Cub Scout Family Camp Activity Ideas

Fun and Games
"Marshmallow Kick, Throw and Blow," is a silly game everyone will enjoy playing. Give each Cub Scout three marshmallows. Tell the kids to kick a marshmallow as far as they can and have a parent measure the distance. Next, tell the cubs to throw their marshmallow as far as they can, and finally, to blow their marshmallow. Award prizes to the first, second and third place winners. Parents can take the measurements and tally them up or participate in the game along with the kids.

"Brain Bender" teaches cubs to solve math riddles while having fun. To begin, provide the Cub Scouts with 1-, 3- and 5-gallon plastic jugs and a water supply such as a hose or wading pool. Pair the kids up and ask them to bring jugs containing a specified amount of water to the judges. For example, a parent could say: "Give me a jug holding two gallons of water." As the game progresses, make it trickier by giving them directions such as: "Give me a container holding exactly four gallons of water," and so on.

The "Anti-Gravity Tent Pole" is a favorite that gets the whole group involved. Divide your scouts into two teams. Tell each team to form a line and stand face-to-face, about two feet apart. Have everyone extend a finger like they're pretending to shoot a gun, with their arms bent at the elbows. Next, lay a tent pole across each team's line of fingers. Have a parent give instructions to lower and raise the pole. The team that completes the task without dropping the pole wins. This is a great game to reinforce teamwork, concentration and buddy support.
Top Dog Cub Chef
Have a hot dog cook-off contest. Give prizes for the best hot dog creations and creative use of condiments, using titles like: "Top Crazy Cub Dog," "Top Wild Cub Dog" and "Top Fancy Cub Dog." Have the cubs make enough for the non-chef cubs and parents to sample. Award a prize for the "Top Dog Cub Chef."
A Night at the Cub
Plan a talent show night, Cub Scout style. Have the leader or a parent make flyers to give notice prior to your camping trip. That way, cubs, parents and family members can rehearse and sharpen their acts for show time. Select categories like comedy, skits, music and dance. The Boy Scout Trail website is full of cub favorites. Ask parents to contribute money to purchase cub gear for the prize winners on the night of the show.
"Dangerous Book for Boys" Kick-Off
Host a get-together before the campout so the parents can get acquainted with each other and do some pre-planning of camp activities. While the parents have their meet-and-greet you can add to the mix of cub- favorite activities with ideas from the wildly popular book, "The Dangerous Book for Boys," by Conn and Hal Iggulden.