Fun Ways to Teach the Scout Law

For Webelos Scouts the Scout Oath and Law will be an important requirement to tackle. For some, memorization is an easy task. Others will need to find more interesting means of remembering these words. Our pack worked up some creative ways for the boys to hone their knowledge that I would like to share.

A Scout is Trustworthy, Loyal, Helpful, Friendly, Courteous, Kind, Obedient, Cheerful, Thrifty, Brave, Clean, & Reverent.

Have the Scout Law posted somewhere large enough to be seen from a distance. Have this in the same room for a couple of meetings, then move it to the back side of a door or in a nearby location soon after. Make a point of stopping once in awhile to quiz them during pack meetings. This could be done by randomly saying "A Scout is..?" letting each boy chime in with a law and explain its importance. Let them go out of order at first.

Acting out- Yes, make practice into a game of charades! Boys love to act silly. You could even have a session where they acted out the opposite of the law. For some reason, showing the wrong behavior sure is fun! The scouts could also put on an impromptu skit involving the scout laws.

Incentives- Small gestures, such as a special treat or pin when the group succeeds do help. We had mystery bags made up for each scout which was of minimal cost and met with great enthusiasm. Knowing that they are working toward the Arrow of Light makes most very proud.

Index Card Games-

Supplies needed: index cards (we used multi colored), permanent marker, bean bag (or something else you can toss), a large piece of butcher paper (large enough to draw a grid of 4 x 3 index card sized squares, number each square 1-12 ). Number cards 1-12, and then on each card put the corresponding Scout Law. (i.e. 1=Trustworthy, 2=Loyal and so on) Remember, write as large as possible, so as to be seen from a distance.

Scramble! Put all cards word side up on the table or floor, mix them up. Have each boy take a turn at putting them in order, without looking at the numbers on the back of the card for help. Only after compiling the list into the order they believe is correct let them check their answers with the back of the cards. Alternatively, the leader may say "hot" or "cold" and the other scouts can assist.

Grid work! Have each scout place the cards one by one onto the grid in the order they believe their law would be in sequence. Remove any cards that are incorrectly placed. Continue until all cards are in the correct order. Add music or get the scouts to try to go as fast as possible. Keep it interesting! A different version that got great reception was adding running a maze to the answer and back. If a boy did not know the law for the grid, they ran through a maze of tables, to peek at the answer behind a door. On their return they ran the maze again, holding onto the word in their memory until they returned to the grid.

Toss! Turn each card over on the grid so that the number side is up and also ensure that the card is in proper placement on the grid. Have each boy toss a bean bag or alternative onto one of the squares. The boy who threw the bag must now say the law they have just landed on. If they do not know it, the next in line may answer. Continue until the grid is completed.

Remember, that the scouting program is supposed to be fun. Not all kids are into "schoolwork", especially when they just got out of school for the day. Make sure to mix things up to get those brains and bodies moving! A lot of times when you start a game, one or more of the group will come up with an amazing idea. This is when you can really see the excitement of the boys taking ownership of their learning. Make it fun!