Boys can earn the Archery belt loop ONLY at council or district day camps, during council-managed family camping programs, or at council-sponsored activities where there is properly trained supervision and all standards for BSA shooting sports are implemented.
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1. Make a list of common materials used to create visual art compositions.2. Demonstrate how six of the following elements of design are used in a drawing: lines, circles, dots, shapes, colors, patterns, textures, space, balance, or perspective.
3. Identify the three primary colors and the three secondary colors that can be made by mixing them. Show how this is done using paints or markers. Use the primary and secondary colors to create a painting.
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Earn the Art belt loop, and complete six of the following requirements:1. Visit an art museum, gallery, or exhibit. Discuss with an adult the art you saw.
2. Create two self-portraits using two different art techniques, such as drawing, painting, printmaking, sculpture, or computer illustration.
3. Demonstrate how to make paper. Make a sample at least 4 inches by 4 inches.
4. Make a simple silkscreen or stencil. Print a card or t-shirt.
5. Create a free-standing sculpture or mobile using wood, metal, soap, papier-mache, or found objects.
6. Create an object using clay that can be fired, baked in the oven, or hardened in water.
7. Photograph four subjects in one theme, such as landscapes, people, animals, sports, or buildings.
9. Use your artistic skills to create a postage stamp, book cover, or music CD cover.
10. Use a computer illustration or painting program to create a work of art.
11. Display your artwork in a pack, school, or community art show.
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1. Demonstrate how to focus a simple telescope or binoculars. (A local astronomy club may be a resourse for this activity.)2. Draw a diagram of our solar system- identify the planets and other objects.
3. Explain the following terms: the Milky Way, black hole, red giant, white dwarf, comet, meteor, moon, asteroid, star map and universe.
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Earn the Astronomy Belt Loop, then complete 5 of the following requirements:1. Draw a diagram of a telescope and explain how it works.
2. Explain how to use a star map.
3. Draw and label five constellations. See if you can locate any of them in the sky using a star map.
4. Find the North Star. Explain its importance.
5. Interview an astronomer. This person may be a professional or an amateur astronomer from a local astronomy club. Report what you learned to your den or family.
6. Learn about careers that relate to astronomy. What school subjects will help you get a job in astronomy?
7. Visit a planetarium or a local astronomy club. Give a report on what you learned to your den.
8. Make a poster illustrating the different kinds of stars. Include a diagram showing the life cycle of a star.
9. Learn about some of the early space missions. Tell your den or family about one of them.
10. Find a news story about a recent happening related to space. Tell your den or family about this event.
11. Write a report on two famous astronomers.
12. Locate three major observatories on a map. Explain why these locations are good for astronomy.
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1. Explain the rules of badminton to your leader or adult partner.2. Spend at least 30 minutes practicing badminton skills.
3. Participate in a badminton game.
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1. Explain the rules of baseball to your leader or adult partner.2. Spend at least 30 minutes practicing baseball skills.
3. Participate in a baseball game.
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Earn the Baseball belt loop, and complete five of the following requirements:1. Participate in a pack or community baseball tournament.
2. Demonstrate skill in two of the following throwing techniques: overhand, sidearm, underhand, and the relay throw.
3. Demonstrate skill in two of the following catching techniques: fielding a ground ball, fielding a pop-up, catching a line drive.
4. Demonstrate correct pitching techniques.
5. Demonstrate correct hitting techniques, including bunting.
6. Explain the rules of base running. Explain base coaching signals.
7. Demonstrate skill in the following sliding techniques: the straight-in slide, the hook slide, and the headfirst slide.
8. Play five games of baseball using standard baseball rules.
9. Draw a baseball field to scale or set one up to play.
10. Attend a high school, college, or professional baseball game.
11. Read a book about a baseball player and give a report about him or her to your den or family.
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1. Explain the rules of basketball to your leader or adult partner.2. Spend at least 30 minutes practicing basketball skills.
3. Participate in a basketball game.
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Boys can earn the BB-Gun belt loop ONLY at council or district day camps, during council-managed family camping programs, or at council-sponsored activities where there is properly trained supervision and all standards for BSA shooting sports are implemented.
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Unfortunately, this belt loop is no longer available. The Scout Shop had one sitting in it's inventory for eighteen years and finally ended up using it as a carabiner on scout hikes.
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1. Explain the rules of safe bicycling to your den leader or adult partner.2. Demonstrate how to wear the proper safety equipment for bicycling.
3. Show how to ride a bike safely. Ride for at least half an hour with an adult partner, family, or den.
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1. Explain to your leader or adult partner the rules of courtesy and safety for bowling.2. Show how to pick out a ball of proper weight and with finger holes that fit your hand.
3. Play a complete game with your family or den.
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There is no belt loop for candy-eating! Don't you wish there was?
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1. Identify the chess pieces and set up a chess board for play.2. Demonstrate the moves of each chess piece to your den leader or adult partner.
3. Play a game of chess.
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1. Develop a list of jobs you can do around the home. Chart your progress for one week.2. Make a poster showing things that you can do to be a good citizen.
3. Participate in a family, den, or school service project.
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Earn the Citizenship belt loop, and complete five of the following requirements:1. Interview someone who has become a naturalized citizen. Give a report of your interview to your den or family.
2. Write a letter to your newspaper about an issue that concerns you.
3. Create a collage about America.
4. Conduct a home safety or energy audit and inspect your home. Talk with your parent or adult partner about correcting any problems you find.
5. Visit your local site of government. Interview someone who is involved with the governmental process.
6. Visit a courtroom and talk with someone who works there.
7. Go to the polls with your parents when they vote. Talk to them about their choices.
8. Take part in a parade with your den or pack.
9. List ways you can recycle various materials and conserve and protect the environment.
10. Attend a community event or visit a landmark in your community.
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1. Begin a collection of at least 10 items that all have something in common. Label the items and title your collection.2. Display your collection at a den or pack meeting.
3. Visit a show or museum that displays different collections.
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Earn the Collecting belt loop, and complete five of the following requirements:1. Give a talk about your collection to someone other than your family. Give a description of your collection, including a short history. Explain how you got started and why you decided to collect what you do.
2. Show how you preserve and display your collection. Explain any special precautions you must take including handling, cleaning, and storage. Note precautions for dampness, sunlight, or other weather conditions.
3. Read a book about what you collect.
4. Start a new collection of at least 20 items. Label the items, and title your collection.
5. Define 'numismatics' and 'philately'.
6. Join a club of collectors who share your hobby. This club may be a group of your friends.
7. Find out if there is a career that involves what you collect. Find out what kind of subjects you need to study to prepare for such a career.
8. If you collect coins or stamps, make a list of different countries in your collection. Explain how to identify each country's issues. Make a list of "clues" that help you identify the origin.
9. With an adult partner, visit an online auction and look for items you collect. What does it tell you about rarity and value of the things you collect?
10. Use a computer to catalog, organize, and keep track of your collection.
11. Help a friend get started on a collection of his or her own.
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1. Tell a story or relate an incident to a group of people, such as your family, den, or members of your class.2. Write a letter to a friend or relative.
3. Make a poster about something that interests you. Explain the poster to your den.
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Earn the Communicating belt loop, and complete five of the following requirements:1. Write an original poem or story.
2. Keep a journal of daily activities for at least seven days.
3. Listen to a news story on television or the radio. Discuss the information with an adult.
4. Go to the library. Use the card catalog or computer reference system to find a book, and then check it out.
5. Read a book that has been approved by your parent or teacher. Discuss the book with an adult.
6. With a friend, develop a skit. Perform it at a Scout meeting, family meeting, or school event.
7. Learn the alphabet in sign language. Learn how to sign ten words.
8. With an adult, use the Internet to search for information on a topic of interest to you.10. Read the directions for a new game. Explain to a family member or friend how to play it.11. Learn about "reading" materials for people who have poor vision or who are blind.
12. While traveling, make a list of road signs, animals, or license plates that you see.
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1. Explain these parts of a personal computer: central processing unit (CPU), monitor, keyboard, mouse, modem, and printer.2. Demonstrate how to start up and shut down a personal computer properly.
3. Use your computer to prepare and print a document.
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1. Review your local fishing regulations with your leader or adult partner. Explain why they are important, and commit to following them.2. Demonstrate how to properly bait a hook.
3. Try to catch a fish.
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1. Explain the rules of flag football to your leader or adult partner.2. Spend at least 30 minutes practicing flag football skills.
3. Participate in a flag football game.
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1. Draw a map of your neighborhood. Show natural and manmade features. Include a key or legend of map symbols.2. Learn about the physical geography of your community. Identify the major landforms within 100 miles. Discuss with an adult what you learned.
3. Use a world globe or map to locate the continents, the oceans, the equator, and the northern and southern hemispheres. Learn how longitude and latitude lines are used to locate a site.
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1. Define geology.2. Collect a sample of igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks. Explain how each was formed.
3. Explain the difference between a rock and a mineral.
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1. Explain the rules of golf to your leader or adult partner. Explain the need for caution concerning golf clubs and golf balls.2. Spend at least 30 minutes practicing golfing skills.
3. Participate in a round of golf (nine holes).
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1. Explain the six events of men's gymnastics: floor exercise, pommel horse, still rings, vaulting/side horse, parallel bars, and horizontal bar.2. Participate in three of the six events using the proper equipment.
3. Explain the safety rules you should follow to learn gymnastics.
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1. Talk with members of your family about your family heritage: its history, traditions, and culture.2. Make a poster that shows the origins of your ancestors. Share it with your den or other group.
3. Draw a family tree showing members of your family for three generations.
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1. Explain ways to protect yourself while ice skating, and the need for proper safety equipment.2. Spend at least 30 minutes practicing the skills of skating.
3. Go ice skating with a family member or den for at least three hours. Chart your time.
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1. Talk with someone who grew up in a different country than you did. Find out what it was like and how it is different from your experience.2. Learn ten words that are in a different language than your own.
3. Play two games that originated in another country or culture.
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1. Show how to orient a map. Find three landmarks on the map.2. Explain how a compass works.
3. Draw a map of your neighborhood. Label the streets and plot the route you take to get to a place that you often visit.
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Earn the Map and Compass belt loop, and complete five of the following requirements:1. Define cartography.
2. Make a poster showing 10 map symbols and their meaning.
3. Read a book or story about a famous explorer or navigator. Tell your den or family what you learned.
4. Make a simple compass with a magnet and pin.
5. Explain the difference between latitude and longitude and show them on a map or globe.
6. Draw a compass rose for a map. Label north, south, east, and west.
7. Study a blank map of the United States of America. Label your state, and the states that share its boundary lines.
8. In the field, show how to take a compass bearing and how to follow it.
9. Show how to measure distances, using a scale on a map legend.
10. Measure your pace. Then layout a simple compass course for your den to try.
11. Using a road map, determine how many miles it is between two major cities or familiar destinations.
12. Explain what the different map colors can mean on a map.
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1. Explain the rules of Ringer or another marble game to your leader or adult partner.2. Spend at least 30 minutes practicing skills to play the game of Ringer or another marble game.
3. Participate in a game of marbles.
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1. Do five activities within your home or school that require the use of mathematics. Explain to your den how you used everyday math.2. Keep track of the money you earn and spend for three weeks.
3. Measure three items using both metric and nonmetric measures. Find out about the history of the metric system of measurement.
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1. Explain why music is an important part of our culture.2. Pick a song with at least two verses and learn it by heart.
3. Listen to four different types of music either recorded or live.
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1. Give a short report to your den or family on the dangers of drugs and alcohol.2. Practice finding your pulse and counting your heartbeats per minute. Determine your target heart rate.
3. Practice five physical fitness skills regularly. Improve performance in each skill over a month. Skills could include pull-ups, sit-ups, the standing long jump, the 50-yard dash, and the softball throw.
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1. Explain ways to protect yourself while roller skating or inline skating, and the need for proper safety equipment.2. Spend at least 30 minutes practicing the skills of roller skating or inline skating.
3. Go skating with a family member or den for at least three hours. Chart your time.
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1. Explain the scientific method to your adult partner.2. Use the scientific method in a simple science project. Explain the results to an adult.
3. Visit a museum, a laboratory, an observatory, a zoo, an aquarium, or other facility that employs scientists. Talk to a scientist about his or her work.
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1. Explain conditioning, clothing, equipment, and planning needed for snow skiing or boarding.2. Explain "Your Responsibility Code," the rules of safety and courtesy for the slopes. (See book.)
3. Go skiing or snow boarding. Demonstrate how to stop and turn.
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1. Explain the rules of soccer to your leader or adult partner.2. Spend at least 30 minutes practicing soccer skills.
3. Play a game of soccer.
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1. Explain the rules of softball to your leader or adult partner.2. Spend at least 30 minutes practicing softball skills.
3. Participate in a softball game.
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1. Explain the rules of Safe Swim Defense. (See a leader or the Academics and Sports Program Guide for these rules.) Emphasize the buddy system.2. Play a recreational game in the water with your den, pack, or family.
3. While holding a kickboard, propel yourself 25 feet using a flutter kick across the shallow end of the swimming area.
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1. Explain the rules of table tennis to your leader or adult partner.2. Spend at least 30 minutes practicing table tennis skills.
3. Participate in a table tennis game.
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1. Explain the rules of tennis to your leader or adult partner.2. Spend at least 30 minutes practicing tennis skills.
3. Participate in a tennis game.
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1. Explain the rules of ultimate or disc golf to your leader or adult partner.2. Spend at least 30 minutes practicing ultimate or disc golf skills.
3. Participate in a game of ultimate or disc golf.
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1. Explain the rules of volleyabll to your leader or adult partner.2. Spend at least 30 minutes practicing skills to play the sport of volleyball.
3. Participate in a volleyball game.
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1. Make a poster that shows and explains the water cycle.2. Set up a simple weather station to record rainfall, temperature, air pressure, or evaporation for one week.
3. Watch the weather forecast on a local television station.
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1. Explain what natural resources are and why it's important to protect and conserve them.2. Make a poster that shows and explains the food chain. Describe to your den what happens if the food chain becomes broken or damaged.
3. Learn about an endangered species. Make a report to your den that includes a picture, how the species came to be endangered, and what is being done to save it.
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