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"WANTED"

We need  your HELP in recruiting new boys for our fellow Ranger Kids members! You all know how fun & exciting it can be being a member of Royal Rangers. Now we need help spreading the word.

Tell you fellow classmates & your neighbors. Let them know how much fun it is serving God & learning about all the things involved in the Ranger Kids program!

This is a Family Safe Site!

If you haven't ask Jesus into your heart as Savior and asked Him to forgive you of your sins, it is as simple as following these steps:

1) ADMIT YOU HAVE SINNED. "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23).

      2) BELIEVE IN JESUS. "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life"  (John 3:16).

     3) CONFESS AND LEAVE YOUR SIN. "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9)

If you would like someone to pray with you about your decision to know Jesus as your personal Savior, talk with your Royal Ranger commander, your pastor, or call: 1-800-4PRAYER, the National Prayer Center.

Ministry logos, product images and service names are trademarked by The General Council of the Assemblies of God and administered by Gospel Publishing House. Use of these images and trademarks without written authorization is forbidden and will be in violation of applicable Federal and International laws.       

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Royal Ranger Emblem ® 1976 by The General Council of the Assemblies of God; Springfield, Missouri 65802-1894. The Royal Ranger Emblem may not be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means—electronically, mechanically, photocopies, recording, or otherwise—without prior written permission from the national Royal Rangers Ministries.

Advancements & Achievement Badge Help  

Parents please feel free to ask questions if something is not clear on a Badge requirement. If you need a Bible for looking up or learning scriptures, please let your child's Commander know, and one will be obtained for your use. For some badges you might consider incorporating it with your child's school work, or homework - it would be a wonderful way for your child to start finding ways on their level to realize their being a witness for God abilities. Follow the link below for sample questions for the Bible Quiz's they give at different events.

"Antelope Badge" (Kindergarten - Trail to the Elk)

Interesting Facts about Antelopes: The male antelope (buck) weighs about 125 lbs., they have horns about 1 ft. long, with prongs that curve at the tips. - The females (does) weigh about 100 lbs., they have smaller horns usually 2 inches long. - The antelope is the only animal that has branched horns, which is how it gets it's name pronghorn antelope. - The antelope are the only horned animal to shed their horns sheaths each year. - The pronghorn antelope is the fastest runner in the Americas, having been clocked at 60 mph. It can cruise at 30 mph for an extended time. - The pronghorn antelope was nearly destroyed in the early 1900's, but by the end of the 20th century the population was over 1 million. - Does (female pronghorn) have 2 fawns (babies) per year. Fawns learn how to run within a few minutes of being born. At just 4 days old they can keep up with the herd. - The pronghorn antelope is noted for it's extraordinary eyesight. It's is estimated that it has binocular sight of 8x. This proves helpful in avoiding predators, including people. - The pronghorn antelope can insulate itself during the winter with hollow hairs that lay flat against the body. During the hot summer months it controls it's body temperature by raising patches of hair on it's body, allowing it to release heat quickly. - Despite the great numbers of pronghorn in the U.S., only 40% of the fawns survive the first 3 months. Most loss is due to coyotes. - The pronghorn antelope reaches great speeds and has a tremendous endurance. -  The pronghorn antelope thrives in sparse conditions. It survives on thorny cactus and dry particles of grasses. - One sighting of antelope in the mid-1800's estimated a million animals in the herd. They were spotted for 70 miles along a railway. - The pronghorn antelope has a highly developed sense of curiosity. It examines any strange object, especially one in motion. It's is possible to lure the animal closer simply by hiding behind a bush and waving a handkerchief. - A peculiar trait of the pronghorn antelope is it's reluctance to jump over fences or other objects. A low brush fence now taller than 3 ft. will usually turn the animal. It's not uncommon for a small band to be reduced almost to the point of starvation within a fenced enclosure, while plenty of food is on the outside. It can jump over moderately high obstructions when hard pressed to do so.

Physical: Clean around the church for 1 month & make a patrol flag (this would make a nice art project in art class in school - add some glitter, marker, feathers - other craft items, to make it look appealing).

Spiritual: Memorize John 15:12 (This is my commandment, love each another, as I have loved you) & Romans 12:10 (Be devoted to one another in brotherly love).

Mental: Learn the pledge to the Christian flag (I pledge of allegiance to the Christian flag and to the Savior for whose Kingdom it stands; one brotherhood, uniting all true Christians in service and in love) & Blue point alert (He is mentally, physically, and spiritually alert).

Social: Learn the name and address of you church & go to 1 outpost activity.

Achievement Badge Awards: (Are not required to earn the Antelope Award)

Church Helper: Physical (For 1 month do 4 different chores around the church: Offer to empty the trash after each outpost meeting, come a little early to the meeting to help set up. Pass out weekly bulletins for weekly Sunday School services). Spiritual (Read or have some read Luke 4:14-21) Mental (Draw a picture of your church). Social (Explain the chores you performed at church & what the experienced did for you and others. Display your picture in your group meeting.)

  Church History: Physical (Visit your pastor or a church member who can tell you how your church started - most churches have libraries that may help in this quest). Spiritual (Pray every day for 1 month for your pastor(s) and your church). Mental (Make a collage of pictures of your church and those who have worked in it. Ask your parent or commander for help - church member appreciation day would be a good time to show off your art work). Social (Tell the boys in your group how you prayed for the church and pastor(s)).

Joyful Noise: Physical (Go to or view a musical concert. It can be singing, playing musical instruments, or both - select Christian or Classical Music - most communities have local theatres, check the listings or your own church might be planning something for the upcoming holidays). Spiritual (Read or have someone read Psalm 100 to you. Mental (For 2 weeks practice a song you will sing or play for your group - try picking a song you know from Sunday School, maybe ask your outpost to join in with you). Social (Sing or play a song for your group - if your church has a library, they'll probably have cassette/cd recordings of fantastic song, or check out your local Christian Light Bookstore).

Sunday School: Physical (Go to Sunday school for at least 10 Sundays - try inviting a friend from school). Spiritual (Learn the memory verse for each Sunday school lesson). Mental (Draw a picture of your Sunday school teacher and give it to him or her). Social (Invite 2 friends to Sunday school - ask Mom and Dad if you can have a sleep over and take your friends along to Sunday School the next morning).

"Ram Badge" (Kindergarten - Trail to the Elk)

Interesting Facts about Rams: Bighorn sheep is massive brown horns of male sheep or rams. These horns curl back, down and up past the animal's cheeks. - Adult rams of 7-8 years have horns with a full curl spreading upwards to 33 inches and weighing more than 40 pounds. - Bighorn sheep have double-layered skulls shored with struts of bone for battle protection.  - Female sheep or ewes have smaller horns that never exceed half a curl. - The body of Bighorn sheep is muscular and compact; the muzzle is narrow and pointed; the tail is very short. - The fur of these animals is usually brown with whitish patches that allow the sheep to hide against the rocky background. The summer coat is glossy, but it becomes faded by the end of winter. The desert subspecies is smaller and has flatter, wider-spreading horns. – The average height is 32-40 inches, length 50-62 inches (including the tail), weight  females weigh up to 200 lbs, males reach 300 lbs. – There life span is usually up to 10 years but have been know to live up to 17 years. - Bighorn sheep are herbivores and spend most of their time grazing and browsing. - They feed on grass, leaves, herbs, twigs, and can thrive on scarce vegetation. - Bighorn sheep swallow the food without chewing and regurgitate it in the form of a cud for chewing later.

Physical: Help the commander set up and clean up the room & Make a patrol flag (this would make a nice art project in art class in school - add some glitter, marker, feathers - other craft items, to make it look appealing).

Spiritual: Memorize Proverbs 18:10 (The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run into it, and it safe.) & Romans 1:16 (I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes.)

Mental: Memorize the pledge to the United States (I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands; one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.)

Social: Learn your pastors name, & Blue point Loyal (He is faithful to his church, family, outpost, and friends).

Achievement Badge Awards: 

  Craft: Physical (Make 3 crafts at home or at your Ranger Kids meetings - maybe you could use something you've made in school art class) Spiritual (Have some one read to you the story of Bezaled & Oholiab in Exodus 35:30 to 36:5. Mental (Spend time talking about your craft projects with a commander or parent(s). Social (Show your crafts at a meeting, tell the group about 1 project you made - try making something that pertains to a Bible story.)

Help the Commander: Physical (Learn what an assistant patrol guide or a patrol guide does). Spiritual (Read or have someone read to you Exodus 18). Mental (List 5 great leaders of history, including leaders in the Bible - Abe Lincoln, President Kennedy, George Washington, Moses, Noah). Social (Tell your parent(s), commander, or your group a story about a leader you like).

  Strong Body: Physical (For 1 month, do 3 exercises 4 days a week - exercising is a fantastic way to keep you healthy). Spiritual (Memorize Hebrews 12:1). Mental (Explain to your commander or parent how the exercises will help you to become stronger & healthier - tones muscles, burns fat cells, increases oxygen to your brain cells). Social (Explain to the group the importance of physical fitness - staying fit increases the chance of a longer healthier life).

  What's on TV: Physical (After you memorize the scripture verse in the Spiritual section, choose any 2 following - with parent(s) permission: attend a play, watch a TV show or video - check with your church library for video's or go out and play a game with the neighborhood kids). Spiritual (Memorize Philippians 4:8). Mental (Discuss with your parent(s) or commander how you decided what is good to watch - would Jesus watch the program with you?) Social (Explain to your group how to avoid watching movies and TV shows that are not good for you - most TV show have the V-chip rating, ask your parent(s) to explain the different logos, so you know what's safe for you to watch - always keep in mind "If Jesus were watching this program with me, would he be happy with it?")

"Caribou Badge" (Kindergarten - Trail to the Elk)

Interesting Facts about Caribou: Called caribou in North America, they range freely over Alaska, Canada and Greenland. In Eurasia, where they are called reindeer. - The deer will move into the open woodlands of the taiga and to higher elevation to escape the horrible influx of biting flies like mosquitoes during the short Arctic summer. They move back to the tundra for winter. - There height is about 36 - 50 inches (small female to large male), weight 180- 600 pounds. - Reindeer are different from other species of deer in that both females and males have antlers. - The brow tines are palmate and older bulls tend to have palmate end tines. The males are much larger than the females. - Reindeer hooves appear very over-sized, the coat is very dense and there is a throat mane. - Reindeer are the only deer with a furred rhinal (nose) pad. The ears, as would be expected, are small.- There basically brown, the dense silver undercoat makes caribou appear gray in winter. - The throat, just above the black hooves and under the tail, are cream or white. - The antlers are reddish- or gray-brown .- Reindeer eat a wide variety of foods, by seasonal availability. - They eat willow and birch leaves and large amounts of the 250 species of lichen. - There are many mosses also available but the reindeer tend not to eat them. Included in their list is a selection of grasses and sedges. -Reindeer do not live well in captivity. - The most well-known reindeer behavior is their mass migrations. These migrations are, of course, necessary for finding food. - Reindeer are constantly moving. - Reindeer are well-equipped to live on the tundra through the dark, frigid arctic winter and only one subspecies prefers the forest. - During their migrations, reindeer enter frigid waters without hesitation, swimming not only rivers of all sizes but also ocean channels, frequently from island to island. Reindeer go around very few things - rocks, trees and humans who remain quiet are all treated the same way. Logs (what logs there are) are bounded over, thawed permafrost swamps are splashed through and pipelines are used as scratching posts. - It was once thought that reindeer used their palmate antlers to "shovel" snow, but they are far more likely to paw snow away with their broad hooves,  reindeer will paw down through even 2 or 3 feet of snow to eat the frozen plant material using there hooves. - The hooves can spread wide, with a web between the toes, to support the animal on snow or swampy muddy ground. - Reindeer make a clattering sound as they walk and it is said that their large hooves, especially the large pseudo-claws, clack together. - This is true, in part, but some research indicates that a ligament or tendon in the tarsal (hind foot) joint clicks during walking. - The coat is relatively short (about an inch) but so dense that one cannot see the skin when the hair is parted. It feels straw-like, being hollow (as most cervid and antelope hair is) to hold air and shed water more readily. This is important if you are going to swim icy waters because the freezing temperatures are lethal. - Unlike any other deer species, female reindeer have antlers, albeit smaller than the male's. - The males are antler less from November to April and the females during May and June. [That means, for those who are not paying attention, that, unless Santa has additional special powers, all of his magical reindeer are really females.]

Physical: Do a chore at home - help with the trash, making your bed, washing dishes & Make a poster on fire safety (your local school district should have fire prevention week, you might be able to incorporate this with a school art project).

Spiritual: Memorize Ephesians 6:1 (Children obey your parents in the Lord; for this is right.) & Leviticus 19:32 (Show respect for the elderly and revere your God).

Mental: Learn the song "Wherever I go, God is with Me", Blue point honest (A Royal Ranger is Honest, He does not lie, cheat, or steal.)

Social: Name 2 dads in the Bible (David, Saul, Noah, Moses), Go to 1 outpost activity.

Achievement Badge Awards: 

Clean Body: Physical (For 1 month, do the 4 things you listed under Mental). Spiritual (Read or have someone read to you John 13: 1-17). Mental (With the help of your parent(s) or commander, list 4 ways you can keep your body clean - look in your school or local library for hygiene tips). Social (Explain to the group why it's important to keep our bodies clean - In your school health class/text book you should find some interesting facts).

Family History: Physical (Visit a relative to learn some family history - ask your grandmother/grandfather to tell you stories of there childhood). Spiritual (Read or have someone read to you Genesis 45. Mental (With the help of a parent(s) or grandparent(s), make your family tree, include back to your grandparents - this could be used as a school project also). Social (Tell the your fellow ranger kids a story that you heard from your relatives - you may have a famous ancestor!)

  Firefighter: Physical (Visit the local fire department or have a firefighter visit your outpost - your local school district should have fire prevention week). Spiritual (Read or have someone read to you 1 Kings 18:16-39. Mental (Draw a floor plan of your house. Show the routes your family would follow to escape during a fire, put a X outside where everyone would meet - have home fire drills monthly just like in school). Social (With your family, check all smoke detectors in your house - mark a certain date on the calendar four times a year to replace the batteries).

  Home Helper: Physical (For 4 days do the chores that you listed in the Mental section). Spiritual (Read or have someone read to you John 13:1-17. Mental (Write down 3 chores that you will do around the house - helping take out the trash, making your bed before school). Social (Tell the group about the chores you did and how you felt when you finished them).

"Buffalo Badge" (Kindergarten - Trail to the Elk)

Interesting Facts about Buffalo: Like their close relatives, domestic cattle and sheep, buffalo are cloven-hoofed. - Both males and females have a single set of hollow, curved horns. - The male buffalo, called bulls, are immense, often weighing a ton or more and standing 5 to 6 feet high at the shoulders. - The huge head and great hump covered with dark brown wooly hair contrast sharply with the relatively small hips.  The females, or cows, are not as massive. - Despite their great size and bulkiness, buffalo have amazing mobility, speed, and agility, and are able to sprint at speeds of up to 30 mph. – The bull of the American buffalo, Bison may weigh more than 900 kg (about 2,000 lb) and stand more than 1.9 m (6 ft) high. - The massive head and forequarters are covered with long hair, and the body slims down toward the hindquarters, which are covered with shorter hair. - The female of the species is somewhat smaller. - Both sexes have horns, but those of the male are more massive. It is believed that buffalo, or bison, crossed over a land bridge that once connected the Asian and North American continents. - Through the centuries buffalo slowly moved southward, eventually reaching as far south as Mexico and as far east as the Atlantic Coast, extending south to Florida. - But the largest herds were found on the plains and prairies from the Rocky Mountains east to the Mississippi River, and from Great Slave Lake in Canada to Texas. - Because the great herds were nearly gone before any organized attempts were made to survey populations, we may never know just how many buffalo once roamed North America, although estimates range from 30 to 75 million. - Although the buffalo’s size and color, which ranges from light to dark brown, vary in different areas of the country, experts generally agree that all American buffalo belong to the same species. - The differences in appearance probably result from the variety of environments in which they live.

Physical: Clean around the church, make a walking stick.

Spiritual: Memorize Genesis 1:1 (In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.) & Psalm 139:14 (I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made.)

Mental: Learn the song "In the Beginning", Blue point spiritual (He prays, reads the Bible, and witnesses).

Social: Name 3 creations from the bible (Man, animal, water, heavens, food), go to 1 outpost activity.

Achievement Badge Awards: 

Games: Physical (Teach your friends from school or the neighborhood a game you learned at Royal Rangers - ). Spiritual (Memorize Proverbs 18:24). Mental (Learn to play 3 board games - Scrabble, Checkers, Chess, etc.) Social (Teach your group how to play 1 game)

  Noah's Ark: Physical (Go to a park or nearby wooded area with your group or parent(s). Look for and listen to animals, include birds. Spiritual (Read or have someone read to you Jonah 1:17 & 2:10. Mental (Draw pictures or make a list of all the animals you saw or heard during your outing -chipmunks, birds, worms, ants, etc.). Social (Tell the boys in your group what you saw and heard, and show your pictures).

  Outing: Physical (Plan and go on an outing outside your area. Some examples of outing are campouts, a trip to the zoo, or a visit to your grandparent(s) home). Spiritual (Read or have someone read to you Acts 11:19-26. Mental (Draw pictures or make a journal about your trip - what did you see, farmland, woodland, etc.) Social (Tell you group about your trip).

  Rangers about Town: Physical (Wear your uniform to a community festival or parade - dress up day at school, holiday parade). Spiritual (Read or have some one read to you 1 Kings 8: 62-66. & Luke 19: 28-40. Mental (Draw a picture of the parade or festival that you attended). Social (With help from a commander or parent, buy candy and hand it to people in a crowd at the festival or parade).

"Elk Badge"

When you have earned the Antelope Award, the Ram Award, the Caribou Award, and the Buffalo Award, you have completed the requirements for the Elk Award and will receive a patch. It can go on your red uniform shirt, centered on the left pocket.

Interesting Facts about Elk: Elk were once common on the territory of almost the whole of the Northern Hemisphere. - Nowadays, the population of these wild animals is scarce in most places. - The most abundant of the wild herds remaining, live in North America including Canada to New Mexico. - Elk is easily recognized by the large antlers (males), which extend as long as 1.1-1.5 m. - It is a large mammal standing about 0.75-1.5 m high and having a robust body with slender legs. – Male elk have a mane that stretches from the neck to the chest. - Color, on its back and sides, is lighter than on the rest of the body. - The rump is buff. - In winter, the Elk is dark brown, whereas in summer it is tan. - The length of the body is 1.6-2.7 m if measured from nose to the tail. Males are usually larger than females and tend to weigh twice as much. - Elks have a good sense of smell and can detect prey at a distance of 656 feet. The Elk's hearing is not so well developed, yet they are alert and try to escape predators once they sense them. - As for the sight, Elk rely mostly on smell, so sight is not so important. - Elk are the 2nd largest deer family members and predominantly reside in the Rockies in high, open mountain meadows in summer and lower, wooded areas in winter. - Elk are nocturnal animals that graze on woody vegetation and lichen. Thick neck, brown/tan color coat with darker underbody characterizes Elk. - The antlers are branched and reach up to 150 cm long. Its hooves are rounder than deer or moose. Mountain lions and bears are its main predators. 

"Beaver Badge" (1st - Trail to the Wolverine)

Interesting Facts about Beavers: One of the animal kingdom's most versatile members is a skilled engineer, a tireless lumberjack, and an excellent swimmer; it is also Illinois' largest rodent -- the beaver. - Beavers are noted for their construction of dams, which can be deemed a marvel or a nuisance, depending on the location. - Beaver dams can flood pastures and roads and destroy timber and trout streams. - Near the dams can be found the beaver's lodge, with its living quarters and underwater entrances. These lodges are shared by beaver families. Beavers also live in burrows in the banks of lakes or streams. - Beavers mate for life, and their offspring (one to six kits in a litter) will stay with the parents for two years and then go out on their own. - Quite a crowd can inhabit a beaver lodge as the parents and as many as a dozen offspring share the lodge in winter and feed from a carefully stored food cache. - Primarily a nocturnal animal, the beaver labors from dusk to dawn on its latest engineering project along a river or stream. - The beaver has small eyes, stubby ears, and a stout body. - Adults usually weigh from about 25 to 55 pounds. - The beaver's coat is dark brown, and its feet and paddle like tail are black. For protection from chilly water in winter, the beaver has an insulating thick layer of fat beneath its skin. - Beavers build their dams with a foundation of mud and stones, topped by brush and felled branches. Mud and soggy vegetation are used as a plaster to keep it all together. - Beavers also dredge canals for easier transportation of dam construction materials. - Beavers busily swim about transporting their building materials, including parts of trees they have gnawed with their huge incisors into convenient sizes. - Twigs, leaves, and the bark of trees make up the bulk of a beaver's diet. - Water lilies are a special treat.

Physical: Clean around the church for 1 month - dusting pews, emptying trash cans, etc.

Spiritual: Memorize Matthew 28:19. Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son of the Holy Spirit.), 1 Corinthians 16: 13, 14 (Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong. Do everything in love.), Matthew 5:16 (Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good deeds, and praise your Father which is in heaven).

Mental: Learn the song "Jesus Loves the Little Children" (Jesus Loves the Little Children, All the Children of the World red & yellow, black and white they are precious in his sight), Blue point courteous (He is brave in spite of danger, criticism, or threats).

Social: Name 2 Missionaries (Check you church bulletin board, ask your Pastor, or Commander)

Achievement Badge Awards: 

  Community Helper: Physical (Do a good deed in your community, such as picking up trash in the park). Spiritual (Read or have some read to you Luke 19: 1-10). Mental (Plan your good deed with your commander or parent. If necessary, get permission from the appropriate community authority). Social (Tell your group what deed you did an the importance of being a community helper - how did it make you feel?).

Government: Physical (Visit a city, county, state or federal building. Or color and identify the White House and Capitol Buildings). Spiritual (Read or have someone read Romans 13. Mental (Tell a commander the name of the United States president, the name of your state's governor, and the name of a government office holder in your town or county). Social (Tell the group what you saw at the building you visited. Or tell them something you know about the president of the United States.)

Help a Neighbor: Physical (Talk with your parent(s) and a neighbor about doing a chore around the neighbors house - try selecting some one elderly). Spiritual (Every day for 1 week, pray for the neighbor you are helping). Mental (Each day after doing the chore, talk to you neighbor for a few minutes - you'll find out all sorts of interesting stuff). Social (Tell your group what you did and how the neighbor responded - how did helping them make you feel?).

Safety: Physical (Practice a fire drill in a meeting. Practice a fire drill at home). Spiritual (Read or have some read to you Psalm 91). Mental (Learn what to do in case of a fire, tornado, earthquake, medical emergency, or physical abuse - check out the Survival Guide Page on the Ranger Kids Web Site). Social (Explain to your group how to keep their homes or the church safe).

"Fox Badge" (1st Grade - Trail to the Wolverine)

Interesting Facts about Foxes: The fox is very crafty; it has been hunted down in English fox hunts, and shot mercilessly for its fur, and yet its numbers are not affected.  - It has managed to survive quite well in its town and country homes in northern Europe and North America. - The red fox can adapt easily and so can avoid all the problems of a social animal that requires a home range, like the wolf. - In fact, it has taken over as top predator in areas where the wolf has been eradicated. - The red fox ranges throughout North America in Canada and the United States. - The red fox is the largest member of the fox family. - They are incredibly varied in size throughout their range. - Males tend to be about 20% larger than the females. - Foxes generally have a slender body set on long, thin legs.  -The tail is thick and bushy, and is a significant portion of their total length. - Their muzzle is long, pointed and narrow. - The large ears are triangular in shape and high on the top of the head. - Red fox eyes are yellow. - They have 42 teeth. - Five toes are present on each front paw, and four in each back paw. - They have blunt, unretractable claws. - Their color ranges from a deep ruddy red to pale orange, and can be any shade and intensity in between.  - Their cheeks, lower jaw, throat and chest, underside, and tip of the tail is pale cream to white. - The legs are darker than the body, and are often black. - The sides of the muzzle from the inner corner of each eye to the nose is a darker color, ranging from pale brown to almost black. - The backs of the ears are black. - The red fox moults twice yearly, once in the spring, and once in late fall. - In addition to the red version, there is a "silver" phase, where the fox is basically solid black with some white grizzling on the back and sides. - There is also a cross fox, which is a black fox with red-tipped hairs. - Solid black foxes also naturally exist.  - These three color variations mainly exist in North America, and are rare elsewhere. - Red foxes will eat anything, as they are very versatile when it comes to diet. - It is this reason that they are such successful predators. - They are true omnivores, and will eat rodents, fruit, vegetation, insects, human garbage, young deer, and wild boar. - Rodents and rabbits form the bulk of their diet. In the more urban areas of their habitat, they will scavenge on human refuse, and even eat out of pet food bowls left outside. - They typically eat 1-2 lb of food a day. - They will cache any surplus food near their denning area, to be eaten later.  - In the autumn, they tend to eat more fruits and berries, as well as getting into human crops such as cabbage and turnips. - Foxes hunt game by stalking and pouncing, just like a cat.  - They usually hunt in meadows, where their main prey, mice and voles, live. - With their incredible sense of hearing, they can locate voles and mice through the thick grass and even in their underground burrows. - Female foxes only give birth to one litter a year. - The females give birth to the kits in a den, either dug by themselves or using an abandoned burrow. - Sometimes, a den is used for several generations. - Usually, 3-4 kits, weighing 50-150 g at birth, comprise a litter. - Red fox kits are dark brown to black at birth. - Their eyes are closed at birth, and open when they are 9-14 days old.  - Their folded ears become erect at 4 weeks old. - At about one month of age, they begin to emerge from the den, and start to eat solid food. - By 6 weeks old, they have developed their adult coloration, and by 8 weeks their guard hairs develop. - At 6 weeks, the young kits begin to catch some food on their own, such as earthworms. - Their first full set of teeth are in by 7-8 weeks old. - Usually, by 8 weeks of age, the kits are fully weaned. - If more than one vixen gives birth in a den, they will help to raise each others young. - The male helps by providing food. - The family breaks up in autumn. - Usually, males leave first, at about 6 months old.  - They may travel a great distance, up to 18 miles to establish a territory of their own. - Foxes are fully mature at 10 months old. - Foxes can potentially live for 12 years, but few live longer than 3-4 years, especially in areas of high hunting pressures. - In captivity, foxes can live for 15 years. - Foxes are very territorial, and will attack intruders. - Foxes are primarily nocturnal and crepuscular in their habits. - However, a vixen with young kits forages more frequently and is active during the daytime. - They are less active on wet or cold nights. - They will move up to 8 km in one night in search of food. - Foxes can reach speeds of up to 30 mph. - They can jump a distance 2 m. - They are good swimmers. - Foxes are preyed upon by golden eagles, wolves, coyotes, bears, diseases like rabies and distemper, and humans trapping them for fur and hunting them for sport.

Physical: Help the commander set up and clean the room, make a patrol flag (this would make a nice art project in art class in school - add some glitter, marker, feathers - other craft items, to make it look appealing).

Spiritual: Memorize Psalm 23 (1. The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2. He makes me lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside the quite waters. 3. He restores my soul; he guides me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. 4. Even thought I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for you are with me; your rod and your staff they comfort me. 5. Thou prepare a table before me in the presence of mine enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 6. Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.)

Mental: Learn the song Psalm 23. & Blue point courageous (He is brave in spite of danger, criticism, or threats).

Social: List five rules to obey at home, & Go to one outpost activity.

Achievement Badge Awards: 

  Defender of the Word: Physical (Go to or watch a program about the Bible - check out your church library). Spiritual (Read or have some read to you 1 Timothy 4). Mental (Paint a picture that explains that the Bible is God's Word). Social (Explain to your group why you believe the Bible. Display your painting in your group meeting.)

  Doer of the Word: Physical (Choose 1 of the following to do: Join a Junior Bible Quiz team, hand out Bibles at church or in a neighborhood, go to Vacation Bible School.) Spiritual (Read or have some one read to you the story of Josiah in 2 Kings 22. Mental (Draw a picture that shows how important the Bible is to you). Social (Talk to the group about the importance of the Bible).

  Flag: Physical (For 1 month, take part in flag ceremonies at Royal Rangers). Spiritual (Learn the pledge to the United States flag (I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands; one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all). Mental (On a large piece of paper, plan and draw a large picture of the United States Flag). Social (Ask the commander to tell you a story of a war veteran who served his country. Tell that story to other boys or to your family).

  Sporting Event: Physical (Go to a sporting event in your community with a parent(s) or your group - softball games, football games, festivals, etc.). Spiritual (Ask God to bless you time with your parents or group. Pray this each day for 1 week). Mental (Make a poster from the event. Use items like your ticket stub, candy bar wrapper, or program). Social (Tell your group about attending the sporting event - what did you see?).

"Coyote Badge" (1st Grade - Trail to the Wolverine)

Interesting Facts about Coyotes: The coyote, Canis latrans, is a carnivorous mammal belonging to the dog family. - Coyotes are smaller than gray wolves but overlap in size with red wolves and domestic dogs. - The nose pad is narrower and the ears are longer than those of the wolf. - Nineteen subspecies are recognized; these differ somewhat in size and color. - Adult males range in weight from 18 to 44 lb, and females from 15 to 40 lb. - Color varies, but coyotes are usually gray. - Coyotes communicate by howling. - Their sense of smell is well developed. - Originally, coyotes inhabited open country and grasslands in the southwestern United States and Mexico, where they were well represented in Aztec folklore and art. - The coyotes' geographic range has expanded in recent history, and they now are found in a variety of habitats from central America to northern Alaska and throughout the United States and most of Canada. - Their diet is extremely diverse, and they take advantage of whatever is available, including rodents, rabbits, birds, insects, and fruit. -  They sometimes eat domestic animals. - Much of their winter diet is carrion. - Females breed between January and March and produce an average of six pups. - Coyotes found in low deserts and valleys weigh about 20 pounds, less than half of their mountain kin, who can weigh up to 50 pounds. - Desert Coyotes are light gray or tan with a black tip on the tail. - Coyotes of high elevations have fur that is darker, thicker and longer; the under parts are nearly white, with some specimens having a white tip on the tail. - In winter the coats of mountain Coyotes become long and silky, and trappers hunt them for their fur. - The Coyote is one of the few wild animals whose vocalizations are commonly heard. - At night Coyotes both howl (a high quavering cry) and emit a series of short, high-pitched yips. - Howls are used to keep in touch with other coyotes in the area. - Sometimes, when it is first heard, the listener may experience a tingling fear of primitive danger, but to the seasoned outdoorsman, the howl of the Coyote is truly a song of the West.

Physical: Do a chore at home (make your bed, take out the trash) & Make a poster on traffic safety (this would make a nice art project in art class in school - add some glitter, marker, feathers - other craft items, to make it look appealing).

Spiritual: Memorize John 14:15 (If you love me, you will obey what I command.), 1 Timothy 4:12 (Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.) & Psalm 119:11 (I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.)

Mental: Learn the song "Jesus You are Lord" () & Blue point obedient (He obeys his parents, leaders, and those in authority.)

Social: Name 2 famous hunters in the bible (David, Esaul, Nimrod) & go to one outpost activity.

Achievement Badge Awards:

  Going Places: Physical (Take 3 trips, each using a different method of travel - bus, walking, taxi, bicycle, etc.) Spiritual (Read or have some one read to you the story of Saul's travels 1 Samuel 9:1.  & 10:8. Mental (Explain to a commander or parent(s) how each way or traveling was different). Social (Tell the boys in your group about one of your trips - how long was it, what all did you see?). 

  Keeper of the Law: Physical (Visit a police station or interview a police officer). Spiritual (Read or have some read to you Acts 23: 12-22. Mental (Draw a picture of you obeying the law - using cross walks, obeying road signs, etc.) Social (Tell the group 1 important thing you learned at the police station or from the police officer). 

  Money Helper: Physical (Go to the store with your group or parent(s) to buy items needed for an outpost activity or for a meal in your home). Spiritual (Read or have someone read to you the story of God taking care of his people Ezra 1: 1-11.Mental (Work with your commander or parent(s) to put together a list of items and their cost for the outpost activity or home meal - no cooking should be needed for the outpost activity). Social (Serve the items to the boys in your group or guest in your home).

  Patrol Helper: Physical (Take part in 4 opening or closing ceremony drills). Spiritual (Read or have some one read to you Joshua 6: 1-20. Mental (Take part in the planning of the 4 drills). Social (Tell the boys in your group why teamwork is important). 

"Badger Badge" (1st Grade- Trail to the Wolverine)

Interesting Facts about Badgers: The American badger is very similar in its general form to the European badger Meles meles. Its legs may be a little shorter, but those legs are no less strong than those of Meles, and Taxidea is an accomplished digger. - There is greater variation in size on the part of the American badger. - Most members of this species are about the same size as their European relatives, but there is a subspecies, Taxidea taxus berlandieri, which occupies the southern part of the American. - Thus the head-and-body length of the species ranges from 420mm to 720mm; the tail measures 100 - 150mm. - Weights too vary greatly, not just geographically, but also seasonally. - Except in those parts of its range where the badger lives in warm conditions all year round, the animal puts on a great deal of body fat over the summer to see it through the winter, and weights are at their greatest at the onset of the cold season (as is the case with Meles in Europe). - Recorded weights for adult badgers range from 4 to 12 kg. - The general body color varies from grayish to various shades of brown. - The lower limbs and feet are a darker color. - Facially, the American badger broadly follows the same pattern as Meles, having dark eye-stripes with a white band in between and white cheeks. -  However, the central white band is much narrower in the American badger, and it continues down to the shoulders, and down to the rump in the case of the southern subspecies T. t. berlandieri. - Also, there is a dark patch on each cheek. In some animals this extends upwards and meets the eye stripe just in front of the ear. - The American badger can be found right across the western two-thirds of the US, and the range extends into Canada in the North and Mexico in the south. Four subspecies are currently recognized, and their ranges are as follows. – Although they generally avoid contact with each other, American badgers occupy large ranges which may overlap, and which are not demarcated or defended as far as is known. - However, if one badger meets another, they will attack each other. - Although normally active during the hours of darkness, the American badger is said to be less nocturnal than its European cousin, particularly in secluded areas. - In the deserts however the badger is rarely active by day, and remains in its burrow to avoid overheating and losing too much water. - The badger does not hibernate as such, but enters a period of semi-dormancy, when its breathing and heart rate slows down, and its body temperature drops by as much as 9 degrees celcius. - One female badger studied over a 72-day period of intensely cold weather in winter was observed emerging from her burrow only once during this time. -

Physical: Collect recyclables around the church (collect used paper & cans) & Make a walking stick.

Spiritual: Memorize Colossians 3:23 (Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.), Genesis 1:28 (Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground),  & Psalm 34: 12-13 (Whoever of you loves life and desires to see many good days keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking lies).

Mental: Learn the song "He's got the world in his Hands" & Blue point clean (He is clean in body, mind, and speech).

Social: Name the 4 Gospels (Mark, Matthew, Luke, John), & go to 1 outpost activity.

Achievement Badge Awards:

  Cooking: Physical (Prepare a meal for your family and a simple meal for your group). Spiritual (Read or have someone read to you the story of Elijah in Kings 17: 1-6). Mental (Write a menu and have it approved by your commander or parent(s). It must be a balanced meal based on the Food Guide Pyramid (Bread-Cereal-Rice & Pasta Group, Vegetable Group, Fruit Group, Meat-Poultry-Fish-Dry Beans-Eggs & Nuts, Milk-Yogurt & Cheese Group). Social (Tell your group how you prepared the meal.)

  Day Camp: Physical (Go to a day camp sponsored by Royal Rangers). Spiritual (Invite a friend to the day camp. Explain to him what you do in Royal Rangers and how it helps you to be a better Christian). . Mental (Complete all the crafts and projects at the day camp). Social (Help the commanders set up or clean up at the day camp.)

  Old West: Physical (Attend a Western Day event where you learn about the ways of the Old West and participate in games and activities). Spiritual (Read or have someone read to you 1 Samuel 24). Mental (Draw a picture of all the things that you did at the event). Social (Invite 2 friends to go to the event).

  Taking Care of God's World: Physical (Take a day hike to demonstrate the things listed in the mental section - see the Useful Web links listed below to help you find a state forest near you). Spiritual (Read or have someone read to you Genesis 1: 1-31). Mental (List or draw 5 ways you can save energy or protect our natural resources). Social (Tell your group ways to save energy and our natural resources). 

"Wolverine Badge"

When you have earned the Beaver Award, the Fox Award, the Coyote Award, and the Badger Award, you have completed the requirements for the Wolverine Award and will receive a patch. It can go on your red uniform shirt, centered on the left pocket. It replaces the Elk Award you earned in Kindergarten.

Interesting Facts about Wolverines: Wolverines are one of the largest mustelids. - A large head, a rather heavy build, massive limbs, small and rounded ears and a short tail, characterizes them. - Fairly poor eyesight in Wolverines is counterbalanced by keen senses of smell and hearing. - The Wolverine's coat is long and dense. - The fur color is normally blackish brown. - There is a light brown band extending along each side of the Wolverine's body. - Wolverines live in boreal forests, brush lands, open plains and mountains. - They have a habit of constructing rough beds of grass in caves. - Wolverines may use burrows made by other animals. - They may inhabit an area under a fallen tree. - Terrestrial and nocturnal animals, Wolverines move with a loping gallop. - They can gallop 10-15 km without rest. - Wolverines are capable of climbing trees with a great speed and they are very strong swimmers. - As a general rule, Wolverines are solitary. - Wolverines are vocal only when irritated. In these cases, Wolverines will growl. - The Wolverine live in the Northern United States. - If Wolverines live in the areas where there are extended times of light or darkness, they are known to alternate three- to four-hour periods of activity and sleep. - These animals are active year-round, even in severe weather.

"Lynx Badge" (2nd Grade - Trail to the Cougar)

Interesting Facts about Lynx: Lynx are found in the Rocky Mountain Range, and Great Lakes Region. - The lynx cat inhabit southern plains and coastal regions along the Atlantic, deserts, and rocky areas. - Lynx cats' home ranges vary from 8 to 800 square kilometers, depending on the animal's gender, season, abundance of prey, and the density of lynx population. -  In the wild lynx cats disperse extremely long distances, when snowshoe hare population declines or just to establish new home ranges. - Young lynxes are usually searching for unoccupied habitat. - With its dense fur and wide paws lynx is highly adapted to deep snow. - Lynxes are nocturnal animals, by day they rest in their shelters. - Lynx cats have well-developed hearing (thanks to long ear tufts) and vision, but poor sense of smell. - They locate food by sight and wait in ambush, then stalk to prey as closely as is possible and pounce with 1-2 bounds or pursue for about 50 m. - Lynxes tire easily after a long chase. Capture success averages 20-60%, depending on snow condition and the distance between the lynx and the prey. - Lynxes need at least one hare a day. - In the periods of hare abundance they store the prey. - Lynx cats are usually solitary, only mothers with kids hunt together, and sometimes groups of 2-3 adults have occasional hunting in the periods of starvation. - The primary prey of lynx is snowshoe hare. - Lynxes are so dependent on them that declines of hare population causes decreases in the productivity of lynx. - Summer diets include less snowshoe hare and more other prey species: squirrels (red, flying, ground), grouse, mice, moles, porcupines, shrews and fish. - Occasionally lynx hunts ungulates (reindeer and roe deer), domestic animals (sheep, goats), and even other predators (mainly foxes). When hunting lynxes avoid large openings and prefer the edges of dense stands.

Physical: Do a chore at home (help your mother or father with things around the house), make a patrol flag (this would make a nice art project in art class in school - add some glitter, marker, feathers - other craft items, to make it look appealing).

Spiritual: Memorize Matthew 7:12, the Golden Rule (In everything, do to others what you would have them do to you), Matthew 7:13, 14, Acts 1:8.

Mental: Learn the song Amazing Grace (Amazing Grace! how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me! I once was lost, but now I'm found, was blind but now I see. 'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear, and grace my fears relieved; how precious did that grace appear the hour I first believed! Thro' many dangers, toils and snares, I have already come; 'Tis grace hath bro't me safe thus far, and grace will lead me home, When we've been there 10 thousand years, bright shinning as the sun, we've no less days to sing God's praise than when we first begun), Gold point Spiritual (We become more and more the kind of person Jesus wants us to be), Red point Salvation (We have accepted Lord Jesus Christ as our personal Savior, we've ask for our sins to be forgiven - he forgives us and promises eternal life with him).

Social: Bring 2 friends to Ranger Kids (Invite your school friends or neighborhood friends), go to 1 outpost activity.

Achievement Badge Awards:

Arts: Physical (Make 2 of the following 4 items: sculpture, drawing, painting or collage). Spiritual (Read or have someone read to you Psalm 139). Mental (Choose the art piece you would like to display. Explain to your commander or parent(s) why you chose that piece). Social (Display 1 or your pieces of art and explain how you made it). 

Buddy Barrel: Physical (Go to a Boys & Girls Missionary Crusade (BGMC) event or help a leader with a BGMC event.) Spiritual (Memorize 1 John 3:7 (In everything, do to others what you would have them do to you). Mental (Think of 2 ways to raise money for your Buddy Barrel. Tell the 2 ways to your commander or parent(s). Social (Hand our brochures advertising the BGMC event. Tell others about it).

History: Physical (Take a trip with your group or parent(s) to a historical marker or site). Spiritual (Read or have someone read to you the story of Joshua and the Israelites in Joshua 4). Mental (Make a picture or sculpture of a historical marker or gravestone). Social (Explain to your group what was important about the site you visited).

  Light for the Lost: Physical (Go to a Light for the Lost (LFTL) event or learn about LFTL at a Ranger Meeting). Spiritual (Read or have someone read to you the story about a missionary being helped by LFTL). Mental (Work with a leader to think of a way to raise money for LFTL). Social (Help a commander or a LFTL team member during the LFTL event). 

"Cheetah Badge" (2nd Grade - Trail to the Cougar)

Interesting Facts about Cheetah: A cat with a greyhound chassis. - Built for speed light boned, swaybacked, long, thin legs, and short neck. - A male weighs 77 - 143 lb., and are about  28 - 36 in height. - Females weigh 20 lb. Lighter. –Tail is long 26 32 in lengths. - Feet small feet with blunt (except dewclaw) unsheathed claws. - Head small, round with foreshortened face; relatively small teeth; low, broad ears. - Coat short except for ruff of longer hair framing face and short spinal crest; fluffy hair on chest and belly. – It’s color is tawny, with small, solid black spots; white under parts; outer tail ringed black and white; black ear backs, lips, nose and distinctive "tear stains." - Juveniles have long, silky fur black with faint spots and a cape of long, blue gray hair. - Formerly ranged through North Africa and the Near East to India. - Though range includes sparsely vegetated sub desert and steppe, the cheetah needs bushes, grass, or other cover to get within sprinting range of prey and to hide from larger predators. - Specialized as predator on gazelles and springbok, the fleetest of plains antelopes; concentrates on impala, kob, lechwe, and reedbuck in wetter savanna; and takes smaller antelopes, calves and yearlings of all the larger antelopes, plus warthog, young zebra, and some small game like hares.  – They can go 4 days or more without drinking and easily goes 10 days in the Kalahari, where it eats melons. - There seldom active at night and usually rests during heat of day.  - Average distance traveled in a day by female with cubs was 2.3 mi. compared to 4 mi. for males. - Female cheetahs usually settle within their mother's home range, but most males travel long distances before maturing and settling down over 124 mi. - Top speed is an incredible 70 mph a cheetah can only sprint 300 yd before rising temperature and oxygen debt force it to quit. Average speed during a chase is under 40 mph. - So a cheetah tries to get within 50 yd and single out a particular quarry before launching an all out effort; lone animals or group members at a little distance from the rest are often chosen. - Cheetahs bring down quarry either by tripping it or knocking it off balance with a sideward or downward blow to its hindquarters. - One running much slower or standing is pulled down by rearing and hooking its shoulder or flank with a dewclaw and yanking backward. - Once the victim is down, the cat lunges for its throat, secures a vice like grip on its windpipe, and proceeds to choke it to death, usually within 4 to 5 minutes. - A cheetah then drags its kill into nearest cover, where it proceeds to eat up to 30 lb. (14 kg), meanwhile keeping a lookout for hyenas and lions. - Fully fed cheetahs can fast 2 to 5 days before killing again, but mothers keep much busier: one with cubs captured 31 gazelles and a hare in 35 days. – Litters range from 3 to 4 cubs. - Females give birth in cover and keep cubs hidden the first month. Newborns, weighing 5.2 to 10.5 oz, are blind but can crawl, turn head, spit explosively, and give soft churring calls. - Mother of 10 day old cubs moved them every other day, carrying them by the back. - Starting at 5.5 weeks, cubs are led to kills, thereafter follow mother except when she chases prey, often spoiling chances by playing or running ahead. - At 3 months, already weaned, cubs stay behind, following slowly or waiting for mother's summons. - Family feeds together with little squabbling, even on small kills. - Afterward, mother licks cubs' faces clean, purring loudly. - When cubs are /2 year old, mother begins bringing live gazelle fawns, hares, and such for them to practice catching and killing. - Juveniles 9 to 12 months old hunt and capture hares and charging in offensive threat.

Physical: Help the commander set up and clean the room & Make a patrol flag (this would make a nice art project in art class in school - add some glitter, marker, feathers - other craft items, to make it look appealing).

Spiritual: Memorize John 3:16 (God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.), Zephaniah 3:12 (I will leave within you the meek and humble, who trust in the name of the Lord.) & John 20:31 (These are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name).

Mental: Learn the pledge to the Bible (I pledge allegiance to the Bible, God's Holy Word. I will make it a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path, and will hide its words in my heart that I might not sin against God.), Gold point physical (We should get plenty of sleep, eat good food for out bodies, & exercise.), & Red point healing (We believe it's possible for Jesus to make us well when we are sick).

Social: Learn the names of all the commanders in your outpost & go to one outpost activity.

Achievement Badge Awards:

  Be a Friend: Physical (Make friends with 3 people you don't know. Invite them to church or to Royal Rangers). Spiritual (Read or have someone read to you the story of Jonathan and David in 1 Samuel 20). Mental (Explain to your commander or parent(s) how to be a friend). Social (Introduce your friend to Royal Rangers, and tell the group how you met).

  God is Working: Physical (Take a tour around the church to see where all its ministries take place). Spiritual (Memorize Matthew 28:19, 20). Mental (Make a painting that shows how much God loves the world). Social (show your painting to the group and explain what it means). 

  In the Air: Physical (With your group or parent(s), take a trip to the airport or an air show). Spiritual (Read or have someone read to you Revelation 21). Mental (Draw or make a kite).  Social (Tell your group what you liked most about the airport or air show).

  Map: Physical (Take a trip with your parent from your home to the closest police station, to the church, and back to your home). Spiritual (Read or have someone read to you Joshua 18: 1-10). Mental (With the help of a commander or parent, draw a map of your trip. Use proper map codes and directions, North, South, East, West, Streets, Important landmarks, etc.). Social (Explain to your group how to read a map). 

"Panther Badge" (2nd Grade - Trail to the Cougar)

Interesting Facts about Panthers: Although we call them Florida panthers, these shy cats once roamed throughout the entire Southeast from east Texas to the Atlantic and north to parts of Tennessee. Over hunting, loss of habitat, and reduction of their primary prey reduced their population to a remnant living on the southern tip of Florida. - Florida Panthers are usually found in pinelands and mixed swamp forests. - Adult males may range over an area of 200 square miles, while females range over a 70 square mile area. - Panthers primarily eat white-tailed deer, wild pigs, small alligators, raccoons, rodents, and even birds. -  Panthers eat alligators and many other meat bearing foods. - To find a meal, a panther may travel 15 to 20 miles a day. Panthers typically walk more at night when it is cooler and rest during the daylight hours. They will also be marking their territory along the way. - Panther kittens are typically born in the spring in litters of 1 to 4 kittens. Newborns are blind and weigh about one pound. - Newborn panthers like those pictured above are spotted. These spots help to camouflage them as you can see even in the photograph.  - Juvenile panthers remain with their mother for about two years. - A panther may live as long as 12 to 15 years in the wild.

Physical: Do a chore at home (rake leaves/shovel snow) & Make a poster of your church (this would make a nice art project in art class in school - add some glitter, marker, feathers - other craft items, to make it look appealing).

Spiritual: Memorize Matthew 6: 9-13 (Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.) The Lord's prayer.

Mental: Learn the song "Trust and Obey" (Trust and Obey, for there's no other way, than to be happy in Jesus than to trust and obey), Gold point mental (We look, listen, read, 7 study.), Red point baptism in the Holy Spirit (A gift from God offered to all believers).

Social: Name 3 Disciples (Andrew, Bartholomew, James The Elder, James The Lesser, John, Judas, Matthew, Jude, Peter, Philip, Simon, Thomas) & go to 1 outpost activity.

Achievement Badge Awards:

  Puppet: Physical (Make a puppet for a skit. John 6 might have a story for your skit or puppet show). Spiritual (Read or have someone read to you John 6: 1-15). Mental (Prepare a show or skit having at least 2 speaking characters). Social  (Perform a puppet show or a skit for your group – try working on this with another Ranger Kid, so you both can earn your Puppet achievement badge).

  School: Physical (For 1 month, follow the plan you made to improve in a school subject – try taking notes of the important things your teacher is explaining, do some research at your local library on the subject). Spiritual (Memorize 2 Timothy 2:15). Mental (Choose a school subject in which you need to improve. With your parent(s), plan a regular time to meet for help). Social  (Tell how studying helped you to make better grades – how did you make you feel when your grades improved?).

  Tell others about Jesus: Physical (With your group or your parent(s), plan and outing for witnessing, telling people about Jesus. Hand out tracts about Jesus and talk to people about him). Spiritual (Memorize Act 1:8). Mental (Explain the gospel – the good news Bible – to your commander). Social  (Tell your group what you did on your outing).

  Working Together: Physical (Help your commander with a game & demonstrate good team spirit for 1 month). Spiritual (Read or have someone read to you the story of Moses, Hur, and Joshua in Exodus 17: 8-16). Mental (List 4 ways to improve your team spirit in your group). Social (Discuss with your group ways to improve team spirit).

"Tiger Badge" (2nd Grade - Trail to the Cougar)

Interesting Facts about Tigers: Unlike some big cats like lions, adult tigers like to live alone (except for mother tigers with cubs). This is partly because in the forest, a single tiger can sneak up and surprise its prey better than a group of tigers can. -The size of a tiger's territory depends on the amount of food available, and usually ranges from about 10 to 30 square miles (26-78 sq. km). Siberian tigers sometimes have really big territories (as large as 120 square miles). -Wild tigers can eat as over 60 pounds of meat at one sitting. Despite the tigers great power and accurate senses, it has to dedicate a lot of time to hunting, as only about one in ten hunting forays are successful. It mainly preys on deer or wild pig, but will also eat fish...if it can catch them. - Baby tigers or cubs weigh two to three pounds at birth, and live on their mother's milk until 8 weeks, where they are weaned on to food. After that, they begin to eat food that their mother kills for them. Tigers don't start hunting for themselves until about 1 and half years old. -Young tigers live with their mother until they are two to three years old, then they find their own territories. - Tigers have excellent Binocular and color vision. At night, the tiger can see well over 6 times better than humans. - Tigers that live in the wild, live to about 10 years old. Whereas in zoos tigers can live to about 25yrs. - The length of a Tigers tail is 3 to 4 feet long, about half as long as its body. They use their tails for balance when running through fast turns. Tigers also use their tails to communicate with other tigers.

Physical: Pick up trash around the church & Make a walking stick.

Spiritual: Memorize Psalm 119:105 (Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path), Matthew 6:26 (Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?) & James 1:17 (Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows).

Mental: Learn the song "Ready" (Ready for anything, ready to work, play, serve, worship, live, and obey God), Gold point social (We learn how to get along with other people, Live by the Golden rule and try to be polite and helpful at all times.) & Red point rapture (When Jesus returns to earth for the Christians).

Social: Name the closest national forest (this will vary depending on where you live) & go to one outpost activity.

Achievement Badge Awards:

  Adventure on Wheels: Physical (Go to a bike rally, skateboard meet, Pinewood derby, or any other event having to do with wheels - Nascar race, roller-skating race). Spiritual (For a week, pray about how God can use you and your bike, skateboard, pinewood derby car, or other wheels to tell others about Jesus). Mental (Draw a picture of what you did at the event. Display it at a meeting. Your picture should promote the event and Royal Rangers). Social (Clean up that event area. Work with other boys to do this). 

  Nature: Physical (Go on a hike. Collect leaves, rocks, or other items of nature without harming anything). Spiritual (Read or have someone read to you Psalm 148). Mental (Make a display of your collection - This is a easy, fun project for all ages. Decide what theme you'd like to use, like autumn leaves, tiny stones, seeds, tiny pinecones, acorns, what ever you can find that's not too heavy. Get a large piece of matte board or poster board, cut out a shape you'd like your picture frame to be, carefully measure and cut out an opening for your hike photo - ask your parent(s) for help. Arrange your nature collection into a design. Then glue the items on. After the items are completely dried in place, place your picture in the opening, and secure with tape to the back edges of your picture frame with regular scotch tape. Cut some firm cardboard in an tri-angle shape (depending on the size of your frame), fold 1 side - make sure the fold is large enough to tape to the back of your photo. Holding the folded tri-angle, fold side facing away from you, trim off the bottom end into a straight line. Tape the fold to the back of your photo, to make your picture frame stand alone - or glue magnets to the corners of your picture frame for the refrigerator), but sure to remember to write down the names of the items). Social (Show your collection at a meeting. Tell about what you collected). 

  Sports: Physical (For 4 weeks, take part in a sports event held at the church). Spiritual (Read or have someone read to you Isaiah 40 : 27-31). Mental (Draw a picture of the sports event in which you took part in). Social (During the 4 weeks, show good sportsmanship and encourage your group members to show good sportsmanship).  

  Tying Knots: Physical (Learn to make the following 3 knots: figure 8, square & overhand). Spiritual (Memorize Psalm 37:3). Mental (Demonstrate one knot to your commander and explain how you can use it). Social (Demonstrate for the group how to tie 1 knot).

Tying a Overhand Knot: This is the simplest & smallest stopper knot, and is used to begin many more difficult knots. It's generally used on small cord or twine, since it jams & is hard to untie. To tie: Make an overhand loop. Pass the end under & up through the loop, draw it up tightly. 

Tying a Figure 8 Knot: This is a stopper knot & is easier to untie than the overhand knot. To Tie: Make an underhand loop. Bring the end around & over the standing part. Pass the end under then through the loop. Draw tight.

Tying a Square Knot: This is a joiner knot, used to tie parcels, bundles or bandages in first aid. Also to join 2 ends of a rope/string of the same thickness together. To Tie: Pass the left end over & under the right end. Curve what is now the left end towards the right. Cross what is now the right end over and under the left. Draw tight.

"Cougar Badge"

When you have earned the Lynx Award, the Cheetah Award, the Panther Award, and the Tiger Award, you have completed the requirements for the Cougar Award and will receive a patch. It can go on your red uniform shirt, centered on the left pocket. It replaces the Wolverine Award you earned in 1st Grade.

Interesting Facts about Cougars: Puma Concolor -The "Cat of One Color," is called by many names: cougar, puma, mountain lion, catamount, and even panther. - Shy and elusive, cougars live solitary lives within a system of mutual avoidance. - Females can have litters of up to four kittens, but only one or two survive. - Born spotted, the kittens stay with their mothers for about 18 months, after which time they will leave in search of their own home range. - In a healthy ecosystem, cougars are a top predator, helping to balance wildlife populations. - Deer are their primary food sources, and the presence of deer indicates likely presence of cougars. - However, as opportunistic feeders, cougars can survive on a variety of prey including rodents, birds, porcupines, fish and raccoons, as well as livestock and domestic animals. - The mountain lion has a tan-colored coat, much like the African lion. - The most recognizable feature of the cougar is it’s long and heavy tail, which measures almost two-thirds the length of the head and body. - Male lions typically weigh 110 to 180 pounds, while the females are slightly smaller, weighing 80 to 130 pounds. - The mountain lion should not be confused with its cousin, the bobcat (a smaller cat of about 22 pounds), recognizable by its spotted coat, pointed ears, and short tail. - Females commonly have 2 or 3 kittens (or cubs). - Newborn kittens weigh about one pound, measure about a foot in length and have dark spots on their coats. - Within 8 to 12 months these spots will fade. - The kittens are weaned at 2 months and are soon accompanying their mother around the home area. - The mother raises her young alone and trains them how to hunt. - The kittens stay with her from 18 to 24 months, then disperse to find their own home areas. - The American lion is very territorial and their home areas can range from 25 square miles in Idaho and California to 1000 square miles in western Texas. - The cats tend to be active at dawn, dusk, and at night, when they roam their home area search of prey. - Mountain lions have extraordinary vision and are remarkably fast. - From a standing position, mountain lions can jump a vertical distance of up to 15 feet and a horizontal distance of 40 feet. - Mountain lions choose deer as prey more than any other animal, but they also feed on wild hogs, raccoons, rabbits and hares, porcupine, and birds. - The "Yuma Puma" is a subspecies that lives in the California desert, Arizona and Mexico. - It is important to remember that mountain lions must compete for space with a human population that is rapidly increasing. - Currently, there are more than 30 million people living in California. - Many of these people now live or recreate in or near mountain lion habitat. - Every time a new housing development is built in the foothills, mountain lions and other wildlife lose critical habitat. - Many cougar populations that once lived in the United States are now extinct because of habitat loss.

Useful Web Links:

PARENTS: All of the  links listed below have been viewed/sampled for content. If you have any other suggestions for helpful websites, please submit them to:

Pennsylvania Department of Conservation & Natural Resources  (Great site for finding the State Parks and Recreation in our Start Forest).

Pennsylvania Department of Conservation & Natural Resources, Education & Information (Great site, with information on trees, Timber rattlesnakes, Search & Rescue).

Nutrition Explorations (Great site, with information on Nutrition).

Presidential Physical Fitness Award

My Life as an Elk (Find more out about how Elks live).

Fire Safety (Great Kids Fire Safety Site).

Nearly Teens/Children & Youth Health (Great Hygiene Site).