Home > Programs > Cub Scouts > Pack Meeting Resources > Theme: Cycling
Theme:
Cycling
Snapshot of Pack Meeting and Service Project
This meeting resource is for a pack meeting and a pack bike ride. The focus of this adventure is safety, not proficiency. The use of push or balance bikes, training wheels, tricycles, or adaptive bikes is acceptable if the Cub Scout has not learned how to ride a bicycle. Electric or hybrid bikes are not allowed in Scouting activities, by either Cub Scouts or adults.
During the pack meeting, bike rodeo, take note of each Cub Scout and their proficiency with riding. This will help identify buddies who are of the same proficiency level and make it easier for buddies to stay together.
Bike Ride
- The bike ride for Lions and Tigers may be any length of time or distance to accommodate a positive experience. When a Lion or Tiger gets tired or has had enough, they can break away with their adult partner and head home. For some, the adult partner may find it easier to walk alongside the Cub Scout compared to riding their bike.
- The bike ride for Wolf and Bear is based on time and represents the minimum time. Expect a wide range of skills among Cub Scouts at this age. Some can ride while some are still learning. Ideally, pair up buddies who are the same skill level during the bike ride.
- The bike ride for Webelos and Arrow of Light is 5 miles and 10 miles, respectively. For this requirement, keep in mind that the standard is for a Cub Scout to do their best. Webelos and Arrow of Light Scouts are also required to help plan the bike ride, so make sure they are part of the planning process as much as possible. This does not mean that Webelos and Arrow of Light Scouts decide all the details, such as date, time, and location. Walking them through the planning process is the intent of the requirement.
Safety Moment
FOR ALL RANKS
Prior to any activity, use the Scouting America SAFE Checklist to ensure the safety of all those involved.
All participants in official Scouting America activities should become familiar with the Guide to Safe Scouting and applicable program literature or manuals.
Be aware of state or local government regulations that supersede Scouting America practices, policies, and guidelines.
To assist in the safe delivery of the program you may find specific safety items that are related to requirements for the Adventure.
The use of push or balance bikes, training wheels, tricycles, or adaptive bikes is acceptable if the Cub Scout has not learned how to ride a bicycle. Electric or hybrid bikes are not allowed in Scouting activities by either youth or adults.
Before starting this Adventure complete the following:
- Review and become familiar with Bicycle Safety guidelines found on Scouting America Sports and Activities page.
During the Adventure:
- Conduct an “ABC Quick Check” on the bicycles before riding. The Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center has a checklist for air, brakes, cranks, chain, and cogs.
- During the bike ride, assign an adult to lead the ride and an adult to be at the end of the group; this will ensure that no one gets ahead and no one is left behind.
- Have a communications plan for the adults who are at the front and back. This can be a phone, walkie-talkie, or other instant communication device.
- Provide continuous, qualified adult supervision and discipline during the ride.
- Buddy Cub Scouts based on skill level.
Before the Meeting
The Cycling Pack Meeting is focused on planning and taking a bike ride as a pack. Webelos and Arrow of Light Scouts are to be part of the planning process. This can be done by providing them with a couple of options and having them choose one. Select a location for the bike rodeo and the pack bike ride. This meeting plan is designed for the bike rodeo and bike ride to take place as one pack meeting.
The bike ride should be scheduled for a date and time that works best for the families in the pack; this may mean planning it for a date and time that is not during a regular pack meeting schedule. Ideally, the bike ride is during the day when all parents and family members can participate.
It is best to communicate details in a written form that is distributed to parents and legal guardians, and referred to often, as this will help ensure everyone is well informed and prepared.
- 30 days before the meeting, confirm access to the meeting location.
- 30 days before the walk, confirm date, time, and location.
- At the Pack Committee or Parents’ Meeting before the Pack Meeting, make assignments using the Cycling pack meeting planner.
- Purchase supplies, including Adventure loops and pins.
- 7 days before the meeting, send out a meeting reminder.
- 3 days before the meeting, send out a second meeting reminder.
- The morning of the meeting, send out a third meeting reminder.
- Remind everyone to bring their bike and helmet and Cub Scout Six Essentials.
- On the day of the meeting, set up the meeting location.
- Set Up Den Meeting Breakouts.
- Set Up Activity Stations.
At Home Requirements
Send a reminder for everyone to bring their bike and helmet and Cub Scout Six Essentials.
During The Meeting
Pack Meeting Gathering Activity
As Cub Scouts arrive, have a check-in station where an adult can make sure that each Scout has a bike and helmet.
Divide the group into four groups to move about the stations. Give any needed explanations about each station and demonstrate how they will know it’s time to move to the next station (bell, whistle, bullhorn etc.) and which direction to rotate to the next station. Assign each group to a station to start. Have each group spend about 15 minutes at each station before moving on to the next.
Note: If using this activity as a recruiting event, welcome any visitors and point out and introduce a parent or leader who can answer any questions about Cub Scouting during the event. Also, be sure to have some basic pack information to hand out to potential families and a simple method to collect contact information from them. Encourage them to join online at BeAScout.org and make sure to invite them to the next activity/meeting.
Opening Ceremony and Remarks
Opening Remarks
“Welcome to our Bike Rodeo! As we gather today, we want everyone to have fun and learn how to practice safety while riding. We will rotate through four super fun stations.”
Give directions on den breakouts/den meetings.
Den Break Outs
No Den Break Outs for this meeting.
Activity Stations
Set up four activity stations, each station is led by an adult who has been given the resources ahead of time to prepare for the activity or activities. Cub Scouts rotate to each station either by den or mulit-rank dens. Each station has an activity for each Cub Scout rank.
Station 1
Safety Station
Activities and Requirements
Lion Den - Req. 1
Tiger Den - Req. 2
Lion Den - Req. 2
Tiger Den - Req. 3
Wolf Den - Req. 1
Bear Den - Req. 1
Webelos Den - Req. 4
AOL Den - Req. 4
Station 2
Obstacle Course
Activities and Requirements
Tiger Den - Req. 4
Wolf Den - Req. 4, Req. 5
Bear Den - Req. 3, Req. 5
Webelos Den
AOL Den
Station 3
Gear and Maintenance
Activities and Requirements
Wolf Den - Req. 2
Bear Den - Req. 2
Webelos Den – Req. 1
AOL Den - Req. 1
Webelos Den - Req. 2
AOL Den - Req. 2
Webelos Den - Req. 3
AOL Den - Req. 3
Station 4
Speed Racer & Slow Motion
Race Instabike Delivery
Race Instabike Delivery
Activities and Requirements
All Dens
Pack Bike Ride
Pack Bike Ride
Activities and Requirements
Go on a Pack bicycle ride.
Presentations and Ceremonies
There is no presentation nor ceremony.
Cubmaster Minute
“Have you ever heard the saying ‘It’s as easy as riding a bike?’ People say that when they mean that once you learn to ride a bike, you can remember how to do it easily. You don’t have to think hard about balancing, pedaling, and all the things you think about as you are learning. At our den and pack meetings, we repeat things like the Scout Oath & Law because we want these things to become a part of who you are. We want them to be something you can do easily without really thinking about it. That is why we practice saying them and talk about the Scouting values like being trustworthy, friendly, and obedient over and over, so that these things become ‘as easy as riding a bike’ to each one of you.”
Remind everyone of the next pack meeting or activity.
If this was a recruiting activity follow up with new families with a phone call.
