STORIES APPROPRIATE FOR SCOUTS
(excerpts from posts)
(If you want to retell any of the stories listed below, be sure to obtain permission from the copyright holder if the material is not in the public domain)

Query: Help! I have sung and/or told at an area scouting banquet for a few years and they have asked me again this year. I am out of patiotic material. I've sung all my songs and don't have money or the interest of spending any of my money to buy more, so I'd really like to fill in with a story. Last year I told how Francis Scott Key wrote the national anthem. I really liked that and would like something along those lines or any idea that scouting leaders might like. I am so short on time because I am helping with our state storytelling conference that same weekend.
Wendy G.

1) Do they have to be patriotic stories? A few years back I told at a Cub Scout dinner. There were various cub scout packs there that evening, wolf, bear and tiger cubs. I then found stories to complement their Packs:

For the Bear Cubs: Why The Bear Has A Stumpy Tail
For the Wolf Cubs: (there is a wolf in the story) How the Turtle Cracked Its Shell
For the "do your best" portion of the promise: Lazy Jack
For the "to help other people" portion of the promise: The Magic Pomegranate
A portion of the Law of the Pack states, "The Cub Scout gives goodwill" so I told: Stone Soup
The Tiger Cub Motto is "Search, Discover, Share" so I ended with Mr. Wiggle and Mr. Waggle

If your event is for Boy Scouts, the Scout Law highlights these virtues: Loyal, Helpful, Friendly, Courteous, Kind, Obedient, Cheerful, Thrifty, Brave, Clean and Reverent. Their motto is: Be Prepared

Y ou could find stories that illustrate some or all of the Boy Scout Laws and Motto. I bet you already know a bunch of stories that fit. I bet some of the above I used for the Cub Scouts would work as well. I hope this helps.
Karen C.

2) Take a look at the small compilation in SOS at:
http://www.story-lovers.com/listspatrioticstories.html
Especially #2... it's a great site well worth exploring (American Folklore)
Jackie B.

3) I do Scout programs all the time! Both Blue and Gold Cub Scout meetings and scout events. Remember that scouts like "Campfire" programs. Ghost Stories and Tall Tales are the perfect fodder for these events.
Steve O.
See:
http://www.story-lovers.com/listscampfirestories.html
http://www.story-lovers.com/liststalltaleswhopperslies.html
http://www.story-lovers.com/barebonesstories.html

4) Whatever you select be sure that it has some farting sounds in it!
You must also mention the word booger at least once.
Actually that would work if it was the total content!
Perhaps the story would go as follows....
Tthe farting bear with stubby tail because it was blown off because he ate too many beenie weenies but what's this....a magic booger falls from his nose into his beans and he applies it to his butt and tail grows back.....fartproof....!

Have fun but remember you are dealing with a specific audience.
Conrad B.
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5) Hey! My Name is Joe and I work in a button factory could be fun. Every Cub Scout is going to grow up and have a job, right? And you need to know how to follow your boss's directions, right? And its fun and appropriate for this age group!
The Hidden Treasure
Two brothers fish together, farm together, live together.
They go fishing and one of them hooks a treasure chest full of gold.
We'll share says one.
No says the other and pushes brother out of chest.
Selfish brother takes chest and starts walking. Night comes. He hides
chest under a bush. Can't sleep for fear brother will come steal his gold.
Walks up a mountain. Hides chest under pile of rocks. Can't sleep.
Someone might come and find gold. Digs tunnel into rock and puts chest
inside. Fills hole up. Still can't sleep. Builds fort, gets guns, no
happiness. No peace.
Other brother continues fishing, farming. Marries, has children and then
grandchildren. He sits on porch and tells children about brother. Wonders
where brother is and if he is happy. "Like we are Grandpa?"
"Like we are."

Too much worrying has robbed one brother of a happy future. Being content, willing to share and caring about others led other brother to a happy future. Choices we make now determine what our future will be. We get to choose.
Rose the Story Lady 2/24/06
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(This web page updated 8/10/03; 2/25/06)