Higher Standard of Excelence - Cub Scout Den Aceivements

I'd like to throw something out for feedback.

My son is a Tiger this year.

DL is a mom of one of the Tigers &volunteered at the roundup because the rest of us looked like scared animals when the CM asked for volunteers for Tiger DL. None of us really knew what would be required.

Our DL has done a great job with activities, keeping it fun, etc... but has had little guidance from the more experienced re the "program". (No fault to the committee, I don't think she has asked & her schedule hasn't allowed her to attend committee meetings). Still, I know she has done a lot of work and I'm appreciative. She really is trying to make it fun and educational; I just don't feel that she's trying to follow the program. She really has done a great job at what she's done.... and she has done it all herself, without asking for help or using the scout/adult partner to lead meetings...

Since I have volunteered to be Assistant DL, we are just now getting caught up with the "instant recognition beads". Anyway, great job but she's only loosely following the program in the book.

We have only done one go see it. The others were either talked about in den meetings or just blown off as something that the kids have likely already done or seen before. ditto for activities when the boys missed meetings, electives, etc...

Oh, and she doesn't uniform.

I was asked to do the paperwork for the den, so I started using the Tiger Trax spreadsheet. I have asked multiple times for the parents to respond with what has been signed off on. Basically, No responses, except form one dad who agrees that we need a higher standard of excellence. In going through the books with some of them at the meetings, it's clear that some haven't even opened them. Regardless, our leader has given full sets of beads to all of the boys in preparation for Tiger, when I know for a fact that they haven't cracked the book.

I feel like the program is getting blown off.

And to make matters a little worse, our current CM's and another DL's sons are in the den. They are both great guys and they don't seem bothered by it. They both have older boys and they've been at this a while, and honestly think that they are just getting a bit lazy. "Don't sweat the small stuff", you know....

My personality tends toward what I think is called "uniform police", but I really don't want to be so rigid.... I know that can take away the fun if not done correctly....I just want them to Do Your Best!!

I get that if the parents sign off, that's that. Not for me to question.... but they aren't even trying.

I just don't think that blowing off or "giving the patch should be encouraged.

After following this forum for a while now, i think that I will plan on wearing my full uniform to den Meetings, even though the pack only requires the activity T-shirt and non uniform pants.

Also, I figure I can do a better job of suggesting and reminding about looking in the book at home, at each meeting's wrap up.

And I'll try to keep better track of progress at each meeting, and use the "instant Recognition beads" as intended.... but I guess those are a bit different for Wolf, eh?

What else can I do to drive to a higher standard?

.... or should I just kick back and not worry about it?

Keep it fun and don't sweat the small was often heard when I was CM too. I may have said it more than once. ;-)

You said it yourself she probably lacks understanding of the program anyway but she's doing it and loosely is better than not, figure out a way to help her.

Best way to lead from the side-lines is be the example... from uniform to training to learning about the program. But aid rather than critique. Also, parents will see the uniform, as be drawn to you for info, so get on the same page as her as possible.

Asking the parents what has been done, might be a problem if they are not "with the program" and the Tiger DL is winging it. I'd track what they have now since once recognition is awarded its awarded.

It gets more structured as you go along so go ahead and get trained as a DL and read the handbook.

Most of all, have fun, and the rest follows behind.

thanks DG98 and future responses.....

That's exactly what i'm asking for.... suggestions to aide. I really didn't mean this post as a critique. Really menat as a little background and understanding of what i need help with.

You said, "Asking the parents what has been done, might be a problem if they are not "with the program" and the Tiger DL is winging it. I'd track what they have now since once recognition is awarded its awarded."

The problem with tracking now, is that the year is almost done.... I stepped up too late. Asking the parents at meetings and through email is the only way I could think of to point them to the direction of the book. I did it of course with some coaching and description of the acheivements, and how the sign off works.... (also, spurring along work on electives and belt loops in the same way).... but reminding them that the activities are to be done as a parent scout team with this scout activity as the purpose is contridictory when the DL is kind of saying just count it because they've been outside lots of time and seen 'weather'....

I figure it starts next year with the Wolfs. My concern is that now they have come to expect this....

In the end, no matter. My son will get more out of the program I think. I'm just worried that his excitement level will wane even more than it already has. He worked hard on this stuff early in the year and really had a lot of excitement and drive, but his pace has really slowed to keep up with the den.....(This message has been edited by blw2)

In my opinion, Tiger Cubs is the most fun year of Scouting and the most important for Cub Scout Packs to get right. And the part most often flubbed for lack of effective leadership such as you describe.

The real keys in my opinion are good Tiger Cub Den Leader Training and providing a vision of what the Tiger Cub program should be like.

To do that, this summer I will be doing my third year as the Camp Director for our Tiger Twilight Camp, done in conjunction with the Cub Scout Day Camp.

This gives Tiger Cubs and their partners recruited in the spring the experience of a quality Tiger Cub Program led by an experienced leader (me).

We have two evenings of activities, starting with the fundamentals of organizing a den such as making den flags, den cheer and appointing Den Leaders.

The Den Leaders rotate each day. The Den Leaders are responsible for presenting the program for their den that I have planned.

This year after the day camp I'll be inviting new Tiger Cub partners to attend the Tiger Cub Den Leader training, which goes through the methods of how to conduct the program.

The idea is to have those new Den Leader trained, and with a vision of how those new Tiger Cub Dens should work at the BEGINNING of the school year.

I realize you are playing catch up, but the program I'm describing is the best one I know of to get new Tiger Cub Dens started effectively. It's one way to avoid having the problems you are confronting.

Well, the real issue you raise is what can you do now.

You are concerned about a quality program and you have another adult concerned as well. That's a good start.

I'd start by organizing a quality Go-See-It. I start new dens with a hike and hot dog roast. The hike starts at a library where we get a tour of the library (requirement 1G). We stop at a fire station where I've made arrangements for the Tigers to do a flag ceremony raising the flag on a pole and saying the Pledge of Allegiance (Requirement 2D). We COULD arrange for a tour of the Fire Station (Requirement 2G). We take a hike to a city park operated as a gigantic pea patch, that provided a lot of food for the city a hundred years ago. We get a tour of the park and the Tigers do a farm chore as part of the tour (requirement 5G).

The farm/park is only about a half mile from the library. I post notices along the hike so the hike is self guiding for the Tigers.

After the farm chores are done, we roast hot dogs on sticks, after which we hike back to the starting point.

Boys collect leaves along the hike for activity 5D.

Of course you will need to design your own hike. I do like hot dog roasts. I like hikes that have several different activities to attract the interest of Tiger Cubs along the way not destination driven "death marches."

If you organize one quality Go-See-It that parents can appreciate, you can organize more.

You and the other parent can take charge of organizing this activity, and then start planning more, getting more parents involved.

Are you recruiting more Cub Scouts this spring? If so, you want to get Kindergarten students and their families going on your hike and starting to understand the Tiger Cub program now, so this wont be a repeat problem next year.

Have boys earned their Bobcat?

Wow, great program you've got going SeattlePioneer!

Yes, they all have their Bobcat, although my opinion is that it was pretty much a gloss over for most of them at a Den meeting. My son might be the only one that worked on it at home and has it all memorized.... and it wasn't like i forced him into it. He wanted to do it and more. All I did was guide him to the idea after the roundup.

We'll be moving up to Wolf with our sons next year. I figure I'll have a discussion with the new Tiger Leader soon after they sign up, so i can help get them started at least with what i have learned. Unfortunately, I wouldn't be prepared to lead by example quite like you.... As far as I know, we don't have a summer program like that.... yet.

Great idea about the multi-stop / multi-achievement hike. I'm planning to dig into the wolf program soon, and I'll keep this idea in mind. Maybe you've hit on something for me.... I am much more of the go-see-it and camp out trips leader, where DL excels at the regular meetings. maybe I can step up and help her for the go-see-its, or at least most of them.

I honestly don't know what the pack does for recruiting, beyond the scout roundup in the spring. My bet is that that is pretty much it, with some sort of announcement or flyer going home with the kids from our church's school and maybe the church buletin.

since I got the thread spun......

the tiger year is fun for sure......not much substance, but begins getting to boys integrated into scouting....

no uniforms, no biggy most my boys can't afford them any way.

I don't care if they crack the book.....did they do the stuff at the meeting?????/

How do fluff the go see's??????

Ya they need to do the activity, but remember as 6 year olds they won't remember much....

I have been in the cub program 6 years been a tiger leader twice, wolf, bear twice and Webs twice....CM for 3 of those years......

My expectations from the boys increased year to year......and by the Webelos program they need to remember their lessons.

Cubs is do your best after all.....

Yeah, IU amgoing to go along with Basementdweller on thsi one.

If they don't have uniforms, I wouldn't sweat it at all.

If you can get a room full of 1st grade boys to actually do something, and do it as a group..That's impressive enough.

Now, I am not one to just say we talked about a fire truck, so you count it as a go see it. Not even close to teh same.

BUT...Having a Tiger parent who is a paid or volunteer fireman or used to be is close enough in my book. As long as the important knowledge is passed on.

Our Tiger Dl looked at his Tigert den, realized whaty a major undertaking it would be to do a go see it, so ended up having a sheriffs deputy and a K-9 dog come to the Co and shared a "come see me" with the Woif den.

Tiger yer is more about getting used to being a cun scout. Next year though, time to crack the whip and start getting serious about having fun ...if you know what I mean!

In Cub Scouts we are supposed to do our BEST! That goes for the Tiger Cub program too, in my opinion.

A second rate program is going to be a disappointment for boys and parents.

What's so tough about doing a Go-See-It?

Being able to experience a visit to a fire or police station is great fun for boys. Absent a good reason, they are being short changed if they don't get to go.

Uniforms aren't REQUIRED in Cub Scouts. But boys, especially young boys, like uniforms. I encourage uniforming.

I do that by being in uniform myself. At a minimum, a Den Leader can spend $10 for a Tiger Cub Orange sweatshirt and I'd be glad to reimburse them from Packs funds for that.

When a new Scout joins my pack, I have colorful neckerchiefs I've cut from a bedsheet bought at a thrift shop. I got twenty out of a $5 bedsheet the last time I did that. The only tool I use to do that is a reasonably sharp butcher knife.

I cut sections out of a tree branch with a circular saw for neckerchief slides and drill a hole in them with a spade bit.

So when the boy enters the pack, we have a ceremony. The boy and his parent comes up to be introduced to the den or pack. The boy gets a neckerchief neatly packed in a plastic baggie.

I point out that the neckerchief is neat and clean. I explain that in the Cub Scouts we expect people to care for their uniform and keep it neat and clean. He gets to pick out a neckerchief slide that appeals to him and his parent helps him put on the neckerchief and slide.

Once he is wearing his neckerchief and slide he is "in uniform." He can decorate the neckerchief if he wishes. He can wear the neckerchief as his uniform as long as he likes.

I might add that I wear the same neckerchief and slide myself.

We have a fall popcorn sale and families can sell popcorn and earn money that can be used to pay membership and activity fees and for uniforms. So a family that may not be able to afford a lot of Scouting costs can pay for Scouting by supporting the popcorn sale if they wish to do so.

I think there are often ways to do things that produce a quality program. I find it pays to think about the issues and look for ways to deal with things that may be difficult to do.

Re OP: At this point in the year as an ADL you're not in much of a position to do anything regarding this year. So now is the time to start getting ready for next year.

The actual game in Wolf is probably easier to work with than Tiger but I'm biased. If you think things could be better for your own son then it is in your interest to be willing to step up. Let the CM know you're interested in becoming more active and helping give a good Wolf program. If you haven't done so start attending round tables, pack committee meetings, and pack leader meetings. Also check your council website for training opportunities.

For the rest of this school year take the opportunity to look at what other awards and activities a Tiger scout could earn. If your den is through with advancement the DL may be fishing for additional fun activities. Rather than non-scouting fun your investigation could lead you to suggestions for "scouting" fun to offer the DL.

Lastly, stay positive and have fun.

Well when I go into a tiger den and find out they signed off stuff but never really did any go see its,

I take a deep breathe, bite my tongue,

and then plan how to go on at least one of the go see its as an actual outing, plan it, run it, and show up with uniform on and snacks and make it a blast.

Then I mention to the parents that if they want to do xyz of the other go see its this is an easy way to do it, and give them the info. and sometimes I remind them twice.

But otherwise you can't go back in time and un-sign books. you can only look thru and see if there is any way you have time to do a go see it, and even after tiger badge is done, it would be great fun to go to a spring baseball game as a group, right? and if the local tv or radio station would let your tigers go in and get interviewed for tv/radio, even if they never play on air, that would also be great fun. and so on. and throw in a field trip or two from the electives, to let them know that hey, this is how you do it.

I have usually 2 different sets of parents, the ones who think that it's a big chore to go on an outing, usually because they have to work, not because they don't wnat to deal with taking the kids to a location, and the other set of parents who are gung ho and see it as a way to take their kids on field trips, now that schools are soooo wrapped up in testing that many never get to go on field trips in school anymore.

so you can't go back, but you can go forward strongly.

you may have a couple of parents who say we already did that and don't want to do it again even if it's in a totally different way. tell them that's fine and move on with the rest of the den. can't win over everyone to how much fun scouting can be, but that you actually have to go out of the den meeting/classroom to get the most benefit.

blw2 - Have you had a sit down planning meeting with the den leader? If not, I recommend that you do that ASAP.

Have you awarded the Tiger Badge yet? If not then there is still time to plan activities that cover some of the requirements. Figure out which requirements are needed by the most boys.

For example if only 1 boy out of your den has gone to a sporting event to complete requirement 3G, then work on a plan for that. What sports do the boys in the den play? Are they on any teams? You can have one of the boys who is on a team teach the others the rules of the game. Then have the den attend one of his games and cheer him on. Go see one of their school teams play. Go see a local high school game. Go bowling!

2F/5G - Print off copies of a map of your neighborhood. Staple them onto pieces of stiff cardboard. Go on a map hike around your neighborhood, learning directions, how to read street signs, marking off significant places as you get to them (meeting place/church/police station/park/school/Freddies house/etc).

If the Tiger Badge has been awarded, now is a great time to have fun with Electives.

E7) Make homemade kazoos, rain sticks, drums, rattles, etc, and create your own den band.

E12) Make Mother's and Father's Day cards (or simply Happy Spring cards) and deliver them to your local Nursing Home.

E17) Print off directions for various kinds of paper airplanes and have a "Fly Off" to see which work the best.

E17) Make home made kites and have a Kite Fly.

E20-21) Make Tiger Cub puppets, do a skit with them on the fun things Tiger Cubs do, and present it at one of your upcoming Pack meetings (maybe one where the graduating kindergarteners are invited to attend).

E30) Plant seeds in clear plastic cups between the cup and wet wadded up paper towels or newspaper stuffed inside. Pick a variety of veggie and edible flower seeds. Have the Tiger Teams report on how they are growing. Maybe bring them in to display at the end of year Pack meeting.

E32) Make bird feeders out of pine cones, peanut butter, and bird seed. Hang them in trees around your meeting place.

E33) Armed with plastic bags do a hike around your neighborhood (5G) picking up litter as you go.

E35) Pick a new game (relay/chase/tag/balloon toss/ etc) every week and go outside and have FUN! With good weather you can get lots of elective points out of this!

E22) Have an end of year picnic. E25) Have each Tiger Team bring a snack to share that they have made together. E29) Have a talk about sunscreen before the picnic. E37) Hold the picnic near a bike trail and do a short bike hike. E35) Play games and have FUN!

Keep in mind that every activity they do does NOT have to be done with Scouting in everyone's mind as the sole purpose of doing it. Especially at the Tiger level, Scout stuff gets done as a happy side product of simply HAVING FUN, and doing things that they do every day.

If you want to get the Tiger Teams into the swing of signing off in their Handbooks, make it a rule that they bring their Handbooks with them to all meetings and activities. At the end of every Tiger meeting/activity have them bring out their Handbooks and tell them what they just did and have them sign off on the items in their book. Then do a R_O_U_N_D of applause, or some other silly/fun applause, to celebrate what they accomplished.

I am also discovering here at the end of the year that there is a general attitude in our pack that if you did the year, you are awarded the rank and the specific sign off of each item isn't important. I've led the tiger den and we've put together a program that facilitated that by covering everything, but i know some dens are a bit less serious. I plan to raise that expectation.

I think the goal as adult leaders has to be to improve the program and the expectations each year. Do what you can in the next month, accept that the Tiger rank isn't the Eagle Scout rank and plan an awesome Wolf year with enough fun to thrill the boys and maybe even earn a couple arrowheads.

blw2

There a lot of good suggestions posted here. I would start to prepare for next year and determine the requirements for Wolf. Put together some ideas based on the feedback you have received already. I would attend the committee meeting when the Pack's calendar is put together and then sit down with the Den Leader over a cup of coffee and collectively put together your calendar for the den.

By doing this you can help to ensure that there are activities that will meet the requirements.

Once you complete a requirement during the den meeting make sure to hand out the instant recognition beads to those scouts participating. It will also enable you to follow up with individual parents to see if their son made up the activity if they missed the den meeting in which you can hand out those beads once completed. Sending out the Trax spreadsheet once in a while also helps and will be important especially for tracking the electives.

Good Luck

Akecheta

Lots of good points and ideas here. thanks to all.... Got my wheels turning for next year, and perhaps even summer.

Cito,Agreed with what I think you are trying to say, except to clarify....

you said "...if you did the year, you are awarded the rank and the specific sign off of each item isn't important"

In my mind, if a boy didn't make most of the meetings, and I can tell that the parent by way of questions haven't even cracked the book open to do makeups, then they didn't "do the year".

I don't really care if it's signed off formally or not, if the parent says they did it then good enough, but if they they are indicating by questions that they haven't, don't just give it to them because it's basic and easy and they kind of already know it anyway..... I think they should be coached and even helped to do the program.

Best example I can think of is Swimming Belt Loop. Is it awarded based on "my son knows how to swim", or is it based on the three specific requirements that are listed? Without direction and coaching, how are the parents to even know that there are three very specific requirements?....

Regardless, a you said - it's not for the Eagle.....