Timberwolf Badges

The Old Wolf's Story at the beginning of the Timberwolf handbook is a great way to start off. One idea is to have some sort of costume piece that gets kids in the spirit and helps the leader embody the Old Wolf. Once you read the story, ask the kids to talk about the questions at the end, especially talking about how they are the same/different from wolves.

The story of Mowgli from the Jungle Book by Rudyard Kipling is also included as a traditional Scouting story. If you have already read one of the stories, you could read the other if you have additional kids coming in to be invested.

This is a good opportunity to have a discussion about what the kids want to pledge to do their duty to. What is meaningful to them?

This could be a hike, a game, a meeting, a campout, etc.

The Grand Howl is a chance for the kids to get a little silly and get in the spirit of scouting. The Grand Howl can also be worked into your opening and closing ceremonies.

Grand Howl

(Scouts sit on haunches, with fingers making ears)

Pack: Ollllld Wolf, We Do Our *jump* Best!

Old Wolf: DYB! DYB! DYB! DYB!

Pack: DOB! DOB! DOB! DOB!

The opening and closing ceremonies can be as complicated or simple as you like. Bringing in a sense of theatricality can help the kids engage. You may want to start with something a bit more simple, then bring in more theatrical elements as the kids get more comfortable with the Grand Howl. Check out the Timberwolf Ceremonies page to see some example scripts of opening and closing ceremonies.

There is a good summary of the lives of Robert, Agnes, and Olave Baden-Powell in the Timberwolf Handbook. A short discussion about the history of the scouting movement and inviting the kids to share their thoughts about the questions at the end of that section should suffice for this requirement.

This requirement covers both knowing about the American flag, including how to fly and fold it, and flags/symbols in general. Timberwolves are often responsible for raising and lowering the flag at campouts, so they should have ample time to practice these skills over the course of their time with the pack.

Flags can be a contentious topic for some families. Talking about the flag is a great opportunity to discuss why people may have complicated feelings about some flags. It's also a chance to discuss the use of flags for communities/movements beyond just countries. Many groups fly an inclusivity flag alongside the American flag, for example. You could also talk about the history of folks using the flag as a way to protest policies and actions that they disagree with.

You can also use this as an opportunity to have the Timberwolves create flags for their Six, which can be a fun chance for team building and good practice for collaboration.

If kids aren't familiar with the National Anthem, you can sing it together. I also like to tell the (somewhat dramatic) story of how the National Anthem was written. Here's a more in depth link about the history that you can then relay in your own words to the kids: The Story Behind the Star Spangled Banner

If you prefer to use a different song that is significant to your community, that is an acceptable substitution. Many States have a state song, for example. As with the flag, this is a good opportunity to discuss the customs around anthems, including using them as a vehicle for peaceful protest.

These two knots are both used to tie two ropes together, but the reef knot is used for ropes of equal thickness while the sheet bend is used for ropes or fabric of different thicknesses. Using two different colored ropes or lengths of paracord is a good way for the kids to easily be able to tell which rope is which.

This is a great chance to teach the kids about the paws & claws inspection (basically checking to make sure they've washed their hands well). You could do a demonstration by mixing glitter in oil to represent germs and then having the kids see how long it actually takes to wash all of it away.

Ask the kids about healthy habits and talk about what they do to stay healthy. Touch on oral/dental hygiene, staying active, eating a varied and balanced diet, drinking plenty of water, and getting enough sleep. You could also do this in concert with the Otters, since they have a similar requirement for their safety badge.

With just some playground cones, you can easily turn this into an obstacle course and have the kids take turns going through it. You could also combine these activities with some of the activities for the Athlete badge and do it as a field day style meeting.

A weighted stuffed animal/beanbag works well for the “carry a weighted object on your head” activity.

This is a matter of practice. You may be able to find some clocks with different number styles at a thrift store and practice telling time using those. Kids can also practice this at home using the clock drawings in their Timberwolf Handbooks.

For this one, you could bring some shirts and pants and have the kids practice folding them. You can also have the kids practice cleaning boots, maybe after a particularly muddy hike.

This is a great requirement to cover along with another special proficiency badge, such as the Guide badge, the Cyclist badge, or the Map Reader badge. Talk about safety, have the kids demonstrate hand signals, and practice staying on the right side of the path. You could also turn this into a game by presenting scenarios and having the kids share what the best practice is in that situation.

Check out the list of Timberwolf books, and please let us know if you have other recommendations or suggestions. It's great if the kids can read a book with an outdoors/scouty theme, but that is not required. You could spread this out over time, or have one meeting where the kids take turns sharing their stories, maybe while working on something like a craft project that keeps their hands busy but their ears open.

Generally by the time you've completed all the other requirements, this one is complete. If a kid is regularly not attending meetings, you may want to figure out how many meetings you typically hold in a month (2? 4?) and check this off once they've attended the number equal to three months of meetings.

If you are regularly holding opening/closing ceremonies, you will have been reviewing most of the Tenderpad requirements at each meeting. Ask the kids what they have enjoyed about their time in the Timberwolf pack and have them recite the motto, law, and promise. You can also ask them what they remember about the Baden-Powell family and the history of scouting. If you have new scouts joining, you can also have the First Star candidates teach the Tenderpad skills to the new scouts.

Timberwolves who do not have access to a garden may instead care for a window box or two or more perennial plants in pots.

Timberwolves who do not have access to a garden may instead grow two of the following:

• A bulb in water, peat moss, sand, or soil
• A chestnut or acorn in water, sand, peat moss, or soil
• Mustard, cress, peas, or beans on a cloth or paper towel

This plan should identify at least 12 plants (flowers or vegetables) total and indicate which months they could be planted in and when they would be flowering.

For Morse Code and Semaphore, the message should be sent/received at a rate of at lest 15 letters per minute. For ASL, the message should be sent/received at a rate of 10 letters per minute (or 10 words per minute using word signs).

This could be done with pencil, brush, pen, marker, crayon, or another medium, and should be at least 5 x 7“.

Musical performances should be of two songs.

Recycled materials are great for this. Legos would also be a good option if you have them on hand.

Static Model Examples: boat, car, airplane, building Dynamic Model Examples: rocket, mechanically-propelled boat or car, sailboat

See the wolf mask activity.

One option is to find an inexpensive model kit like this one, which are available through online retailers for less than $10.

Using embroidery floss and needles is a good way to practice this.

Must be able to tie a square knot, sheet bend, clove hitch, and bowline.