WolfDenRulz

On 7/3/2019 at 1:24 PM, FireStone said:

My Wolf den this past year completed 10 adventures, out of the 19 available. We met for den meetings once per month and asked scouts to complete some requirements at home in between meetings. Usually just one or two requirements, or one project for the relevant adventure.

With a pretty light meeting schedule we knocked off half of the belt loops. I have no doubt that doing all 19 is entirely feasible, and honestly not all that difficult. I've heard leaders say that a den would have to meet weekly to do all of the adventures in the book, but I don't believe that to be true.

On top of the 10 we completed as a den, some scouts did additional adventures on their own with parents, some as many as 3 additional adventures. So again, with a pretty light schedule, we have scouts who completed as many as 13 adventures out of 19.

awesome!

On 7/3/2019 at 12:40 PM, TMSM said:

Everything? like Nova, recruiter, emergency prep, interpreter?

yes to all but recruiter and interpreter.

Patch goes against the seam of the top. left-pocket, the medal may be worn above the patch during formal events.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FQG_kjyEYTg

"The Scout, in his promise, undertakes to do his duty to his king and country only in the second place.

His first duty is to God.

There is a higher mission before us; namely the promotion of the kingdom of God, that is the rule of peace and goodwill on Earth.

 We Scouts count ourselves a brotherhood despite the difference among us of country, creed, or class.  There is no religious society to the movement.  The whole of it is based on religion.  That is on the realization and service of God."

- Robert Baden-Powell

If there are any questions, I'm happy to talk.

BBQ and smores.

Scary!

Could we build a lightning tower in that area?

On 7/7/2019 at 8:49 AM, AnotherDad said:

Not very realistic or desirable in my opinion. I considered this for my own sons, but after two years found that they are somewhat neutral to earning belt loops/pins. As long as they get to participate in recognition events, they seem happy. They would rather run around playing tag on the playground with their den than doing an adult led activity for the sake of earning an elective. It turns out that earning electives was more important to me than it was for them. Another hint for me was that only one other scout in my den completed any of the optional electives on their own, although I encouraged parents and the kids to look in the book and find something that interested them or attend electives at the council center. I even put up the advancement chart at several den meetings so they could put stickers on the new electives they completed. I now find it more valuable to try to repeat certain things with my own boys rather than teach them something new. For example, they "got credit" for tying a square knot and two half-hitches as wolves and bears, but quickly forgot how to do it. So every few months we practice to try to keep these skills fresh. If they can start boy scouts knowing how to setup a tent, tie a few knots, start a fire, cook some food, take care of minor injuries, and work together in a team to plan and implement something (anything) without arguing, I will be a proud dad and den leader. 

Someone make this man a den leader.

Has it happened?

Been researching more into this, and it seems to me that, with a mentor that's available, a Scout (or a Den) would be able to include this into their program with no problem.  Of course, it would need the Scout to participate on their own time.  This would need the assistance of the right, and available, mentor.

May I suggest speaking with schools.  For example, a Middle School Science teacher would be ideal.

3 minutes ago, mrkstvns said:

No problem, let's look at one of the NOVA awards as an example (they all work the same way at the same scouting level). Work through the mechanics of an award and you'll see how the NOVA differs from earning "the proper loops":

1. Visit BSA's Cub Scout NOVA page:  https://www.scouting.org/stem-nova-awards/awards/cub-scout/  
2. Click one award to see the specific requirements.  Let's choose "Tech Talk" as a representative example.
3. Notice that Requirement 2 specifies specific "Adventures" for different Cub Scout rank levels (Wolf, Bear, Webelos --- Tigers are generally not supposed to work on NOVA awards).  In the past, these referred to belt loops and pins that needed to be earned, but the current Cub Scout Advancement program uses "Adventures", so that's what the current NOVA program requires.  
4. Each NOVA award has 5 to 6 requirements. Only requirement 2 of each award can be satisfied by simply earning recognition via the normal Advancement program (e.g., "earning the proper loops").
5. Requirement 1 requires the scout to watch documentaries, read books, or both. That may or probably won't have any relationship to Adventures (or belt loops or pins).
6. Requirement 4 requires the scout to go visit a place where technology is being used. Again, not necessarily any part of the requirements for a rank advancement.
7. Requirements 3, 5, and maybe 6, work the same way. They're "above and beyond" the belt loop, pin, or adventure requirements outlined in your Cub Scout Handbook for the appropriate rank level.

 

Thank you, and very cool requirements, but may I assume that school work is accepted?

On 3/28/2019 at 3:21 PM, PinkPajamas said:

You're not suppose to say that part out loud, it will bring on the end times or something.

Boys working with girls?  Are you nuts?  They will expect to vote soon after.

I wish more Scouts promoted this.

1 minute ago, mrkstvns said:

No, I'm referring to the Cub Scout NOVA program.

If the leaders in your unit aren't doing all of the things I described, they're not following BSA's requirements (even in spirit) and they're denying your kids the opportunity for meaningful STEM experience appropriate to their age.

Don't take my word for it, though.  Visit the official BSA pages that define the NOVA program *FOR CUBS*:
https://www.scouting.org/stem-nova-awards/awards/cub-scout/ 

 

Thank you for giving me this information, but I am sorry that I still don't understand.  I see what loops are needed, and they give alternative exercises, but nothing that says a Scout can't earn it from getting the proper loops.  I am not trying to be difficult, just wanting to know more.  I thank you again.

Is the only way to get this is to be a part of the programs between Kindergarten and first grade?

On 5/31/2019 at 9:05 AM, mrkstvns said:

Glad to hear that you're encouraging scouts to pursue the Nova awards.

I'd just like to say, though, that there is a bit more to earning the Nova award than "simply being a Scout and earning belt loops and pins".  While completing activities within the normal Advancement process is a required part of every Nova award, there are additional activities that need to be done to earn the award. It's not an instant "gimme".  

At the Cub Scout level, each award requires completing certain "Adventures", then digging a little deeper by reading or watching documentaries, doing experiments or other investigation, and going to visit places where science is being done. These things are all fun though, and it's even more fun when the kids can do them together with their friends as a den.

Yes, you are correct for a Boy Scout, but I was referring to a Cub.  My mistake.

This program also awakens some to the possibility of pursuing a career in science.

Have you ever heard someone say, "Man, there are way too many scientists here"?  No?  Neither have I.

There are many tools we can give the children to better themselves, and that is fantastic and should be done, but science is a gift we can give them to better the world.

Thank you!

This is a wonderful reward system that promotes both science and the Scouts.  Your Scout can earn this by simply being a Scout and earning belt loops or pins, and it let's them know their attraction toward science is appreciated.

Every pack should work to put this in their program.