Pack38Scouter

One more little tid bit ... a wolf or bear may not be awarded his gold arrow for electives until he has been awarded his wolf or bear rank. He can work on his elective at any time before he has earned his wolf or bear rank; however, the book suggests that "completing electives for Arrow Points generally should wait until after he has earned his Wolf Badge." Something that a lot of my den leaders tend to forget.

Here's one that I learned from my OWL training. I used it twice at our Pack meeting, once last year and once this year. Even some of the Tigers (and their parents) got the message. It goes something like this:

 

Equipment: (1) emptied film canister, (3) marbles (small size), rice (enough to fill the film canister).

 

Preparation before the "Minute": a) Place the 3 marbles inside the film canister first. b) Fill the film canister with rice until it is full and you can close the cap. Remember to tap the canister ... making sure that all of the rice settled down inside the canister.

 

Show:

 

1) "The film canister represents a boy, the scout. The contents inside represent various things that he holds close to his heart, things that his likes to do, things that he learned, or things he likes very much. "

 

2) "Boys, notice that the canister is capped and holds everything inside. Everything fits perfectly inside, a complete you."

 

3) (Now empty the film canister onto a piece of paper. Show them the three marbles)

 

"Now, let's say that these three marbles represent the three ideals of scouting, Duty to God and Country, Duty to others, and Duty to self, as described in the scout Oath (and your Cub Scout Promise)"

 

(Quickly point out ... On my honor, I will do my best. To do my duty to God and my Country.... To help other people at all times .... To keep myself physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight.)

 

"Duty to God and Country means that you should serve God and Country as you have been taught. Duty to Others means that you should help others. especially your family, and do your part to make this a better world. Duty to Self means that you need to look after yourself physiclally, mentally, morally so that you will become a better person. Thus the three ideals of scouting, the three fingers sign, the three leaves on the Scout Fleur de Lis, the three parts of the Scout Oath."

 

(You can adlib anything to make the speech a whole lot better.)

 

4) (Show them the rice ... make sure that you don't spill any ... or they will question this later! )

 

"The rice represents everything that is considered external influence and fun, such as sport (soccer, basketball, etc.), gameboy, TV, movies, computer, Internet, etc.... They are things that complement your life."

 

5) "Now let's assume that you place all of the fun things in yourself first."

(Pour the rice into the canister first)

 

6) "Let's place Duty to God and Country, Duty to Others, and Duty to Self in last and close the cap or .... complete yourself ."

 

(Place the three marbles in last, one at a time and try to close the cap. Assuming that you have not spilled any rice. The three marbles should be sitting on top of the mouth of the canister and you can't place the cap back on.)

 

7) (Empty all the contents out again)

 

"Let's us try to put Duty to God and Country, Duty to Others, and Duty to Self in first and then the things that you like to have in last."

 

(Place the three marbles in first and then the rice and cap the canister. It should cap nicely.)

 

8)"So remember boys, if you live by the ideals of scouting, placing Duty to God and Country, Duty to Others, and Duty to Self in you first (hold them close to your heart), everything else should fit nicely there after!"

 

YIS

Another way to get alot of adult trained ... since you're an ACM ... is to hold a parents orientation and have a District trainer there administered a dosage of YPT to all of the new parents and leaders! When you hit 'em like this, they can't refuse. They can't give you any excuses, because they just got into the Pack and it will become part of Pack's unwritten policy! Just get your Pack trainer to arrange for it!

 

The new YPT is a panel discussion format, but more informative than the previous. Good one for any adult and not just leaders!

 

YIS

Two phrases that I use in as part of my signature in my Pack email:

 

"Behind every Eagle Scout there is a good parent nagging, dragging, and bragging about his/her son!"

 

"Behind every dropout scout [or student] there is no one who cares!"

 

 

Author: probably me ... and if it happens to be someone else's then it's his/hers, 'cause I don't think that I have read it or heard before. I might have heard a similar version before (something on the line ... "behind every good man is a wife nagging!" If I truly quoted from someone else, then my apologies for not crediting that person, but I have slept since! But in any case ... it's free, because to me any scouting intellectual property should be free and shared!

 

YIS

A Boy's Eyes

"I'd like to be a Cub Scout"

 

 

His eyes were deepest blue.

"I'd like to learn, too,

play, and build

Like Jim and Freddy do."

 

"I know how to use a hammer;

I can drive a nail if I try.

I'm eight years old, I'm big and strong

And hardly ever cry."

 

I gave him the application

and Parent Participation sheet.

His eyes were filled with sunshine

as he left on dancing feet.

 

Next day, my friend was back again -

a dejected little lad.

"I guess I'll skip the Cub Scouts."

His eyes were dark and sad.

 

"My Mom is awfully busy -

she has lots of friends, you see.

She'd never have time for a den;

she hardly has, for me."

 

"And Dad is always working -

he's hardly ever there.

To give them any more to do

just wouldn't be quite fair."

 

He handed back the papers

with the dignity of eight years,

And, smiling bravely, left me.

His eyes were filled with tears.

 

Do you see your own boy's eyes

as other people may?

How he looks when you're "too busy"

or "just haven't time" today?

 

A boy is such a special gift -

why don't you realize,

It only takes a little time

to put sunshine in his eyes.

 

(Credit should be given to Pat Beardslec, Den Leader, Hawthorne, California)(This message has been edited by Pack38Scouter)

Thanks for all the great advices. We are set on purchasing a new track. We had a hand made 6 lanes track that one of our parents built six years ago. The Houston humidity took its toll on the track. Two of the six lanes are somewhat warped ... the cars jumped track every time they hit those bumps. The committee elected to sale it cheap to a new Pack who can't afford the new one. We sold it for $150 for what essentially a 4 lanes track, came complete with timer and laptop for result. The equivalent will cost about $1000 easily.

 

We raised enough during the past two popcorn sales to cover our annual expenses and for the new track. It came down to aluminum track or the plastic track. I don't have much feedback on the pluses and minuses. Need someone who has these types of tracks feedback and advices. Any gotchas? Any regrets? Any good stories? Anything.

 

We know what a wooden track will do. Pinderossi is one of the best ... and we would love to go with it; however, the storage issue still looms. Thank you in advance for any feedback.

 

YIS

... especially given to those "unmotivated" & "I don't have any time to spare" parents ...

 

 

An Hour of Your Time

 

Daddy how much do you make an hour? With a timid voice and idolizing eyes, the little boy greeted his father as he returned from work.

 

Greatly surprised, but giving his boy a glaring look, the father said: Look, sonny, not even your mother knows that. Don't bother me now I'm tired.

 

But Daddy, just tell me please! How much do you make an hour, the boy insisted. The father, finally giving up, replied: Twenty dollars per hour.

 

Okay, Daddy. Could you loan me ten dollars? the boy asked.

 

Showing his restlessness and positively disturbed, the father yelled: So that was the reason you asked how much I earn, right? Go to sleep and don't bother me anymore!

 

It was already dark and the father was meditating on what he said and was feeling guilty. Maybe he thought, his son wanted to buy something. Finally, trying to ease his mind, the father went to his son's room.

 

Are you asleep son? asked the father.

 

No, Daddy. Why? replied the boy partially asleep

 

Here's the money you asked for earlier, the father said.

 

Thanks, Daddy! rejoiced the son while putting his hand under his pillow and removing some money. Now I have enough! Now I have twenty dollars! The boy said to his father, who was gazing at his son, confused at what his son had just said.

 

Daddy, could you sell me one hour of your time.

Last comment from me on this thread ... I would highly recommend ceremonies. Before I stepped into the Cubmaster thingy, our Pack has never done ceremony to recognize the boys. I'm not the reason why. We used to just recognize the boy in front of parents and followed by an ovation. Sometimes a Webelos (for example) earned his Webelos badge was dwarfed by a Bear who earned a long list of belt loops and pins. When I fell into the Cubmaster position, I told the Committee and the Leaders that we have to change the way that we recognize boys for the rank advancement. I equated rank advancement with Court-of-Honor (as SctMom indicated) but with a flair. It is far more important than belt loops, instant recognition, pins, etc. It is the ultimate achievement that the boy has attained at his rank level and should be treated differently than a mere recognition. Also, by keeping it together, the boys will feel as team. It also gives the "slow" and unmotivated boys or parents a chance to catch up ... simply by seeing almost all the boys in their den up on stage in a grand ceremony gives them (esp. the parents) an inspiration.

 

Now I did neglect to mention that a smaller ceremony for rank advancement is conducted in May, at graduation (yep ... you guessed it ... another grand ceremony), to recognize the ones who have reached the finish line!

 

Try some of the ceremonies out there on the Web. You'll be surprised on how the boys will react and how the parents react. Recognize them for the rank advancement at any time, but at which ever time ... make it special ... make it important!

 

Webelos 2 AOL & Crossover is the ultimate rank advancement. This is their Eagle-Court-of-Honor equivalent. Last year's AOL was the first one that I conducted. "It was very memorable" as one Mom told me afterward. As I have said, if the Pack can get all of the scouts feel good about themselves and motivate the parents to help them see it through, then we have done it correctly!

 

"Behind every Eagle Scout there is a good parent nagging, dragging, and bragging about his/her son!"

 

"Behind every dropout scout [or student] there is no one who cares!"

We have in the past and what happened is that we couldn't afford to run a proper ceremony for each boy. When we recognized them like that we ended up 1.5 hour Pack meeting and that was not agreeable to the parents.

 

Now, I ask that the Den Leaders pace themselves to match the February time frame. Now and then we do have a scout with an energized parent and blew through the requirements ahead of his den. We do recognize the boy at the Pack meeting, but no formality other than a simple cheer from the audience. We simple consider B&G a formal gathering and we (the parents) elected to conduct all rank advancements at B&G under a formal environment that will be memorable to the boys. I'm all ears as to how to conduct a ceremonial rank advancement for a Pack the size of 100+ every month and keep the Pack meeting 1 hour and interesting ... I haven't in my five years in Cub Scouting, but then again I'm just a newbie in this Cub Scout world and yes I have been trained in all aspects of Cub Scouting from Den Leader to Den Coaching to Webelos Leadership, to CM, to even CC postion. My take still is that as long as the boys keep coming back for more .... I and the Pack are doing something right!

 

Another reason to pace themselves from August to February so that they have plenty of time to do other fun things at the Den meetings and not just work on requirements. Den meetings are more than just study time! There should be games, crafts, songs, and silliness in addition to work on requirements. When the boys come to the Den meetings, he has been in school and doing his homework for a good 8 - 10 hours ... he doesn't want to be educated any more.

 

Thanks.

 

Sctmom is correct. Rank advancement can be at any time after the scout has completed the achievements. For us (a huge Pack), we like to give the boys a grand ceremony ... nothing short of a momentous occasion. So we elected to have all rank advancement at B&G where 120+ boys can participate with his parents in the ceremony. If I were to have a small Pack, I would have many ceremonies .... ceremonies are the traditional Cub Scout way! : )

SCTMOM ...

 

Whatever they said about having a good program counts a whole lot and then some. This is what attracts the boys in my humble opinion; however, it's just like a promise you make to your son, you have to keep. If you were going to say that you are taking them to a sleepover on an aircraft carrier, you will have to make goods on your words.

 

Our neighborhood are somewhat middle class folks. The Elementary that we recruit from has about 960 kids (1st to 5th). Let's say the number of boys is about 550 (~60%) of the kids. To have around 100 boys in our Pack from the Elementary (20 are from the neighboring Elementary ... last year, 10 of those boys and parents presented themselves to me as a Tiger Den completes with den leader and assistant den leader! I almost fell to the floor! ... and we didn't even advertise in their school), I'd say we have done well. That means 1 out of every 5 boys in the school is in Cub Scout! Not bad. Our brother Pack, Pack 616, also did well every recruiting season. I think that they average around 35 boys each time. We do an Open House together ... etc. Their side is a tad bit higher class than our side.

 

One person cannot carry a Pack alone, no matter how big or small it is. See my post on the "Help !!" thread. Burn-out comes to mind. My Pack wants for me to stay on and I could easily stay on for the next 10 years because of the spacing between my 2nd son and the youngest, but I feel that I need to go on to the scouting side with my older son. My take on it is that I will shift my energy to develop a good troop for my oldest and for younger ones when their time comes. Right now we have two Troops and they have their problems. That is why some of my previous Webelos 2 defected to another troop close by but in a different District. My task is to join one of the two current troops and see if I can influence changes to make it better and to get the leadership to run it the way that it should be ... boy lead and learn. If I can't change 'em, I'll start another troop if I have to (my current Web2 parents are trying to convince me to do this; however, since my job is on the buble, I regretfully can't committ the time to start a new troop to them). Without, good scouts, there is no foundation for future generations. I will still help "the Pack move and ... help the Cubs Grow!"

 

My advice is that through words of mouth ... the boys will advertise it to each other. As in the movie "Field of Dreams," "build it and they will come!" If you and your committee set up a great program ... changing it constantly instead of leaving stale (ie. doing the same over and over again), then your son and his fellow scouts will advertise it to the boys in the class. All that the Pack leadership has to do is to advertise it during Rally week. Remember, be wacky, be silly, and be a kid. They will do the same!

 

By the way, we have to compete with sports as well ... soccer, basketball, baseball, football! That's why I always have the year calendar planned out and passed out before the scouting year starts. This way my parents will have the various activities planned around Cub Scout, because before practice starts ... they usually ask which day would fit everyone's schedule!!!!! It's time that other activities are planned around Cub Scout ... not vice versa which has been the case to date!! Having the yearly calendar at Rally Night is another selling point, they will see whether or not you are going to deliver your Promises!

 

I'm still trying to figure out how to make Scouting cool ... like it used to be in the old days ... how to make scouting desirable enough like baseball for example ... where the boys and their fathers will stay out there in the field to practice in rain or at 9:00 pm at night! Too bad that too many lawyers got involved and thus restricting alot of what it used to be cool to do ... many moons ago!

 

YIS

 

Long

For our Pack, we only require the regular uniform shirt (full patches and insignia) and the neckerchief. Blue jean pants/short or blue pant or short. No cap is required. They loose too many times and they don't wear them. As long as the Cub Scout or Scout uniform is worn and worn properly, to me, is all that matters. As long as the scout can identify himself with the Pack, Troop, or BSA is really what counts. As long as he is proud to wear it and knows that uniform stands for the ideals that he needs to follow and practice, is the key point. Mr. White and et. al. can challenge each other on the merit of the "official stands" all they want, but if I can get my boys to live by the codes and ideals of scouting then I have done my job as a scouter, as a parent, and as a citizen. To me BSA has a set of ideal way of scouting ... they will remain ideals. Reality is a whole different ball game; however, this does not give a scouter/leader a free interpretation of the safety codes and regulations. When it comes to this then all bets are off in changing and altering them to protect the boys and yourself; otherwise, do what you can (IMHO) to allow the boys to have fun! I will now get off the "soap box."

 

Tip: To keep the scout store neckerchief slide on ... fasten one side of the neckerchief to the slide using a safety pin, allowing the other side to slip in and out easily (safety purpose)!

 

Idea: Computer bug neckerchief slide (my boys in den 1 and den 8 love them). Get the outdated computer chips from a computer store or manufacturer (usually they can give you a "stick" of 12 chips). Cut 1/2" gray PVC pipe into 1" segments. Superglue (not hot glue) the Computer chip onto the 1" slide. Superglue the "googly" eyes (1 package of 20 for about $3) on the chip. Superglue one trash bag tie to the other end and curl it into a tail. Voila`, you have yourself a "computer bug" neckerchief slide. Total cost $3 (or $13 if you have to buy the chips).

 

YIS.

From another thread "Pack/Family Camping" SCTMOM posted:

 

RE: Pack/Family Camping

Posted: Tuesday, October 08, 2002: 8:20:17 AM

--------------------------------------------------------------------

Pack38Scouter, Thanks.

 

Please tell us what your town does to have 2 very strong packs. You have enough boys for 4 packs! What are you doing? (maybe a separate thread)

--------------------------------------------------------------------

 

Well SCTMOM ... we live in a Masterplan Community (spec. homes) called New Territory in SugarLand, Texas (about 20 miles SW of Houston), a very fortunate community that has well over 500+ (I dare say) of Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, and Girl Scouts (yuk ... not the Girl Scouts )

 

Originally, we have one Pack ... Pack 616 (I do believe) and it derrives its Cubs from one Elementary. It grew to 90+ boys and another Elementary school was built about the same time. Our District seized the opportunity to create a second Pack and thus Pack 38 was borned six years ago. For the first year, it was a growing pain of creating a new Pack and drafting new leaders. Fortunately, we had strong CM, ACMs, and CC. The parents just follow suit. Pack 38 grew to about 100+ the next several years, averaging about 30-40 per year. We concentrate on our Elementary with some defection for the other Elementary ... these are transferred when the Pack splits into two! Two years, later we had a new Cubmaster for our old one went on with his older son to Scouting. Mr. Mike tenure for two years and gathered about 30-35 boys each year. Each year, we sent the District notification flyer home, we did a boy talk, and we had our Rally Night.

 

I took over the CM two years ago and added some twists to the recruiting effort. Based on my first experience with the Pack, not knowing what's going on, what's going to happen and no organization, I changed several things:

 

1) First of which, is the picking of leaders. I had an Open House at the local Club House the Saturday after school started, three weeks before the District's Official Rally Night. I advertised the Open House in the New Territory monthly newsletter. I sent home a flyer with every boy (first grade through fourth only) at school in their first Friday's folder (advertising both Pack 38 Open House and the School Rally Night). This is where I do my Leaders Recruiting. I figure that if he/she is interested enough ... they usually go the the Open House. By golly, I drafted three new Den Leaders, because at the Open House, there is less people and more time to talk to the people one-on-one. At the Open House, I had one of my parents made a Powerpoint slide show of our Pack's past activities ... sort of like Pack's propaganda show! ... showing our campouts, trips, overnight at the Aquarium, Pinewood Derby, etc. I have a table set up with Pinewood Derby Cars and other Cub Scout Memorabilia ... past wood projects, etc. I also had my sons' uniform on display. Of course having the Webelos there to talk the young potential Tigers and Wolves are great ... this way they can earn their recruiting badge (pick the mature ones ... 'cause you don't want to have to baby sit the boys)! I also had some of my leaders there (the ones who need boys in their den ... not many needs in our Pack! 16 Dens ... avg about 8 boys per Den). Doing this way ... you give the people who can't make it to the official Rally Night, those who are can't wait to get their sons (these are your leaders ... at least plant the seeds until Rally Night) into Cub Scout, and those who have questions about what they are getting themselves into (thus no surprises). We had the school to put the Rally Night message on the school's marquee.

 

2) One resounding complaint before I took over was "I didn't know what I got myself into." Well, to fix this, I made up an FAQ and a Web site detailing everthing there is to know about Pack 38. I setup a table at the "School Open House" (2nd week into school year and 1 week prior to Rally Night). I and several Webelos handed out the FAQ and the Rally advertisement flyer. The FAQ explains everthing about the Pack (I borrowed it off a Pack on the Internet ... can't remember which... but doesn't BSA stands for Borrow & Steal All trainings, references, and ideas about scouting?)

The FAQs spells it out the fact that if your son joins, you'll help. So it gives them a heads up on my requirement.

 

3) More flyers about the Rally Night home with the boys the Friday before the Rally Night week.

 

4) On the Rally Night day, my ACM and I put on a "Boy Talk" during lunch. We came equipped with a small tent and the "BSA CubScout Jam," "Tiger Jam," and our Council new CubWorld CampSite (Camp Bovay) (it has bb gun and archery professionally done) video tapes. We also set up a small 2-man tent that the boys can come in an out. We rotate the boys, one grade at a time to the stage to have a talk, telling about what we have done in the past (and what we will be doing ... not lying to them ... 'cause it's not fair to get their hopes up and not doing it) and send home a reminder of some sort about the Rally Night.

 

5) Rally Night... plan ahead and have a division of tasks (see agenda at the bottom). Get all the help that you can muster ... including 2nd-year Webelos. Again, I talked about the needs to have parent to help out and they will help out ... short of saying ... if you can't please sign your son up for sports.

 

Results ... my first year of doing this we picked up 55 boys (3 Tiger Dens, 1 Wolf, 1 Bear, 1 Webelos-1), a whole Pack! This year, we picked up 48 boys (2 Tiger Dens, 1 Wolf, 1 Bear, 1 Webelos-1, and one fifth-grader).

 

By way, this year I put in a parent orientation class. Now, they really know what they got themselves into. Next year, we'll try to get YPT adminitered to these parents at one swhoop.

 

The best result is the fact that these parents are well informed (from my survey thus far) and they know the committment! Because, I don't like previous years' tactic of get 'em in by blindsided them (i.e. - sign them up at Rally Night and let them figure out what's going on).

 

For each of the new Den, I have a current leader to coach and mentor them. Last year we got 90% rechartered.

 

It could be done a whole lot better, but getting 45-55 boys with eager parents are good enough for me. I have about 40 regular helps and alot more oneseys and twoseys.

 

Final note: I have a Chairperson for each event and it is required that each den has a representative for each event. If there is no volunteer from the den, then the Den Leader is it! (I do, from time to time, send out heart-bleeder, tear-jerker of an email to get the non-participant to join in the fun!)

 

********************************************************************

2002 Pack 38 Rally Night Agenda

 

Activities

I. Gathering and Greeting 30 minutes prior to opening (7:00pm)

 

a. Greeters meet boys and adults at the door and sign in.

Give them:

1. Rally Night 2002 package

2. Cub Scout Application

3. Mini Boys Life

Resources:

 

(3) sign-in" Yvonne(1st-2nd),Alan (3rd), Susan (4th-5th)

(2) booklets distributors David, Chris

(2) greeters Jim R.,Long P.

 

 

II. Opening Ceremony 5-7 minutes (7:10 pm)

 

a. Pack 38 Leadership introduction Long

b. Explanation and demo of Cub Scout salute Jim

c. Present Colors Pack 38 Honor Guards

 

 

III. Separation of Parents and new Cubs 5 minutes (activities last 10 minutes)(7:15pm)

a. New and current Cub Scouts line up to go do: Yvonne

Cub Scout Promise, Cub Scout sign, Cub Scout Motto

 

IV. Why Cub Scouts? 10 minutes (7:25pm)

a. Brief overview of Cub Scouts (Tiger, Wolves, etc.) Long

b. Parental Involvement (especially advancement) Long

c. Emphasize that Cub Scouting is a family activity Long

 

d. Tiger Parent comments on past activities (1 min.) Michael

e. Wolf Parent comments on past experiences (1min.) Jason

f. Webelos tells why he likes Cub Scouts (1 min.) Den 6

g. Collect Sign Up Sheet from parents

 

(Designated leaders will sort scout according to meeting time and date and hand the result to Long by 7:40pm)

 

V. Cub Scout Promise 10 minutes (7:35pm)

a. Bring back the boys:

b. Teach the adults about the Cub Scout Sign Jim

c. Lead the boys in the Cub Scout Motto

d. Lead the boys in the Cub Scout Promise

e. Congratulate boys with applause

f. Send the boys back out for a video or fun game. Yvonne

g. Explain the Cub Scout Promise to the adults Jim

 

VI. Discussion Details / Answer Questions 10 minutes (7:45pm)

a. Fees and rechartering explanation Beena

b. Leadership needs of the Pack (remind them that the boys get the best program and everything is easier when everyone helps out).

c. Bring back the boys to their parents (7:50pm) Yvonne

d. Promote Family Camp, Pinewood Derby, NASA Sleepover, etc.

e. Form Den(s). 20 minutes (7:55pm) Parents will be arranged according to den

 

(Den Helpers will assist in finding a Den Leader and Assistant Den Leader(s) and a meeting time. DONT FORGET TO GET THE NAMES OF EVERYONE IN THE DEN AND THEIR APPS/$).

 

f. Fill out and collect boy applications and fees.

 

 

VII. Next Meeting 3-5 minutes (8:15pm) Long

 

a. Next meeting will be a Parents Orientation where Den Leaders will be determined and meeting time/location.

b. Give date, time and location of:

c. Adult Orientation August 31st, Ellis Creek Club House

 

VIII. Follow Up Questions/Answers 5-10 minutes All

 

* Leader Helps: (to coordinate Den formation)

 

Tigers: Eden T. Money/ Tally the Count Beena P.

Tigers: Jim R. Tigers Applications Allan A.

Tigers: David T. Wolf, Bear, Web Apps Susan G.

 

Wolves: Chris M.

 

Bears: Doug M.

 

Webelos: Sanjay D.

 

********************************************************************

 

KISMIF - WUPA(Keep It Simple and Make It Fun, While You Plan Ahead!)

Our B&G is reserved for Rank Advancement only. We have a Pack that is about 120+ boys strong. Our B&G is about 2 hours long. We have theme for our B&G. Last year our theme is "Our Native American." Each Den decorated their own tables with the theme, including making their Indian Brave headbands. I dorned on the full Chief headdress and we had a small fake campfire (several pieces of woods stacked teepee style over a spotlight with red celophane wrapping paper to emulate fire) on the stage. We dimmed the lights, played Indian flute songs, and voila` a bonefide Indian campfire ceremony. We (the Leaders and I have script) held a face war-paint ... ceremony. Each Den Leader get to paint a color as I read the meaning of the color. The boys with his parents standing behind them receiving the paint one-by-one (by the way ... making sure that there is no allergic reaction to the face paint) and then a hardy handshake from Akela. Keeping it dignitary will make the boys proud. Trust me ... if it can be done with 120+ boys, it can be done gracefully with any size Pack!

 

We had Subway sandwiches cattered. Everyone was eating while the ceremony was going on. We chose Subway sandwiches because of logistic reason. Serving over 350 people is a nightmare, sometimes it takes well over 1.5 hours to get everyone through the lines.

 

At B&G, we also present various distinguish awards, such as the top three racers for Pinewood.

 

... and that's it. We try to keep it different each year!

 

YIS

Hi Michael ... I would have to say that I envy you for having a Pack of 30. I, on the other hand, have a Pack of 120+ (we picked up 48 last recruiting effort!). For a small Pack of 30, I think it's easier to manage and have fun ... ie. games. Have the parents involved in the meeting (call them up to join in). When the boys see their parents having fun, you bet that they will join in. Do songs ... silly songs ... especially with you playing the guitar. Do skits ... fun skits. I know that BSA is trying to be political correct, but there are politically correct skits out there that all the boys love to do. Like I say ... if you and your Den leaders take the lead (perform a skit) ... the kids will follow. I know ... I have 120+ boys and well over 150 parents! Key thing is to plan, KISMIF (keep it simple, make it fun), plan, plan, and plan. Did I mention plan ahead? Get yourself an agenda. Have Plan A and then Plan B. Share it with your Assistant Cubmaster or Committee Chair, 'cause if you happen to be called away to work or what have you, at least someone else can follow your lead.

 

Don't overly do it with recognition ... this drags! Bring in guest speakers. Last night Pack meeting, I got the local Sheriff Depart to bring in the K-9 Blood Hound units ... needless to say ... "it was awesome!" in the words of one of my Tigers. Bring in speakers that would help them on their achievements as well... firefighters, gamewarden with his traveling reptiles show, the "mad scientist" from the local Chemical Plant (perform safe experiment of course), the kids' principal (Webelos' Citizenship pin, Bear's), local University robotic professor with his toy robots, local town heroes (veterans), etc.... The list goes on. It doesn't take much to keep them amused and interested.

 

If your Pack gets rowdy ... have a grab bag full of junk toys from MacDonald's Happy Meal (in the plastic of course) (collect 'em from parents or MacDonald's ... I fairly certain that there are parents who will do anything to get rid off those toys), buy 'em from the $1 Stores, buy 'em for clearance, etc. Announce that you have a spy (a parent) to determine which is the best behaved den. At the end of the Pack meeting, have your spy announce the winner. You'll see how quickly they quite down.

 

Sample Agenda:

 

1) Gathering activities (we don't get to do this ... it's simply a logistic nightmare for us), but it does work well in the small size environment).

 

2) Colors (start on time ... 7:00pm means 7:00pm ... whether you have 5 boys or 30 boys ... the others will realize (esp. the parents) the requirement for punctuality quickly). (2 minutes)

 

3) Cubmaster Minute (something inspirational for them to think about ... either here or at the end of the Pack Meeting)(1 minute)

 

4) Announcements first (get those out of the way. They are boring and you won't have many chances!) Keep them short. If you have alot to say, split them... half up front and half before closing. (no more than 2 minutes)

 

5) Songs or Skits (assign the Den duties for the year, so they know when they are up to bat ... allowing them chance to prepare themselves). Remember songs and skits are achievements or electives as well! (5 minutes)

 

6) Games or Guest Speaker(s). If it is a games, have the parents involved. I do let the Speaker know ahead of time that I will signal him/her the amount of time that he/she has left to wrap up the presentation. If you don't you will almost always run over! (15-20 minutes)

 

7) Awards (for us ... it's by Rank. I would call all Tigers up front ... 20 of 'em. My ACM announces their name while I hand them their awards and shake their hands). They get a kick out of me telling 'em a joke while I shake their hands ... the parents don't hear us, but up on the stage the boys do. I do try to learn all of their names (I'm up to about 96 out of 120 ... it's the new Dens that I have trouble with) and believe it or not they do appreciate it. Each Den will have a Denner to stand in front of the Crowd and tells about his Den activities for the month (a new Denner from each Den each month). At the end of the award, I would have a "Cheer" box (yes ... the Cheer soap box full of laminated cheers) in front for the Denner to choose a cheer. He and his Den do their cheers in front of the Pack. This is a sure winner! (20 minutes - 30 minutes total ... shorten this if you have a long game or speaker. Present only belt loops and pins for example. Save everything for the Den level (instant beads etc)).

 

Have a run-on (a joke assigned to a Den) between Ranks. I usually have two to break the monotony.

 

8) Final Announcement or Cubmaster Minute. (1-2 minutes)

 

9) Closing ... retire the colors (1 minute)

 

... and that should take you all about an hour! Keep it to the clock or else you'll loose them. By keeping it fast moving, they won't be bored ... and don't forget to let loose, relax and be a kid!

 

Have Community Services as part of the Pack Meeting. For example, every December Pack meeting we have a toy drive for the local Women Shelter and had a blast with Santa Clause and his bags full of Chocolate. What I trying to illustrate is that don't just doing the same thing over and over again. Keep it evergreen and ever changing. This is what the boys come to. Before my tenure, my previous predecessors (two of Cubmasters) kept it the same ... long meetings (1.5+ hour) with endless awards, with song, and skits ... half way through the Pack meeting the kids got bored. Our attendance rate was about 45-50% (which is still big ... ~50-60 kids). I got on board by accident, but I changed things. Make it more fun. Now, I'm proud to say that we have about 60-80% attendance rate (during sport season) and full attendance at major events Pinewood Derby, Blue and Gold, and Graduation (for obvious reasons).

 

By the way, keep the rank advancement to Blue & Gold and have a grand, memorable ceremony for them!

 

There are so many other tips and tricks that it could take days for me to write since I type Columbus style (...discover as you hit). Email me and I will continue.

 

As for help, have a "Parents" meeting and lay out the facts. The fact is that this is a community effort and everyone will help. You and others who are volunteering don't get pay and need all the help. BSA does not stand for (Babysitting Services of America). Approach them with what you want for them to do (be prepare to tell them what needs to be done and what it will take to get it done) and tell them that you need their help. Don't ask "I need a volunteer, who will do it?" (99.9% of the time you will get no reply!) When you approach them, it's harder for them to refuse. If they give you their sobbing stories ... let them know that you are in the same boat. If they can't help regularly, draft them for onesey, twoseys.

 

This will be too late for tonight meeting, but I wouldn't just intro everyone. Have at least a game in place, a song (song sheet)(do the "God Bless My Underwear" ... it will always get 'em going ... make sure that it's okay ... because BSA deemed that it's not politically correct.) Have a quick skit with the parents!

 

http://www.scoutorama.com/

 

The introduction can be made during your Committee meeting or "Parents" meeting.

 

Well this has been long enough. Good luck. It's really rewarding to see a smile on a kid's face and you know that you have made a difference in one's life. By the way, I'm giving up my Cubmastership this March as well..., but I have been grooming my successor and the rest of the Pack!

 

YIS,

 

Long

 

Our Pack has over 120 boys easily ... we peaked at 132 last year. We have two Pack campout a year (Fall and Spring). We usually get about 50-60 families to join us for one night, 15-20 for two nights and several come for just the day trip. Each Den camped together and function together. Each rank got together to do one to two activities together (belt loops and achievements). Sometimes we have a Pack hike. We also ask our local troops to help us with the campout. They setup obstacle courses, whittling chip class, knot-tying class, tent setup class, etc. We were very fortunate ... we have two local troops to ask for help. Well, it may look as if we might have to start a third troop in the community since there are two Packs and both are about 110-120 boys strong, but that's another story. The night the whole Pack pulled together for a campfire and that's my cup of tea. As a Cubmaster, I have this duty. I usually started off with an "instant on" campfire, followed by mix between songs and skits. Our District, Council, and BSA frown upon songs like "God Bless My Underwear" and the likes of them, but these are what the boys like to sing ... however, I do poll the parents before hand to see if there is any objections of course. After 911, we started another tradition that our Pack has never done before (6 years in existence), flag retirement ceremony. We sent out request for flags in the community and work place. We gather 14 flags. I combined three different flag retirement ceremony from different sources on the Internet and added a few twist of my own. Needless to say, the comments from several parents afterward was ... "It was very moving and memorable."

 

One important tip as they say ... plan, plan, and plan.

 

As for individual Dens, they do camp separately by each Den. Last year, I got our 1st Webelos together for a Webelos Overnighter (30 boys in all). I structured a program that allowed them to earn Forester, Outdoorsman, and Naturalist. We had a parent who happens to be a Conservationist working for the US Forestry Services ... He made something like boring the core of a tree to determine its age fun! That's why the "Parent Talent Survey" is so important!

 

Hope that helps.

 

Long

Cubmaster Pack 38

SugarLand, Tx

Dear Scouters,

 

Our Pack just recently elected to buy a new track, replacing an old wooden track that has been warped badly. I am looking for any previous experiences with aluminum track (by Best Track) or the plastic track (by Super Track)or should we stick to the traditional wooden track (storing is a problem for us ... expecially in the humid Houston environment). Any advice, review, feedback is greatly appreciated. We have gathered enough money to purchase a track this year! Thank you in advance.

 

Yis