Speaking of museums...

There are several museums in Tucson that are free this weekend! Go to the Smithsonian Magazine website, choose your museum and print out the free ticket for Saturday.  The following museums are included:

• Arizona History Museum
• Arizona State Museum
• Fort Lowell Museum
• International Wildlife Museum
• Jewish History Museum

Enjoy!

Month 1 : Webelos 1

Webelos 1 are slated to take a trip to a "Natural history museum, nature center, or zoo". We all know about the Tucson Zoo, right? Don't forget about the behind-the-scenes programs available to scouts on the 3rd Saturday of the month, check with the council office for cost and availability.

For nature centers there are a variety of choices. There's the Desert Museum (also a natural history museum), the Botanical Gardens, or Tohono Chul for starters. They all have some great outreach programs, so call ahead and ask what's available. If you have a small group, offer to combine with an existing group to help them out. The Audobon Society's Mason Center offers guided tours on Fridays for a $25 fee for the group if you want something a little more out of the way. They also offer free field trips from time to time, so check to see if it fits your schedule. Sweetwater Wetlands are open for self-guided tours, be sure to request a field guide.

If you want to go a little further afield, the Boyce Thompson Arboretum is a great resource. They have a Junior Ranger program for all kids 6-12, and they have several Girl Scout Badge programs. If you happen to have a Girl Scout and a Cub (I can't be the only one out there with a Brownie and a Webelos, can I?), your Cub can be included in the girl scouting activities for an additional fee.

The International Wildlife Museum counts as a Natural History museum, but you may not want to wear this one out yet. It will be the location for the Cub Scout Expo in November and you will get a chance to visit then!

Have a great time!

Service opportunity

This may be a little late for this year, but it is a good idea for next year. United Way's Days of Caring takes place every September. Usually a Saturday and a Wednesday. Volunteer registration is closed for this year, but it usually opens in early August next year.

If you register early enough, you can get free "live united" T-shirts. There are projects all over Tucson for all size groups and all ages. Keep this in mind as you are finishing up your summer activities by 2011!

Happy September

So here we are in September. I've decided I'm going to try to post a little about the outings for the cubbies in the order they appear in the new Den Meeting guide for the different ranks. Some things will combine--there's only so much you can write about a police station visit, whether it's Bears or Tigers.

So let's start with the Tigers for Month 1 - Library, Historical society, Museum, old farm, historical building. You can combine Library, Museum, historical building and (sorta) old farm by going to Colossal Cave. They have a library and museum onsite, and their historical helpers are more than happy to answer any questions. They have buildings made by the CCC and some La Posta Quemada ranch buildings (a ranch is close enough to a farm in these parts, don't you think?)

Bears also have a "historical place of interest" for Month 1. If you have a small pack you may be able to combine these trips.
They often offer an admission discount to scouts so be sure to call ahead.  Depending on how much time you have you may be able to squeeze in a short hike, or even a litter pick-up/conservation project as well. Have a great visit!