David Norman

Two days ago I took my bike out to Charleston Park to get a workout on the trails. It helps my knee from getting lose and arthritic. Only 0.8 into the 5 mile ride, I hit a tree root, almost tossed myself off the front of the bike, my chain popped off the front, and then I heard a loud hissing noise, as if someone had slashed a car tire. I didn’t get hurt, but I had the walk of shame back to the parking lot with my flat tire rubbing all over the frame and gear components. [Read More]

My wife and I have a tradition that we get to dictate the schedule for the week of our birthday and the other doesn’t complain, so I had tentatively inserted a week of vacation into my calendar for Fall, next year 2019, for a thru-hike of the GA section of the AT during the week of my birthday. Then she got talking to one of her American Heritage Girls moms about her overnight section hike. [Read More]

On trails approved by your counselor, take two rides of 2 miles each, two rides of 5 miles each, and two rides of 8 miles each. You must make a report of the rides taken. List dates for the routes traveled, and interesting things seen. After fulfilling the previous requirement, lay out on a trail map a 22-mile trip. You may include multiple trail systems, if needed. Stay away from main highways. [Read More]

Avoiding main highways, take two rides of 10 miles each, two rides of 15 miles each, and two rides of 25 miles each. You must make a report of the rides taken. List dates for the routes traveled, and interesting things seen. Lay out on a road map a 50-mile trip. Stay away from main highways. Using your map, make this ride in eight hours. OR Participate in an organized bike tour of at least 50 miles. [Read More]

When planning your next Cub Scout camp event, check with your local council for a list of approved campsites. Some adults may remember camping in all sorts of neat places as a Boy Scout, but Cub Scouting has a specific safety list for young children. Note that in Northeast Georgia, some state parks are explicitly not approved for overnight camping with Cub Scouts. Cloudland Canyon State Park Providence Canyon State Park Tallulah Gorge State Park At least one adult on a pack overnighter must have completed Basic Adult Leader Outdoor Orientation (BALOO) to properly understand the importance of youth protection guidelines, health and safety, site selection, and age-appropriate activities. [Read More]

Adventure Requirements Identify three good food choices and three foods that would not be good choices. Show that you know the difference between a fruit and a vegetable. Eat one of each. With your adult partner, pick a job to help your family at mealtime. Do it every day for one week. Show you can keep yourself and your personal area clean. Talk with your adult partner about what foods you can eat with your fingers. [Read More]

Requirements Cover a family fire plan and drill, and what to do if separated from the family. Discuss a family emergency plan with the family. Create, plan, and practice summoning help during an emergency. Take a nationally recognized first-aid course geared toward children such as American Red Cross First Aid for Children Today (FACT). Join a safe kids program such as McGruff Child Identification, Internet Safety, or Safety at Home. [Read More]

This adventure takes at least two meetings. Adventure Requirements With your den, discuss the following types of theater: puppet shows, reader’s theater, and pantomime. As a den, play a game of one-word charades with your adult partners. Make a puppet to show your den or display at a pack meeting. Perform a simple reader’s theater. Make a mask afterward to show what your character looks like. Watch a play or attend a story time at a library. [Read More]

Adventure Requirements With your adult partner, name and collect the Cub Scout Six Essentials you need for a hike. Tell your den leader what you would need to add to your list if it rains. Go for a short hike with your den or family, and carry your own gear. Show you know how to get ready for this hike. Do the following: Listen while your leader reads the Outdoor Code. [Read More]

Adventure Requirements With your den or adult partner, discuss two different types of bicycles and their uses. With your den or adult partner, try on safety gear you should use while riding your bike. Show how to wear a bicycle helmet properly. With your den or adult partner, learn and demonstrate safety tips to follow when riding your bicycle. Learn and demonstrate proper hand signals. With your den or adult partner, do a safety check on your bicycle. [Read More]