The BSA Cub Scout Family Activity Program is a series of activities designed to help strengthen families. All family members are encouraged to participate and may earn the BSA Family Award. The purposes of the BSA Family program are:

• To strengthen families

• To encourage family involvement in Scouting

The Boys Scouts of America and Pack 49 want the families in our community to be strong. We also want our youth to grow into citizens of good character who are physically, spiritually, and mentally fit. We recognize that the responsibility for molding the boys into these citizens falls in the family unit. To assist families, BSA developed the BSA Family Award program.

In much the same way that Cub Scouts and Webelos Scouts use their handbooks to earn their badges and awards, the family uses the BSA Family Activity Book to earn the BSA Family Award. A Cub Scouting family chooses to participate in this program on its own; however, most families will find that the activities suggested in the book are ones that the family is already doing.

The BSA Family Activity Book is divided into five categories that include several topics of interest to families. Each topic contains suggested activities for a family to do together. These activities could include going on field trips; telling stories; doing arts and crafts projects; playing games; participating in family discussions; or making lists, charts, and scrapbooks. A family must complete 10 activities within a 12-month period. The family chooses two activities in each of the following categories:

• Learning Through Fun and Adventure

• Strengthening Family Relationships

• Developing Character

• Teaching Responsibility

• Handling Difficult Situations

Most of the ideas in the BSA Family Activity Book will be especially useful during family meetings or gatherings. However, parents will also find ways to incorporate them into daily life. Many ideas may be adapted for use while riding in a car and during mealtimes, and may provide things to occupy children when they say there is "nothing to do." In short, parents may use the ideas and activities to meet their own family's needs and interests. Included with most topics are recommended books for adults and children to read together. One can find these (or other books) at a local public library.

Family members may earn the BSA family Award several times. A family may choose the same or different activities as they work on the award for another 12-month period. Once the activities are completed the family is to notify the Pack. The awards will be presented to the family at a Pack meeting.

For our Cub Scout families' convenience, Pack 49 has copies of the BSA Family Activity Book for an approximate cost of $3.50.