Requirements

  1. Wash your hands with soap and water while singing the “Happy Birthday” song two times.
  2. Play Germ Magnet with your den or your family. Wash your hands afterward.
  3. Conduct the sneeze demonstration.
  4. Conduct the mucus demonstration.
  5. Grow a mold culture. Show what formed at a den or pack meeting.

Tips and Tricks

  • I’m hoping the COVID kids have the handwashing activity down pat. Just make sure you have enough soap and paper towels to complete the requirement.
  • If you have the foresight, GloGerm is actually pretty cool to use. However, glitter works just fine, but you might annoy your Cubmaster if you make a mess. Ha!
  • The sneeze demonstration activity is a bit overdone. Consider maybe using a spray bottle with water and a small amount of food coloring. Then spray on a large area to see how fair it may go.
  • The mucus activity is a fun one and worth the time for most Scouts.
  • The mold culture activity is a little extra and has to be timed properly. It might be better done at home with an adult.

Special Needs Considerations

  • Scouts with various disabilities must adapt their hygiene practices due to limitations. This is a good opportunity to go over those and make the proper accommodations.
  • The various activities in this may be difficult for Scouts with physical disabilities. Alternate activities might not be possible. Keeping them engaged is probably the best course of action.

References

Scouting America – Germs Alive!