December honor · Dog award (all levels)

Dogs

A calm dog, a leader who knows dogs, and a room full of kids who want to pet it. This month Adventurers learn how to meet a dog safely, what a dog needs every day, and what its ears and tail are saying.

Why kids love it

A visiting dog. A gentle, trained dog comes to club night (with its owner) for the kids to meet properly.
Dog talk. Wagging, yawning, a tucked tail: kids learn to read a dog before they reach for it.
Jobs dogs do. Guide dogs, search dogs, herding dogs, therapy dogs: stories and pictures.
A craft to keep. A dog-breed poster or a paper-plate pup, depending on the level.

What we will do

Meeting a dog the right way. Ask the owner, stand still, let the dog sniff, pet the shoulder not the head.
What a dog needs. Food, water, walks, a vet, a brush, and a job to do. Kids make a daily care chart.
Breeds and jobs. Match the breed to its job in a card game.
Dog signals. Act out happy, scared and "leave me alone" and learn what to do for each.
Visit day. Meet the visiting dog, use what you learned, and tell the leader three things a dog needs to earn the award.

If your child is afraid of dogs or allergic, tell the leader; the visit is set up so every child can take part at their own distance.

Stars, chips and awards are the Adventurer badges: Little Lambs earn stars, Eager Beavers earn chips, Busy Bees and up earn awards. Official requirements are in the leader's guide; younger levels join every activity and count it toward their own level.

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