In 2019, Jared Marcus wowed Scouts from around the world with his yo-yo skills at the World Scout Jamboree. A few years after the big Scouting event, Marcus wowed the judges at the National Yo-Yo Contest in Mesa, Ariz., winning first place in his division. He defended that title a couple of months ago.
He also recently joined the Duncan Team, an elite group of world class yo-yo players. This group inspires the toy company to improve their products, which your Scout can enjoy for fun and as part of special Scout programs.
Become a yo-yo master
For more than 90 years, Duncan Toys has been showing youth the joy of yo-yoing. It’s a fun sport that requires concentration and determination, but some tricks can be picked up very easily. Get 20% off your order on duncantoys.com with promo code JAMBOREE20, valid now through Nov. 1, 2023.
Cub Scouts can learn basic yo-yo tricks, which are part of the Yo-Yo Preview Adventure, available for Wolves, Bears, Webelos and Arrow of Light Cub Scouts. Preview Adventures are experimental Adventures your Cub Scouts can earn. They will count toward advancement, just like any other elective Adventures. The Yo-Yo Preview Adventure shows Cub Scouts how to use this timeless toy as well as teaches them concepts of physics.
Older Scouts can participate in Duncan’s Teen Program, earning badges along the way. Scouts study the free tutorial videos available at Duncan’s program page. They learn how to do the yo-yo trick in each video. Then they film themselves completing the tricks and upload their video to YouTube or Vimeo. They fill out the form on this page to submit their videos. Finally, they’ve earned the badge and move on to the next level.
Gear up
Get your Scouts equipped for yo-yo fun by visiting Duncan. Duncan offers starter kits, complete with two yo-yos, extra string and a trick book. You can shop for a Cub Scout version or an older Scout kit, each retailing for $15.99. More yo-yos are available on the new Duncan site, categorized by skill level, from beginner to expert. One particular yo-yo that was used to win the 2023 World Yo-Yo Contest in the 2A division is the Duncan Hornet. The Hornet is available in many colors, including the Boy Scout licensed Hornet.
Duncan also provides tutorial videos, where Scouts can study how to perform certain tricks.
You can teach your Scouts by getting Scout Leader Case Packs, priced well below retail, each featuring assorted yo-yos in multiples of 12. These case packs are perfect for group activities and recruiting events.
If you’re planning a big event, consider Duncan’s customizable packs, which you can add logos, graphics or even your unit’s number on the yo-yos. Choose from three quality yo-yos, add your image and pick your color, and you’ve got a really cool custom toy for your next meeting or recruitment event.
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