Cub Scouting has been an exciting and rewarding activity for my son to be involved in. My oldest son started in first grade as a Tiger Cub and is entering his last year as a Webelos II in fifth grade as his younger brother is starting his Tiger Cub year. I feel that Scouting has encouraged my son to understand the benefits of community service, values, and responsibility.
There are 120 Merit Badges Scouts can earn. The Cub Scout’s webpage has a great list of activities and projects. Not every Cub Scout meeting needs to be a field trip, but den-level outings and field trips are a fun way to keep your boys entertained and engaged. If you’re looking to check out some awesome activities and find ways to earn Cub Scout badges, keep reading!
Nature and Hiking at The Little Red Schoolhouse or Graue Mill
Computers badge, Animation, Digital Technology at Apple Store Field Trip. Our Scouts had an awesome time at the Apple Store last year! The Scouts chose to create their own theme song using Garage Band. The boys each received their own Apple Store Field Trip t-shirt, ear buds and wristband USB (with their theme songs downloaded) to take home, compliments of Apple. It was a great (cost-free!) trip.
Your local Fire Department for Fire Safety and First Aid.
Check out our Kid’s Cooking Classes article for places you may be able to earn your Cooking badge, such as Healthy Sins Vegan Cafe.
Sleepover at the Field Museum or Lincoln Park Zoo.
By land or sea- check out Shedd Aquarium Scout Events.
Geocaching– check out our article here.
Check out one of these indoor swim facilities for the Swimming badge.
In September, you can receive $5 admission at Legoland Discovery Center Chicago while wearing your Scout uniform. Check out their bricktastic Scout visit offerings!
Visit your local post office.
Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum offers Scout Workshops.
Fermi lab offers programs for Webelos and Boy Scouts.
Personal Fitness Merit Badges Take your scouts to a local high school football game, attending a Tae Kwon Do class or other local fitness centers to review the Sports and Athletic badges. You could even go and visit the Cubs for a Ballpark Tour!
Brookfield Zoo offers specific scout level field trips for Animal Science, Reptiles and Amphibians, Birds. They also have a Zoo World Patch with two accompanying programs: The Petkeeper – Zookeeper – Earthkeeper patch program for children 6 to 9 years old and the The Role of a Modern Zoo
for children 9 to 12 years old.
Lombard Park District is offering a Trick or Treat Food Drive to be donated to local food pantries.
Take a tour of your local police station to review Traffic Safety, Crime Prevention, Safety.
Morton Arboretum for Birds, Nature and Gardening.
Visit a local Animal Humane Society to review Dog Care.
Adler Planetarium for Astronomy Merit Badge or Space Exploration.
Webelos I and Webelos II are able to visit a local quarry for Mining in Society badge.
Bass Pro Classes offers classes for merit badges (found under Store Events) for Fish and Wildlife Management Merit Badge.
One of the most anticipated events for any Scout- the Pinewood Derby. This yearly race with Scout- crafted cars is such a fun and engaging activity for the Pack to share. Definitely one of our favorites!
Here are some other articles parents and Den Leaders may find helpful:
The Advancement Trail
Activities
Parent Resources
Are your sons Cub Scouts? What was their favorite activity? Leave us a note in the comments section!
