Chapter 13
NEW CHUM GAMES AND
ACTIVITIES
Here are some activities that Cub Scout Leaders can use in their program to
assist the New Chum, they are also a great revision tool for older Cub Scouts.
Maybe the older Cub Scouts could assist the leaders by doing some New
Chum activities. By involving all members in the activities the new chum will feel
part of the Pack.
Mowgli - king of the jungle
Equipment. None.
The Pack forms a circle sitting down. One Cub Scout squats in the centre of
the circle with hands behind back -this is 'Mowgli'. 'Mowgli' slowly turns round
and points to one Cub Scout in the circle and says: 'I am Mowgli, King of the
Jungle, and I challenge you to a fight!' The person replies 'I accept your
challenge' and joins 'Mowgli' in the centre of the circle, also in a squatting
position. In this position with hands behind backs, they try to push each other
over. If 'Mowgli' wins he challenges a new person; if the other wins they
become 'Mowgli'.
Mime
Two Cub Scouts with a 'shield' and 'spear' circle each other warily. One puts
down 'shield' and holds out left hand - the other does the same and they
shake hands
The monkey game
The Cub Scouts carry out appropriate actions in response to a call or sign
from a Leader.
The last to complete the action each time is given a counter or matchstick as
a 'penalty' and the Six with the least number at the end wins.
The calls and signs are:
• Leader salutes - Cub Scouts return the salute then each give partner the
left handshake.
• Leader stands still with arms stretched out - Sixers call their Six to line-up in
file behind.
• Pack! - all stand still and listen.
Include other calls and signs used in your Pack. In between the orders Cub
Scouts rush around like the Bandarlog - making as much noise as they like.
The object of the game is for the Pack to remain alert to orders using their
ears and eyes even while they are dashing about
Promise and Law mime
Mime good turns - and let the Pack guess what they are. Each Six could try
one. Name some of the people who serve their Queen and Country and keep
the laws - e.g. soldiers, sailors, airmen, judges, policemen etc. Write the
names on cards; each take a card and mime the 'job'.
OTHER ACTIVITIES
• Tape short stories about the Jungle.
• New Chum may borrow. Jig-saw puzzles on the Promise and Law.
• Have a set of picture cards - discuss how the picture relates to the
Promise and the Law.
• Ask the New Chum to make a collage showing the Promise at work.
• Word puzzles for New Chum to do at home.
• Bingo - using New Chum information.
• Akela's Questioner - see 'Flicker'. Change questions to suit topic.
• Yes and No answer sheets.
• Drawings of the Law to colour and put up on wall at home.
Concentration Cards for New Chums.
• Cut-out Cub Scout Promise or Law cards.
Try to give New Chums something to look at or do rather than just talk. Let
them know they are progressing with the necessary requirements.
New Chum questionnaire
Paint numbers around the edge of a record. Fix a spinner. Make up a large
card or sheet of paper with numbered questions. New Chum spins and has to
answer whatever question corresponds with the number spinner stops on.
New Chum Relay
Equipment: A set of cards for each Six (one card for each Cub Scout) felttipped pens.
.Set of instructions or questions based on the New Chum tests are written on
each card. For example:
Repeat the Promise
Make the Scout salute ®
Make the Scout sign
Who was Akela in the jungle stories?
Repeat the Cub Scout Law
Who founded the Scout Movement?
When did Scouting begin?
When did Cub Scouting begin?
The Pack are formed in Sixes and run one at a time to the Leader at the front
of their Six. They are given a card and either answer the question or carry out
the required action - if they are correct they receive a point.
The Six with the most points wins. Then go over the questions and the
answers or let the Six have a discussion with a Leader supervising.
Noughts and crosses
Divide the Pack into two or three groups with a Leader supervising. Make out
the squares on the floor - one set for each group. Divide each group into two
teams. Ask an 'O' a question - if they get it right they take their place in the
squares. Then the `X's get a go and so on. Wrong answer - no one on square.
Concentration
Best worked in small groups - no more than four.
Have a set of cards for each group. Example of a few ideas are below but the
list is only as limited by yours or your Cub Scouts imagination.
Baden
Powell
22nd February
Baden Powells Birthday
Be
Prepared
The Jungle
Book
Grey
Brother
One Cub Scout deals the cards, face down, in lines of three. All take turns at
turning two up and trying to match them
Murals
Give each Six a very large length of paper, paints or textas OR old
magazines.
Each Six makes a mural showing the Promise and Law - or Scouting or ....
Salute and handshake relay
Cub Scouts are numbered in a circle so that there are only two of any
given number. When a number is called they must run in opposite
directions around the circle. When they meet they salute and shake
hands, then continue round to their original position. Make sure they do it
properly and that the only hurried bit is the running. No points are given
for being back first.
Write a prayer
Ask each Six or each Cub Scout to write a prayer and put it into a
special book for future use.
Wonderful chart
Have each Six draw up a chart with all the things they think are
'wonderful' - things that they are grateful for. They then put them up for
other Sixes to see. Thank God for all the things on the lists.
Good turn hand
Put a large hand up on the wall. Tell the Cub Scouts they have four weeks
to try to do a very special Good Turn. When they have done it they can
sign the hand. You will trust them to carry out the challenge. Leaders too!
The Good Turn is a secret - they don't have to tell anyone at all.
Looking Back
Have a Scout, Venturer or Rover give a short talk about how glad they
are that they had the chance to be a Cub Scout before they were a
Scout etc.... what fun it was then and how they enjoy what they are
doing now.
Chapter 14
The Jungle
Use the jungle ideas in your program to allow the Cub Scouts imagination to
run wild. The Cub Scouts can imagine themselves being a bear frolicking in
the jungle, a panther prowling stealthily in the jungle or Mowgli learning skills
and wisdom from the old grey wolf, the wisest wolf of the pack who had leant
many things and now teaches the younger wolf cubs.
The jungle theme lends itself to Pack Holidays, Special Pack Meetings,
Campfires as well as the weekly pack meeting.
Now Chil the kite brings home the night
That Mang the Bat sets us free
The herds are shut in byre and hut
For loosed till dawn are we.
This is the hour of pride and power,
Talon and tush and claw.
Oh! Hear the call! - Good Hunting all!
That keep the Jungle Law/.
RudyardKip!ing
The Law of the Jungle
(or The Maxims of Baloo)
To give you an idea of the immense variety of the
Jungle Law, here are a few of the laws that apply to the
wolves. Baloo always recited them in a sort of sing song
voice. There are of course, hundreds and hundreds
more.
Now this is the law of the jungle – as old and as true as
the sky,
And the wolf that shall keep it may prosper, but the wolf
that shall break it must die
As the creeper that girdles the tree trunk the law runneth
forward and back
For the strength of the pack is the wolf, and the strength of
the wolf is the pack.
Wash daily from nose-tip to tail-tip,drink deeply, but never
too deep,
And remember the night is for hunting, and forget not the
day is for sleep
Keep peace with the Lords of the junglethe tiger, the
panther, the bear,
And trouble not Hathi the silent, and mock not the boar in
his lair.
When pack meets with pack in the jungle, and neither will
go from the trail
Lie down till the Leaders have spokenit may be fair words
shall prevail.
When ye fight with a wolf of the pack, ye must fight him
alone and afar, Lest others take part in the quarrel, and the
pack be diminished by war
The lair of the wolf is his refuge, and where he has made
him his home, Not even the head wolf may enter, not even
the council may come.
The lair of the wolf is his refuge,but where he has digged it
too plain, The council shall send him a message, and so he
shall change it again.
If ye kill before midnight, be silent,and wake not the woods
with your bay, Lest ye frighten the deer from the crops, and
the brothers go empty away.
Ye may kill for yourselves, and your mates, and your cubs
as they need, and ye can. But kill not for pleasure of
killing,and seven times never, kill man
If ye plunder his kill from a weaker, devour not all in thy
pride,
Pack-right is the right of the meanest, leave him the head
and the hide.
The kill of the pack is the meat of the pack. Ye must eat
where it lies,
And no-one may carry away of that meat to his lair, or he
dies.
The kill of the wolf is the meat of the wolf. He may do what
he will,
But till he has given permission, the pack may not eat of
that kill.
Cub-right is the right of the yearling. From all of his pack he
may claim, Full-gorge when the killer has eaten, and none
may refuse him the same.
Lair-right is the right of the mother. From all of her year she
may claim,
One haunch of each kill for her litter, and none may deny
her the same.
Cave-right is the right of the father - to hunt by himself for
his own,
He is freed of all calls to the pack. He is judged by the
council alone.
Because of his age and his cunning, because of his gripe
and his paw,
In all that the law leaveth open the word of the head wolf is
law.
Now these are the laws of the jungle, and many and mighty
are they,
But the head and the hoof of the law and the haunch and
the hump is – OBEY
We be of one blood, ye and I
The Jungle Story, though most of its characters are animals, is alive with
human interest and feelings. The scenes where Mowgli takes leave of
Bagheera, or where Akela was saved by Mowgli, are as interesting and
thrilling as any of the incidents in present-day novels. Each animal is an
example of human foible or grace. We meet in this world bullies like Shere
Khan, flatterers like Taba-Qui the Jackal, strong, able leaders like Akela; or
strong, dreaded, but good people like Bagheera. We also meet with gossipers
like Buldeo, and people like those of the village of Seeonee.
Every character (whether the author intended it to be so or not we are not
sure) is a psychological factor and a character analysis. Those who have had
the privilege of working with a Cub Scout Pack have felt the usefulness of the
Jungle Story in the Pack life. To many a Cub Scout Leader the Jungle Story
has been a source of inspiration, and to every Cub Scout in a Pack it is an
inexhaustible source of stories and a fund of human interest and example.
The Jungle Stories
The Jungle Books list nine stories of Mowgli's life in the Jungle from babyhood
to adolescence. Here they are arranged in what seems to be their correct
chronological order, dividing Mowgli's brothers into two parts:
1) Mowgli's brothers (Part 1)
Mowgli as a baby is saved from Shere Khan, the Tiger, by the bravery of
Raksha, the Mother Wolf. She rears him with her own cubs and he is
accepted into the Wolf Pack on the word of Baloo, the Bear, and at the price
of a bull killed by Bagheera, the Black Panther. We meet Akela, the leader of
the Seeonee Pack.
Quotations to note:
The independence of the pack:
'The wolves are free people. They take orders from the Head of the Pack
and not from any striped cattle killer'!
Cubs belong to the larger family of the pack:
'As soon as his cubs are old enough to stand on their feet he must bring
them to the Pack Council . . . in order that the other wolves may identify
them'. Our Pack is part of the Scout Group and the Group is part of a
District, Area and Scouting as a whole.
The importance of the Law:'
Ye know the Law ... Look well, O Wolves!'
The importance of training
'Take him away ... And train him as befits one of the Free People'.
2) Kaa’s Hunting
Details are given of Mowgli's education by Baloo and Bagheera. It is more
intensive than that of the wolves as Mowgli is a man cub and needs special
skills to protect him from the hazards of the Jungle and also he is expected
to know more than an animal. He is taught the hunting calls and the master
words by Kaa so that he can converse with and claim the assistance of all
the Jungle creatures. But boy like, he becomes bored with his schooling and,
growing careless, is captured by the Bandarlog or Monkey People who carry
him away to the ruined city known as the Cold Lairs where they keep him
prisoner. On the way, because he knows the master words, he is able to ask
Chil, the Kite, to pass on a message to his friends. Baloo and Bagheera
enlist the aid of Kaa, the 'Rock Python. There is a terrific fight at the Cold
Lairs and Mowgli is rescued when the coming of Kaa paralyses the
Bandarlog. Kaa performs his 'Hunger Dance'.
Quotations to note:
The maxims of' Baloo (4 words only)
Give general advice to the youngster, putting him firmly in his place. Their
message is epitomised in:
`But the Jungle is large and the cub he is small. Let
him think and be still.'
Hunting Verse:
`Feet that make no noise; eyes that can see in the dark; ears that can hear
the wind in their sharp white teeth, all these are the marks of our Brothers' Training of the senses.
The Wood and Water Laws:
`How to tell a rotten branch from a sound one’ etc. Practical advice on
behaviour in the country. The importance of keeping one’s eyes open.
The Stranger’s Hunting Call:
Polite request for permission to enter upon land rather than to trespass.
Master Words:
‘We be of one blood ye and I’
Companionship and Brotherhood.
The Importance of Leadership:
‘Their ways is not our way. They are without Leaders.’
Everyone has some weakness:
‘To each hi own fear’.
Gratitude:
“I take my life from thee, tonight. My kill shall be thy kill if ever thou art hungry,
O Kaa.’
Courtesy:
‘A brave heart and a courteous tongue.. Shall carry thee far through the
jungle.’
No Recriminating:
‘One of the beauties of Jungle Law is that punishment settles all scores. There
is no nagging afterwards.’
3)How Fear Came to the Jungle
Drought comes to the Jungle. When the
waters of the Waingunga River have fallen
so low that the Peace Rock shows, Hathi,
the Lord of the Jungle, declares the water
truce. It is death for any creature that kills
at the watering places. So great is the
common need for water that everyone
must `Play the Game'. Shere Khan fouls
the water by coming straight from killing
man for pleasure, not for food, but claims
it is his due as it is 'his night'. Hathi
explains the meaning of this claim:
When Tha, the First Elephant, was making
the Jungle, he made the first of the tigers
master of the Jungle. But the first tiger lost
his temper, killed a buck, tasted blood and
ran away. Pandemonium reigned in the
Jungle. The trees and creepers were
ordered to hang low to mark the killer.
Hence the tiger's stripes. Then the grey
ape was given power over the Jungle but
he was foolish. Thus the first master
brought death to the Jungle; the second
brought shame. Therefore, Tha gave fear
to the Jungle in the person of its third
master, Man. But the tiger was granted
one night in each year during which he
would be without fear or shame before
man.
.
Quotations to note:
The law covers everyone:
'The Law was like the GIANT CREEPER, because it dropped across
everyone's back and no-one could escape.
'The law of the Jungle:
The following are some of the most telling verses:
Discipline:
`Now this is the Law of the Jungle - as old and as true as the sky;
And the Wolf that shall keep it may prosper, but the Wolf that shall break it
must die.
' Independence and self-reliance:
The Jackal may follow the tiger, but cub, when thy whiskers are grown,
Remember the Wolf is a hunter - go forth and get food of thine own.'
Respect for experience:
`Because of his age and his cunning, because of his gripe and his paw, in all
that the Law leaveth open, the word of the Head Wolf is Law.'
3)
4) Mowgli's brothers
(Part Ill The Red Flower. Akela, the Leader of the Pack, grows too old to
keep firm control. Therefore, encouraged by Shere Khan, the Pack grows
restless and disloyal. They plot to overthrow Akela and attack Mowgli. But
Mowgli, on the advice of Bagheera, procures some of the red flower or fire
and uses this to cow the Pack. There is now open war between Mowgli and
Shere Khan. Mowgli realises that his place is not in the Jungle so he returns
to man.
Quotations to note:
Helpfulness:
'At other times he would pick the long thorns out of the pads of his friends,
for wolves suffer terribly from thorns and burrs in their coats.'
Be prepared:
`Open those eyes, little brother.' The child grows up and must develop -'So
thou must go back to men at last.'
Loyalty to one's own Leader
'The Leadership of the Pack is with the Pack alone.'
Courtesy:
'He has eaten our food. He has slept with us...'
Loyalty:
`I Promise that when I am a man among men I will not betray ye to men as
ye have betrayed me.'
5) Tiger Tiger!
This story shows Mowgli's cool-headed resourcefulness and shows him
growing up and becoming independent. Mowgli returns to man and is taken
into the House of Messua (probably his real mother). He is given the job of
Herd-Boy. Grey Brother comes with the news that Shere Khan is lying in
wait for Mowgli in a ravine.
Mowgli, Grey Brother and Akela, working as a team, divide the herd and
drive it down the ravine from both ends so that Shere Khan is trampled to
death. Buldeo, the Village Hunter wants to claim the kill as his own in order
to obtain the reward offered for Shere Khan's skin but Mowgli and Akela
prevent him, Buldeo has Mowgli driven out of the village for sorcery. So
Mowgli returns to the Jungle and lays Shere Khan's hide on the Council
Rock as he had claimed he would do in the previous story. He will riot any
more belong to the now leaderless Wolf Pack and will not accept its
leadership but hunts alone.
Quotations to note:
Importance of keeping one's temper:
'The Law of the Jungle had taught him to keep his temper, for in the
Jungle life and food depend on keeping your temper.'
Discipline:
'It is an order.'
Self-reliance:
'Now I will hunt alone in the Jungle.'
6) Letting in the Jungle
After Mowgli returns from man to the Jungle, he is hunted by Buldeo who
wants revenge for the loss of the reward for Shere Khan's hide. Mowgli
learns that Messua and her husband have been imprisoned by the villagers
on his account. He goes to their rescue while the wolves 'Sing' Buldeo
home. Then Mowgli orders Hathi and his sons to 'Let in the Jungle' upon the
village. They organise the Jungle creatures so that all crops and stores are
ruined. Then Hathi and his sons raze the buildings to the ground. In this
story, Mowgli shows his loyalty and love towards his human parents.
He also demonstrates his complete mastery over all the Jungle people.
The story graphically illustrates the importance of planning and team work
when carrying out any enterprise.
Quotation to note:
The importance of rest:
'No-one can work well without sleep.'
7) The King's Ankus
Kaa takes Mowgli to the King's treasure house at the Cold Lairs. The White
Cobra, Warden of the Treasure, still lives in the past. Mowgli is unimpressed
by the treasure, having a real sense of values, but wants to take away a
jeweled ankus or elephant goad not for its intrinsic value but because it is
pretty and might come in useful. The White Cobra tells him that the ankus is
death. It is heavy to carry so Mowgli throws it away. A man finds it and is
killed by another. The murderer in his turn is killed. Four other men are
murdered on account of the ankus so Mowgli returns it to the White Cobra.
The Jungle-trained Mowgli is unable to appreciate the artificial values set
upon things by man.
Quotation to note:
Value of physical exercise
'Then the regular evening game began - the boy in the flush of his great
strength, and the python in his sumptuous skin, standing up one against the
other for a wrestling match - a trial of eye and strength.'
8) Red Dog
The Seeonee Pack is still without a leader. Then Phao takes over officially,
though Mowgli is by now respected by and unofficially leads the Pack. The
Red Dogs or Dhole of the Deccan are on the move. Mowgli plans their
downfall with the aid of Kaa. This exciting story again emphasises the
importance of planning, preparation and rehearsal and illustrates Mowgli's
great courage. He baits a trap for the Dhole, then leaps over the Bee Rocks
into the Waingunga River. The Dhole Pack, hot on the chase, follow. Those
not killed by the Bees swim down to where the Seeonee Pack await them.
All are slain. Akela and Wontolla (the outlier) lose their lives in defense of
the Pack.
Quotations to note:
Companionship:
'It is better to die in a full Pack than leaderless and alone.'
Practice and preparation:
'Mowgli trotted along under the trees, judging distances between branch and
branch, occasionally climbing up a trunk and taking a trial leap from one tree
to another till he came to the open ground, which he studied very carefully
for an hour.'
Importance of silence and patience when hunting etc.:
'Nothing was ever yet lost by silence ... and thou hast all the long night for
hunting
9) The Spring Running
It is spring. The Jungle is full of its own affairs. Mowgli, now 17 feels
unaccountably restless and unhappy. He runs through the Jungle to work off
his depression but it settles on him worse then aver. He comes to a house
and there is Messua again. He feels the urge to return to his own kind so,
though now complete Master of the Jungle, he bids his friends good-bye and
goes to man, He has grown up and reached the age of outgrowing the
Jungle.
Quotations to note:
Physical Agility
'Mowgli's feet had eyes in them and they passed him from tussock to
tussock and clump to quaking clump without asking help from the eye in
his head.'
Growing up
'From now, we follow new trails.'
The Council Rock and Circles
The Council Rock
Like the wolves in Kipling's story, your Pack can have its Council Rock by
marking out 8 small circle in stones for an outdoor meeting or by using a
chalked circle or small box (specially designed) for indoors meetings.
The Rock Circle
This circle is used for yarns, talks, pow-pows etc it is formed by the Cub
Scouts running in and standing nearly shoulder to shoulder
The Parade Circle:
The Parade Circle is much larger than the Rock Circle. It is formed by the
Cub Scouts joining hands and pulling out into as large a circle as possible.
The Jungle Plays:
There are a number of Jungle Plays, which are based on parts of the main
stories. As well as the number of plays there are different versions, some of
which are quite complicated and take some learning, but are great for
parents' nights.
The simpler versions, from the Wolf Cub's Handbook written by B.-P., are
included here.
The best known plays are:
Bagherra
Baloo
Kaa
Tabaqui
They are excellent for putting into practice prompt obedience and selfcontrol.
Bagheera
Bagheera was the black panther who could climb trees or creep silently and
quite unseen in the shadows by night. He was the crafty and skilful hunter,
brave and enduring. Although he could be fierce and terrible when Scout
becomes a panther. he liked, he had a generous heart, and he taught
Mowgli how to hunt and get his food. For the PLAY OF BAGHEERA each
Cub The Pack begins in the Parade Circle, and each child moves along
iO8crouching position' looking out to the right and left for game to hunt.
Suddenly game is insight. Every Cub Scout squats down, turning their heads
and gazing towards the centre of the circle, where they must imagine there is
8deer feeding. In order not to be seen, they quietly get on to a]!fours, turn
towards the centre and then crawl backwards a few paces, in order to get a
little further away from thgd8er.sUaGn0t to frighten him.
Then every Cub Scout begins to crawl slowly towards the centre. As they get
nearer, all creep closer to the ground slowly. When they get near, all lie flat
till the Leader says Now! 'when they all spring forward on to the imaginary
deer with a yell. They all fall outwards and run jumping back to their places
in the Parade Circle, carrying and biting imaginary lumps of deer meat.
During the play, every Cub Scout must watch the Leader, and instantly do
the same as the Leader does.
Baloo
Baloo was the animal who taught the Law of the Jungle to Mowgli. He was a
good-natured burly old thing.
Whenever the order Baloo is given, every Cub Scout will turn to the right and
follow the Leader, marching very slowly and stiffly, as proud as can be, with
stomach forward, elbows stuck out, chin in the air, looking left and right in a
haughty way. As they go along they give out the Cub Scout Law in a loud
voice, so that everybody shall know them -'Cub Scouts are loyal and obedient;
Cub Scouts do not give in to themselves'.
Cub Scouts say the Law twice, then turn and walk the other way saying the
Law as before. When the Leader gives the, signal or order to stop' the Cub
Scouts at once turn inwards
and become themselves, standing strictly at the 'Alert' till they get further
orders,
(Music if desired -'The Teddy Bear Picnic' or the 'Policeman's Chorus' from
Pirates of Penzance.)
The Hunger Dance of Kaa
Kaa was the huge Rock Python who helped with Mowgli's education.
This is part of the story of 'Kaa's Hunting' when the Bandarlog, the Monkey
People, kidnapped Mowgli and took him to the Cold Lairs.
A Leader or Sixer will be Kaa's head and the rest of the Pack will tail on
behind him, their hands on the shoulders of the person in front. All move
slowly, and in step, following as the Leader glides along in a figure of eight
and then winds into a circle. The circle gets smaller and smaller until the
head turns round and then works his way out again.
There should be no break in the line from head to tail tip. Cub Scouts quietly
hiss during this part and walk on the tips of their toes without making any
other sound. It should sound like a snake slithering through the grass.
When Kaa has coiled and uncoiled himself the Leader calls 'Bandarlog' and at
once the snake breaks up and each Cub Scout runs about, imitating the
senseless actions of the monkeys. They must be busy all the time and take
absolutely no notice of what anyone else is doing. They can give the monkey
cry. Suddenly the Leader shouts 'Kaa'. The monkeys freeze with horror, for
they know only too well what their terrible enemy will do to them.
The Leader or Cub Scout who forms Kaa's head stands up with arms
outstretched, thumbs clasped, head down, and slowly swinging to and fro.
Kaa hisses once and all the monkeys take an unwilling step forward, pointing
out one of them. The frightened victim crawls forward between Kaa's legs and
is 'swallowed' and then tails on behind the Leader as in the first part. Perhaps
ten or twelve monkeys go this way, one after another, then the rest slowly
move round to the back and retake their places as the tail. When all have
joined up, the snake moves heavily round in a circle, and then lies down and
goes to sleep after the huge meal. This is all done by lying down, one after the
other, starting with the Leader, Cub Scouts resting their heads on the back of
the person in front. At the call of 'Pack! Pack! Pack!' everyone jumps up,
shouts the answer 'Pack!' and forms the Parade Circle.
Tabaqui
Tabaqui is the jackal, a sneaking sort of fellow. He is afraid to go out alone, so
he always keeps near his fellow jackals. Although he tries to look like a Wolf,
he never hunts or earns his food like one, but sneaks about trying to steal or
beg from others. Then, when he gets it he is not a bit grateful, but runs about
yapping and yelling, disturbing the game and making a regular nuisance of
himself.
Well, the Tabaqui thought a tremendous lot of Shere Khan, the ferociouslooking tiger He was an awful bully. He was not clever enough himself to hunt
and catch wild game, so he used to sneak about near a village and kill poor
little calves and goats, and even a defenceless old man - if he could catch him
asleep. Otherwise he was desperately afraid of a man.
The Tabaqui would follow him around even though he bullied them, and they
kept tel;ing him he was King of the Jungle and the finest fellow on earth. Of
course they only did this so that he would give them a bit of his kill when he
was eating it. In this play the Pack is divided into two sections. Half of the
Cub Scouts - with a Leader as Shere Khan - are the Tabaqui; the others are
the Wolves who have Mowgli with them.
The Tabaqui and Shere Khan do their part first while the Wolves lie quietly at
one end of the room or field. The jackals form a circle around Shere Khan
who prances proudly in the centre, swaggers about and seems to challenge
any and everyone to come and fight. 'I'm Shere Khan, the Tiger King,' he
snarls, and the jackals, as they move sneakily around him, murmur' Jackal,
Jackal'.
Suddenly a Tabaqui leaves the circle, sneaks up to Shere Khan and bows
most humbly to him. Shere Khan, just for the bullying fun of the thing, aims a
kick at his follower. The jackal dodges the kick, bows low again as if to say
'Thank you' and runs back to his place. All the time he has been where
Shere Khan can see him, but when he gets behind the tiger he stops
cringing and makes a rude face at Shere Khan. Then the Wolves move in.
They sweep down on the Tabaqui and each carries off one of the little
sneaks. When the noise and shuffle have died down, and the Wolves with
their captives are lying quiet again, Shere Khan - who was just a little
nervous during the tumult - looks around him, sees that he is alone and
thinks to himself 'I'm greater than even I thought I was .I'm Shere Khan, the
Tiger King', he roars, hoping that all the Jungle Folk will hear and believe
him. The Jungle Folk might believe him, but Mowgli has always known the
tiger to be just a cowardly bully. He comes across now, very slowly, with one
arm outstretched (a finger pointing) and his eyes on those of the tiger. Shere
Khan cannot look at Man. He is afraid, and though he goes on saying that he
is the Tiger King he gradually cringes down till he is flat at Mowgli's feet. The
play is over, and the Pack rushes to form the Parade Circle.
Note: Cub Scouts who are ready to pass the knotting test can be informed by
the Leader at the closing ceremony that they have passed; those who are not
ready to pass have just been practising and will try again in the near tuture. In
this way no one fails. They are practising, passing and revising tests.
YARN - Reef Knot
Who is Nag?'
`I am Nag', said a voice. `Look and be afraid'.
`Yes children, Nag the black cobra snake was a terrible fighter and any living
thing which came near him was promptly fought by Nag and killed'.
`This black rope which I have is Nag. The brown rope is Karait, the brown
snake'. `Now begins the fight! Nag is already winning and gets on top of
the other snake and wraps around him'.
`They are fighting furiously now. Nag gets on top again. Nag wraps himself
around the other snake again and in the struggle we have a reef knot'.
The Leader now tells the Cub Scouts to act out the story with the rope while
going over the stor y again briefly.
YARN - Sheet Bend
One day, Nag went up to the house of the man. He wanted to kill him.
In that part of India, which was on the edge of the jungle, there was, of
course, no sewerage. The outlet pipe of the bath ran out on the surface of
the ground.
Nag saw the spout and said to himself.`Good! I'll crawl up this spout and wait
for the man to come for his bath. Then I'll kill him So Nag went up the bath
spout, he raised his head and looked over the back of the bath. Then he went
over the back and under the bath, then came up at the front of the bath.
Then he thought that he would sleep until the man came, so he tucked his
head under his body and went to sleep.
While Nag was asleep, Rikki Tikki Tavi, the mongoose, came along. Rikki was
Nag's greatest enemy and he saw Nag's tail hanging out of the bath spout. He
seized Nag's tail fiercely with his strong teeth and pulled - and pulled (Leader
pulls the knot taut). So we have - a sheet bend!
The Cub Scouts then act out the story as with the reef knot.
The First Jungle Story - a narrated play
A narrator reads this story and the Cub Scouts act it out.
Make paper masks at a prior meeting, one for each Cub Scout. Those not
actually taking part could form a ring around the action with their masks on,
crouched silently. After the play ends all could sing a jungle song.
It was a still, warm night in the jungle. The animals were just starting to stir
after the day's sleep, ready for the nightly hunt. Father Wolf lay across the
entrance to his den.
He stretched and shook the sleep from each paw. Mother Wolf lay inside
the cave feeding her new cubs.
There was a rustle in the grass and into the clearing crawled Tabaqui, the
sneaking jackal.
`How are your beautiful children this fair night? Did you know that Shere
Khan is hunting this part of the jungle? 'Trouble always follows when
someone changes their hunting ground' grumbled Father Wolf.
Somewhere a short distance away came a deep throated roar. This was
followed by screaming, yelling and much confusion. Shere Khan had come
upon a woodcutter and his wife and little boy sitting around their fire. With a
mighty spring he had leapt at them and missed. One paw had landed in the
fire. He was now mad with rage.
Not only had the woodcutter and his wife fled, but the child had crawled
away into the undergrowth.
Father Wolf stood, every muscle ready for action. The grass rustled, and
into the clearing stumbled a little brown boy. Father Wolf was in mid-spring
when he realised it was the mar cub. He recoiled and landed almost exactly
where he had left the ground. Gently, he picked up the child and placed it
in the cave near Mother Wolf. The roaring and howling came closer.
`Where is my man cub? Give me my man cub yelled Shere Khan
Mother Wolf put her head to the cave entrance and said as fiercely as she
could, 'Go away. You shall not have the man cub. He has made himself at
home among my cubs. He has earned a place in my family'. Shere Khan
knew better than to argue with the enraged Mother Wolf. So he growled
and mumbled that one day he would have his prey.
Mother Wolf turned and looked at the little boy.
'Not a hair on his body', she said. 'He is just like a frog. I shall call him
Mowgli, which' means little frog'.
And that is how Mowgli came to live with the wolves.
Jungle atmosphere games
As with all games in Pack life, the atmosphere you establish beforehand can
make all the difference as to whether the games are exciting and useful or
not. This is even more true of Jungle atmosphere games.
Some of the following games are to be found in standard games books, and
others are variations on other forms. YOU will soon find a way of altering
games to suit your theme or purpose if you get a thorough knowledge of the
stories, situations and characters of the Jungle, and the lessons which are
All games must be carefully chosen for a specific purpose and played at a
suitable time. Through games, you can bring to life a story, illustrate a point,
further develop some aspect of Pack work and continue with gene ral
character training, all without the child realising, and all in good fun.
Remember that Kipling said of Mowgli ... 'and he grew, and grew strong as a
boy must grow who does not know he is learning any lessons'.
To help you create atmosphere, you can begin by saying `Remember how. .
.'or 'Remember when . . .' or 'Did you know ... ?' or some similar opening and
then begin to develop your story line.
Some of the following games are to be found in standard games books, and
others are variations on other forms. You will soon find a way of altering
games to suit your theme or purpose if you get a thorough knowledge of the
storied, situations and characters of the jungle, and the lessons to be learned.
Sound Circle
Have f0Ur sets of names of either farm or jungle animals. Cub Scouts stand
in a circle. Give one card to each. They do not show it to anyone else.
(There should be four owls, four monkeys, four wolves etc). On `go' all start
to make their noise. All stop on a signal. Then go around the circle and ask
what other animal noises they heard.
Repeat with other cards.
Water truce
All Cub Scouts line up across one end of the H.Q. Give each the name of an
animal. Each name should be given to three or four Cub Scouts fairly evenly
spaced across the room. The Leader tells a story of how the various animals
came down to the Waingunga river to drink, then returned quickly (running)
until the time of the truce, when all came down together. Cub Scouts must
move and act as their type of animal.
Sharp-eyed Wolves
Send the Pack out of sight and put a small picture of Shere Khan
somewhere partly visible in the H.Q. The Pack comes back and when they
see the enemy they sit down silently. The last one to see Shere Khan is
judged 'eaten'.
Mang the bat
Mang the bat was blind but he could recognise voices. The Pack forms a
circle with Mang blindfolded in the centre. Mang goes up to a Cub Scout and
says'I am Mang the bat, what is thy name?'
The Cub Scout answers 'We be of one blood, ye and I.' Mang may touch the
Cub Scout before speaking, but only briefly to help recognise the other
person.
The Red Flower (from The Jungle Stories)
A lighted candle represents the fire (red flower) and, scattered around it, the
villagers are asleep - and blindfolded. Mowgli, with an unlit candle must
make his way to the fire, steal the Red Flower and escape unheard with his
candle alight. Any villager who hears a sound may grab out in the darkness
Frightened Deer
Each deer has own bush (a circle drawn on the floor or a piece of paper to
stand on), except one who is grazing. Shere Khan approaches and the
frightened deer runs for shelter (into one of the circles). The deer behind that
bush must then run to find somewhere else and so runs to another bush.
Shere Khan has to catch a deer between bushes. If caught they change
places
Sharp-eared Cub Scouts
Cub Scouts all sit quietly while an unseen Leader makes different noises
such as rustling sand paper, rattling bottles, shaking rice etc. Cub Scouts
identify the sounds. Individual or Six activity.
Running through the trees
Mowgli loved to run swiftly through the trees in the jungle, but he knew not to
make any noise in case Shere Khan, the cowardly tiger, heard him.
Sometimes he would ask a lair brother to run with him.
The Pack is in a large circle, all are trees except Mowgli and his lair brother.
Shere Khan (Leader or Cub Scout) is roaming nearby. Mowgli takes the
hand of his lair brother saying, 'Come along, brother', and they run together,
weaving in and out of the trees. If they bump a tree, the tree says 'crack' (a
broken branch) and this is the signal for Shere Khan to pounce, and try and
catch one before they get home. Let Cub Scouts take turns at being Mowgli,
lair brother and Shere Khan.
Baloo Says
Baloo trained the man-cub and his wolf cub brothers in some of the jungle
ways. Try 'Baloo Says' instead of 'Simon Says’
Kaa's tail
Kaa was the great python who taught Mowgli to wrestle and swim and to act
quickly. Mowgli is chosen and the Pack forms Kaa, with an old scarf or rope
in the belt of the last boy. Kaa has to prevent his tail being pulled and the
whole Pack must help block Mowgli. Kaa's body must never break..
Jungle Songs
Night song of the Jungle (TUNE Old Lang Syne)
Now Chil the Kite brings home the night That Mang the Bat sets free
The herd are shut in byre and but For loosed till dawn are we.
This is the hour of pride and power, Talon and Tush and claw,
Oh, hear the call - Good Hunting all, That keep the Jungle Law.
If each and every Cub Scout (TUNE - John Brown's Body)
If each and every Cub Scout, Tries his best to keep the Law. And
does his good turn every day, And does not snarl or jaw,
Nor monkey round with Banderlog, We all may sing 'Hurrah',
As time goes rolling on.
Chorus: Going onward through the Jungle. Fearing nothing in the Jungle,
Very happy in the Jungle. The Cub Scouts go bravely on.
Hunting song of the Seeonee Pack
(This is the third verse only) (TUNE - Three Blind Mice)
As the dawn was breaking, The wolf pack yelled, Once,
twice and again, Once, twice and again.
Feet in the Jungle that leave no mark. Eyes that can see in the dark - the
dark, Tongue - give tongue to it - hark oh hark, Once, twice and again.
(More songs are included in the Jungle programs at the end of this book)
Jungle Scenario for Opening and Closing Parade:
Opening
H.Q. in darkness, except for moonlight. Pack in lair corners.
Akela
(Running into centre of hall) Look well, oh wolves, look well.
(Cub Scouts run in to form the parade circle, answering with a
long drawn out howl.)
Akela
Now this is the law of the jungle,
As old and as true as the sky, and the cub that keeps it shall
prosper, but the cub that breaks it must die.
Cub Scouts A Cub Scout is loyal and obedient, a Cub Scout does not give in
to himself.
Akela
As the dawn was breaking, the wolf pack yelled
Cub Scouts Once, twice and again.
Akela
Feet in the jungle that leave no mark.
Cub Scout No mark.
Akela
Eyes that can see in the dark, Cub Scouts The dark.
Akela
Tongue, give tongue to it, hark, oh hark.
Cub Scouts immediately go into grand howl. –
Lights on for flag break.
Closing
Situations, actions and responses as for the opening.
Akela
Look well oh wolves, look well. Cub Scouts run in to form the
parade circle, answering with a long drawn out howl.
Akela
Now Chil the kite brings home the night,
that Mang the Bat sets free. The herd is shut in byre and
hut, for loosed 'till dawn are we. This is the hour of pride and
power Of talon, tush and claw. Oh hear the call, good
hunting all, who keep the jungle law.
Akela
As dawn was breaking; the wolf pack yelled.
Cub Scouts Once, twice and again.
Akela
Feet in the jungle that leave no mark.
Cub Scouts No mark.
Akela
Eyes that can see in the dark. Cub Scouts The dark.
Akela
Tongue, give tongue to it, hark, oh hark.
Cub Scouts immediately go into grand howl –
Lights on for flag down.
Biscuit cutter
You will need a piece of tin or suitable metal about 20 cm long and about 2
cm wide. Bend to shape of wolf as shown. Crimp the end and join with
solder. Cut a handle 10 cm x 2 cm and solder in place.
Cut out biscuits and put raisins currants for eyes.
Jungle vines
Cut legs from panty-hose and knot together to make vines.
Add crepe leaves for further atmosphere
Tiger
Trace this outline to make four stencil pieces. Cub Scouts trace around on to
strong cardboard - cutting one head, one body, two front legs and two back
legs. Use paper fasteners to fit body pieces together.
A Mowgli theme program
10 mins The wolves gather - Inspection, subs, grand howl, flag and prayer.
10 mins PACK GAME: Mowgli went into the jungle
Mowgli spent a lot of time roaming through the jungle. He would
see lots of animals and sometimes he would mimic them and
chase them. The Pack forms circle, with Mowgli in the centre with a
brand (rolled up newspaper). The Pack goes around Mowgli
singing Mowgli went into the jungle, the jungle, the jungle, Mowgli
went into the jungle and what do you think he saw?
Mowgli says an animal and the Pack must act out this until Mowgli
says Stop. They do this several times until Mowgli says Flies and
runs to swat as many as he car. Change over Mowgli's.
10 mins INTER-SIX game: Wolves go hunting
When Mowgli first lived in the wolves' cave, they knew he was
new to the ways of the jungle, so they did not want to leave him
alone. They had to go out to get food but decided to go one at a
time and always have someone there to protect him.
The Sixes squat in circles (lairs) as for team games with the
youngest Cub Scout in the centre. Some distance away place
grours of small game, one for each Cub Scout. At a signal the
hunters run out quickly, but silently, and each brings back
something to the cave, with Mowgli taking the last turn to help. It
adds to the fun if one of the Leaders will act as Shere Khan and
roar and menace the hunters, especially Mowgli. The first Six
finished are the best hunters.
20 mins INSTRUCTIONS: Bronze = Hiking test 5 Silver = Compass
test 5 Gold = Safety in Bush test 2
10 mins GAME: Jungle Trails Bagheera taught Mowgli to run bare-footed
through the jungle, and not trip over vines and roots. The Pack is in
two long lines, facing inwards about one and a half metres apart.
Cub Scouts take full arm distance, then sit down with legs
outstretched and feet touching. Mowgli decides to race one of his
lair brothers and they set off together, down the lines of vines and
tree roots around the big trees at the end, up a little trail and back
to their places. Then the next pair set off. The first line of wolves
back at alert are the winners. Trees and vines must keep their
hands well in and feet close together.
5 mins
SENSE TRAINING GAME: Sharp eyed Wolves (2) Mowgli was
trained with the wolves to see quickly and remember what he saw.
Sixes sit in groups at equal distances.
Two Leaders - one at each end of room (or reasonable distance
apart) have large paper bag each. One Leader quickly takes an
article from his/her bag and throws it to other Leader who quickly
catches it and puts it in his/her bag. Throw about 6-8 articles. Cub
Scouts watch then write down what was thrown and in what order.
Individual or Six game There need not be a winning line - just let
all Cub Scouts.have a race
10mins SENSE TRAINING GAME: Who is Missing?
MowgIi was taught to be observant. Cub Scouts walk around in a
circle, one behind the other.
At A given signal they All cover their eyes. A Leader touches one
on the shoulder who comes to the centre and is hidden by a large
rug while the others continue to walk around with their eyes closed.
They can put a hand on the shoulder of the person in front. When
the order is given for eyes open, one chosen must give the name of
the missing Cub Scout.
10mins SING SONG
The Jungle Story ( Tune Here we go round the mulberry bush)
Here we go round the council rock, etc
On a moonlight night in the jungle.
The youngest Cub Scouts are introduced etc
0 'You know the Law, look well .O’wolves' etc
Mowgli was shown by Mother Wolf etc.
Then Shere Khan roared 'the cub is mine' etc.
Akela asks 'who speaks for him?' etc.
Baloo the bear grunts out 'I will' etc.
'Who else besides Baloo the Bear?' etc.
Then panther purred 'I ask your leave' etc.
'I'll pay the price with one fat bull' etc.
'He'll run with the pack, where is the bull etc.
Shere Khan roared with rage that night etc.
Take care Shere khan, Mowgli will grow etc.
And Mowgli grew and killed Shere Khan etc.
The Council Circle
(A round - From out the battered
From out the council circle, Akela's voice we hear,
elm tree)
And from the distant jungle the Cub Scouts answer clear.
Ah-ooh, ah-ooh, ah-ooh oo oo oo oo
Ah-ooh, ah-ooh, ah-ooh oo oo oo oo
5 mins
CLOSING CEREMONIES Badge presentations. Notices.
Grand Howl Flag
Leader.-' There is none like me' Said the cub in the pride of his
earliest kill.
But the jungle is large, And the cub, he is small,
Let him think and be still.
PRAYER: All:
Help us O Lord, to serve Thee day by day,
To do our duty and enjoy our play,
To keep the Cub Scout Promise and to rest
Happy that we have tried to do our best.
DISMISSAL: Wood and water, wind and tree Wisdom, strength and
courtesy,
Jungle favour go with thee,
Goodnight and Good Hunting Pack.
A Jungle Outdoor Program .
Theme -- Jungle Jaunts.
Sub-theme - The Jungle.
10 mins
OPENING CEREMONIES.
5min
YARN –Mowgli
10 mina
PACK GAME – Baloo Bivouac
Cub Scouts stand in the centre of the H.Q. Leader explains
commands and Cub Scouts follow them as they are called.
The commands are: '
LITTLE BROTHERS Cub Scouts rush to one end of the room,
make a straight line and squat down as for a Grand Howl.
BAGHEERA'S TEACHING!
Cub Scouts run to the other end of the room, taking care not to
trip over vines and roots.
BALOO
Cub Scouts pretend they are Baloo, the good-natured burly old
bear, and walk clockwise around the room.
ELEPHANT'
Two Cub Scouts per Six make an elephant and a little one
(Mowgli) jumps on top.
Note: Elephant Hunt is called only once, To make the finale.
'
10 mins
INSTRUCTION -Test 10
10mins
INDIVIDUAL GAME - Bagheera's Blaze
(using cardboard panther footprints).
The footprints represent Bagheera's trail. (He taught Mowgli to
move silently in the Jungle.) Starting at one end of the room,
Bagheera looks around frequently and any Cub Scout who is
seen to move has to go right to the back of the Pack and start
again. Each Cub Scout is to try to pick up a footprint without
Bagheera seeing. The Six which has the most footprints is the
winner.
5 mins
INTER-SIX ACTIVITY - Jungle Jigsaw
Any jungle animal pictures - cut into 6-8 pieces. The first Six
to finish is the winner.
10 min
SENSE-TRAINING GAME - Shere Khan's Hunting
(using a blindfold and roll of newspapers)
Cub Scouts sit in a circle, and two are chosen to go into the
centre. One is Mowgli, the other Shere Khan. Shere Khan is
given the roll of newspaper and blindfolded. He calls, Mowgli,
where are you? And Mowgli replies, Here I am, Shere Khan.
Shere Khan listens to the direction of the voice and tries to hit
Mowgli once with the roll. If he catches Mowgli the Cub Scouts
change roles, but if after six attempts he still has not caught
him, then he goes back to the circle and another pair is chosen.
10 mins
INSTRUCTION – Observation
10 mins
REVISION GAME - Mowgli's meanderings.
Cub Scouts are divided into two teams. From each team is
chosen one eight-year-old and one nine year-old. They stand
three metres from their team and have a pile of kindling, and
matches to light a fire. The rest of each team stands in a
straight line. In front of them are two buckets, one empty, one
full of water with a small billy in it (to represent the water hole).
While the nine-year-old prepares the fire and the eight-year-old
is ready to light it, the first Cub Scout
runs to the water hole and fills the billy then passes it down the
line. The person at the end runs out, tips the water into the
empty bucket and fills the billy at the water hole, before running
back to the start of the line. When every one has had a turn,
the first person takes the bucket and puts out the opposition
team's fire
5 mins
SING-SONG –
Jungle Jingles `Come a Hunting'
(TUNE: `Frere Jacques)
Come a hunting, come a hunting.
Cub Scouts all, Cubs Scouts all,
Out into the Jungle, out into the Jungle
Hear the call, hear the call
1.
2.
Pack.
Cub Scouts Oh Cub Scouts!' (TUNE: My Bonnie - Pack's
name
We're the (Pack's name) Cub Scouts in the Jungle
A fine jolly crowd, don't you see?
We have a good time, do you wonder
There's nothing like Cub Scouts for me?
Chorus:
Cub Scouts Oh Cub Scouts
There's nothing like Cub Scouts for me.
.Akela's the wolf in the Jungle, the Leader and Head of the
3.
4.
5 mins
Bagheera will teach us good hunting.
You can't beat a panther for that.
The Laws of the Jungle are many,
Baloo knows them all off by heart,
And Chil, the great bird of the tree-tops
Will teach us to take our own part.
We learn to be useful and happy,
Serve others instead of just me,
And grin when things don't seem so easy.
There's nothing like Cub Scouts for me.
Closing Ceremony
A Jungle program – Indoors
Tiger Tiger
Atmosphere: Throughout the program the story of Tiger! Tiger! from the
Jungle Book is told. Each Leader tells the appropriate part of
the story prior to running his/her activity.
10 mins
OPENING CEREMONIES
10 mins
PACK GAME - In Messua's Village After leaving the
Pack, Mowgli goes to the village. Messua teaches him man's
ways. Pack game. The Pack is in a circle in pairs. The inside
Cub Scouts are Messua, outside, Mowgli. On a word, they run
in opposite ways, until an order is given by the Leader who is
standing with his/her back to the circle. Cub Scouts run past to
meet their partner and then together do one of the following
actions: Crouch and warm hands, representing fire.
Pretend to feed each other - food.
Lie on floor as if asleep - bed. Facing each other with hands
joined to form arch - house. Before turning around, the
Leader names one action. Pairs doing this action score one
point.
10 mins
RELAY GAME - Herding the Buffalo
Herding the buffalo is a job given to Mowgli and each day sees
him gathering the herd as he goes. Relay game. The Pack in
teams, arm's distance apart, have a cross on the floor at their
feet representing the huts. The Sixers representing Mowgli, run
to the front of the den then to the back of their teams and
weave their way in and out to the front picking up the next
person (Rama) as they pass. They both repeat the run,
gathering in turn each of the others (buffalo).
10 mins
RELAY GAME - Herding the Buffalo
Herding the buffalo is a job given to Mowgli and each day sees
him gathering the herd as he goes. Relay game. The Pack in
teams, arm's distance apart, have a cross on the floor at their
feet representing the huts. The Sixers representing Mowgli, run
to the front of the den then to the back of their teams and
weave their way in and out to the front picking up the next
person (Rama) as they pass. They both repeat the run,
gathering in turn each of the others (buffalo).
30 mins
SIX ACTIVITY. Introduce `Codes' Achievement Badge
followed by handcraft.
Each Six is given a jungle message to decipher which tells
them to make a model of the story to date, using any
equipment the Leaders may choose.
10 mins
PACK GAME - Wolves and Buffalo
Mowgli is told of Shere Khan's return, and, together with
Akela and Grey Brother, divides the herd of buffalo in
preparation of his plan. Pack game. The Pack forms a circle
numbered one to three right round. On a word, numbers one
and three join hands representing Akela and Grey Brother
and give chase to numbers two (buffalo). During the game
change numbers around giving each an opportunity to
become a buffalo.
15mins
YARN AND ACTIVITY
During the stampede Shere Khan is trampled to death. Mowgli
skins Shere Khan and takes his hide to the Council Rock.
Pack activity. Jungle Play of Shere Khan's death.
5 mins
Closing Ceremonies
Chapter 15
Baden Powell
Cub Scouts love to hear the exploits of soldiers and brave people. We are
able to include this aspect of our traditions into the modern day program so
that the Cub Scouts develop a fuller meaning of the importance of Baden
Powell.
BP Games
School versus Town Boys
Two teams - Charterhouse School at one end and Town Boys at the other
have a line down the middle between them. They have piles of paper balls
(stones) and on a signal they throw them at the opposing side. The Team
with the least number of stones on a signal, wins that round. Repeat.
B.-P. in the Army in India
Put twigs fairly thickly along a track about a metre wide. Cub Scouts must
pass along the track one by one without making any sound. Stationed at
intervals along the way are hidden the enemy (blindfold Leaders and
helpers kneeling on either side of the track). If they hear a movement they
reach out and try to catch someone.
B.-P. in Mafeking
Each Six provide three minutes of entertainment - songs, jokes, skits,
mime, band etc.
B.-P. and fitness
B.-P. exercised everyday and encouraged his men to do the same. Sixes
form in relay lines. A ball is in front of each and a block of wood behind
each Six. On a signal the Sixer hops
to the ball, picks it up, runs to the back of Six, puts down the ball, picks up
a block, hops to the front, puts it down and runs to own place. The next
Cub Scout does the same except swaps the ball and block to its original
position. The game continues until all have had a go.
Variation - first runs, second hops, third crab crawls, fourth squat hops,
fifth goes backwards, sixth hops feet together.
Worth trying - a yarn
Baden-Powell, whose identity was unknown to a group of boys he was
watching, asked them what they were playing.
So many voices told him in so many ways that B.-P. finally had to wave
them into silence. They were playing Boers and soldiers, reliving B.-P.'s
exploits at the siege of Mafeking. 'Well, don't let me stop your game. It
sounds like good fun', B.-P. told the boys.
'Oh, you'd love it, mister', called one of the boys as he turned to go. And
then added, 'You should try it some time.'
Sayings of B.-P.
Snobs - A Scout must never be a snob. A snob is one who looks down
upon another because he is poorer, or who is poor and resents another
because he is rich. A Scout accepts the other man as he finds him, and
makes the best of him.
Smoking - no boy ever began smoking because he liked it, but generally
because either he feared being chaffed by the other boys as afraid to
smoke, or because he thought that by smoking he would look like a great
man - when all the time he only looks like a little ass.
Optimism - force yourself always to see the bright lining that lies behind
the darkest cloud and you will be able to face a black outlook with full
confidence.
Nature - the aim of nature study is to develop a realisation of God the
Creator, and to infuse a sense of the beauty of nature.
Cub Scouting - a very essential point is to keep Cub Scouting as different
as possible from Scouting, so as to make the Cub Scout eager to pass on
and become a Scout when reaching the Scout age. A growing child wants
change and variety, and if Scouting becomes to a child's mind a further
step of Cub Scouting they will get tired of it. The child wants to find new
practices and new ideas when becoming a Scout. Our training of the Cub
Scouts is done at the most important time of their lives, when they are most
mouldable both in mind and body to receive the right directions.
Curiosity - don't be content with the what, but get to know the why and
the how.
Discipline - is necessary everywhere, but the thing is to learn while you
are young to carry it out in small things, so that you would be able to do
so when it comes to your turn to do it in a great difficulty or danger. In
order to do this you have to be able to command yourself in the first
place.
Happiness - the only true success is happiness.
Happiness - does not come by sitting down and waiting for it.
An Animated Yarn Pack Program
The Wolf That Never Sleeps
Time: 105 minutes
Opening ceremonies: Inspection - Subs - Grand Howl - Flag – Prayer
OPENING
10mins
10mins
Knots
Activity
Form even numbered circles. Join hands with someone across
the circle but not with those on either side - left hand only. Now
join right hands with someone else. Again do not take the hand
of the people on either side of you. The challenge is to progress
to a single circle without letting go hands.
Yarn
Once upon a time there was a boy. He was born on February
22nd 1857. His father died when he was three years old, leaving
'Stephe', as he was called in the family circle, to be brought up
by his mother, who had nine living children. 'How that wonderful
woman managed to bring us all up', was said many years later,
`I do not know and cannot understand. It was her influence that
guided me through life. . .'
Let us meet this boy for the first time on board their ten-ton
sailing boat. It is a lovely, calm day, the sun is shining brightly
and seagulls are wheeling overhead. A boat is at anchor just offshore and the boys are exploring the island. One of them,
sandyhaired and freckled, has stopped exploring and is lying on
his back, thinking. His knees are drawn up, and the soft, warm,
wet sand is squelching through his toes. He has been reading in
an old pirate book of his brothers' about one particular pirate
captain, who is a great hero of his; 'One-eyed Bill' the skipper of
the Lovely Mary. He can splice, sing and take care of himself at
sea. He had lost his right arm, so he had learnt to do things
equally well with his left hand. In fact he was a very allround sort
of fellow.
The boy decided that one day when he was a man he would be
as good as Pirate Bill. Then he started mentally ticking off the
things he could do already. It was here that he decided that he
wanted to explore the world. Just then someone called `STE,
come on'. You may perhaps be wondering about the boy's
name. It was Robert Stephenson Smyth Baden-Powell - always
known by his family as `STE':
Activity.
Adventuring.. . Shipwreck
Walls are named Port, Starboard, Bow, Stern.
Other orders include: 'Captain's coming'- stand and salute.
'Swab the deck'- mop the floor. `Hit the deck' - just that.
'Climb the mast'- make climbing motions with legs and arms.
Stir the pudding' - stir a very large pudding with a very large
spoon.
At thirteen B.-P. entered Charterhouse School where he quickly
developed a reputation for liveliness. He was not known as a
brilliant student. He was a keen and good actor, but he was
never conceited about it and looked upon it as tremendous fun.
He had many friends and was always popular because he was
not afraid to get into a scrape and own up afterwards. Nowadays
you often hear boys and girls running down their teachers. This
is a pity, because no great adventure is complete unless we can
make friends with people who can teach us things.
Here is one story of his school days. The promised performer
had not arrived at a school entertainment and the boys were
getting impatient. The headmaster turned to B.-P. and asked
him to fill the gap. Without turning a hair the boy rose and began
to recount episodes of school life, keeping the other boys in
roars of laughter with his take-off of a French lesson. Fortunately
the French master was not present.
Activity.
Draw a picture of the French master
In Sixes: Progressive Drawing
Draw a designated part and pass to the right. Return it to its
original person. Display results.
10mins
Yarn
In spite of his poor schooling record Baden-Powell took an
examination for the army. Surprisingly enough, he finished
second out of 700. This brought him directly into the army
where he distinguished himself in India, South Africa, and
Malta. He established a reputation as a superb intelligence
officer - a man willing to enter the gates of the enemy to gather
information for his country.
Game: Polo
All with rolled paper hockey sticks. While galloping they are
to score goals using a soft ball. Two teams
10mins
Yarn
His reputation grew. His enemies named him IMPEESA, `The
wolf that never sleeps'. This name came as a result of many
scouting trips at night. He disguised himself in different ways,
posing as an artist. One famous story tells of his sketch of a
butterfly; fortress and gun emplacements were hidden on the
design of a butterfly wing.
Activity,
Designs and hidden maps Show the Cub Scouts the sketch by
B.-P. of the gun fortifications hidden in the wings of a butterfly.
Cub Scouts are to draw a butterfly and show a map of the
Scout H.Q. inside.
10mins
10 mins
15 mins
Yarn
Siege of Mafeking. During the Boer War between the English
and the descendants of the Dutch settlers in South Africa,
Baden-Powell was in charge of the defence of a key town,
Mafeking. His troops, badly outnumbered and completely
surrounded by the enemy, were under constant attack day after
day. Using every trick in his book, Baden-Powell and his men
held out for seven months until another army group broke
through enemy lines to relieve them. All that time, 217 days,
they stayed alert and observant.
Activity:
Passing crossed sticks Cub Scouts in a circle. A Leader takes
two sticks and passes them
to a neighbour, crossed or not as he/she likes. As this is done,
the Leader says `I pass these sticks crossed (or uncrossed)'
referring to whether his/her own ankles are crossed or not. The
next player says '1 receive these sticks crossed (or uncrossed
as the case may be) and I pass them on . . .'- the Leader
saying if he/she is right or not. The one with the sticks may
move or cross the sticks as he/she likes.
The game continues till all have spotted the catch and are
doing it correctly.
Yarn
During all these years Baden-Powell did not marry. After
retiring from the army he met his wife-to-be, Olave St. Claire
Soames, in 1912. Olave was an enthusiastic believer in
Scouting and what it could do for boys and girls. Lady
Baden-Powell became active in the Girl Guide Movement
and became World Chief Guide. They had three children
and remained trusted husband and wife, and friends until B.P.'s death in 1941, at the age of 83 years.
Activity:
Trust Walk
One member is blindfold and led along a path by another
member. They swap places. Care must be taken that there is
no danger.
Yarn
Baden-Powell wrote a book called `Aids to Scouting' for
soldiers. It was about how to track, stalk and live in the
outdoors. Later he rewrote this book for boys and called it
`Scouting for Boys'. In 1907 he decided to try out his ideas.
He brought together a group of boys, coming from different
social backgrounds and took them to camp at Brownsea
Island. Here he learnt that boys were eager to do things he
called `scouting'.
Activity.
Make a model of the Brownsea Island Camp
5 mins
Yarn
In the early days of Scouting certain critics accused the Chief
of making the Movement military.
In this case they said that the Scout Movement was designed to
teach boys how to be soldiers. As proof they described the crest
as a spear-head, the emblem of battle and bloodshed. B.-P.
replied, `the crest is the Fleur-de Lys, a lily, the emblem of peace
and purity'. The three prongs of what we now call the arrow-head
stand for the three parts of our Promise - Duty to God and Queen;
to help other people; to keep the Scout Law.
Challenge:
Do a special good turn this week for as many people as you
can.
5 mins
Yarn
Finish the program with playing of Baden-Powell's last message
from the tape 'Story of Baden-Powell' as told by Michael Aspel.
Gold Star Series.
In 1929, B.-P. was made Lord Baden-Powell of Gilwell and travelled
throughout the world in the interests of Scouting. He originated the now
famous World Jamborees, organised the World Scout Organisation, and
continued to write for leaders and youth members until his retirement to his
beloved Africa. He built a home for himself and his wife at Nyeri, Kenya
where they lived until his death at the age of 83, on January 4th, 1941.
.
S C O U T T R A I L S I G N : ' I h a v e gone home'.
Resource: Scouting for Boys by Robert Baden-Powell Facets of B. P.
(WASP Series) Yarns by B.P.
Pack Programs - Life of B. P. (PAWS Series)
250 Million Scouts