Welcome To The Bear Page!

Bear Badge

To earn the Bear Badge, a Cub Scout must complete 12 achievements out of a possible 24 that are offered in the book. The achievements are grouped in 4 major areas: GOD, COUNTRY, FAMILY, and SELF. Within each group, a required number of achievements must be completed, as indicated below. Also, any achievements that they do not use to earn the Bear Badge may be used to earn Arrow Points.

(Note: These achievements are primarily done at home and signed off by an adult family member after the boy has completed each one. The book is then shown to the Den Leader who records the progress and also signs the boy's book.)

The Bear Achievements are as follows:

GOD

Do one of the following

1. WAYS WE WORSHIP
   We are lucky. The people who wrote and signed our Constitution were very wise. They understood the need of Americans to worship God as they choose. A member of your family will be able to talk with you about your duty to God. Remember, this achievement is part of your Cub Scout Promise: "I promise to do my best to do my duty to God and my country..."
   Practice your religion as you are taught in your home, church, synagogue, mosque, or other religious community.
   
   
2. EMBLEMS OF FAITH
   Many signs remind us of God. Among them are a six-pointed star, a cross, and a crescent. There are many other religious symbols. One of them may appear on a special emblem you may earn to wear on your uniform. Learn more about you faith from your rabbi, minister, priest, imam, elder, or other religious leader.
   Earn the religious emblem of your faith.
   
   COUNTRY
   
   
   

   Do three of the following

   
   
3. WHAT MAKES AMERICA SPECIAL?
   Americans believe everyone should be free and should control his or her own life. We have the right to own property and to worship any way we want. Our laws protect each of us equally. People did not always live this way. How men and women got together and started our free way of life makes an interesting story. The story is still being written. Probably your parents and grandparents and even your great-grandparents are part of it. You can be part of it, too. As a Cub Scout, you can be one of the reasons that America is special. Help others. Be a good citizen. Take part in the life of your country.
   Do requirement "a" and three of the following

   a.

   Write or tell what makes America special to you.

   b.

   With the help of your family or den leader, find out about two Americans. Tell the things they did or are doing to improve our way of life.
   

   c.

   Find out something about the old homes near the place where you live. Go and see two of them.

   d.

   Find out where places of historical interest in or near your town are located. Go and visit one of them with your family or den.

   e.

   Pick your favorite state or home state. Name the state bird, tree, and flower. Describe its flag. Give the date it was admitted to the union.

   f.

   Be a member of the color guard in a flag ceremony for your den or pack.

   g.

   Display the U.S. flag in your home or fly it on three national holidays.

   
   
4. TALL TALES
   A modern-day tall tale might be a fisherman's story about "the big one that got away." What we mean by "tall tales" in the Bear Book are stories, customs, songs, and sayings from our American past. These were handed down by families or groups of people. They tell us about the life and spirit of our forefathers. American folklore is told in stories and songs, some true and some told to make the story better. One thing you can count on about tall tales or folklore is they tell about the happiness, fears, dreams, and hopes of early Americans. American folklore is full of wonderful people and adventures.
   Do ALL three requirements

   a.

   Tell in your own words what folklore is. List some folklore stories, folksongs, or historical legends from your own state or part of the country. 

   b.

   Name at least five stories about American folklore. Point out on a United States map where they took place.

   c.

   Read two folklore stories and tell your favorite one to your den.

   
   
5. SHARING YOUR WORLD WITH WILDLIFE (This Achievement is part of the Cub Scout World Conservation Award)
   Every living creature has a place in this world, and there is room for all of us. Birds, fish, and animals need clean water, food, and air just as Cub Scouts do. You can help protect wildlife by following the fishing and hunting laws. Keep wildlife areas beautiful. Pick up trash along the trails, streams, and lakeshores. Put it in rubbish barrels where it belongs.
   Do four of the following

   a.

   Choose a bird or animal that you like and find out how it lives. Make a poster showing what you have learned.

   b.

   Build or make a bird feeder or bird house.

   c.

   Explain what a wildlife conservation officer does.

   d.

   Visit one of the following: Zoo, Nature Center, Wildlife Refuge, Game Preserve.

   e.

   Name one animal that has become extinct in the last 100 years. Tell why animals become extinct.

   
   
6. TAKE CARE OF YOUR PLANET
   The earth is your planet. That means you have to help take care of it. It's the only planet we will ever have. Conserve energy. Save our resources. Plant trees and flowers.
   Do three of the following

   a.

   Save five pounds of glass or aluminum, or one month of newspapers, and turn them in at a recycling center.

   b.

   Plant a tree in your yard or on the grounds of the group that operates your Cub Scout Pack or in a park. Be sure to get permission first.

   c.

   Call city or county officials or your trash hauling company and find out what happens to your trash after it is hauled away.

   d.

   Do a water usage survey in your home. Note the ways water is used. Look for any dripping faucets.

   e.

   Discuss with one of your parents the ways your family uses energy.

   f.

   Find out more about your family's use of electricity.

   
   
7. LAW ENFORCEMENT IS A BIG JOB
   Police officers need our help as they work to protect us. We need to understand ways of taking care of ourselves. Crime has always been a problem everywhere. But we can do something about it. This achievement will help you understand how the police and others fight crime. It will also show you ways that you can help.
   Do four of the following

   a.

   Make a set of your own fingerprints.

   b.

   Make a plaster cast of a shoeprint in the mud.

   c.

   Check the doors and windows of your home.

   d.

   Visit your local sheriff's office or police station.

   e.

   Be sure you know where to get help in your neighborhood.

   f.

   Be sure fire and police numbers are listed by the phone at your home.

   g.

   Know what you can do to help law enforcement.

   
   FAMILY
   
   
   

   Do four of the following

   
   
8. THE PAST IS EXCITING AND IMPORTANT
   Something that took place 100 years ago can seem as exciting and interesting as something that took place yesterday. You learn about America's past in school. Your family has history, too; so has your community, and your Cub Scout Pack.
   Do three of the following

   a.

   Visit your library or newspaper office. Ask to see back issues of newspapers. (What were headlines on: Date you were born; July 21, 1969; Day you were 5 years old?)

   b.

   Find someone who was a Cub Scout a long time ago. Talk with him about what Cub Scouting was like then. (What did they do at den meetings, pack meetings, what kind of uniform did they wear?)

   c.

   Start a pack scrapbook and give something to it.

   d.

   Trace your family back through your grandparents or great-grandparents; or, talk to your grandparents about what it was like when they were younger.

   e.

   Find out some history about your community.

   f.

   Keep a diary for two weeks.

   
   
9. WHAT'S COOKING?
   We all like to eat good things. Good things seem to taste even better when we make them ourselves. In this achievement, you will want to work with someone who knows how to cook. You and that person can cook up some great food.
   Do four of the following

   a.

   Bake cookies.

   b.

   Make snacks for a den meeting.

   c.

   Prepare one part of your breakfast, one part of your lunch, and one part of your supper.

   d.

   Make a list of the "junk" foods you eat. Discuss "junk" food with your parent or teacher.

   e.

   Make some healthful after-school snacks or some snacks for watching television.

   f.

   Make a dessert for your family.

   
   
10. FAMILY FUN
    Families live together and take care of each other. Get to know your family better by spending more time with them. Plan a trip or a fun evening together. Talk about your plans. A parent or guardian is like Baloo, a Cub Scout Leader, who can show you many useful and interesting things.
    Do BOTH of these requirements

    a.

    Go on a trip with members of your family.

    b.

    Have a "family-make-and-do-night".

    
    
11. BE READY!
    You expect fire fighters, police, and paramedics to protect you in an emergency. Sometimes, though, you have to take care of yourself or someone else until help arrives. You should be ready to do the right thing if this happens. Fires and accidents can be frightening, and it is natural to be scared. That is why we think about what to do before an emergency happens. In a very serious case, there is little time to stop and figure out what to do. That is why we must be ready. If someone's clothes are on fire, or breathing has stopped, you must act at once. In other cases there may be time to stop a few seconds and thing about what to do. Your best way to handle most cases is to get help from an adult. If you are not with an adult, go outside and try to stop a passing car. DO NOT stand in the road or street. Most drivers will stop if you wave to them and they see your Cub Scout Uniform. A good way to be ready is to carry enough change for a pay telephone. In some places you can dial "911" for help. Find out if you can do that where you live.
    Do the first four (The last one is recommended, but not required.)

    a.

    Tell what to do in case of accident in the home. Parent needs help. Clothes catch on fire.

    b.

    Tell what to do in case of a water accident.

    c.

    Tell what to do in case of a school bus accident.

    d.

    Tell what to do in case of a car accident.

    e.

    Have a health checkup by a physician (optional).

    
    
12. FAMILY OUTDOOR ADVENTURE
    You may live in a state with snow in winter, or you may live where it is warm all the time. No matter where you live, being outside and doing things with your family is great. You can have fun together and get to know one another better.
    Do three of the following

    a.

    Go camping with your family.

    b.

    Go on a hike with your family.

    c.

    Have a picnic with your family.

    d.

    Attend an outdoor event with your family.

    e.

    Plan your outdoor family day.

    
    
13. SAVING WELL, SPENDING WELL
    People can do a lot of things with money. They can buy or build a house. Cars, clothes, food--almost everything we need or use takes money. We can make some things. We can raise or grow some foods. When we do that we save money. You may have an allowance, or you may earn money for the things you need each week. Money is going to be important to you all of your life. Now is a good time to learn how to control it.
    Do four of the following

    a.

    Go grocery shopping with a parent. Compare prices of different brands of the same item. Check the prices at different stores. Read the ads in your newspaper.

    b.

    Set up a savings account.

    c.

    Keep a record of how you spend money for two weeks.

    d.

    Make believe you are shopping for a car for your family.

    e.

    Discuss family finances with one of your parents.

    f.

    Play a board game with your family that involves the use of make-believe money.

    g.

    Figure out how much it costs for each person in your home to eat one meal.

    
    SELF
    
    
    

    Do four of the following

    
    
14. RIDE RIGHT
    Bicycle motocross, 10-speeds, bike hikes--there are all kinds of bicycles and things to do with them today. Boys and girls and grownups, too, are riding bikes more and more. Bicycling is fun, it's good for you, and it's interesting. But bicycling can be dangerous if you are not careful. Be sure you know the safety rules for bicycling, and be sure and you and your mom or dad always keep your bike in good shape.
    Do requirement "a" and three more.

    a.

    Know the rules for bike safety.

    b.

    Learn to ride a bike. Show that you can follow a winding course for 60 feet doing sharp left and right turns, a U-turn, and an emergency stop.

    c.

    Keep your bike in good shape. Identify the parts of a bike that should be checked often.

    d.

    Change a tire on a bicycle.

    e.

    Protect your bike from theft. Use a bicycle lock.

    f.

    Ride a bike for one mile without rest, be sure to obey all traffic rules.

    g.

    Plan and take a family bike hike.

    
    
15. GAMES, GAMES, GAMES!
    Let's play a game! Everybody likes games, especially outdoor games. Here are some game ideas. You may have played some of them, but you will probably find new ones. Games are fun and they teach you how to think before you act.
    Do two of the following

    a.

    Set up the equipment and play any two of these outdoor games with your family or friends.
    Backyard golf - Kickball - Badminton - Tenpins - Croquet - Tetherball - Sidewalk Shuffleboard - Volleyball

    b.

    Play two organized games with your den.

    c.

    Select a game your den has never played. Explain the rules. Tell them how it is played, then play it with them.

    
    
16. BUILDING MUSCLES
    Games, stunts, and contests with other Cub Scouts help you become physically fit and alert. Den and Pack activities are aimed at keeping you healthy. This achievement will develop your speed, balance, and reactions. The more you practice, the stronger you will become. A strong body is important to you now, and it will be even more important to you as you grow older.
    Do ALL of the following

    a.

    Do physical fitness stretching exercises. Then do sit-ups, push-ups, the standing long jump, and softball throw.

    b.

    With a friend, compete in at least six different two-person contests.

    c.

    Compete with your den or pack in the crab relay, gorilla relay, 30-yard dash, and kangaroo relay.

    
    
17. INFORMATION, PLEASE
    Information is a big word with a simple meaning. It means facts, and telling someone a fact is communication. We can also get information from newspapers, books, magazines, radio, TV, and computers. As you complete this achievement, you might be surprised to find out all the ways we can give and get information.
    Do requirement "a" and three more of the following

    a.

    With an adult in your family, select a TV show. Watch it together.

    b.

    Visit a newspaper office, TV or radio station and talk to a news reporter.

    c.

    Play a game of charades at your den meeting or with your family at home.

    d.

    Visit a place where computers are used.

    e.

    Write a letter to a company that makes something you use.

    f.

    Talk with one of your parents or another family member about how getting and giving facts fits into his or her job.

    
    
18. JOT IT DOWN
    Writing is one of the most important things man has learned to do. Writing lets us send messages to far away places, make a lasting record of things we want to remember, and read what others have done or thought in the past. Being able to write clearly is a useful and satisfying skill. Do this achievement to learn moare about it.
    Do five of the following

    a.

    Make a list of the things you want to do today. Check them off when you have done them.

    b.

    Write two letters to relatives.

    c.

    Keep a daily record of your activities for two weeks.

    d.

    Write an invitation to someone.

    e.

    Write a story about something you have done with your family.

    f.

    Write a thank-you note.

    g.

    Write about the doings of your den.

    
    
19. SHAVINGS AND CHIPS
    Your Cub Scout knife is an important tool. You can do many things with its four blades. The cutting blade is the one you will use most of the time. With it you can make shavings and chips and carve all kinds of things. You must be very careful and think when you whittle or carve. Take good care of your knife. Always remember that a knife is a tool, not a toy. Use it with care so that you don't hurt yourself or spoil what you are carving.
    Do ALL of the following

    a.

    Know the safety rules for handling a knife.

    b.

    Show that you know how to take care of and use a pocketknife.

    c.

    Make a carving with a pocketknife.

    d.

    Earn the Whittling Chip card.

    
    
20. SAWDUST AND NAILS
    When you can cut wood to the right length and fasten it together with nails, you are a handyman; but there are more tools than a hammer and saw. You will need something to hold the wood in place while you work on it. Sometimes you will need to make a curved cut or put a hole through the wood. A good way to learn how to use tools is to watch someone using them. When you need to make something with wood asky your parent or an adult to show you how to use the tools safely.
    Do ALL of the following

    a.

    Show how to use and take care of four tools.

    b.

    Build your own tool box.

    c.

    Use at least two tools to fix something.

    
    
21. BUILD A MODEL
    Model kits can be fun to put together. You can be proud of your model when it is finished. Most boys like to put together models. Did you know that you might still be putting models together when you grow up? Many grownups like to build models as a hobby. They build ships out of wood, or large model train layouts they call "pikes." Models are also used by companies for serious purposes. Auto makers build smal models of their new cars before they actually start making them. Companies that build airplanes do the same thing. People who design and build shopping centers or other kinds of buildings often build models to see whtat the building will look like. Model buildings can be serious business for grownups. As yo can see, model building can be more than just going to the hobby shop and buying a kit.
    Do three of the following

    a.

    Build a model from a kit.

    b.

    Build a display for one of your models.

    c.

    Make believe you are planning to change the furniture in one of the rooms in your home.

    d.

    Make a model of a mountain, a meadow, a canyon, or river.

    e.

    Look at a model of a shopping center or new building that is on display somewhere.

    f.

    Make a model of anything - a rocket, boat, car, or plane.

    
    
22. TYING IT ALL UP
    Sailors, cowboys, and mountain climbers all use good strong rope. Their lives depend on their ropes and the knots that hold them in place.
    Do five of the following

    a.

    Whip the ends of a rope.

    b.

    Tie a square know, bowline, sheet bend, two half hitches, and a slip knot. Tell how each knot is used.

    c.

    Learn how to keep a rope from tangling.

    d.

    Coil a rope. Throw it, hitting a 2-foot square marker 20 feet away.

    e.

    Learn a magic rope trick.

    f.

    Make your own rope.

    
    
23. SPORTS, SPORTS, SPORTS
    Sports make for great times. They help us stay healthy and in good shape. They are fun to watch and fun to play.
    Do ALL of the following

    a.

    Learn the rules and how to play three team sports.

    b.

    Learn the rules and how to play two sports in which only one person is on each side.

    c.

    Take part in one team and one individual sport.

    d.

    Watch a sport on TV with a parent or some other member of your family.

    e.

    Attend a high school, college, or professional sporting event with your family or your den.

    
    
24. BE A LEADER
    Leadership means more than just elling others what to do. It means doing the right things. It also means listening to everyone's ideas before going ahead. It's hard to be a leader, but you feel good if you do your job well. Your community and country need good leaders. In these requirements, you will find some ways to be a good leader.
    Do three of the following

    a.

    Help a boy join the Cub Scouts, or help a new Cub Scout through the Bobcat trail.

    b.

    Serve as a denner or assistant denner.

    c.

    Plan and conduct a den activity with the approval of your den leader.

    d.

    Tell two people they have done a good job.

    e.

    Leadership means choosing a way even when your choice is not liked by all.

AFTER a Bear Cub Scout earns his Bear Badge he may begin working on earning Arrow Points in the Electives section of his book. He may work on his "Arrow Point Trail" at any time, however, he cannot receive Arrow Points until after he has earned the Bear Badge.

There is a big difference in the achievements for arrow points for Bear. In this rank the Cub Scout can go back and do requirements from the achievements section of the book and use them as requirements for arrow points, as long as they do not count any requirements that they used to earn the Bear Badge.

The Achievement requirements and the Elective requirements can be freely mixed to count toward earning arrow points. In the following descriptions, we will use the term "Arrow Points" to refer to either type of requirement.

GOLD ARROW POINT - For the FIRST tem arrow points completed, the Bear Cub earns his GOLD ARROW POINT.

He may earn any number of SILVER ARROW POINTS, but he may only earn ONE GOLD ARROW POINT for the first ten elective points that he completes.

The following is a list of the ELECTIVES for arrow points. To see what is available in the Achievements section - see Bear Badge requirements above.

1. SPACE
2. WEATHER
3. RADIO
4. ELECTRICITY
5. BOATS
6. AIRCRAFT
7. THINGS THAT
8. CUB SCOUT BAND
9. ART
10. MASKS
11. PHOTOGRAPHY
12. NATURE CRAFTS
13. MAGIC
14. LANDSCAPING
15. WATER AND SOIL CONSERVATION
16. FARM ANIMALS
17. REPAIRS
18. BACKYARD GYM
19. SWIMMING
20. SALES
21. COLLECTING THINGS
22. NATIVE AMERICAN LIFE


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Whittling Chip

Bear Scouts and Webelos Scouts can earn the Whittling Chip card, which gives them the privilege of carrying a pocketknife at Cub Scout functions only. The Scout must understand the rules for safe use of a pocketknife and handle his pocketknife with care. BSA guidelines provide that the knife must be a folding knife with a blade shorter than the palm of the boy’s hand.

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Whittling Chip Requirements:

1. Complete Bear Achievement 19, Shavings and Chips.
2. Demonstrate knowledge and skill in the use of a pocketknife .
3. Show that you understand that KNIVES ARE NOT TOYS .
4. Take the Pocketknife Pledge.


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Knife Safety

Never close the blade with the palm of your hand.
Never use a knife on something that will dull or break it.
Be careful that you do not cut yourself or any person nearby.
Never use a knife to strip the bark from a tree .
Do not carve your initials into anything that does not belong to you.
Under no circumstances should younger scouts be given a pocketknife to carry.


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The Pocketknife Pledge

o I will treat my pocketknife with the respect due a useful tool.
o I will always close my pocketknife and put it away when not in use.
o I will not use my pocketknife when it might injure someone near me.
o I promise never to throw my pocketknife for any reason.
o I will use my pocketknife in a safe manner at all times.
o A knife is a tool, not a toy.
o A sharp knife is safer than a dull knife.


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This is your whittling chip card that you will carry:



Whittling Chip Card

The back of the card looks like this:




All Whittling Chip Cards will be given to the scouts adult partner when the scout has met all the requirements.
Adults choose when they feel their son is ready to carry the Whittling Chip Card and use a knife safely.

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