Our pack has nearly 100 scouts so our pack meetings approach the 300+ person mark.
Here's what we do to keep things under control...
1) Organization for a large pack is essential! We break our meetings into 4 basic sections. Gathering, Opening, Stations, Closing.
The Gathering is simply getting everyone in, registered and seated. We generally have a Gathering Activity for the scouts to perform before the opening.
The Opening is the flag ceremony, prayer and any opening business that needs to be addressed to the pack as a whole.
We then break into 'stations', each having a different activity. The scouts are sent to stations by rank - all Tigers start at station 1, Wolves at station 2, etc.. Depending on our timeframe for the meeting and number of stations, we usually alot 15-20 minutes at each station.
The Scouts and parents are thencalled back to together as a pack and the Closing ceremony and any additional pack business is taken care of.
In order to pull off the stations, a huge amount of planning is required as is a LOT of help from parents the night of the pack meetings for setup and manning the stations.
Our stations consist of Advancements, Refreshments, activities as needed (hike, popcorn prizes, pinewood derby registration, etc. - whatever is needed that month)
2) Make use of the WOLF EARS (Scout Sign) early and often!!! We have used this since day one and the scouts (and parents) know that when the wolf ears are up - they need to be quiet and pay attention. If things start getting out of hand - up go the wolf ears until things are settled down. We use a gymnasium for our pack meetings and the noise levels can get quite high in a short matter of time. When we use the wolf ears, the place will quiet down until you can literally hear a pin drop! Make sure whoever is running the meeting holds the ears and waits for that 'total' silence before beginning again.
3) Seating arrangements for the Pack meetings also seems to be key for us. We typically arrange tables in a horse shoe shape with the cub master at the opening of the shoe. We then have den flags stationed on each table and the parents/scouts are reminded to sit with their respective dens.
Engagement is key. Keeping scouts (and parents) focused on the meeting is tough, especially with a large group. That's why we find the "Stations" approach to work so well. It keeps everyone moving and focused on what's in front of them. Overall group pack business is kept to a minimum if possible.
I agree with others statements that it should not be CM's job to discipline other peoples children but it should be the CM's job to facilitate and control the meeting. If the meeting is getting out of hand - stop the meeting! Wait for quiet and calm to prevail and then continue. A few times of this and people will start getting the point.
Control during pack meetings
in Cub Scouts
Posted
Our pack has nearly 100 scouts so our pack meetings approach the 300+ person mark.
Here's what we do to keep things under control...
1) Organization for a large pack is essential! We break our meetings into 4 basic sections. Gathering, Opening, Stations, Closing.
The Gathering is simply getting everyone in, registered and seated. We generally have a Gathering Activity for the scouts to perform before the opening.
The Opening is the flag ceremony, prayer and any opening business that needs to be addressed to the pack as a whole.
We then break into 'stations', each having a different activity. The scouts are sent to stations by rank - all Tigers start at station 1, Wolves at station 2, etc.. Depending on our timeframe for the meeting and number of stations, we usually alot 15-20 minutes at each station.
The Scouts and parents are thencalled back to together as a pack and the Closing ceremony and any additional pack business is taken care of.
In order to pull off the stations, a huge amount of planning is required as is a LOT of help from parents the night of the pack meetings for setup and manning the stations.
Our stations consist of Advancements, Refreshments, activities as needed (hike, popcorn prizes, pinewood derby registration, etc. - whatever is needed that month)
2) Make use of the WOLF EARS (Scout Sign) early and often!!! We have used this since day one and the scouts (and parents) know that when the wolf ears are up - they need to be quiet and pay attention. If things start getting out of hand - up go the wolf ears until things are settled down. We use a gymnasium for our pack meetings and the noise levels can get quite high in a short matter of time. When we use the wolf ears, the place will quiet down until you can literally hear a pin drop! Make sure whoever is running the meeting holds the ears and waits for that 'total' silence before beginning again.
3) Seating arrangements for the Pack meetings also seems to be key for us. We typically arrange tables in a horse shoe shape with the cub master at the opening of the shoe. We then have den flags stationed on each table and the parents/scouts are reminded to sit with their respective dens.
Engagement is key. Keeping scouts (and parents) focused on the meeting is tough, especially with a large group. That's why we find the "Stations" approach to work so well. It keeps everyone moving and focused on what's in front of them. Overall group pack business is kept to a minimum if possible.
I agree with others statements that it should not be CM's job to discipline other peoples children but it should be the CM's job to facilitate and control the meeting. If the meeting is getting out of hand - stop the meeting! Wait for quiet and calm to prevail and then continue. A few times of this and people will start getting the point.
Hope that helps. Good luck.