Earth day is April 22^nd and our Cub Scout Handbooks arrived just in time to provide some inspiration.  One of our boys is working toward Wolf rank and the other toward Bear.  Each handbook has a required achievement that encourages scouts to take care of their planet.  So, for Earth Day we’ll be picking up litter in our campground, planting a tree, discussing ways to conserve energy, and reading books about protecting the environment.  Join us, or try one of these Earth day ideas…

Earth's Colors:
To make natural earth colors, you'll need red cabbage, beets, celery tops, carrot tops, and vinegar.  Simmer each vegetable in water. Drain, saving the liquids. Mix one tablespoon of vinegar into each liquid, and let cool. Let the children use the natural colors and brushes to paint a large piece of muslin or cotton fabric. Let dry and hand in the playroom for all to see.

Trash Collage:
Use throw away paper, labels, scraps cut from junk mail, everything you can find that is typically thrown away - to make a collage.

Movie:
The movie Nim's Island  (now in theaters) tells the story of a young girl named Nim, who lives on a tropical island in the South Pacific with her father, Jack, and her animal friends.

Nim and Jack live on the island without disrupting its natural beauty. They use solar panels to power their home, collect rain water for their household use and grow or fish all the things they need to survive.  In the movie, Nim writes to Alex asking for her help to protect her favorite place and animal buddies. Your kids can do the same!

Writing a letter lets them tell other people about something they think is important. They can write to a local business, a newspaper or an elected official--such as a city council member, a mayor, a state or federal representative, or even the President. This is a great time to teach them about a persuasive letter – one that tries to get someone to do something by helping them to understand your point of view.  Take your child to see the movie (for inspiration) then have him/her pick a favorite place or animal and write to a decision maker, expressing why they should be protected.  Teach them how to use their words to make a difference!