp itself.

EQUIPMENT • Tents • Cooking equipment • First aid kit • Stills/video camera • Other equipment will depend on the activities chosen INSTRUCTIONS 1. You should start your planning for the camp around 4-5 months in advance. You should refer to and follow the procedures for taking Cubs on a residential experience. Some key points during the planning stage: • Connect with another Cub Pack or other section to gauge interest in a combined camping trip.

• Choose, visit and book a campsite, or consider a night or two at a Scout Activity Centre.

• Complete Nights Away notification • Select helpers and make sure that they go through the personal enquiry process.

• Arrange transportation of kit to campsite.

• Produce menu and order supplies (online if possible, so it can be delivered).

• Make sure you have alternative. accommodation in case of adverse weather.

2. Before the camp, hold a combined meeting of

BEN AINSLIE, OLYMPIC SAILOR What are you most looking forward to about the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games?

It will be fantastic to compete in front of a home crowd, racing on British waters in the Olympic Games is a once in a lifetime opportunity.

What inspires you?

Winning and achievement inspires me. Every

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both sections Packs to be involved in the camp and play a couple of icebreaker games to ensure that everyone has met one another. Discuss the possibility of a theme for the camp and consider dividing the sections Packs into two or more teams (made up of members from each sections Pack) to encourage them to mingle and work together in their team.

3. Draw up a list of activities that will encourage these teams to work together. Some ideas are: • Teams cooking/washing up together in a production line.

• Checking, in pairs, that all tents are put up correctly.

• Trust games.

• Small sports tournaments.

• Activities which encourage co-operation like crate stacking etc.

• Bronze-level Our Sporting Adventure challenges.

4. When running the camp, keep a log of teams’ performance in challenges and also be sure to document events with a stills or video camera, if available.

5. After the camp, put together a Pack report, scrapbook or mock-up newspaper and invite the other section Pack to a meeting where you can discuss the report and share memories of the camp. Hand out prizes to Cubs (from each Pack) for various achievements and offer a copy of the report/scrapbook/newspaper to the other section as a memento.

6. Invite the other section Pack back regularly to other meetings or events to encourage ongoing friendship, and consider doing it all over again and adding a third section Pack next year, as if organising your own mini-Jamboree.

Note: Make sure you follow the Nights Away Permit Scheme (www.scouts.org.uk/nightsaway)

day I go sailing I set goals; this can be the smallest tweak on a training day or the biggest push on a medal race day. It’s also important to always look ahead to the next test. That’s why sailing is such a great sport to be involved in, it’s very diverse with many different challenges.

Alongside the Olympic sailing I have also been involved in the America’s Cup; these two challenges have kept me fresh and inspired.

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EVERY CUB SWIM A MILE

VALUE Courage PROGRAMME ZONES Fitness, Global DESCRIPTION It’s fun, it keeps you fit and, more importantly, can save your life. Bring out your Cubs’ aquatic side with a challenge for swimmers at all levels.

TIME Several meetings EQUIPMENT • Swimming costume • Towels • Paper and pens INSTRUCTIONS 1. At a meeting, talk to the Cubs about the health benefits of swimming. Ask if there are any Cubs who can already swim. If there are, ask them how long they have been able to swim. Consider asking parents when they collect their children about their swimming ability, or send a note home, as the Cubs might think they’re better swimmers than they actually are.

2. Ask the Cubs if they know how long a mile is.

To put it into context, take them on a mile-long walk or talk about the mile as a measurement between two places they will know very well.

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3. Explain that as a special challenge, every Cub in the Pack is going to have a taste at being an Olympic hero and swim a whole mile. If any of the Cubs are nervous about the idea of learning to swim or being in the water, consider the idea of having the Cubs complete their challenge in pairs, so they can support one another and/ or (if they manage to overcome their fears and become fairly accomplished swimmers) to introduce a friendly competitive edge.

4. Organise some sessions at your local swimming pool with a trained instructor. Even those who can already swim can get involved, helping and encouraging non-swimmers or honing their own technique. Introduce elements from the Swimmer Staged Activity Badge to allow Cubs to work towards this.

5. Divide the mile challenge into separate tasks to be completed over the course of several meetings. Cubs could even do part of their challenge with their families or in school swimming sessions, as long as family and school support this and the Cub Scout is supervised.

6. Measure the Cubs’ progress on a wall chart or some kind of measuring system that allows them to see how far they’ve come. Perhaps measure the total mileage achieved in distances to well-known, local places, or worldwide landmarks, countries or things like football pitches etc.

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GOLD

ADOPT PART OF YOUR COMMUNITY

VALUE Respect PROGRAMME ZONES Community, Global DESCRIPTION Looking after where you live or play is the first step to caring about your community and the world as a whole. Encourage your Pack to tackle a community project and really make a difference.

TIME Several meetings EQUIPMENT • Depends on the chosen activities INSTRUCTIONS 1. Ask the Pack to think about their local area and community and write down on a piece of paper one thing they’d love to make better about it. To give them ideas and keep suggestions relatively realistic, ask them to think about their local parks, neighbourhoods and facilities or wildlife.

2. Read out the suggestions and, with agreement from the Pack, place them in categories numbered 1 to 3, with 1 being the easiest to achieve and 3 being the most difficult. As you categorise each suggestion, talk through with the Cubs why they are being categorised in that way. Some suggestions may require too much money, or not be physically possible.

3. Assuming there are at least three projects which are achievable (if not, hold the suggestion process again but thinking about a specific issue – suggestions below), debate with the Cubs which project/issue the Pack should take on. Perhaps ask the Cubs who suggested each project in the final three to say a few words why it is important to them. Hold a vote (either a show of hands or a secret ballot) until the Cubs have chosen a project. If there’s no clear winner or the choice is causing division within the group, consider running two scaled-down projects side-by-side.

If you’re struggling to choose an area, ask your Pack to pick their top three locations and list the pros and cons of each to help you decide.

Or why not ask your local community? What would they like the Cubs to do? You could run a competition in your local newspaper or library.

Ideas for suggestions Green spaces • Tidy your nearest park or community garden • Start a local beach clean project • Clear a cycle or footpath of litter Conservation • Complete a wildlife audit • Set up bat or bird boxes in a conservation area • Create a haven for bees • Clean your local pond • Plant trees with your local council.

Up your street • Offer to tidy residents’ front gardens • Organise a street party with Scout activities • Paint a mural over graffiti • Help out local residents on their allotment 4. Keep a log of progress on the project, taking photos as you go along, and asking different Cubs to keep a diary of events. These don’t have to be in-depth – just a top 3 or 5 things that have happened on each day (or project if you’re running two) which can be displayed for the Pack and other sections to see.

Scout Community Week runs from 14-20 May 2012. It’s an exciting new national fundraising campaign to help Scouts across the UK raise money at the heart of their communities and support the valuable work of the Development Grants Board.

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COMMUNITY HEROES’ AWARD NIGHT

VALUE Inspiration PROGRAMME ZONES Community, Beliefs and Attitudes DESCRIPTION Inspiration doesn’t just come from the Hollywood stage or the sports field – there are heroes around every corner. Get your Cubs to celebrate their local role models with a special awards event in recognition of their hard work and good deeds.

TIME Time to organise and run the event EQUIPMENT • Local newspapers • Internet access • Paper and pens • Craft materials • Card INSTRUCTIONS 1. Talk to the Cubs about the concept of inspirational figures and role models. Who do they look up to, both in the community and from the sporting/entertainment arena? What do they admire about them? What would the Cubs themselves like to be admired for?

2. Using local newspapers or online articles, compile a list of people from the local area who have contributed to the community in some way by doing some kind of selfless act. These could be local volunteers, people who risked their lives to save others (eg fire-fighters, police officers, medical workers), local people who have overcome adversity to attain personal goals or local people who in some way have made a longstanding contribution to society.

3. Ask the Cubs to make a shortlist of people whose efforts deserve to be recognised. What type of award categories should there be? Cubs should design and make the awards and certificates.

4. Help the Cubs to draft invitations to their selected shortlist to attend a special evening where they’ll be handed out awards for their good work. You should allow plenty of notice between this and the actual award evening.

Consider making follow-up phone calls or emails to the people involved to ensure they received their invite.

5. Before the event contact your District Media Development Manager to arrange publicity for your event.

6. Once you have an idea of who is coming, ask each Cub to be the ‘champion’ for a particular award-winner. The champion will introduce and present the award to their allotted winner.

If a winner can’t come, and this is a possibility, help the Cub call the winner, or perhaps visit them personally, to get a quote or speech of thanks, which can be read out by the winner’s champion. To avoid any champions without winners present from feeling left out, give them a task such as handing out the awards to other champions or being in charge of refreshments, taking coats or entertainment – or simply assign them to another winner and have more than one champion.

7. Help the Cubs to organise the award evening, with refreshments and decorations and also sending out invitations to other attendees, such as parents or other local figures.

8. After the event, produce a mock newspaper report with the Cubs, detailing the winners and showing any pictures from the night, as well as quotes from attendees and post-event thoughts from the Cubs about inspirational figures. Send each winner a copy of this.

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GOLD

EQUALITY GAMES

VALUE Equality PROGRAMME ZONES Fitness, Community DESCRIPTION We like to think that everyone has got an equal chance of achieving and winning, but what happens when you interfere with a level playing field? Show Cubs the obstacles some of us have to get over if we want to be the best.

TIME One or two meetings EQUIPMENT • Depends on the chosen activities INSTRUCTIONS 1. Introduce the idea of ‘fairness’ and ‘equality’ to the Cubs with a discussion in a meeting. Some examples to get the discussion moving: • Who would win a race between a car and a cyclist? Why? Is it a fair race?

• In a pie-eating contest, who’d have a better chance of eating more pies? Someone who hadn’t had any dinner or someone who had just eaten his or her dinner? Why? Is it a fair competition?

• In a vote for the world’s best singer, who would win? Someone who is known all over the world but doesn’t have a very good voice, or the girl who lives next door who has a fantastic voice and is very talented? Why? Is this an equal contest?

2. Pitch the idea that in the Olympic Games, participants are thought to have an equal or fair chance because they have taken part in qualifying rounds and have beaten others to

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compete against other winners. What would be different if Olympic participants were chosen at random or because of hair colour etc? Would they all have an equal chance of winning?

3. Arrange with another Pack an evening where the two Packs would compete against each other in a variety of games, where one group would be at a disadvantage. Take it in turns to be the disadvantaged group. Some suggested activities: • Volleyball, where one team has one hand in a sling or behind their back • Table tennis, where one team is using a banana to hit the ball instead of a paddle • Races, where one team is bound together and the others all free to run in the conventional way, or where some participants have to balance an egg and spoon • Other team games, where one team consists of significantly more members than the other or the referee is massively biased in favour of one team • Games where participants with more letters in their first name instantly get 10 points/a head start etc.

4. After these activities, discuss with the Cubs how these games could be made more equal. Allow them to work it through themselves. Perhaps an equal number of volleyball players on each team could have an arm out of action, or maybe the other team could have to hop. Would that make it more equal?

5. A fter the discussion, play the games again in the way the Cubs have suggested and record the results.

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The Scout Association would like to thank The Peter Harrison Foundation and The Freemasons’ Grand Charity for their generous support in developing this printed resource.

The Scout Association would also like to thank the Peter Cruddas Foundation for its generous support of Our Sporting Adventure as sole sponsor of the web pages and medal table.

Illustrations by Mehmet Ulusahin Photograph of Ben Ainslie © Lloyd Images Photograph of Sophie Christiansen © Kit Houghton © The Scout Association 2011 Charity numbers 306101 (England and Wales) and SC038437 (Scotland).

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