Home > Programs > Cub Scouts > Pack Meeting Resources > Theme: Raingutter Regatta
Theme:
Raingutter Regatta
Adventures
Snapshot of Pack Meeting and Raingutter Regatta
The Raingutter Regatta is the iconic Cub Scout event. This meeting plan is for a pack meeting that is a build day to allow Scouts to design and get started on building their boat and then conducting a Raingutter Regatta as a separate meeting.
Read this article about conducting a Raingutter Regatta:
5 Simple Tips to Help Cub Scouts Get Ready for the Raingutter Regatta™
Safety Moment
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.
Before starting this Adventure complete the following:
- Review Age Appropriate Guidelines for Scouting Activities before starting a project.
- Cub Scouts are allowed to use common craft tools, such as paintbrushes, scissors, hammers, and screw drivers.
- Know the proper use of the tools that will be used for the project, by any youth or adult.
During the Adventure:
- Give time for proper training on the use of the tools that will be used to complete the project to all youth and adults.
- Provide continuous, qualified adult supervision and discipline during the project.
- Following all manufacturer’s literature and age and skill restrictions shall supersede the recommendations in the publication. If there is a conflict, leaders shall follow the most restrictive guidelines.
Before the Meeting
The details of the Raingutter Regatta should be planned and completed before this pack meeting; this way, the Cub Scouts will have completed all their requirements for the Adventures by participating in the race, and the Adventures can be presented at the race.
Raingutter Regata Boat Build Day
Become familiar with conducting a build day by reviewing this site.
Raingutter Regatta Raceway
The pack will need to either build, purchase, or borrow a Raingutter Regatta Raceway. If the pack plans to build one, here are the plans to make one. Raingutter Regatta™ Raceway plans.
The pack can purchase an inflatable raceway from ScoutShop.org. Scout Shop Raingutter Regatta™ Inflatable Raceway.
Race Rules
Every Raingutter Regatta kit comes with printed rules for a boat’s specifications and other restrictions. Determine any additional rules and how your race will be conducted, including how winners will be determined, write them down, and communicate them to all parents and Cub Scouts.
Raingutter Regatta Trimaran Boat Kits
These kits require some assembly with a screwdriver. Most of the time in this build day will be spent decorating.
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 Raingutter Regatta Build Day 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.
- On the day of the meeting, set up the meeting location
- Set Up Den Meeting Breakouts.
- Set Up Activity Stations.
At Home Requirements
No at home requirements
During The Meeting
Pack Meeting Gathering Activity
As Cub Scouts arrive, make sure everyone has a Raingutter Regatta kit. Hand out the Raingutter Rules Scramble and have them start to work on it.
Opening Ceremony and Remarks
Conduct a traditional opening flag ceremony.
Opening Remarks
“Our pack meeting is going to be hands-on as we design and build our Raingutter Regatta boats. The big race is (give date, time, and location). We are looking forward to this as everyone is working on their Race Time elective Adventure.”
Activity Stations
Set up 2 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
Raingutter Regatta Rules, Good Sportsmanship
Activities and Requirements
Lion Den - Req. 2
Tiger Den - Req. 2
Wolf Den - Req. 2
Bear Den - Req. 2
Webelos Den - Req. 2
AOL Den - Req. 2
Lion Den - Req. 3
Tiger Den - Req. 3
Wolf Den - Req. 4
Bear Den - Req. 4
Webelos Den - Req.4
AOL Den - Req. 4
Station 2
The Physics of Raingutter Regatta
Activities and Requirements
Lion Den
Tiger Den
Wolf Den - Req. 3
Bear Den - Req. 3
Webelos Den - Req. 3
AOL Den
Design and Build
Presentations and Ceremonies
Cub Scouts will earn their Race Time Adventure at the Raingutter Regatta.
Cubmaster Minute and Closing Ceremony
Cubmasters Minute
“Just like in all sports competitions, there are some winners and some losers. In Cub Scouting, there are no losers as long as everyone follows the Cub Scout motto of “Do Your Best”.
Good sportsmanship involves the principles of winning humbly and not bragging. Good sportsmanship also involves losing gracefully. The most important thing is that every Cub Scout here participated, showed good sportsmanship, and most importantly live up to the Cub Scout motto.”
Give another reminder of the date/time/location of the Raingutter Regatta.
Closing Ceremony
Conduct a traditional closing flag ceremony.
Raingutter Regatta Race
Before the Race
Review the Raingutter Regatta™ activity page.
If you have not already done so review these materials:
Read this article about conducting a Raingutter Regatta: 5 Simple Tips to Help Cub Scouts Get Ready for the Raingutter Regatta™
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.
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 Raingutter Regatta Race Day 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.
- On the day of the race, set up the location, including setting up the Raingutter Regatta raceway track and check-in stations
- Set up other activities for Cub Scouts to do during downtime.
Gathering Activity
Check-in Station
As Cub Scouts arrive, have a check-in station where each boat has its dimensions checked, and each boat is confirmed with a race number. Once a boat is checked in, it is handed back to the Cub Scout. The Cub Scout will be handling the boat throughout the race.
Photo Station
Have a sailing-themed background for parents and Cub Scouts to take photos.
Refreshments
Have a station with snacks and drinks.
Opening Ceremony and Remarks
Conduct a traditional opening flag ceremony.
Opening Remarks
“Welcome, Cub Scouts, family members, and guests, to our race time pack meeting. The 8th point of the Scout Law is “A Scout is cheerful.” Being cheerful is always looking on the bright side of things. I am looking forward to cheering for each of you, and I know each of you will cheer each other on.
Being cheerful is easy when things are going the way we want. As Scouts, we do our best and we are cheerful even when things are not going the way we thought they would.”
Raingutter Regatta Race
Once all the boats are checked in, the race begins.
For each race or heat, the race coordinator confirms which boats are racing in the heat, and the Cub Scouts racing in the heat bring their boats to the starting line, and the race official is positioned at the end.
Once the boats are confirmed, the Cub Scouts take their positions to propel their boats. This can be done either by blowing on the sails or by using hand pumps.
After the heat, the race official confirms the results, and the master of ceremonies makes the announcement. The boats are removed from the track by the Cub Scouts, and they hold on to them until their next race.
Repeat for each heat until all heats have been completed.
Presentations and Ceremonies
No presentation nor ceremony.
Cubmaster Minute and Closing Ceremony
Cubmasters Minute
“Cub Scouts, we had some fast boats and some great-looking boats. When you have followed the Cub Scout Motto to Do Your Best, you can always be proud of yourself. If you feel like you didn’t Do Your Best, there usually is another chance for you to do so.
Good sportsmanship involves the principles of winning humbly and not bragging. Good sportsmanship also involves losing gracefully. The most important thing is that every Cub Scout here participated, showed good sportsmanship, and, most importantly lives up to the Cub Scout motto.”
Closing Ceremony
Conduct a traditional closing flag ceremony.
