From experience I have learned that no matter what time of year it is, how many boys you have or how old they are, you need to use a few 'coping' skills as a Den Leader to keep from tearing your hair out during Den Meetings. Here are a few good tips you can use to help you from becoming a freyed nerve during Den Meetings!
Use a 'Good Conduct' Measure - I use a candle. At the beginning of every Den Meeting I have our Denner light the candle. If anyone misbehaves, the candle gets blown out. This makes it bad for everyone, so they learn quick that they don't want their friends upset with them. When the candle burns down all the way, I let them choose a fun thing to do, eg. bowling, pizza party, Cheap Skate, etc. etc. The longer they are good at Den Meetings, the sooner the candle burns down! Invaluable! There are other ideas for Good Conduct measures in your Den Leader Handbook.
Den Dues - If you don't use Den Dues, being a Den Leader can be EXPENSIVE! I collect $2.00 from each Scout, at each Den Meeting. I use this money to buy craft supplies, pay for their 'Good Conduct' party, buy decorations for Blue & Gold Banquet, buy wienies and marshmallows for cookouts, or just anything we need as a Den. Believe me, I USE it all! (and then some). I told the boys at the beginning that I expected them to do something to earn this $2.00 from their Parents. Chores, etc. so they are paying their own way through Scouting. How much you want to collect from each boy is up to the individual Den Leader.
Get the Parents to HELP YOU! - I know I know, easier said than done, but if you ask them to fill out the Parents Talent Survey hopefully you find things that each of them can do to help at one Den Meeting or another. Ask them to chapparone Field Trips, help with craft projects, or maybe there is something you need done that you don't have time to do (make a calendar, make permission slips) ask one of them to help do that. Do anything you can to enlist their help! It makes things much easier.
Talking Stick - I bought a fun little thing at Michael's Crafts. It is a 'Talking Stick'. It is a dowel that is decorated with feathers, leather lacing, beads, and anything else you can find to make it interesting. Ask the boys to help make it. Then, while you are having a discussion as a Den, only the person holding the Talking Stick is allowed to speak. Pass the stick around during the meeting so everyone has a chance to be the center of attention.
Small Rewards - Sometimes I buy small candybars, or Hershey Kisses and wrap a few of them up in colored wrap. Tie a piece of curling ribbon to secure it. During Den Meetings, when I notice 1 Scout being particularily 'good' or see one of them do something nice without being asked, I give them a little reward. It always makes them feel good about BEING 'good' and encourages the rest to follow. You can use anything that you think they would like. Don't get too fancy, you'll never be able to keep it up! Keep it Simple, Make it Fun!
Magic Tricks & Puzzles - I use these at the beginning of Den Meetings while the boys are gathering, to keep them occupied until everyone arrives. Boys LOVE magic tricks or fun little puzzles. I put a couple on the table and they can try to figure them out while I collect Den Dues and talk to the Parents. There are lots of magic tricks and puzzles in the Old How-To Book starting on page 7-1.
SNACKS!!! - It never fails, the boys assigned to bring the snack is sick, or doesn't show up, or FORGETS! That usually only happens once. Where you hold your Den Meeting is the deciding factor in how to handle this. My Scouts REALLY get upset when they don't get their snack! I keep a bag of microwave popcorn and an extra packet of Kool-Aid handy for every Den Meeting. I have had to use it MORE than once. If you make a snack bucket out of an ice cream pail, you can decorate it as a den, and the Scouts take turns bringing it home with them. They fill it up with snacks and bring it back to the next Den Meeting. It is easier to remember that way too!
Stories - Storytelling is an art that almost anyone can do with a little practice. All you need is a good imagination, an appreciation for good stories, and a little showmanship. Setting the stage is important too! There are good stories for around the campfire, bedtime at camp, lesson stories for Den Meetings, and much more. There are some good stories in the Old and New How-To Books, but I found really good ones on-line. I went to www.ask.com and did a search for 'campfire stories' or 'story telling' and I got alot of good results! Remember when you are telling a story to memorize it first. Nothing ruins the moment like the Den Leader reading from a piece of paper.
Den Yells - Come up with a Den Yell. 2,4,6,8, which Den is really grrreat! Den 2! Den 2! Deeeeeen 2! Den Yells let off a little steam when needed and help the boys feel part of something special. Let them make up the yell themselves.
Let them Be Silly - If you are planning to do quiet, reading or learning activities during your Den Meeting, have something active or noisy planned first. That way the boys can get the energy out first and will be more likely to listen and learn when it's time to sit quietly. Sing a silly song, the Cub Scout Songbook is full of great, silly songs! Have a short game of Duck, duck, Goose! (A.K.A.'Duck Duck Gray Duck') Practice Flag Ceremonies outdoors, weather permitting, do a Den Yell. Anything to let them work off a little energy.
Earn those Beltloops and Pins! - If you haven't bought a Sports and Academics Book yet, GO GET ONE! They are only around $6.95 at the TC Scout Shop. You can use the Sports and Academics Book to find easy ways to earn fun Beltloops and Pins. Most of these are easy activities that the boys will be doing anyway. If you are stumped for a Den activity, go through the book and see if there is anything you can use in your Den Meeting. I guarantee you will find something that will be easy and fun. The book is filled with great activities! Don't forget that earning even something small makes the difference for every Scout.
Hopefully these things will help you in your Den Meetings. If anyone has suggestions that they would like to see here, let me know!
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