Silver Boomerang

If you join Cub Scouts around 8 ½ to 9 years of age, you will probably start your journey through the Cub Scout Award Scheme with the Silver Boomerang.

However, if you joined earlier you would probably have completed your Bronze Boomerang and would now be entering the second part of the Boomerang Award - the Silver Boomerang.

The tasks in this part of the award are more challenging, but build upon the Bronze Boomerang Award you have already learned.

To achieve the Silver Boomerang Award you will need to complete 10 of the 14 set tasks.

Tasks 1 to 7 must be completed but you can choose any three from the tasks numbered 8 to 14.

You may do the tasks in any order, except for number 7 - Promise & Law - which must be completed last and be signed off by your Cub Scout Leader.

1. Health and First Aid

Explain how to keep your feet in good condition and why
Discuss why sleep is important
Discuss the importance of a balanced diet
Prepare a healthy lunch for an outing
Put together a small first aid kit and take it on a bush walk
Show how to treat a bleeding nose
Show how to treat stings and bites common to your region
Show an understanding of how germs and head lice pass to people by contact and how to prevent this
Explain why you need adult help in case of an accident
Pass a message, including address from one adult to another
Explain how to use a mobile phone & public phone and discuss the steps you would take to make an emergency phone call

2. Safety

Define the Buddy system and explain its benefits
Discuss the causes of accidents in the home and garden, including the sheds and around swimming pools
Discuss the safety aspects of travelling in cars, buses and trains
Demonstrate an understanding of dangers of swimming pools, seas, rivers, lakes & dams
Identify safe areas for swimming
Explain what you should do to make sure you don't get lost in the bush, and what to do if something goes wrong
Demonstrate 3 ways of making distress signals
Discuss the ways fires can start in the home and bush
Show what to do if you are in a fire at home
Discuss what to do if you don't feel safe somewhere

3. Ropes

Tie a reef knot, and know when to use it
Tie a clove hitch and know when to use it
Tie a sheet bend and know when to use it
Name the parts of the rope

4. Outdoor

Demonstrate an understanding of how many degrees there are in a compass and the eight principle points
Use a compass to follow a simple trail - 6 compass points (min)
Use a road map to work out the distance between 2 towns
Demonstrate 5 trail signs
Discuss the ways fires can start in the home & bush
On a fire you prepare and light, cook a meal such as food in foil

5. Traditions

Tell a non Mowgli story from the Jungle Books
Explain the significance of Baloo and Bagherra in Mowgli's life
Find out when Scouting started in your local group
Find out the meaning of your scarf & District Badge

6. Symbols

Describe your state flag and understand its components
Describe the emblem of your state and show an understanding of what it means

7. Promise and Law – complete last

Find out 3 things about your beliefs and explain them to your leader
Talk to your leader about how you have tried to put your Promise & Law into practice in everything you have done
Do a good turn for your Cub Pack or Group

8. Fitness

Throw a ball 10 metres to someone and catch it on return 5 times
Hit a ball with a bat or racket 5 times
Perform a standing broad jump as far as you can
Skip at least 20 times forward and 10 times backward

9. People and Cultures

Explain some of the customs, traditions and crafts of the traditional owners in your area
Learn to say hello, goodbye, please and thank-you in another language, preferably from a native speaker
Take part in a pack council
Take part with another Pack or District / Region / Branch activity

10. Scientific Discovery - complete any 2

Explain how an animal, bird , reptile or insect develops & behaves. Report on your findings
Perform an experiment that shows the difference between gases, liquids and solids
Explain how volcanoes & earthquakes occur and show an experiment that illustrates one of these
Show you understand weather forecasts & how rain is formed
Estimate: the distance from your Scout hall door to the road, length of hall, height of flagpole or tree. Check by measuring

11. Natural Environment

Explain how you can recycle household waste
Make a system for recycling organic waste from your house eg worm farm, compost heap
Discuss the effects of pollution on our rivers, lakes & seas
Show how you & your family can help reduce water pollution
on a bush walk find examples of 5 things that have damaged the environment eg: litter, pollution, salinity, erosion, damage

12. Self Expression - Complete any 2

Organise and perform a mime or skit with other Pack members
Create a painting, drawing or 3 dimensional piece - to display
Write a poem or short story, either fictional or of an event
Sing 2 songs or play 2 pieces on a musical instrument

13. Handcraft

Make something using a handcraft which is new to you
Show the tools you use and explain how to care for them

14. Your Community

Demonstrate you know how to clean up around the house - eg sweeping, vacuuming, washing up & cleaning bathroom
Do some minor repairs to clothes around the home
Find out how your town or suburb name originated
Where is the nearest hospital, ambulance, police & fire station?
Name 3 essential services that provide for your local community & explain what they do