In the old Webelos Engineer Activity Badge, Cub Scouts needed to make a catapult. I was a little sad when that requirement wasn't carried over into the new Cub Scout adventure program.
But I did find a requirement that building a catapult would meet!
Webelos/AOL Elective Adventure – Engineer 4: Pick and do two projects using the engineering skills you have learned. Share your projects with your den, and also exhibit them at a pack meeting.
To be honest with you, this is a really fun project that the boys love even if it doesn't satisfy a requirement. It's a great pack meeting idea. And we've even made them during Cub Scout day camp.
I found directions for how to make a catapult for kids. Easy–you just need craft sticks, rubber bands and a plastic spoon, which can all be purchased through my affiliate links.
Click on over for the directions that are very easy to follow. The catapults can be made in about 20 minutes or so. Some boys may need help wrapping the rubber bands around the craft sticks.
Of course, the Cub Scouts will want to have marshmallow battles! But if you really don't want to clean up marshmallows, you can use pom poms instead.
Thanks to Devin Collier for the great instructions!
Yours in Scouting,
Sherry
P.S. If you liked this Cub Scout game, sign up below for more fun Cub Scout pack meeting ideas!
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Mezzofortissimo
Thursday 19th of April 2018
The requirement was removed because catapults are now included in shooting sports which are only allowed at council activities like day camp where they have trained personnel who know range rules. You be may be able to get permission from the council office, but you must ask. And you mentioned battles, but always remember the BSA rule that you may never shoot at a person.
Chris bartz
Wednesday 30th of March 2016
This will actually help with a project for the upcoming camporee for our troop thanks this takes a lot of useless brain storming out of our meeting next month
Sherry
Thursday 31st of March 2016
Great! Glad I could help!
Mark
Sunday 24th of January 2016
I LOVE this idea. As a new Webelos parent I want to give this idea to the den leader as a way to both have fun and satisfy the requirement. My question being is that if the kids have to make the item they made blue prints for how can this satisfy the requirement. Or as the den leader talks about the blue prints and they design one as a group does that count?
Sherry
Wednesday 10th of February 2016
Mark, you bring up an excellent point! I reviewed the Engineer requirements again, and unless the boy is making a plan or blueprint for the catapult, he can't count it for 2b. But it will work for requirement 4, "Pick and do two projects using the engineering skills you have learned. Share your projects with your den, and also exhibit them at a pack meeting."
So, for the Engineer adventure, Webelos must do 3 projects--1 using blueprints that he has constructed and 2 using the engineering skills he's learned.
Personally, I think I would have each boy do their own plans. I'm not sure that all the boys would "get" the process if they're doing group blueprints.
Thanks for letting me know about my mistake! I'm off to correct it now. :)
Post Holiday Boredom Busters: 10 Fun Things to Keep Kids Busy and Off Electronics | Cub Scout Ideas
Tuesday 16th of June 2015
[…] Make a catapult and have a marshmallow […]