As my three boys have advanced through the cub scout program, this easy activity has become a beloved tradition. If you have a Wolf Cub Scout, I highly recommend this activity. You’ll knock off several Wolf requirements and a few Faith in God requirements in one fell swoop – and have a blast doing it.

Thus, Super-Charged!

Though not structured like a traditional Family Home Evening, we’ve always done this as a family party and consider it a fantastic FHE.

Tips: Use what you have and keep it simple. This is meant to be easy and fun, and certainly doesn’t need the “polish” you tend to see when the grown-ups are in charge. If you make this a family party, it’s much easier to let go of the reigns and let your kids truly make this party their own.

Let the Party begin:

Let your Wolf scout help plan the party. The party can be indoors or outdoors, but outdoors fulfills more requirements.

He should help decorate, help prepare a treat, and help prepare your picnic lunch or dinner. Our youngest boy just threw his party, which actually fell between lunch and dinner. His menu consisted of popcorn and rice krispy treats (both of which he helped make), peanut butter crackers, mini marshmallows, and juice boxes. As you can see, he was in charge of the menu. However, if the meal is “nutritious” it will qualify for an additional requirement in the Faith in God program.

If the dinner is something that he cooks outdoors, that fulfills yet another requirement. Hot dogs or hobo dinners are easy ideas.

Have him plan and help set up the following games (see pg 128 of the Wolf book for illustrations of these games):

Pie Pan Washer Toss (Each player tosses five washers at a pie tin. Score 1 point for each washer that stays in the pan. You can also use buttons.)

Bean Bag Toss (Have him make the beanbags for each person to use and keep as a party favor and knock off another requirement. If you don’t have time for that, use tiny stuffed animals for the beanbags.)

Bean Bag Archery (This one is on page 90 of the Wolf book. My sons draw the targets on paper.)

Marble Sharpshooter (Each player rolls five marbles at glass bottle targets. Score one point for each marble that rolls between the bottles and misses them. We’ve substituted empty plastic jars used for freezer jam.)

Ring Toss (Use rolled up newspaper shaped into rings for this traditional game.)

A Game of Marbles (See this fun site for a refresher on how to play marbles.)

Obstacle Course (He can make up his own ideas; here are the ideas from page 197 of the Wolf book – jump across an imaginary river, crawl through a cardboard tunnel, jump up and ring a bell, toss a ball into a can, do one forward roll, walk like an elephant for five steps.)

The Super-Charged Super List:

That’s it! Depending on what you did, your wolf cub scout just fulfilled 2 requirements and 8 or 9 electives, along with some of his Faith in God requirements! Here’s the complete list:

Wolf requirements 8c or 8e, and 10b; and Wolf electives 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, 4e, 9a, 9b, 18a or 18b, and 18d. Faith in God, Serving Others 4 and 7 (plus part of requirement 5 if you have younger siblings at the party).

Looking for more activity ideas for your party? Check out Wolf requirement 1, and Wolf electives 18c or 18e.

"Tap Tap" Journals

There are many journaling requirements sprinkled throughout the LDS youth and Scouting programs (see below), so why not pick up one of these “Tap Tap” journals and do some good while you’re at it?

I came across these adorable journals when I discovered Project HOPE Art yesterday. They’re only $14.99 and $5 benefits Project HOPE Art and their work with Haitian orphans. How can I help but spread the word?

Also available are the “Tap Tap” Journals in white and the Haiti Mural Journal composed of mural art created by Haiti children:

That’s the one I ordered and I chose the blank page option (you can also get lined, dots, or planner pages). I think I’m going to use it to try some of Kathy Barbro’s projects, which I’ve been wanting to do for a long time. She has some new projects at her website which look like fun.

LDS Youth and Scouting Program Requirements Involving Journaling:

Faith in God – Preparing for Young Women #3: “Write in your journal how you can serve the Lord as you stand for truth and righteousness.”

Bear Scout – Family Requirement #8f: “Start your own history: keep a journal for 2 weeks.”

Bear Scout – Jot It Down Requirement #18c: “Keep a daily record of your activities for 2 weeks.”

Webelos – Scholar #5: “List in writing some important things you can do now because of what you’ve learned in school.”

Cub Scouts – Communicating Pin #2: “Keep a journal of daily activities for at least seven days.”

Cub Scouts – Reading and Writing Belt Loop #3: “Keep a diary of your activities for one week. Read it to your den or family.”

Communications Merit Badge Requirements 1a or 1b: Keeping a log of communication activities for a day, or keeping a journal of “listening” experiences for three days.

Personal Management Merit Badge Requirement 8c: “Follow the one-week schedule you planned. Keep a daily diary or journal during each of the seven days of this week’s activities, writing down when you completed each of the tasks on your “to do” list compared to when you scheduled them.”

Duty to God requirements often encourage journaling, and a general requirement of the Personal Progress program is to keep a personal journal.

Venturing Religious Life Bronze Award requirement 4b: “Keep a personal journal of your experiences each time you worked as a volunteer.” (After three months of volunteer work, see requirement 4a.)

What kid doesn’t love McDonald’s? Chicken McNuggets, Happy Meal toys, indoor playgrounds, fresh-baked chocolate chip cookies. What’s not to like?

Of course, your kids DO know about the Ronald McDonald House, right?

Come to think of it, I’m not sure my kids know about it. Hang on a minute…  Okay. Now they know.

Anyway, there are lots of ways kids can help out their favorite clown and get in on the philanthropic action. Whether they want to serve from the security of their own home or make a trip to an actual House, there are lots of easy ways kids can get involved.

This is also a great way to fulfill service requirements (and a few extra requirements, depending on your chosen act of service) in the Faith in God, Personal Progress, Duty to God or Scouting programs. A handy list of links to those requirements is at the end of this post.

First, what can kids do to help?

* Collect or make greeting cards to donate to your local House. Homemade cards, new cards, or the fronts of used cards are all useful. Ronald McDonald House gives these to families, who can send them to their ill child or give them out as thank you notes.

* Collect pop tabs. Not all chapters participate in this program, so check first. Your local chapter will also be able to tell you if there are drop-off locations elsewhere in your community, or provide you with pop tab collection containers to place in new areas. This is a great way to help Houses raise much-needed funds.

* Provide service at the House. Contact your local House to see what they need. You can help serve meals, plant flowers or do some cleaning.

* Sponsor a food drive to help stock their pantry with non-perishable goods.

* Collect items for a community yard sale and donate the proceeds.

* Help prepare and serve dinner at the House.

* Plan an activity for the children living at the house, like a face-painting party or story hour.

* Bake homemade cookies, decorate them, and donate them to families staying at your local House.

* Wash the cars of the families staying at the House.

* Make quilts for the beds. Check with the House first to see what’s needed. Some Houses have nicely decorated, themed rooms (often donated to the House by individuals or groups) and so may not be in need of this.  Other Houses have worn bedding and would greatly appreciate something new and fresh!

The needs of these Houses is huge and varied. You’re bound to find something of interest to your son or daughter. For more information about Ronald McDonald House Charities or to find a local House, go to the official website right HERE.

Related LDS Youth Program and Scouting Program Requirements:

Faith in God – Serving Others requirement 1: “Read and discuss the parable of the good Samaritan (see Luke 10:30–37). Plan and complete a service project that helps a family member or neighbor. After completing the project, discuss how it helped your faith grow stronger.”

Faith in God – Serving Others requirement 4: “Plan, prepare, and serve a nutritious meal. ”

Faith in God – Serving Others requirement 7: “Plan and hold a parent-child activity, such as a dinner, picnic, hike, day trip, or service project.”

Faith in God – Serving Others requirement 8: “Read the twelfth article of faith. Discuss what it means to be a good citizen and how your actions can affect others. ”

Tiger cub scout elective 11: “Help collect food, clothing or toys for needy families with your den or pack.”

Tiger cub scout elective 12: “Make at least two cards or decorations and take them to a hospital or long-term care facility.”

Wolf cub scout elective 9b/c: “Make a gift or toy like one of these (examples shown in book) and give it to someone.”

Bear cub scout requirement 9a: “With an adult, bake cookies.”

Bear cub scout elective 21b: “Help with a garage sale or rummage sale. This can be with your family or a neighbor, or it can be a church, school, or pack event.”

Citizenship cub scout belt loop requirement 3:“Participate in a family, den, or school service project.”

Reading and Writing cub scout pin requirement 2: “Read a book to a child or group of children.”

Complete a 10-hour service project for the House to complete the Personal Progress Individual Worth Value Project or Good Works Value Project.

Personal Progress Good Works requirement 6: “Spend at least three hours giving service outside your family. Ask your ward or branch Relief Society president or a community leader for suggestions for service. For example, you might take care of children while parents attend the temple; collect, make, or recondition toys or games for a nursery; accept an assignment to clean the meetinghouse; or perform errands for or read to a homebound person or others in need. Record in your journal the reactions of the person you served and possible goals for future service opportunities.”

Second class boy scout rank requirement 5: “Participate in an approved (minimum of one hour) service project. ”

Star boy scout rank requirement 4: “While a First Class Scout, take part in service projects totaling at least 6 hours of work. These projects must be approved by your Scoutmaster.”

Life boy scout rank requirement 4: “While a Star Scout, take part in service projects totaling at least 6 hours of work. These projects must be approved by your Scoutmaster. ”

This is a good idea for the Eagle Scout Leadership Service Project if you turn it into something significant, perhaps raising funds in order to redecorate and update rooms at the Ronald McDonald House.

Citizenship in the Community merit badge requirement 7, which includes learning about a community service organization and donating at least 8 hours serving that organization.

Do service at the Ronald McDonald House as part of the requirements to earn the Boy Scout Special Award in honor of the late, great Jimmy Stewart, the James M. Stewart Good Citizenship award.

Venturing Religious Life Bronze Award requirement 3: “ Plan and lead a service project such as helping to build a Habitat for Humanity house, participating in a community cleanup project, or taking on a fix-up project for a nursing home or nursery.”

Choose Ronald McDonald House Charities as your organization to serve as part of the Venturing TRUST Award requirements.

Serve the Ronald McDonald House as part of the “Serve Others” requirements in the Duty to God program.

Time to pack up the family for a little road trip.

As promised in my Xanadu post, here’s a list of requirements from the various programs that may blend well with (or inspire) your family summer plans.

Well, this is part one. There are so many possibilities with merit badges alone that I scooted them into their own post, coming up later today.

If you’re specifically looking for outdoor activities (camping and more), check out my Before You Go Camping post for a succinct list of requirements for Cub and Boy Scouts.

Possible summertime-fun requirements:

Faith in God Serving Others requirement 7: “Plan and hold a parent-child activity, such as a dinner, picnic, hike, day trip, or service project.”

Faith in God Developing Talents requirement 5: “Visit an art museum or attend a concert, play, or other cultural event. Share your experience with your family or activity day group. ”

Tiger Scout requirement 1G: “Go to a library, historical society, museum, old farm, or historical building, or visit an older person in your community.  Discover how family life was the same and how it was different many years ago.”

Tiger Scout elective 22: “With your family or with your den, have a picnic — indoors or outdoors.”

Tiger Scout elective 41: “Visit a train station, bus station, airport or boat dock.”

Tiger Scout elective 42: “Visit a zoo or aquarium.”

Wolf Scout requirement 10c: “Plan a walk. Go to a park or a wooded area, or visit a zoo or museum with your family.” and 10f: “Attend a concert, a play, or other live program with your family.”

Wolf Scout elective 18a: “Help plan and hold a picnic with your family or den.” and 18b: “With an adult, help plan and run a family or den outing.”

If you like to fish, check out the six fishing activities for Wolf Scout elective 19 Fishing.

Likewise for the Cub Scout Fishing Belt Loop and Pin.

Wolf Scout elective 23h: “With your den or pack or family, participate in a worship service outdoors.”

Bear Scout requirement 3d: “Find out where places of historical interest are located in or near your town or city. Go and visit one of them with your family or den.” (Great for the Stay-cation!”)

Bear Scout requirement 5d: “Visit one of the following: Zoo, Nature center, Aviary, Wildlife refuge, Game preserve.”

Bear Scout requirement 9e: “Make some trail food for a hike.” and 9g: “With an adult, cook something outdoors.”

Bear Scout requirement 10a: “Go on a day trip or evening out with members of your family.”

More camping, hiking, picnic-ing and outdoor fun options in the five requirements for Bear Scout requirement 12: Family Outdoor Adventure.

Bear Scout elective 1c: “Visit a planetarium.”

Bear Scout elective 5a: “Help an adult rig and sail a real boat. (Wear your PFD.)”

Bear Scout elective 9b: “Visit an art museum or picture gallery with your den or family.”

Bear Scout elective 15c: “Visit a burned-out forest or prairie area, or a slide area, with your den or your family. Talk to a soil and water conservation officer or forest ranger about how the area will be planted and cared for so that it will grow to be the way it was before the fire or slide”

Bear Scout elective 16d: “With your family or den, visit a livestock exhibit at a county or state fair.”

Bear Scout elective 23e: “Mark a map showing the way to a place you would like to visit that is at least 50 miles from your home.”

Webelos Scout Family Member activity badge requirement 8: “Tell what your family does for fun. Make a list of fun things your family might do for little or no cost. Plan a family fun night.”

It would be easy to earn the Webelos Scout Traveler activity badge while on a family trip. Be sure to leave some time beforehand for your scout to help map and plan the trip.

Webelos Scout Geologist activity badge requirement 8: “Take a field trip to a geological site, geological laboratory, or rock show. Discuss what you learned at your next Webelos den meeting.”

Webelos Scout Naturalist activity badge requirement 4: “Visit a museum of natural history, nature center, or zoo with your family, Webelos den, or pack. Tell what you saw.”

For several camping and hiking activities, including helping to pitch a tent and cook outdoor meals, see the Webelos Outdoorsman activity badge.

Webelos Aquanaut activity badge requirement 6: “With an adult on board, show that you know how to handle a rowboat.”

Cub Scout Art Pin requirement 1: “Visit an art museum, gallery, or exhibit. Discuss with an adult the art you saw.”

Cub Scout Astronomy Pin requirement 6: “Visit an observatory or a planetarium. Give a report on what you learned to your den.” (If you do this, see if you can talk to an astronomer to fulfill requirement 5.)

Cub Scout Citizenship Pin requirement 10: “Attend a community event or visit a landmark in your community.”

Cub Scout Collecting Belt Loop requirement 3: “Visit a show or museum that displays different collections.”

Cub Scout Communicating Pin requirement 12: “While traveling, make a list of road signs, animals, or license plates that you see.”

If you’re going on a family trip, be sure to check out the requirements for the Cub Scout Family Travel Belt Loop and Pin.

Cub Scout Geology Pin requirement 11: “Visit a mine, oil or gas field, gravel pit, stone quarry, or similar area of special interest related to geology.” Visiting with a geologist fulfills requirement 12. If you go to a cave, have your scout complete requirement 13: “Draw the inside of a cave showing the difference between stalactites and stalagmites.”

Cub Scout Heritages Pin requirement 2: “Attend a family reunion.” In fact, if you do this you may want to read through the requirements for the Heritages Belt Loop and Pin.

Cub Scout Music Pin requirement 6: “Attend a live musical performance or concert.”

Cub Scout Nutrition Pin requirement 11: “Visit a farm or ranch. Talk with the owner about how the farm or ranch produces food for families.” (We have an olive farm nearby that features a restaurant where you can eat freshly-baked bread and olive oil. Oh yeah baby. That’s nutritional, right?)

Cub Scout Photography Pin requirement 8: “Visit an art exhibit that features photography. Write a list of some of the things you saw and felt during your visit.”

Cub Scout Science Belt Loop requirement 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.”

Cub Scout Wildlife Pin requirement 1: “Visit a wildlife sanctuary, nature center, or fish hatchery.” and 7: “Visit with a person who works in wildlife conservation, such as a park ranger, biologist, range manager, geologist, horticulturist, zookeeper, fishery technician, or conservation officer.” and 8: “Visit a state park or national park.”

Cub Scout Bicycling Pin requirement 7: “Go on a “bicycle hike” with your family or den. Obey traffic rules related to bicycling.” and 9: “Visit a bicycle race or exhibition.”

If you go hiking, check out the Cub Scout Hiking Belt Loop and Pin, just released this year.

Another new one, great for summer activities, is the Cub Scout Horseback Riding Belt Loop and Pin.

If you do any outdoor activities, check out the Cub Scout Outdoor Activity Award, a special award that’s fun to earn and can be earned again in each successive year of Cub Scouting.

Boy Scout Second Class rank requirement 1b: “Using a compass and map together, take a five-mile hike (or 10 miles by bike) approved by your adult leader and your parent or guardian. (If you use a wheelchair or crutches, or if it is difficult for you to get around, you may substitute ‘trip’ for ‘hike’ in this requirement)”

Boy Scout First Class rank requirement 2: “Using a compass, complete an orienteering course that covers at least one mile and requires measuring the height and/or width of designated items (tree, tower, canyon, ditch, etc.).”

**Look for Merit Badges in an upcoming post**

Duty to God Deacon – Educational, Personal and Career Development requirement 6: “Attend a cultural event such as a church, school, or community play, music program, or musical.”

One of my all-time favorite websites is Astronomy Picture of the Day (APOD). Here you get to discover such deep-space beauties as

the Carina Nebula

Spitzer’s Orion

and Thor’s Emerald Helmet.

That one gets extra points for an awesome name.

I think the universe is a fascinating place, so APOD gives me my little star-fix now and again.

Course you can always set up a telescope and do things the old-fashioned way.

My sons and I went on a constellation hunt one night while we were camping. Between the clouds and the nearly-full moon there wasn’t a lot of visibility, but something about standing on the earth and looking at the heavens together made for a great bonding experience (even if Orion’s belt was in short supply).

If you have sons in scouting, or even if you don’t, find inspiration in the following awards and put together your own star-friendly activity.

Astronomy Belt Loop and Pin – This is the one we were working on when we went looking for constellations.

Astronomy Merit Badge – Stargazing gets more challenging, what with sketching the position of planets and all. I’m liking the idea of a star party though. What kind of desserts would you serve at a party like that? Moon cakes? Big Dipper Punch?

I’m getting hungry.

Good health and nutrition is a topic covered across the board in the LDS Youth and Scouting programs. Here’s another FHE to help your kids learn a gospel principle and fulfill some requirements at the same time.

Super Charged FHE: Word of Wisdom

Preparation:

Print out a food pyramid guide like this one found at MyPyramid.gov.

Make a batch of cupcakes ahead of time. For a few of them (enough for each person in your family to have one), pour half the batter into the muffin tin, place a little pile of dirt in the center, then cover with the rest of the batter. Bake as usual, but be sure not to mix them up with your regular cupcakes. Make only enough so each person in your family could have one.

Frost all the cupcakes, putting sprinkles only on the cupcakes filled with dirt.

Make sure no one knows about the dirt!

Opening song:

The Word of Wisdom, Children’s Hymn #154
Or, you know, a song you actually know.

Object lesson:

Bring out two plates of cupcakes, one with the frosted, good cupcakes and the other with the sprinkle-covered, dirt-filled cupcakes. Explain that each person may choose one cupcake, any one they like, but that you advise against the one with sprinkles. When they ask why, don’t explain it. Just say they’re free to choose for themselves.

Once everyone has made their choice and eaten (or tried to eat, as the case may be) their cupcake, relate this to the Word of Wisdom. Some people will try to make things like alcohol and drugs seem appealing but really it’s bad for you.

(This same object lesson works great for the topic of obedience. Just like your family members didn’t know why you said not to eat the sprinkle-covered cupcakes, we don’t always know why we’re told to do certain things, but we trust Heavenly Father, Jesus, our leaders, our parents, etc and obey anyway.)

Lesson:

Just as I acted as a guide to help you know which cupcakes to eat, we have a guide that helps us know how to take care of our bodies. What is it?

Read Doctrine & Covenants 89:1-4. Why were we given this commandment?

Explain that the next verses warn us about the dirt-filled cupcakes. Ask family members to watch for them as someone reads verses 5-9. Ask what we’re warned to stay away from? Elaborate on the why’s if desired.

Explain that we’re also told how to take care of our bodies so they can be healthy and strong. God created our bodies and knows all about them and how to take care of them. Read verses 10-17 and discuss key points.

What blessings come to us if we follow the counsel outlined in these scriptures? Read verses 18-21 and discuss.

Activity:

Review and discuss the food pyramid. Depending on what requirements you’re trying to fulfill, you may also want to fill in meal planners like this one.

Treat:

More cupcakes! (That’s healthy, right?)

This lesson at least partially fulfills the following requirements:

Reinforces My Gospel Standards (from Faith in God): “I will keep my mind and body sacred and pure, and I will not partake of things that are harmful to me.”

Faith in God – Learning and Living the Gospel #7: “Read Doctrine & Covenants 89. Discuss how Heavenly Father blesses us when we faithfully live the Word of Wisdom. Help plan and conduct an activity to teach the Word of Wisdom to others.”

Faith in God – Serving Others #4: “Plan, prepare, and serve a nutritious meal.”

Faith in God – Developing Talents #9: “Learn about and practice good nutrition, good health, and good grooming, including modest dress. ”

Personal Progress Knowledge Value Project idea 3: “Read Doctrine and Covenants 89. Consider what you can do to be more physically fit. Improve your health by developing and implementing a regular fitness program and learning to cook and eat food that is part of a healthful diet.”

Duty to God – Deacon Educational, Career requirement 12: “Read the Word of Wisdom in Doctrine & Covenants 89 and explain to a parent or priesthood leader what is meant by “and shall find wisdom and great treasures of knowledge, even hidden treasures.”

Wolf Cub Scout requirement 8a: “Study the Food Guide Pyramid.  Name some foods from each of the food groups shown in the pyramid.”

Wolf Cub Scout requirement 8b: “Plan the meals you and your family should have for one day. List things your family should have from the food groups shown in the Food Group Pyramid.  At each meal, you should have foods from at least three food groups.”

Wolf Cub Scout requirement 12b: “[Discuss the following scenario] There is an older boy who hangs around Jason’s school. He tries to give drugs to the children. What would you do if you were Jason?”

Bear Cub Scout requirement 9d: “Make a list of the ‘junk foods’ you eat. Discuss ‘junk food’ with a parent or teacher.”

Webelos Scout Athlete activity badge requirement 2: “Explain what it means to be physically and mentally healthy.”

Webelos Scout Athlete activity badge requirement 3: “Explain what you as a Webelos Scout can do to stay physically and mentally healthy.”

Several requirements in the Webelos Scout Fitness activity badge.

Physical Fitness cub scout pin requirement 1: “Make a diagram of the Food Guide Pyramid. List foods you ate in a week and show where they fit in the pyramid. ”

Athletics Merit Badge requirement 2c: “[Explain] the importance of maintaining a healthy diet.”

Several requirements from the Cooking Merit Badge, especially requirements 2, 3 and 7.

Several requirements from the Personal Fitness Merit Badge, including requirement 3c: “Do you understand the meaning of a nutritious diet and know why it is important for you? Does your diet include foods from all the food groups?”

Public Health Merit Badge requirement 6b: “Describe health dangers from tobacco use and alcohol and drug abuse.” [Discussion should include dangers within the context of society at large. I haven't read this merit badge booklet, but I'm sure there's good information in it regarding this topic.]

These requirements coordinate nicely if you have children in these programs:

Physical Fitness cub scout belt loop requirement 1: “Give a short report to your den or family on the dangers of drugs and alcohol.”

Personal Progress Good Works requirement 2: “Service is an essential principle of family living. Help plan your family’s menus, obtain the food, and prepare part of the meals for two weeks. During that time help your family gather to share mealtimes. Report to your class what you have learned.”

Personal Progress Good Works Value Project idea 2: “Prepare to be a homemaker by collecting recipes, shopping for food, and preparing meals for your family.”

Boy Scout First Class rank requirement 4a: “Help plan a patrol menu for one campout that includes at least one breakfast, one lunch, and one dinner and that requires cooking at least two meals. Tell how the menu includes the foods from the food pyramid and meets nutritional needs.”

After fulfilling Family Life Merit Badge requirement 6a (“Discuss with your merit badge counselor how to plan and carry out a family meeting.”), your son can build on this FHE by fulfilling requirement 6b: “Plan and carry out a family meeting to include the subject of avoiding substance abuse.”

Be aware that Tiger Cub Scouts have a Den activity on this theme, requirement 3D: “Make a food guide pyramid. Complete the Character Connection for Health and Fitness.”

Naturally when I find a site with simple, straightforward tips for gardening with kids, the thing that appeals to me most is not the carrots and bush beans, but rather the sunflowers.

Two feet of growth in one month. That’s my kind of gardening.

Maybe that’s because my previous attempts at gardening have been consumed by brutal desert heat, hungry birds and a persistent gopher.

Oh yeah. And neglect. I’ve decided that the things which are allowed to grow in my yard are those things which can survive without any attention from me at all.

This includes the rose bushes strategically placed near the water runoff from my washer.

Along with the bougainvillea bush which apparently needs no more water than our Southwestern location naturally provides. It’s positively thriving, but with no help from me, I assure you.

Vegetative casualties include multiple vegetable gardens, three grapevines (soon to be four), plum trees and countless rose bushes planted in more unfortunate parts of our yard. I’m sure I’m forgetting something, but you get the idea.

All of this is to say that part of me cringes every time I see a cub scout requirement for gardening. I sing praises of hallelujah whenever these requirements are done in the den. You gotta love those den leaders. If my children learn anything about gardening, it most likely won’t be from me.

So it’s not surprising that I found this short and encouraging tidbit on gardening with children so appealing.

I have visions of blooming sunflowers lining my back fence. Radishes and snow peas don’t do anything for me, but I was intrigued by their description of potatoes as a “never-fail” crop.

Are you sure? Have you seen my list of casualties?

Well, no matter. Perhaps it’s worth a try. If nothing else, the gopher will have something new to snack on.

Related LDS Youth and Scouting Program Requirements:

Tiger Cub Scout elective 30: “Plant a seed, pit or greens from something you have eaten.”

The first four (out of five) options for the Wolf Cub Scout elective 15 are: “Plant and raise a box garden; plant and raise a flower bed; grow a plant indoors; and plant and raise vegetables.” Completing all of elective 15, Grow Something, also counts toward the Cub Scout World Conservation Award (or “the Panda badge” as it’s known around my house).

Bear Cub Scout elective 12e: “Collect eight kinds of plant seeds and label them.” [My kind of gardening project. Ahem.]

Bear Cub Scout elective 14a: “With an adult, help take care of your lawn or flower beds or help take care of the lawn or flower beds of a public building, school, or church. Seed bare spots. Get rid of weeds. Pick up litter. Agree ahead of time on what you will do.”

Bear Cub Scout elective 14d: “Build a greenhouse and grow twenty plants from seed. You can use a package of garden seeds, or use beans, pumpkin seeds, or watermelon seeds.”

Personal Progress Faith Value Project idea: “Read Alma 32:28-43. Think of faith as a seed as you help plant, care for, and harvest a vegetable garden. Record in your journal how you can nourish, care for, and strengthen your family.”

Finally, the Gardening Merit Badge includes (you guessed it) gardening.

Looking for something more for your kids than just a craft? Want your kids to learn art skills and express their creativity?

Me too.

Of course there are plenty of requirements in the LDS youth and scouting programs that encourage art (you knew that was coming right?). As usual, I have a handy list for you below.

But what I really want to do is highlight this fantastic website appropriately titled, Art Projects for Kids.

Here you’ll find step by step instructions for things like:

This abstract watercolor still life, which makes a perfect project for the beginning artist. Even younger siblings can get in on this act.

Teach shading as kids turn circles into spheres with the Spheres in Space art project.

According to Kathy (the left brain behind this right-on website), kids are often surprised at how well they can draw when they have an image to look at. I think this raccoon is pretty cute!

Or how about this Van Gogh-inspired Sunflowers? What I love about her posts is she tells you exactly how to do the project, without telling you exactly. She gives the theory behind the instruction without taking away your creative license.

You can search for projects by age, artist, medium or style.

While you go check her out, I’m going to go get a snack.

Recycled Ritz Man is making me hungry.

Related LDS Youth and Scouting Program Requirements:

Faith in God Developing Talents requirement 4: “Make an item from wood, metal, fabric, or other material, or draw, paint, or sculpt a piece of art. Display your finished work for others to see. ”

Wolf Cub Scout elective 12a: “Make a freehand sketch of a person place, or thing.”

Wolf Cub Scout elective 12c: “Mix yellow and blue paints, mix yellow and red, and mix red and blue. Tell what color you get from each mixture.”

Bear Cub Scout elective 9a: “Do an original art project and show it at a pack meeting. Every project you do counts as one requirement. ”

Bear Cub Scout elective 9a: “Find a favorite outdoor location and draw or paint it. ”

Bear Cub Scout elective 10a: “Make a simple papier-mâché mask. ”

See the many activity options for the Webelos Artist Activity Badge and Cub Scout Art Belt Loop and Pin.

Personal Progress Divine Nature value project idea #4: “Using an artistic skill or handicraft you have learned, make something for your current or future home. Record in your journal how being creative is part of your divine nature and how sharing your creativity has blessed others.”

Duty to God Priest – Educational, Personal and Career Development requirement 10: “Create at least 3 paintings or drawings, and, if possible, display them in a church, school, or community cultural arts event.”

Art Merit Badge requirement 3: “Render a subject of your choice in FOUR of these ways: pen and ink, watercolors, pencil, pastels, oil paints, tempera, acrylics, charcoal, computer drawing or painting.”

I’m all about simple Family Home Evenings. I skip the fluff (mainly due to lack of time) and just focus on trying to have a FHE which inspires me and my family to do a little better, try a little harder or feel closer to the Lord.

Or at least allows me to say we did FHE instead of forgetting. Sometimes checking it off the list is the best I can do.

With that said, even though I tend to throw these things together at the last minute I’m a big fan of what I’m calling the Super-Charged FHE.

Or maybe it should be Super-Duper-Charged FHE.

Or how about Super-Duper-Charged-I’m-the-Best-Mom-on-the-Face-of-the-Planet FHE? (Believe me, with all the piles of dirty laundry lying around, I need all the mommy boosters I can get.)

Anyway, I think these FHE’s are pretty cool. I build them from requirements in my sons’ Faith in God and Scout books. That means I get points for doing Family Home Evening and for helping my sons with their scouting.

Plus we get chocolate.

Everyone wins.

So here is the first Super-Charged FHE for your benefit. Tonight’s theme: Easy Family History. With an emphasis on easy. Don’t let the subject matter scare you off.

Below is a basic FHE outline. This fulfills at least one requirement in each program for boys and girls ages 8 to 18.

Following the basic outline is stuff you can easily add on to create the Super-Charged FHE which fits your family. Include only what works for you and stop adding when you feel maxed out. You can always save any leftovers for a future FHE.

Whether you do a little or a lot, whatever you do, don’t forget the chocolate.

Super Charged FHE: Easy Family History

Opening song:

Families Can Be Together Forever, Hymn #300 (link includes audio)

Object lesson:

Cut construction paper into wide strips. Have each family member write their name on a strip. Staple the strips together to make a paper chain. Discuss how we’re all connected as a family.

If you want, you can add on strips for grandparents and great-grandparents as you progress through the evening. If you really want to get fancy, you can use a different color for each generation.

Lesson:

Explain that families were created so we can have joy and happiness as we grow and learn together. Ask family members how they would feel if someone were missing from your chain.

Read Doctrine & Covenants 128:15. Ask what this scripture is talking about. (Family history and temple work.) Ask who benefits from this work? (We all do.)

Read Doctrine & Covenants 128:24. Ask why it’s important to keep good records.

Activity:

Have each person fill out their own pedigree chart. Include parents and grandparents. Here’s a good sample of free printable pedigree charts, including one designed just for kids. (If you have a Deacon or Teacher-aged son, check the requirements below for an adjustment to this activity.)

Have each person prepare a family group record of your family. (Click for a basic family group sheet.) (If you have a Deacon-aged son, check the requirements below for an adjustment to this activity.)

Treat:

While eating your treats, have each family member share a family story.

If you need an idea for treats, try Oreo Cookie Balls.

I discovered these while on a trip to Texas and I think the recipe has been duplicated on the internet about a billion times.

That’s because it’s really good.

Not to mention easy, and easy is the name of the game here. Here’s what you do. Crush a package of Oreos and combine with a package of cream cheese (use a mixer). Roll dough into balls and place on a cookie sheet. Most recipes call for melting chocolate chips and rolling the balls in the chocolate. This is optional, especially when you’re in a hurry. Refrigerating the balls for 2 hours before eating is also optional. I should know.

Usually, I can’t wait that long.

This lesson meets the following requirements:

Faith in God – Learning and Living the Gospel #8: “Prepare a pedigree chart with your name and your parents’ and grandparents’ names. Prepare a family group record for your family and share a family story. Discuss how performing temple work blesses families.”

Note: This FIG requirement also counts toward the Cub Scouting Religious Square Knot Patch.

Bear Cub Scout requirement 8d: “Trace your family back through your grandparents or great-grandparents; or, talk to a grandparent about what it was like when he or she was younger.”

Cub Scout Heritages Belt Loop requirement 3: “Draw a family tree showing members of your family for three generations.”

Personal Progress Individual Worth requirement 5 (partial): “When you participate in family history, you come to understand your identity and individual worth. Visit with your living relatives to learn as much information about your family history as possible. Then complete a pedigree chart of your family and list the temple ordinances that have been completed for each person.”

Duty to God Deacon – Family Activity requirement 4: “Keep a written record of your family history. Ask a parent or the ward family history consultant to help you prepare a 4-generation pedigree chart.”

Duty to God Deacon – Spiritual Development requirement 7: “Complete additional family history work, such as a family group record showing your parents as children with the other members of their families. Share this information with a parent or a priesthood leader.”

Duty to God Teacher – Spiritual Development requirement 6: “Complete a family group record for each of your grandparents where they are listed as children.”

Genealogy Merit Badge requirement 6: “Begin your family tree by listing yourself and include at least two additional generations. You may complete this requirement by using the chart provided in the Genealogy merit badge pamphlet or the genealogy software program of your choice.”

Genealogy Merit Badge requirement 7: “Complete a family group record form, listing yourself and your brothers and sisters as the children. On another family group record form, show one of your parents and his or her brothers and sisters as the children. This requirement may be completed using the chart provided or the genealogy software program of your choice.”

Easy Add-Ons:

Cub Scout Heritages Belt Loop requirement 1: “Talk with members of your family about your family heritage: its history, traditions, and culture.”

Which also fulfills American Cultures Merit Badge requirement 1c, “Talk with a person from one of the groups about the heritage and traditions of the group. Report on what you learn.” (For this MB, scouts choose three groups that have different racial, cultural, national, or ethnic backgrounds, one of which comes from his own background.)

Cub Scout Heritages Belt Loop requirement 2: “Make a poster that shows the origins of your ancestors. Share it with your den or other group.”

Cub Scout Heritages Pin requirement 10: “Learn about the origin of your first, middle, or last name.”

Personal Progress Good Works Value Project Idea 3: “Work with a family member to gather the names of some deceased relatives who were not members of the Church. Identify their birth and death dates and prepare their names to be taken to the temple. Help plan a temple trip and do baptisms for those relatives.”

If you have family names that need to be taken to the temple, those can be used for Duty to God Deacon – Quorum Activity requirement 6: “Participate in baptisms for the dead, if possible. If not, talk with a priesthood leader about the temple and what it means to Latter-day Saints.”

Likewise for Duty to God Teacher – Quorum Activity requirement 6: “Participate in baptisms for the dead, if possible. If not, talk with a priesthood leader about the temple and what it means to Latter-day Saints.”

Likewise for Duty to God Priest – Family Activity requirement 9: “Submit the name of one of your ancestors for temple work, or write a 500-word personal history.”

Duty to God Deacon – Spiritual Development requirement 6: “Read an account of one of your ancestors, or learn about an ancestor from one of your relatives. Report what you learned in family home evening or in a quorum meeting.”

Duty to God Deacon – Educational, Personal and Career Development requirement 11: “Learn computer and keyboarding skills. Demonstrate these skills by typing family history information in Personal Ancestral File or another similar program.”

See also the complete list of requirements for the Genealogy Merit Badge and Cub Scout Heritages Pin.

Screen shot of LDS Church Interactive Music Player

I discovered LDS Interactive Church Music Player as I was writing an upcoming post for this blog and thought it was awesome! If you have not yet discovered this site, you must go check it out.

Just about every hymn and children’s hymn is available for the player. It will play the hymn with music and words, just with the music or in the interactive mode.

Interactive mode is music only, but with a highlighted bar going across the sheet music in time with the notes. I assume that’s to help you learn how to play it on the piano.

Within the interactive player you can change the tempo and key.  Kinda fun if you want to hear the high-pitched version of “Give Said the Little Stream” at about 100 mph.

I’m sure there are more legitimate musical applications for those features, but I don’t know what they would be.

The LDS Church Music website has all kinds of cool helps, including tips for teaching songs to children and an interactive conducting course with videos to help you practice.

By the way, this a great resource for kids too. In fact, there’s a whole slew of requirements involving learning how to conduct a hymn or play a song. And because that’s what I do, here’s a convenient list for you.

Cheers and Happy Singing

Related LDS Youth and Scouting Program Requirements:

Faith in God – Developing Talents #2: “Learn to sing, play, or lead a song from the Children’s Songbook. Teach or share the song in a family home evening or at Primary. Discuss how developing talents helps prepare us for service to Heavenly Father and others.”

Faith in God – Gospel #9: “Learn to sing “Choose the Right” (Hymns, no. 239). Explain what agency is and what it means to be responsible for your choices. Discuss how making good choices has helped you develop greater faith.”

Bear Cub Scout Elective 8b: “Learn to play two familiar tunes on any musical instrument.”

Bear Cub Scout Elective 8d: “Play two tunes on any recognized band or orchestra instrument.”

Webelos Showman Activity Badge requirement 8: “Play four tunes on any band or orchestra instrument. Read these from music.”

Webelos Showman Activity Badge requirement 13: “Draw a staff. Draw on it a clef, sharp, flat, natural, note, and rest. Tell what each is used for.” (The LDS Church Music site has a guide to musical symbols and terms.)

Webelos Showman Activity Badge requirement 14: “Show the difference between 2/4, 3/4, and 4/4 time by beating time or playing an instrument.” (See the interactive conducting course for all these time measures.)

Cub Scout Music Belt Loop requirement 2: “Pick a song with at least two verses and learn it by heart.”

Cub Scout Music Belt Loop requirement 3: ” Listen to four different types of music either recorded or live.”

Cub Scout Music Pin requirement 7: “Demonstrate conducting patterns for two songs using two different meters (two-, three-, or four-beat meter) while your adult partner or den members sing or play the songs you have selected.”

Personal Progress Knowledge requirement 6: “Memorize two of your favorite hymns from the hymnbook. Learn the correct conducting pattern for the hymns and then conduct them at least two times at a family home evening, in a Young Women or other Church meeting, or at seminary. Read the scriptures listed at the bottom of each hymn.”

Duty to God Teacher – Family requirement 5: “Memorize the words and learn to conduct at least 3 hymns each year, 1 hymn in 2/4 time, 1 in 3/4 time, and 1 in 4/4 time.”

Duty to God Priest – Quorum requirement 6: “Learn the basic skills of conducting music, memorize a hymn, and lead others in singing it during opening exercises of priesthood meeting at least once a year.”

Duty to God Priest – Spiritual Development requirement 5: “Learn to play the piano or organ well enough to accompany 2 hymns in a Church meeting.”

Music Merit Badge requirement 1: “Sing or play a simple song or hymn chosen by your counselor using good technique, phrasing, tone, rhythm, and dynamics. Read all the signs and terms of the score.”

Music Merit Badge requirement 4a: “Teach three songs to a group of people. Lead them in singing the songs, using proper hand motions.”