Cub Scout Caucus

Cub Scout Caucus

This one is best done in October or November, near an election. Basic idea is to divide the boys into two parties, the Blue Party and Gold Party. Each party will choose (invent) a candidate, make posters and buttons for their candidate, give speeches for their candidate and eventually everyone will vote for a
candidate and a winner will be announced.

Prep:

• Purchase 10 or so blank posters. Can be white or half light blue and half gold.
• Bring a supply of marking pens
• Make two signs, one that say Blue Party and one that says Gold Party
• Make a party platform for each party by choosing elements from the Scout Law for each party. For  example the Blue Party Platform could be Trustworthy, Brave and Clean.
• Make delegate badges for as many boys as you have, half blue half gold
• Make small ballots and a ballot box. Also bring some pencils
• Bring duct tape

Setup:

• Setup 2 rooms/areas for the two parties with tables, posters and markers and a chalkboard if possible with the party signs
• Tape delegate badges beneath the chairs where the boys will sit
• Setup a podium or two if possible
• Setup a voting station with the ballot box.

Activity:

• Tell the boys they will participate in an election tonight. Explain there are two parties, the Blue and the Gold Party and that they will be delegates for one of these. Explain that they will be choosing (inventing) a candidate (no real person can be used), making posters and buttons and giving speeches for their candidate. 
• Have each boy reach under his chair and get his delegate badge and place it on his uniform and go to his party's area. Adults should accompany the boys and can be party members but only boys are delegates and can vote.
• In the area an adult should facilitate the boys choosing a candidate. Our boys once chose "Mustache Man" and "Bob", for example. This should be limited to 5 minutes.
• Once the candidate is chosen the boys make posters (quarter of a poster board), buttons (just cut small circles) and work on their speeches. This should take about 20 minutes.
• Have the boys return to the main area. Adults and siblings should take the signs.
• Move the party signs onto the podiums and hand out ballots and pencils to all attendees
• Have the boys go up two at a time and give their speeches. Speeches should be a minute or less and tell how their candidate fills their platform and why people should vote for their candidate. The audience should cheer for their candidate and wave their signs. Booing is not allowed.
• People (including cubs) can fill out their ballot at any time and go and put it in the ballot box.
• During the speeches have one adult who is the election monitor to count votes as they arrive at the ballot box.
• Once speeches are complete make sure everyone has voted. Tell the cubs how important the political process is while the vote is tabulated.
• Announce the winner. Get one cub from the losing party to give a concession speech and one from the winning party to give an acceptance speech.
• Winning party delegates are excused first to go and get treats.