Trying to plan a Cub Scout Blue and Gold banquet may seem like a daunting task, but an elegant scouting banquet can be achieved with a few simple steps and a little time.
This year’s monthly theme for February is U.S.A by the letters. Scouts are encouraged to take a United States tour by learning facts from individual states, or cities. For example, what national parks, or monuments may be in a town, or does a certain city have an historical significance. This theme can be easily related to the Blue and Gold banquet.
While the U.S.A. theme is this year specific, it can be used at other times of the year, and for other events.
U.S.A. as a theme could easily be achieved by using a Route 66 theme, or choose another familiar highway, and take an imaginary trip across the country to learn about all kinds of different states or cities along the way.
When considering Route 66 one could start with the local cities that are closest to one’s home and plan how one would get to Chicago the starting place of Rout 66. This would allow the scout to learn some local information about the area in which he lives.
Den Tables, and Den Presentations of Facts:
Each den would then be assigned a specific city or location along Route 66 to share with the rest of the pack. Tables could be individually decorated by den about the cities for which they had prepared information.
If a den chose Hannibal, Missouri, they could present facts about Mark Twain, and the Mark Twain Museum. Tables could be decorated with decorations from one of any of Mark Twain’s books.
The possibilities are endless,
Leadership Awards:
Leadership awards can become an entertaining part of the evening when they are creative.
Awards could be handled in several ways. They could be printed out with historical images on the certificates, or in lieu of certificates, classic cars could be designated as different awards.
A Chevrolet Bel Air could be given to the person who does the most communication in the group. For example, we had a scout leader that loved to talk, and when she called it always became a two-hour phone call. This award would be perfect for a leader with these special talents.
Again possibilities are endless!
Players must mark historical town names off the list to make a Bingo as each name is called. Bingo markers could be purchased in bulk, and could be little cars, or something as simple as buttons would work.
Route 66 Trivia
Make a list of trivia questions that pertain to the areas assigned to the dens, and then ask the families to participate in a quiz bowl.
Don’t forget to award prizes!
Okay, So What About Food?
Our pack always wanted simple, but tasty, and of course economically friendly food. Since this is about the U.S.A. hot dogs and hamburgers would be an classic American dish for the banquet.
For example, hot dogs could be made Chicago style with “mustard, sweet pickle relish, onion, a dill pickle spear, tomato slices or wedges, pickled sport peppers, dash of celery salt and cucumbers.” (wikipedia.org)
Hamburgers could also be spiced up with variations of cheeses, and toppings.
The U.S.A. themed Blue and Gold Banquet can be a lot of fun as long as there are those Scout Leaders who are willing to go the extra mile to prepare for it.
