Cub Masters Notebook
Q. What is a Den Chief and how do I get one?
A. A Den Chiefs an older Boy Scout or Voyager (so it could be a young woman) that can assist as part of your Den’s leadership. With your guidance and direction, he/she can be a most valuable addition by leading songs and games, teaching tricks or puzzles, and helping with activities.
To get a Den Chief....
Tell your Cubmaster you need one.
The Cubmaster discusses your need with the Scoutmaster.
The Scoutmaster selects the right boy who has been trained in leadership skills.
The Cubmaster trains him in Cub Scouting skills so that he will be successful in working with a Den.
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Tell us more about your *spirit stick*? What does it look like? How was it made?
It is just a long piece of wood from the Lowe’s or such. Ours is about 8’ long and 2”x2”. Length can be as long as you want I suppose. Has to fit into cars but the longer the more impressive. I decorated the first 6-8 inches with the pack # and year on it and I put a Garfield on there since he was our spokescat this year.
Then each den that wins the spirit stick takes it home and decorates their 6-8 inches. (divided length by number of times someone will win it so everyone gets to decorate about the same amount each time) The boys and leaders get very creative on this. If it is a tiger den, it usually comes back orange. Sometimes there are feathers, beads, leather, wood burning, etc. Just try to secure it all so nothing gets knocked off as it is handed from den to den. Boys usually put names or initials on it, their den # and rank.
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PACK MEETING DEN ASSIGNMENTS
For Pack Meetings – we rotate all sorts of jobs through all the dens. With the number of dens we have this year, our pack meeting jobs are:
Opening (setting up the chairs and performing the opening ceremony), Gathering Activity (games... for the cubs and siblings to play before the Pack Meeting), Song group,
Skit group,
Closing (putting things away and doing closing ceremony),
Greeters (leading people to their seats, directing kids to the gathering activity).
If we had more dens, we’d think up more.
We used to have every den do a song or a skit – but the kids were spending too much den meeting time preparing and the pack meetings were too long also! This way – they do a better job with their skit if they only have to do one every 4 or 5 months. Even the tigers participate.
Each den is also responsible for bringing an applause to the pack meeting and leading the pack with it. Our den leaders are responsible for rank ceremonies, except the Cubmaster does Bobcat.
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http://www.wtsmith.com/rt/pkadmin.html [Pack Administration]
PACK 2 MEETING PLANNER
http://www.wtsmith.com/rt/packmtg.html#PLANNER
Plan your meetings well in advance using themes or special activities as focal points.
Confirm the time and place of the meeting. Reserve meeting places well in advance.
Make sure that someone is responsible for opening the meeting place ahead of time.
Assign den responsibilities in advance; e.g. Set-up, opening, skits, songs, stunts, closing, clean-up.
PACK MEETING FUN
Put a priority on your awards. Is there some awards like belt loops that could be given at the Den meetings then the CM could mention their names at the Pack meeting or in the newsletter. Break up the awards with skits. I had a rule never give more than two sets of awards without a skit or song to break them up. There is nothing wrong with starting the meeting with giving the Tigers their paws. [ Tiger Paws were an old form of recognition. Bill ]
Have story or song to introduce the award. I once had an American Indian (he preferred that over Native American) father who started everyone in a Indian Celebration Dance during the Wolves awards. The parents are still talking about that one.
Get all the Scouts involved. Get them to say a cheer or the Scouts name when he and his parents are called up. “CRY OF THE WOLF, STRENGTH OF THE BEAR, WEBELOS”
Another thing I did at the beginning of the meeting is I told the Scouts when I hold my arms straight out, they were to clap, but if I held them up then the were to clap and cheer LOUDLY while stomping their feet. Then we practiced a little (actually a lot). When things like announcements, awards or uniform inspections got a little long, I would raise my arms. Keeps them on their toes and they get to do what the do best.
The important thing here is put yourself in their shoes, does this seem boring? Then change it or get rid of it. This Scouting stuff has got to be FUN, FUN, FUN. It takes a little practice but once you get the hang of it you will keep their attention most of the meeting and you will only need one leader up front. With that many ACMs, you all plan different parts of the meeting.
SOME TIPS FOR PACK MEETINGS
DON’T BE A ONE MAN SHOW. Putting on a ninety minute show is a huge job. It’s a lot easier and things run smoother when you work as a team. Use your Assistant Cubmasters, Committee members to help. For example, one person is the Master of Ceremonies – only introduces the acts; another is a Stage Manager – sees to it that everyone keeps on schedule and that dens, awards and things are ready; another the Cheermaster – leads cheers, songs and audience participation; a fourth may be the Awards Chairman.
VARY THE PACE. Keep things moving at different speeds, different volumes, and different moods. Use songs and cheers and lively songs to speed things up, stories and ceremonies to slow them down. Build toward the big event of your meeting – it may be rank awards or a special visitor but make it special.
INVOLVE PARENTS. Don’t let them sit at the back of the room and talk. They should be drawn into every part of the meeting – especially ceremonies and audience participation stunts. Have the occasional game just for parents – the kids will love it.
HIDE ANNOUNCEMENTS. Put most information about upcoming events in your news letter. If you need to to say something about a big event, do it the form of a run-on, skit or ceremony. All you need is some fun gimmick to draw attention to where the details are written down.
USE SONGS. Most – almost all – of us start with the assumption that we could never lead a song. With Cub Scouts, it is really the easiest thing in the world. Kids love to sing – the dumber and livelier the song, the better. Start by leading some of the audience participation stunts in Group Meeting Sparklers or Program Helps. Next, try a very simple song like Tarzan of the Apes. All you need is three or four songs you and your pack like to sing – most of them you may learn at summer camp. It does wonders for your pack meetings.
LET THE DENS BE THE STARS. Feature several dens at every pack meeting. They should be doing opening and closing ceremonies, skits and other presentations. Give Webelos Dens opportunities to demonstrate the spectacular things they have learned as they worked on Activity Badges and Arrow of Light. Reward every den with a special cheer.
USE PROPS AND SPECIAL EFFECTS. Flags, artificial campfires, den doodles, candle-lit ceremonies all add drama and interest to the meetings. (And they help cover up the fact that we are all a bunch of amateurs doing this.) If your pack doesn’t have all these, assign groups of parents to make them. Check the Cub Scout Leader’s How-To Book for starters. Also they will look great in the photos for your web site and your next roundup.
Make sure that arrangements are made for transporting displays, props, special equipment, etc.
Make sure that awards, badges, pins, etc. are ready for presentation before the meeting.
Try to have displays set up before the meeting.
Have a gathering activity planned and use it when scouts arrive.
Conduct an Opening Ceremony that is serious and impressive.
While you have the scene set, transition to introductions and inductions.
Build spirit with den cheers, den reports, rousing songs and group activities.
Entertain with skits, stunts, songs, and games.
Take time to recognize pack and den accomplishments.
Have a Webelos Den demonstrate something related to an activity badge.
Use a song, story, or other device to transition the group to a serious setting.
Present awards and recognitions with an impressive ceremony.
Give special recognition to special accomplishments.
Recognize adult contributions – thank yous and special awards.
Give a very few words on coming events (give details in handouts, newsletters) Have a Scouter’s minute – leave the scouts with something to ponder Conduct a closing ceremony.
Serve refreshments (optional).
Clean-up the meeting site and leave it as good as or better than you found it.
Evaluate and plan an even better meeting next time.
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PACK MEETING RECIPE
Every pack meeting should be different. But every good pack meeting has certain things in common. Here is a recipe for a basic pack meeting:
1 Cup of Opening (on time)
1 Tbs.. Welcoming
1 Tbs.. Ice-Breakers
1 tsp. Old Business
1 Tbs.. Den Skit or Game
1 tsp. New Business
½ Cup of Cub Awards
¼ Cup of Den Songs or Cheers
½ Cup of Webelos Awards
1 Cup of Den Table Craft Awards
1 Tbs.. of Announcements
1 Cup of Closing (on time)
Stir to fit your pack needs and bake tenderly.
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A SUCCESSFUL CUB SCOUT PROGRAM?
EASY! JUST 3 MAGIC WORDS
All you need to make your pack or den everything you want it to be! Before Each Meeting, Repeat These Three Magic Words Seven Times: FUN PARENTS PURPOSES
Cub Scouting has just got to be fun. If it ain’t fun, no one’s going to stick around long enough to get any benefit out of it.
FUN FOR THE KIDS
Games, ceremonies and outings rule! Everything else is boring and dull. Gather a list of games, songs, sparklers, cheers and all the other zany stuff that will work for your pack. Fill your ceremonies with cheers, drama, explosions and such to make them exciting and memorable. What’s wrong? Never been to a rock concert? Punctuate your calendar with lots of outings and service projects. Above all, don’t hold meetings; they’re boring! Put on productions.
FUN FOR THE ADULTS
Get everyone involved in the program. Give them a piece of the action whether it be setting up the room, participating in games or leading an outing. Don’t let them sit still. Do away with long boring announcements. Instead, use skits, run-ons, or just hand out printed sheets. Did you ever go to a circus where the ring master read off a long string of announcements?
FUN FOR THE LEADERS.
If you’re not having fun being a leader, then you’re doing it wrong. Go back and review why you’re doing this and start eliminating things that aren’t fun. Talk it over with other Scouters, retake training, check out the Cub Scout Leader Book. Start changing things, because if you’re not having fun then no one else is either.
If a boy’s parents are not a big part of his Cub Scout program then all he gets from it is second-rate baby sitting. Don’t cheat the boy by leaving out those people he lives with and loves.
PARENT AGREEMENT
Make sure that every parent is aware of what is expected of them at the moment the boy joins. At this age, his parents are his main role models, make sure they know what’s expected of them.
PARENT MEETINGS
Regularly, meet with parents to ensure that they are up to date with how advancement works, what the pack is doing, house rules, and how they can help make their sons’ Cub Scouting important and valuable. Do it as a pack and as a den. Do it in a back yard, a church basement or over coffee and sticky buns, but DO IT.
PARENT INVOLVEMENT
Hold parents to their agreement. Do as little advancement in the den as you can. Push the projects home. Make sure your pack activities are so interesting that parents don’t dare stay away. Get every parent involved by bringing them into the action. Give them jobs, responsibilities, and ownership. As a leader, never, never, never do anything that you could pass off to another parent. Let each boy see his parent be a Hero.
PARENT RECOGNITION
Make sure that parents get rewarded for their efforts. Do it with ceremonies, in your newsletters and web sites, or just a quick round of applause.
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Keep a clear vision of why we are doing all this. Yes it’s fun, but keep on track.
THE IDEALS
The things a boy learns on the Bobcat Trail, the Cub Scout Motto and Promise and the Law of the Pack. Use these as sign posts and guides at all Cub Scout functions.
PURPOSES OF CUB SCOUTING
Every Activity, must somehow lead to or support one of these purposes:
Character Development
Spiritual Growth
Good Citizenship
Sportsmanship
Family Understanding
Respectful Relationships
Personal Achievement
Friendly Service
Fun and Adventure
Preparation for Boy Scouts
SCOUTING’S CORE VALUES
Citizenship
Compassion
Cooperation
Courage
Faith
Health and Fitness
Honesty
Perseverance
Positive attitude
Resourcefulness
Respect
Responsibility
Make sure that there is a connection between each Cub Scout activity and one or more of these Core Values.