Use These New Cub Scout Resources to Better Plan Fishing Activities

Story by Tom Redington, Professional Bass Fisherman

It’s a classic catch-22. Most boys and their families sign up for Cub Scouts with the expectation of fishing being part of the experience. And most leaders, districts, and councils know that a first fish or a fun fishing experience is a big positive for Cubs and helpful to retain members. All of this is fine in theory, but if you’re the person in charge of putting together a fishing activity, the task can seem overwhelming.

Thankfully, there is a great resource to help plan Scouting fishing events: http://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/OutdoorProgram/Fishing.aspx. Although the page has great merit badge information for working with Boy Scouts, this site is a treasure trove for Cub Scout fishing activities. From huge council-wide fishing events to fun activities for pack meetings, you’ll find tons of useful tips.

By now, I’m guessing a lot of you are already thinking this would be super, but you don’t have access to any decent places to fish. Well, I have good news for you. In the new Cub Scout module 7, there are several fishing related games that can be done indoors. Furthermore, I’ve lived in Chicago, Milwaukee, and Dallas, and have caught a lot of fish in public lakes & streams within city limits, so there are fishing opportunities for urban Scouters just as much as for rural ones. To find fishing spots near you, click on the “Places to go fishing and boating” link.

The Cub Scout modules detail how to make your fishing activities a success. In addition to sharing best practices for successful staffing and catching, there are ideas on teaching, too, so Scouts learn as they have fun.

Fishing in Cub Scouts shouldn’t be a catch-22, it should be a catch-1+.  That is, the goal should be for every Cub Scout who wants to try fishing, he should get to do a fishing activity and hopefully catch at least one fish. With the help of the Scouting fishing page, you can help make this happen for your Scouts.

Scouting Wire would like to thank Tom Redington for submitting this story.