7 Easy Steps to a Useful Cub Scout Adventures Schedule

Use these 7 simple steps to create a Cub Scout adventures schedule for your den. Having a plan will make running your den so much easier!

One of the best things leaders can do for a great year is to create a Cub Scout adventures schedule. This will help ensure that your den completes all the adventures at the right time of the year. 

I created an adventure plan form that you can use. Download it at the bottom of this post.

I’m sure some of you are wondering exactly how to decide which adventures should be done in which month. This post will describe how to create a useful Cub Scout adventures schedule in 7 simple steps.

7 Steps to Plan a Useful Cub Scout Adventures Schedule

Step 1 – Required Adventures

Write down your rank’s required adventures. These are the adventures that you know your den will need to do.

Each Cub Scout rank has a family and reverence adventure. These are designed to be completed primarily by the Scout and their family. If you decide that this adventure will be done with the Scout’s family, you can leave it off the list.

Step 2 – Select Electives

Select the electives you want to do, and add them to the list of adventures. Only two electives are required for each rank, but plan more than that, especially if your den meets over the summer.

Here are some things to think about during that process. (I’m using the Bear rank as an example.)

What are your child’s interests?

Do they like to fish? Select A Bear Goes Fishing. Are they into science? Pick Super Science.

What are your interests and skills?

If you really like boating, Bears Afloat is perfect for you. Love animals? Choose Critter Care.

What are the interests and skills of the other parents in your den?

Do you have someone who’s a woodworker? Put their name by Baloo the Builder. Your avid fisher’s name goes by A Bear Goes Fishing.

If you have someone who is a police officer or detective, he or she can help with Forensics. A scientist is a great asset for Super Science.

What elective adventures were completed at Cub Scout day camp and resident camp?

If any of the Scouts from your den attended either of these events, mark off that adventure instead of repeating it. Remember, the Scouts who didn’t attend camp can always work on those adventures with their families.

What electives do the other Scouts in the den want to complete?

Some of you may be inclined to simply let the Cub Scouts choose all the electives. While that’s a great point and something we should try to do, I do think it’s OK to be a bit selfish in picking out electives.

Let me give you the reason why I say that. Bear Champions for Nature is about investigating wastewater and air pollution. I don’t know much about that, and it’s not one of my interests.

It would take me much more time to organize and plan the activities for it than it would for Forensics which I know a little bit about and enjoy. (I watch too much CSI, I guess!)

It’s especially important to have your parents involved if you don’t personally have the skills. I’m not a great swimmer, so I would not feel comfortable leading Salmon Run.

Note for Bear Claws: For the past couple of years, we’ve asked our Scouts BSA troop to lead our Whittling Chip classes. It’s a win-win. We have knowledgeable teachers, and they get an opportunity to teach what they know. In fact, for both the Tenderfoot and Life ranks, the Scouts are required to use the EDGE Method to teach someone a skill.

Bottom line on selecting electives is to do what you think is best for the Scouts. That’s what we all want to do and why we volunteer.

Step 3 – Review Requirements for Each Adventure

Spend a few minutes familiarizing yourself with the requirements for each adventure. You don’t need to read the handbook (unless you’re a bit anal like I am!) to create an effective Cub Scout adventures schedule. For this step, you just need a broad overview of the requirements.

Which of the requirements need to be done in a special location?

Your Bears need to go on a one-mile walk for Bear Habitat, so you’ll need to find a place to hike.

Bear Let’s Camp has the Scouts attending a campout or an outdoor activity.

They have to do a service project for Paws for Action.

Write all of these down by the adventure.

Step 4 – Check Other Activities

Check other activities and events planned in your area.

Review your pack’s calendar when making your Cub Scout adventures schedule.

Do you have an October campout planned? Complete Bear Let’s Camp at that campout in October.

Will your pack be participating in a service project such as Scouting for Food? Put Paws for Action down for that month.

Many of your local science centers, nature centers or zoos offer programs for Cub Scouts. In fact, some of them are planned specifically to complete an adventure. Find out when they are, and write the dates next to that adventure.

Step 5 – Consider the Weather

Do you live in a climate where it gets really cold starting in November? You might want to complete the hike for Bear Habitat in September or October. Make sure that the weather is appropriate for the age of your Cub Scouts.

Step 6 – Think About the Holidays

You’ll probably have fewer den meetings in December. While all of the adventures are designed to be completed in just one or two meetings, you might want to make sure that your December adventure can be done in just one meeting like Roaring Laughter. Considerations such as this will ensure that your Cub Scout adventures schedule is appropriate.

Step 7- Complete the Plan

In this final step, complete your Den Annual Adventure Plan. Use the information you’ve compiled already to choose which month would be best for each adventure. Write the name of the adventure by that month.

Now, you have a completed den adventure schedule! Share a copy with all of your parents.

Your turn. What other things do you consider when planning for your den?

Yours in Scouting,
Sherry

P.S. I’ve included links to many of the Bear adventures. If you’re looking for the other ranks’ adventures, you can find them here:

Lion Rank Requirements
Tiger Rank Requirements
Wolf Rank Requirements
Bear Rank Requirements
Webelos Rank Requirements
Arrows of Light Rank Requirements