6 Scouts BSA Activities for #ScoutingAtHome
Hi! As we continue to work through #ScoutingAtHome, I wanted to put together another resource of fun AND productive activities that you can be doing at home. I love these six Scouts BSA activities because they not only have the benefit of helping you work towards earning some merit badges, but also because they all have a “feel good” quality to them!
If you try out any of these activities, let us know and tag us using #ScoutShopBSA and #ScoutingAtHome on Instagram!
1. For community service: Host a bingo game for a retirement home or nursing home virtually. I saw this idea last week and thought it was the PERFECT activity for Scouts! An easy way to do this is to (remotely) work with the director so they can help to set up their residents to hear or see you. If you are using Zoom, you can send the link to your meeting room to the director and they can disperse to the residents. Then, gather the bingo calling supplies and let the fun begin! Before you get started, be sure to check out how to keep safety top of mind while taking things digital and to follow all CDC and your local health department’s guidance.
2. To get your heart rate up: Set up a scheduled program to work on your fitness and do it every day! Even if you have already earned the Personal Fitness merit badge, do this one anyway! Do Requirement #6:
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- Complete the aerobic fitness, flexibility, and muscular strength tests, as described in the Personal Fitness merit badge pamphlet. Record your results and identify those areas where you feel you need to improve.
- Keep track of what you eat and drink for three days. Identify three healthy eating goals you want to work on.
- If you want some additional fun, look into your local yoga studios or gyms – lots of them are offering free online workouts right now. Make it a part of your day, with a set time that you will tackle your workout every day. I have also found that scheduling the workout with my family helps as well, so that we can all hold each other accountable!
3. For your daily dose of sunshine: Plant a garden. It is the perfect time to grow all sorts of plants, so plan out a full-fledged garden! Include fruits/vegetables and flowers and make it as diverse as possible. Do your research to see what grows best in your region and have an adult help you order the seeds online. My personal favorites are spinach, zucchini, squash, onions, potatoes, cilantro, daisies, wildflower mixes, daffodils and lilies. This activity connects in perfectly with the Gardening merit badge, and you can get all the information you need from the merit badge pamphlet!
4. To lift neighborhood spirits: Create a fun and brightly colored piece of artwork for a front window! I have seen lots of ideas for this, from colorful messages of hope on posters to hand-drawn rainbows on computer paper. Every time I see one, it definitely makes me feel so much gratitude and hope for us as a national community.
5. Put your brain to work: I love this robotics kit because it helps fulfill one of the requirements from the Robotics merit badge (here’s the pamphlet!), but if you are all, “been there, done that” then try out this expansion kit! It works as an expander for the core kit and adds additional functionality to your core robot.
6. Some necessary fun: Add some fun into your days with these games! Bonus if you organize a little family tournament and make a whole afternoon out of it (or a 3-day tournament!). Just an FYI… you could use that time playing as research and action on requirements #1 and #4 from the Game Design merit badge. (Psst…now would also be a great time to start in on some of the requirements for the Game Design merit badge (grab the pamphlet with all the requirements).
Do you have additional activities that you have loved working on while #ScoutingAtHome? Share them with us – just use #ScoutShopBSA so we can see. Be sure to keep an eye out for our little virtual bingo game on our social pages as well and Happy Scouting!
