• Messages sorted by: [ date ] [ thread ] [ subject ] [ author ]

>PLEASE award those Cub Scout achievements at the first pack meeting
>after they are earned. And be sure to make each award ceremony special
>because it's a BIG deal in thatchild's life. It may be THE highlight of his
year.
>
>Maybe some of the parents in each pack can help make props and devise
>ceremonies so the burden isn't all on the shoulders of those overworked
>Cubmasters.
>
>Peter Murphy

Great post Peter. I learned that Story telling is another great way to give
awards without a lot of prep time. I would look for or make up stories that
allowed me to present any or all the ranks depending on who was receiving their
badge at that meeting. We once had and American Indian parent perform his tribes
traditional dances for our ceremonies. I like to mixed up the agenda so that
sometimes ceremonies were the first item on the agenda and sometimes I spread
them through the whole meeting. Sometimes we Turned off the lights during some
ceremonies and use candles or flashlights. I tried to get everyone involved. A
couple of meetings I asked everyone to stand in a circle and chant something
like "The Mighty Wolf" or "Strength of the Bear" for each Scout called into the
circle to receive his award. Sometimes I would hand out bells or some other
noise maker to sound off when the Scout received his award.

All these ideas were quick and simple, but added enough spice and fun to the
ceremonies that they usually held the attention of the audience and lifted each
individual Scout to his special place of honor. Our ceremonies were never very
long, a typical Pack meetings of 65 Cub Scouts which included an opening,
closing, at least three skits, awards ceremonies, announcements, and a few jokes
lasted about 50 minutes. Instant recognition keeps meetings shorter because you
only recognize a few Scouts every meeting instead of a lot of Scouts at a few
meetings.

Webelos earn activity pins often enough that they might have to wait three or
four weeks to receive their pins at the next Pack meeting. So we handed them out
at the Den meetings. The parents learn to show up for the last five minutes to
watch and clap. At the next Pack meeting, the CM would call up the Webelos to
hand out their cards so they get recognition in front of the whole Pack.

Barry Runnels

• Messages sorted by: [ date ] [ thread ] [ subject ] [ author ]

What's become of SCOUTER Magazine, the print publication?

Buy the Back Issues