ScoutHitch
Back to Hitch Guide

Running with the Pack

Cub Scouts · Adventure, Required

Printable worksheet (PDF)

Running with the Pack is about taking care of your body. You'll taste colorful foods, keep your teeth clean, move around, and learn to relax. Small healthy habits now help you feel great every day.

Why it's worth it

Running with the Pack is about the body you'll use for every adventure. You'll try colorful foods, learn to brush the way a dentist would, and play hard with your den. You'll also learn how to calm down, which helps at bedtime, before a test, or when you feel upset. Habits you start now can stay with you for life.

Start this week

  1. In your kitchen or at the store, find one red, one orange, and one green food you've never tried.
  2. Set a two-minute timer the next time you brush your teeth.
  3. Make a 10-minute exercise list with your adult, like jumping jacks, crab walks, and frog hops.
  4. Ask your adult to get out your Annual Health and Medical Record so you can look at it together.

Requirements · 6

Every official requirement and part, numbered to match Scouting America, in plain language. Sign off against the official wording (opens in a new tab).

  1. Requirement 1

    Taste three foods that are naturally three different colors, each one a protein, vegetable, fruit, dairy food, or grain

    Tip: Make a rainbow snack plate, like strawberries, carrots, and blueberries, and pick three to try.

    For example: A rainbow tasting plate could have red bell pepper strips, orange cantaloupe, and green snap peas. Rate each one thumbs up, sideways, or down. Trying it counts, even if you don't love it.

  2. Requirement 2

    Show the proper way to brush your teeth

    Tip: Use a mirror and show a grown-up how you brush every tooth, front and back, for two minutes.

  3. Requirement 3

    Spend 30 minutes being active, including both stretching and moving, with your den or one or more other people

    Tip: Play tag or a relay with your den, and start with a few fun stretches.

    For example: Your den could start with arm circles and toe touches, then play freeze tag, a relay race, and Simon Says with jumping moves until 30 minutes are up.

  4. Requirement 4

    Spend 10 minutes doing personal exercises

    Tip: Try jumping jacks, sit-ups, and hopping on one foot. Set a timer for 10 minutes.

  5. Requirement 5

    Do a relaxing activity for 10 minutes

    Tip: Try slow breathing, coloring, or listening to quiet music for 10 minutes.

    For example: Ten calm minutes might be lying on the floor and breathing in while you count to four, then out while you count to four. Or color quietly while soft music plays.

  6. Requirement 6

    With a parent or guardian, go over your Annual Health and Medical Record from Scouting America and talk about which den and pack activities you can take part in

    Tip: Look at the form with a parent and talk about the fun activities you can do safely.

    For example: Look at the form with your adult and talk it over. If it lists an allergy or asthma, talk about how you'll tell your den leader and what activities still work great for you.

Talk about it together

  • Which new food surprised you, and would you eat it again?
  • What kind of moving makes you feel the happiest?
  • What helps you calm down when you feel wiggly or upset?
  • What is one healthy habit you want to keep doing every day?

Good questions to ask your dentist or school nurse

  • How do I know I brushed every tooth?
  • Which snacks are best for my teeth?
  • Why does my body need so much sleep?

Helpful reads

For leaders & parents

  • Start den meetings with a short game so scouts get their active time in together.
  • Ask families to send in the health form early so the review is easy to finish.

People & places that can help

Pairs well with

Counts toward

More Wolf adventures

Into this? Explore more

Tips, examples, and questions are ideas from experienced leaders, not extra requirements. Your unit leader or counselor decides when a requirement is complete.