Monthly Check Lists	Pack Meeting Help	Boy's Life is an excellent publication for your Cub Scouts.  Inside are articles worth reading, not only for boys but for adults.  When he was a Cub Scout, our son earned the Pedro reading patch, by reading a book and submitting a one page book report.  And yes, it did take a few "Did you finish writing that book report yet?"  He finally finished it in the nick of time, mid December, and he mailed his report to Irving, TX.  One day, weeks later there was something for Neal in the mail.  His eyes really lit up the day he got his patch in the mail.  This is a program I encourage everyone to share with his or her den families.  I also encourage a subscription to Boy's Life for each scout, and I am not paid to say that  BB Oct. '98
Pack Meeting Planner	Pack Meeting Fun
Tips for Pack Meetings	Communication
CS Highlights 2003-04	Adult Attendance
Den Assignments	Charter Renewal
Quality Unit Award	Chartered Organization
Leader Inventory	Pack Committee
My Den Leader Taught Me	7 Things I Learned as a CM
Roundup	Parent Agreement	Why Parent Want to be Leaders
Recruiting Leaders	Pack Size	Good Will Projects
Purposes of Cub Scouting	Training Tips
Language of Scouting	The Pack Trainer
Parental Involvement	BSA Family Program
Pack Newsletter	Only One Hour a Week
Parents & Families	Scouting's Values
Planning For Success	Annual Program Plan
How to Plan a Pack Program	How to Use Themes	Summertime Pack Award
Summertime Activities	Pack Finance	Personal Information Form
Special Pack Activities	Service Projects	Conservation Projects
Scouting Forms

• Excessive Den Leader "turnover'“.
• Programs not related to a theme
• Pack meetings built around "outside" entertainment
• Small pack committee
• Month - to - month planning
• Pack meetings with delays, indecision, weak leadership
• Poor parent attendance at pack meetings
• Rapid turnover of Cub Scouts or transfer from den to den
• Boys and leaders not in uniform
• Lack of communication between leaders, parents, and Cub Scouts

PHONE TREES: When you need to  get the word out fast. One person is designated to call a contact in each den and they in turn call each family in their respective dens. This is NOT a job for the den leader. Make sure that the lists are kept up to date and protect your members' privacy.

EMAIL: May be a good alternative or a supplement to a phone tree. Keep your address list up to date and use a consistent format to work with everyone's spam filters. Have a plan to handle people who don't have email or who never read theirs. There are services that offer free private mail groups that can be set up to send email to everyone on your list.
Two organizations that offer this:
Smartgroups
Yahoo Groups
 

LEADERS MEETINGS:    AKA Committee meetings, etc. It's where the pack program gets planned and job assignments are sorted out. The more leaders and parent who attend, the smoother things will run.

PARENT MEETINGS: The pack leadership should hold one of these at the start of the year to ensure that all parents are aware of how the pack runs, what they can expect from leaders and what they should do so that their boys get the most out of Cub Scouting. Den leaders should also hold meetings to explain Den rules and procedures and to enlist parent help.

NEWSLETTERS: Pack newsletters can list upcoming events, den reports, advancement lists etc.

WEB SITES:The best ones feature photos of recent activities, especially camp and other outdoor stuff. Free web site space is available from several organizations. Some come with a lot of advertising. Check out some of those on the Scout Links page.

Check out:
TAPO - Free web sites for Cub Packs.
PacksOnline -Creating a Web site for your Cub Scout pack

Look at a few examples:
CUB PACK WEB SITES

PARENT GUIDES: The council provides a good one in the pack roundup kits but some packs have their own that includes local pack policies, phone numbers etc.

CEREMONIES: Every ceremony should contain a special message about something important for either boys or their families. Give considerable thought to what you want your ceremonies to tell everyone. Remember, you will have just about everyone's undivided attention for a few moments.
 
 

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PACK NEWSLETTER Ideally all of the pack's parents will attend every pack meeting and keep abreast of what's going on and what's planned. In real Life, that's not likely to be the case.
So a pack newsletter, issued about once a month, is a good channel to keep parents informed about the pack's activities and plans. Also, Cub Scouts who have advanced in rank or done a special Good Turn can be recognized by having their names in the newsletter.
A pack newsletter does not have to be an elaborate, printed production. It may be nothing more than a photocopied single sheet. Every issue should include short articles covering coming events and the names of boys who have advanced.
Each den might contribute an article (short, perhaps 50 words) about its activities for the month. A different den member may be assigned to write it each month.
Assign a pack committee member other parent as editor, another as typist and a third as production person.  The newsletter may be mailed home or distributed to parents at the pack meeting. It is not recommended that boys be asked to carry the newsletter home because likely to be lost, misplaced, or forgotten.

Cub Scout and Webelos Scout Program Helps 1993-94

For Pack Meetings - we rotate all sorts of jobs through all the dens.  With the number of dens we have this year, our pack meeting jobs are:
• Opening (setting up the chairs and performing the opening ceremony),
• Gathering Activity (games... for the cubs and siblings to play before the Pack Meeting),
• Song group,
• Skit group,
• Closing (putting things away and doing closing ceremony),
• Greeters (leading people to their seats, directing kids to the gathering activity).
If we had more dens, we'd think up more.
We used to have every den do a song or a skit - but the kids were spending too much den meeting time preparing and the pack meetings were too long also!  This way - they do a better job with their skit if they only have to do one every 4 or 5 months.  Even the tigers participate.
Each den is also responsible for bringing an applause to the pack meeting and leading the pack with it.  Our den leaders are responsible for rank ceremonies, except the Cubmaster does Bobcat.

Tell us more about your *spirit stick*?  What does it look like?  How was it made?
 

It is just a long piece of wood from the Lowe's or such.  Ours is about 8' long and 2"x2".  Length can be as long as you want I suppose.  Has to fit into cars but the longer the more impressive.  I decorated the first 6-8 inches with the pack # and year on it and I put a Garfield on there since he was our spokescat this year.
Then each den that wins the spirit stick takes it home and decorates their 6-8 inches.  (divided length by number of times someone will win it so everyone gets to decorate about the same amount each time)  The boys and leaders get very creative on this.  If it is a tiger den, it usually comes back orange.  Sometimes there are feathers, beads, leather, wood burning, etc.  Just try to secure it all so nothing gets knocked off as it is handed from den to den.  Boys usually put names or initials on it, their den # and rank.
This is our second year to do it.  I wish I had a scanner so I could show you a picture of last years completed one.  It really looks cool and a good keepsake for the pack.  I have to give credit to our local roundtable leaders because this is where I got the idea.   We have fun with it!

Sheri neglected to let us in  on how a den wins the Spirit Stick but I imagine that each pack would make its own set of rules.

RTGuy.

WHAT IS UNIT RECHARTERING?

On June 15, 1916, the United States Congress granted a federal charter to the Boy Scouts of America. This charter can be found in the United States Code, Title 36 (Patriotic Societies and Observances), Chapter 2 (Boy Scouts of America)
As stated in the U.S. Code regarding the BSA: "The purpose of the corporation shall be to promote, through organization, and cooperation with other agencies, the ability of boys to do things for themselves and others, to train them in Scoutcraft, and to teach them patriotism, courage, self-reliance, and kindred virtues, using the methods which were in common use by Boy Scouts on June 15, 1916."
The Boy Scouts of America renews its federal charter each year through a formal reporting to Congress. They (the BSA,) in turn, have granted charters to sponsoring (chartered) organizations. And like the BSA and the U.S. Congress, these chartered organizations must report to Scouting once each year to renew their local charters.
Chartered organizations are issued a charter, effective for one year, to operate a Cub Scout Pack. The charter year is not necessarily the same as the calendar or program year (the current Pack charter indicates the charter expiration date.) In the months prior to the charter expiration date, the District Executive, Unit Commissioner, Pack Committee, and Cubmaster all play an important role in the preparation and execution of the rechartering process.

 CASCADE PACIFIC COUNCIL CHARTER RENEWAL

Paper based charter renewal and Online Renewal Preparation
Forms and other information to help with your charter renewal process. This information will also need to be gathered before completing the online charter renewal.

Online charter renewal
The starting point for online charter renewal. Includes tips, tutorial and charter renewal.

 

On June 15, 1916, the United States Congress granted a federal charter to the Boy Scouts of America. This charter can be found in the United States Code, Title 36 (Patriotic Societies and Observances), Chapter 2 (Boy Scouts of America)
As stated in the U.S. Code regarding the BSA: "The purpose of the corporation shall be to promote, through organization, and cooperation with other agencies, the ability of boys to do things for themselves and others, to train them in Scoutcraft, and to teach them patriotism, courage, self-reliance, and kindred virtues, using the methods which were in common use by Boy Scouts on June 15, 1916."
The Boy Scouts of America renews its federal charter each year through a formal reporting to Congress. They (the BSA,) in turn, have granted charters to sponsoring (chartered) organizations. And like the BSA and the U.S. Congress, these chartered organizations must report to Scouting once each year to renew their local charters.
Chartered organizations are issued a charter, effective for one year, to operate a Cub Scout Pack. The charter year is not necessarily the same as the calendar or program year (the current Pack charter indicates the charter expiration date.) In the months prior to the charter expiration date, the District Executive, Unit Commissioner, Pack Committee, and Cubmaster all play an important role in the preparation and execution of the rechartering process.

This very important meeting is a time for review, a time for long-term planning, and a time for growth. It should occur about 45 days prior to the reregistration date.

Who Attends?
The following people should be invited to the charter renewal meeting: the unit commissioner, chartered organization head, chartered organization representative, pack committee chairman and members, and all other pack leaders.

Who Is Responsible?
Either the chartered organization representative or pack committee chairman presides, unless the head of the chartered organization prefers to do so. The unit commissioner and pack committee members all have important parts in the meeting.

What Happens?
The Charter Renewal materials explain the details of what should be included in the charter renewal meeting. The information below will give you a general idea of what to expect:
Review of membership inventory and inspection.
Review of unit operation, including membership, program, advancement, outdoor activities, training status of leaders, pack budget plan, etc.
Identification of pack needs. Individual committee members may report on their specific areas of responsibility and make recommendations for improvement.
Did the pack qualify for the Quality Unit Award?
Complete application for charter renewal.
Make plans for the charter presentation ceremony.

FILL IT OUT - DROP IT OFF!

Your council service center provides a computer printout for the annual rechartering of your pack. It includes information concerning your chartered organization, committee, leaders, and boy roster, including Tiger Cubs and their adult partners. The rechartering application requires only that you cross out the names of individuals not reregistering and incorrect information. Write in the correct facts immediately below to update the information.
Secure two signatures (that of the organization head certifying all adults, and that of the Cubmaster certifying the boy roster). Forward the application to the local council service center with the necessary fees. Additions to the pack roster are made by simply attaching registration applications for each new member.

THE CHARTER RENEWAL  PROCESS

THE SCHEDULE OF EVENTS Ninety days before the charter renewal date, (first week of October) the professional Scouter renews the annual charter agreement with the executive officer of the chartered organization. During the visit, they:

Discuss the success and needs of the unit.

Review the role of the charted organization and the local council.

Consider key unit personnel to determine replacements, additions, and recognition.

Sixty days before the charter renewal date, (first week of November) the commissioner and unit committee conduct a membership inventory of youth and adults. Contacts or visits should be made to inactive youth and adults. Every effort should be made to recruit additional youth and adults so the unit re registers with no loss in membership.  (SPECIAL NOTE: See the roles and responsibilities of the committee's membership and reregistration chairperson.)

Forty-five days before the charter renewal date, (third week of November) the commissioner and unit committee chairman conduct the charter renewal meeting, which includes identifying youth and adults to re-register, completing forms, and collecting fees. The executive officer of the chartered organization or the chartered organization representative approves all volunteers and the unit leader certifies the youth to be registered. Participants of this meeting should include the commissioner, chartered organization representative, executive officer of the chartered organization, unit leader, and all other unit volunteers.

Thirty days before the charter renewal date, the commissioner submits the complete charter renewal application to the council service center. Thirty days after charter renewal, a formal charter presentation is conducted.
 

HE DROPPED OUT OF SCOUTS

He dropped out. This sentence is repeated again and again as pack and troop leaders fill out their recharter forms. Boys who were active as Tigers, Cub Scouts, Webelos or Boy Scouts are dropped from our rolls as one of us draws a line through their names.

How do we feel about that?

First, remember that each of these boys WAS a Scout. For whatever length of time, each of them was exposed to the gifts that Scouting offers a boy. He was urged to do his best, to help other people, to give good will, and to do his duty to God and country. We should feel happy for him, whether he was a member for 12 years and earned his Eagle with palms or was active for only a few months.  For that period of time, Scouting was part of his life.

We did our best for him, didn't we?

Yet, each of us has a duty to ask: why did he drop out? What could we have done to extend his Scouting - to keep him living the ideals of Scouting? Each time we draw that line through a boy's name, we must ask why.

Did we fail him in some way? Was he expecting something we didn't provide - or couldn't provide? Did we fail his family somehow? Were they aware of how important Scouting can be to their son's growth and development?

We are told by those who have studied this, that most boys stay in Scouting if the program is active and continuous. Boys tend to drop out when there is a break in the program or when leadership lapses.  As leaders, we must strive to ensure that our program is the best we can provide and is led by competent, trained adults.
 

2007 Centennial Quality Unit Award

The Centennial Quality Awards program is designed to recognize units, districts, councils, areas, and regions in achieving excellence in providing a quality program to a growing youth population in America at all levels of the Boy Scouts of America.
The Quality Unit Award may be earned only once in any twelve month period. The period (charter year, calendar year, school year, etc.) is to be determined by the pack committee.

 

 
 

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THE CHARTERED ORGANIZATION

AND THE PACK

The relationship between the unit and the charter organization is a two way street. They do something for you, but you need to do for them, too. One great way to improve or restart any relationship is to bring good will to the table.
Ask the pastor (priest? ???) or whoever is in charge for a meeting. Let Your boys benefit because they learn about helping others, and they earn service hours towards recognition and advancement. The church benefits because they get something done. The pack benefits because they've gained greater visibility from the church.
There's a BSA publication called "Role of the Charter Organization Representative" or something like that. Get a copy for your COR. Ask them to come to your committee and pack meetings. Include them in some ceremonies if they're willing. All along, you nurture that relationship!

CT-Sean

CO REPRESENTATIVE

• Responsibilities: The chartered organization representative's responsibilities are to:
• Help recruit the right leadership for the unit.
• Encourage unit leaders and committee members to take training.
• Promote well planned unit programs.
• Serve as a liaison between the units and the organization.
• Organize enough units.
• Promote the recruiting of new members.
• See that boys graduate from unit to unit.
• Assist with the rechartering.
• Suggest Good Turns for the organization.
• Encourage the committee to hold meetings.
• Cultivate organization leaders.
• Encourage outdoor program activities.
• Emphasize advancement and recognition.
• Bring district help and promote the use of district personnel and materials.
• Use approved unit finance policies.
• Encourage recognition of leaders.
• Represent the organization at the council level.

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This is the time to take inventory of all your leaders. Who will be staying on for the coming year? Who will be going on to Boy Scouts with their graduating Webelos? Who will be moving away from the community? It is much easier to recruit replacements and to enlarge your committee right after your Blue & Gold banquet, before summer comes. Take a few minutes at your next committee meeting to fill out this worksheet.

Instructions:
Use this worksheet  to ensure that your Pack has enough leaders to make your next year's program year successful.

• List the numbers of boys in each grade from your current Charter or your Pack Records.
• Fill in the number of Den Leaders and Assistants your pack will need to provide great den programs for these boys.

  These positions should be filled by your April or May Pack Meeting when Tigers and Cub Scouts move into their next phase of the Cub Scout Program.
 
 

DEN LEADER INVENTORY

Number of boys  Now In:	next year's Den	DL		Asst DL's:
		Need	Filled	Need	Filled
Grade 1	Wolf
Grade 2	Bear
Grade 3	Web-1
Grade 4	Web-2

PACK LEADERS FOR NEXT YEAR
List the names of the people you expect to fill the following positions next year. If you are not sure, leave it blank.
Your Commissioner and District Membership Team are available to help recruit new leaders.

POSITION	NAME	PHONE
Committee Chair
Cubmaster
Roundup Coord.
Tiger Coach
Den Ldr Coach
Committee Mbr
Committee Mbr
Den Leader
Den Leader
Den Leader
Den Leader
Den Leader
Den Leader
Web DL
Web DL
Web DL

Start at your Blue and Gold Banquets to take a good look at the leadership needs of your Cub Pack.

• As you approach the end of your Webelos year, consider which of your present Pack leaders will be going on with their graduating sons to Boy Scouts?
•  Who will replace them? When will they be trained? Will the Pack's program continue with no interruption?
• Who will lead the new Dens as Tigers graduate to the Wolf program, Wolves to Bear, and Bears to Webelos? This will occur in most Packs in April or May.
•  Who will be in charge of Roundup, Tigers, the Pack's camping program?
•  Its time to take stock. The Blue and Gold is an excellent place to look for new leaders. All the parents are there and it gives us the lead time to do a good recruiting job.

Scouting.org: Selecting Quality Leaders

 
Remember:

LEADERSHIP FOR DENS

Make sure that every den in your pack has adequate leadership.

That means a Den Leader, and at least one registered adult Assistant Den Leader. All leaders should have completed Cub Scout Leader Basic Training.

There should be two adults in attendance at all times at every Den meeting and other activity.  One of them should be the Den Leader or Assistant Den Leader.  These requirements provide greater safety for Cub Scouts, and comply with the BSA Youth Protection plan.

When leader is registered with the council, we are assured that he or she has the approval of the Chartering Organization and  background checks are positive. Registered leaders are informed, they receive Scouting Magazine, Compass Points and other communication. They are more likely to be trained and attend Roundtables and POW WOW. They are IN the loop.

This year, set a goal for 100% of the dens to have at least one assistant leader.  Your Tigers, Cub Scouts and Webelos deserve the best quality leadership.

Bill

What My Den Leader Taught Me:

My Den Leader taught me RELIGION -   "You better pray that will come out of the carpet." My Den Leader taught me LOGIC:   "Because I said so, that's why." My Den Leader taught me about WEATHER -   "It looks as if a tornado swept through this room." My Den Leader taught me how to solve PHYSICS PROBLEMS    "If I yelled because I saw a meteor coming toward you; would  you listen then?" My Den Leader taught me about HYPOCRISY    "If I've told you once, I've told you a million times                don't exaggerate!!!" BB

What do your committee members do?

This varies from year to year, depending on how many register. We treat all registered leaders as part of the committee. But, those registered specifically as MC have specific jobs beyond general planning.
This charter year, we have 3 MC. One is the pack treasurer, one is developing and will maintain a web page, and provide general background help, such as refreshment stand at pinewood derby. The other is our advancement person/popcorn chair/whatever else she agrees to help with.
We have several non registered parents still with us who also function as traditional MC slots. They simply choose not to register for whatever reason.
One oversees the planning for Blue and Gold.
One is almost always available to be an extra adult at camp. One helps out with popcorn sorting and other background work.
Basically, whenever we can, we find something to draw the parents in. It may be as a helper to the son's den, it may be as a finder of craft items, it may be as a driver, whatever works to further peak their interest, we are in favor of.
In an ideal world, den leaders and assistants would only be responsible for their own den meetings and their "show yer stuff" parts of the pack meeting. The committee would handle the behind the scenes stuff and the business end of the pack.
We aren't there yet, may never get there, but we seem to be having fun as we travel the path together all the same.

CT, Kevin Pate, Norman, OK

 

LINK: The Pack committee

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PACK COMMITTEE Organize your pack Committee to make it easier for the parents of new Cub Scouts to fit into the Pack structure. One way is to create a bunch of subcommittees, each of which is responsible for some major function such as:
Finance—could include the treasurer, FOS chair, fundraising team, budget team etc.
Service Projects—would organize Good Will Good Turn, Scouting For Food, Chartered Org. projects, community projects, etc.
Camping—organize Day Camp, Resident Camp, Scoutrageous, pack and family camp outs.
Membership—organize Roundup, Charter renewal,  Webelos transition, Boy's Life.
Recognition—handle advancement, leader recognition, applications for Summertime Pack Awards, Quality Unit Award, National Den Award, Blue & Gold, etc.
Derbies—responsible for the equipping and organizing pinewood, space, rain gutter and other special pack races.
Tours and Field Trips—makes the arrangements, files the tour permits, and leads a series of exciting pack activities.
Communication—prints the pack newsletter, web page, organizes a phone tree or email list.
These are just suggestions. You can probably think of other subcommittees and other ways to organize.
Each family would be expected to supply a parent to be either a registered leader or a member of one of these subcommittees. This way, a newcomer to the pack would not  feel isolated and could take on a job knowing they would be part of a team that will give support and ideas.
Its important that every parent contributes in some way to make the pack go and to set an example for their sons to follow. Its also important that we help parents overcome any fears or misgivings about taking on these responsibilities.
 
 

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LEADERSHIP SELECTION

Details are found in Selecting Cub Scout Leadership, No. 13-500.
Leadership Selection Steps
Appoint the selection team.  May include Pack leaders, Chartered Org. people, or others.
List and appraise the prospects. Who would be the BEST person to do this job. Don't say “No” for anyone. Assume that they all will say “Yes” and they will make the time to do a good job.
Make appointments with the prospects. Don't recruit over the phone. Go see them face-to-face.
Call on the prospects. Go with a job description, a list of reasons why they might say “Yes,” and if possible, the person to whom the prospect would say “Yes.”
Welcome the new leaders. Announce it at a pack meeting with a formal induction ceremony, write it up in your Newsletter or Web Page.
Conduct Fast Start Training. Take them to Basic Training and Roundtable, and sign them up for Pow Wow.

 

LEADER'S LIBRARY

Cub Scout Leader Book BSA Family Book Cub Scout Leader How-To Book Staging Den and Pack Ceremonies Cub Scout Program Helps Webelos Leader Guide Guide to Safe Scouting Den Chief Handbook Cub Scout Song Book Cub Scout Fun Book Cub Scout Magic Group Meeting Sparklers

 

 

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SEVEN THINGS I LEARNED AS A CUBMASTER.
(In the order I learned them.)




1.  Protect and Retain Den Leaders.  The program runs on DLs. Do anything to keep them happy and productive. Don't let anyone pile extra duties on them. They are not someone's personal messenger, or delivery boy and especially they are not your wait staff at the Blue and Gold Banquet. Their only job is to lead the den.
2.  Outings are Worth the Effort. As a pack, do something special every month  over and above the pack meeting. Tours, hikes, service projects, picnics, and especially pack camp outs – these sorts of things make the difference between ho-hum and WOW!!!
3.  Recruit Every Parent. Every parent must do something for the pack or den. He or she must be the role model for their boy to help make the pack go. Every boy deserves to see his parent be a Cub Scouting Hero. The longer I do this, the more value I see in parent participation:  for the pack, for the family and for the boy.
4.  Be Nutty! Lose your inhibitions and have uproarious FUN. Do all the zany songs, cheers, run-ons and stunts. Wear crazy costumes and play outrageous games. Do this a lot in Cub Scouts because as the boys get close to Boy Scout age they lose much of their appreciation of madcap humor – especially  by their parents.
5. Cute is a Four-letter Word. Cute stuff has no place in Cub Scouting. Boys at this age have no interest in being cute or being with people who want them to be. One of our den leaders would summarily veto any program idea that evoked the word “cute.”  Every pack needs someone like her.
6. Den Chiefs are Gods. Den Chiefs don't make your job much easier, but they do make the Cub Scout experience better. They require coaching and direction to be successful but when they succeed they bring a unique spark to a Cub Scout's life that no one else can.
7. Games and Ceremonies are all You Need. Everything in a pack or den meeting should be either a ceremony or a game. If you can't make announcements, setting up chairs, craft projects, or anything else be one or the other, then you are not reading the right books.
bill, the rtguy
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Pack School Night Chair By the end of May (at the very least),  your Pack should have appointed a person to lead your fall Roundup program. The duties of the Pack School Night chair are:

Attend the district School Night kickoff.

Contact the school's principal and secretary to make arrangements for the following:

Review all the Recruiting Material available from National and our Council.

Securing the building for a school night for Scouting.

Promotional flyers to be distributed to all boys one week prior to the school night.

Arranging for an in-school visit with the boys to promote Cub Scouting.

Conduct the school night schedule as outlined in the School Night Unit Coordinator's guide.

Follow up on new Cub Scouts to ensure that they become active in the pack and see that every parent is asked to take a specific responsibility with the pack.

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Q. I have been appointed Coordinator for new Cub Scout and Adult Leader recruitment for our local Pack. What should I do?

A. Congratulations, it's wonderful that you are getting started this early. Anything you can do in April or May will make things easier in September and reduce pressure and tears in December. I hope that some of the kids that you recruit this fall become Eagle Scouts down the road. You will have started them on that trail.

SCHOOL RELATIONS: Cement relations between the pack and the school you will be recruiting from. Service projects, cookies for the school secretary, talks with the principal, relations with volunteer coordinators, school site committee, parent associations. Sell the facts that Cub Scouting is an educational program and that we stand strongly for ethical behavior and character development, that the Webelos Activity Badge program compliments the grades 4 and 5 curricula. Be visible, helpful and cooperative. You will need to set dates and get permission to recruit from the school.

DISTRICT AND COUNCIL HELP. Check with your DE and District Roundup Coordinator. They have a packet of things like flyers, posters, yard signs, Parent Guides, New Leader Guides and Bobcat Trail pamphlets for you. Get a good supply and be ready to use all of it. The district can also supply some human help like the DE going into the school and doing a rah rah talk to the kids, great, but some parent from the school should set it up and be there too (preferably in a Scouter uniform.) In August, the district holds a Roundup kick-off - be sure to attend with some of your key helpers.

START PLANNING NOW. State your objective: hopefully to recruit DL's and other leaders. Collect your resources: get commitments from every leader in the pack to be there. Delegate jobs like putting up posters and yard signs, greeters at the door, entertaining the kids while the most persuasive person in your pack sells the program to the parents. Line up displays of pinewood derbies, etc. and especially camp photos. If someone can create a Power Point presentation of your activities, that's a winner. Check for help from neighborhood Scout troops. Don't wait to get these things lined up. Do it now!

MAKE AND ACTIVITY SCHEDULE. Get your annual plan down on paper and have copies on hand for your recruiting night. Hopefully it includes all sorts of neat activities. Have a budget so you can inform parents what it's going to cost them.

BE VISIBLE. Your pack should do things during the summer that will be seen. Things like parades, picnics, rainwater regattas in a local park, media coverage will all help sell your pack program. Make sure that your uniforms, flags, banners etc. are seen.
Remember there probably is a sizable Home school population in your area. Typically they favor Scouting. Let them know you exist.

RECRUITING FLYERS. If you can distribute flyers, give some thought on what you want printed on them. Certainly the time and place of your pack's recruiting night, phone numbers and email in case they can't make it. How about registration fees, leader's names, program highlights? What do you think your neighbors will want to know before they show up? The Council will print your message on the flyers if you have the copy ready when your order them.

LOOK SHARP. On your recruiting night, try to look well organized. Have the room set up well in advance. Everybody should know their roles and be on hand a bit early. When the new folk arrive, they should be greeted at the door or even the parking lot. Give them registration forms, and other handouts and have them sit by grades so you can easily form dens later. Be ready for one parent to show up with kids in more than one grade. Be ready for siblings of all ages. Start things off with a stirring flag ceremony. A Webelos den or a Boy Scout patrol probably. Pull out all stops. It's your first impression. You may want to do a couple fun sparklers to get things rolling, especially if you have a good song leader or cheer master in your your pack. Tell them about your program. I have seen Webelos do great jobs reporting on summer camp and other activities. If possible separate the kids from the parents and then sell the program to the adults. Don't be negative. Sell the values of the program. Sell the ideals. I strongly believe that most parents love their kids and are willing to put out a lot of time and effort it they believe your program is worth it. Show them that it is. Let them know that everyone will be asked to help and that you expect them to say yes. Tell them about support like training and literature.

FULFILL THE PROMISE. Make sure that before the evening is over, both boys and adults are invited to some special activity. Our council runs a special open house at our Cub Camps in October just for new recruits called the Stampede. The kids come and shoot bows and arrows and bb-guns and other stuff and the parents stand around and gawk. We promised those kids that Cub Scouting is fun and adventure, let's make sure they get some as soon as possible.

COMPLETE THE PAPER WORK. Before they leave collect registration forms and money. Turn it in as soon as possible so that each boy is covered by your pack insurance and starts getting his Boy's Life on time. Do follow up calls to those who didn't make it.
 

Parent Agreement

I have read the  Cub Scout Promise and I want my son to join the pack. I will assist him in observing the policies of the Boy Scouts of America and of his pack's chartered organization. I will: While he is a Tiger Cub, serve as his adult partner and participate in all meetings and activities and approve his advancement. While he is a Cub Scout, help him and approve his Cub Scout advancement. While he is a Tiger Cub, Cub Scout or Webelos Scout, attend monthly pack meetings and take part in other activities; assist pack leaders as needed.

This is printed on the 2nd page of
the boy's Application to Join the Pack.
Parents are required to sign the application signifying
that they have read this and agree to it.
 
 
 

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ROUNDUP IDEAS

Roundup is a special time for boys and for the Cub Packs they join. Its special for the boys because it marks a great milestone in their lives. It is special for the packs because it is the renewal point in the cycle of members and leaders. Here are some ideas to help make your roundup successful.
 

• Recruit a parent to Chair the Roundup. Send him or her to training. No excuses.
• Plan your Roundup. Assign duties to as many leaders and parents as possible.
• Attend the district Kick-off. Send everyone who can walk.
• Work with the schools. You should set a date for your Roundup between Sept. 6 to 23. Help stuff first day envelopes or whatever help you can offer your school admin.
• Date for a school visit  - Set it a couple days before your Roundup. Inform our DE and order flyers.
• Message for the back of the flyers. Include, date, time and place, the cost of joining, phone contacts and any other special items you want. Ask your school about any need for non English information - the Council has a fairly good selection.
• Boys wear their uniforms on the day of the school visit - especially the Webelos. Work up a plan so that a present member can earn a HI segment if he recruits a friend to join.
• Locate your Fast Start tape. If you can't find it, ask the DE for a replacement. Or log onto the web at: http://www.bsa.scouting.org/cubscouts/faststart/
• Posters and signs go everywhere: school bulletin boards, supermarkets, yard signs.
• The Pack Roundup Guide has a great agenda, but don't be afraid to add your own special twists.
• Have lots of displays, adults and boys in uniform, friendly greeters, and an impressive opening ceremony.
• Recruit Parents.
• Parent Information forms are a great resource. Use them.
• Turn in all Applications, with fees pro-rated though December.  He's not a Cub Scout until you do.

The following DVD is available to support recruiting:
Cub Scout Recruiting DVD  #13-118 (2004 release)
Three chapters -

• Tiger Cub /Cub Scout Recruiting  - fast moving clips of Cub Scouts doing fun stuff. Tigers still in Orange but otherwise very good.
• Webelos Scout Recruiting - a bit more serious presentation. Keeps pretty well at a 10 year old level and doesn't talk down or patronize the kids.
• Parent Orientation and Recruiting - an excellent presentation on why parents should get involved and consider being leaders.

I'm not sure how it is being distributed but I would recommend every pack use this in their recruiting if possible.  I would guess that a good way to start would be to bug your council - especially your DE to get one for you.

 

RECRUITER STRIP

Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts may be awarded, and wear, below the right pocket on their uniforms, the Recruiter Strip shown above There are NO formal requirements for these strips.  Each Unit establishes the procedure for awarding the strip.  Usually, a Recruiter Strip is awarded to a Cub Scout or Boy Scout the first time he is successful in getting a friend, relative, classmate, or other acquaintance to join his unit. Typically, only ONE strip is awarded to a boy while he is a Cub Scout, and another may be awarded while he is a Boy Scout.

 

SEVEN REASONS TO TURN IN APPLICATIONS
1. HONESTY: When I tell a boy that he has joined Cub Scouts, or tell parents that they are leaders, I want to tell them the truth. They are not members until their registrations are accepted by the Scout Office.
2. BOY'S LIFE: I want my Cub Scouts to start receiving their copies of Boy's Life as soon as possible. It's not fair to make them wait any longer than necessary.
3. SCOUTING MAGAZINE: The new leaders in our Pack need the information and ideas that are in Scouting   Magazine to do their jobs.
4. COMPASS POINTS: Our FOS donations pay for CPC to send Compass Points and other mailings to all our  registered leaders. It lets them know about special training and other programs in our council and district.
5. DISTRICT SUPPORT: Commissioners, trainers and other District volunteers use our Pack membership lists to offer help and support to our leaders.
6. MEDICAL INSURANCE: When a boy or adult is registered, our Pack Medical Insurance automatically covers them  for Scouting Activities.
7. LIABILITY INSURANCE: My leaders are covered by the BSA Liability Insurance when they are engaged in  Scouting Activities.  It is in effect, only when they and the Cub Scouts are registered.

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SPRING ROUNDUP

I have to admit that I ran the idea of the idea of a Spring Roundup through the Pack Committee first. The committee enthusiastically backed the idea.
We came up with a fee to cover the new scouts registration fee (BSA registration, Boys Life), their book (Wolf or Tiger), their T-shirt (Tiger T-shirt or Pack T-shirt for other Scouts), a Scout Belt, and a little more to cover most of the new Scout's summer activity cost. In other words, a one time summer fee and parents did not even have to go find the Scout Shop . (The parents really liked this approach) We gave each Scout who signed up that night their Rain gutter Regatta kit and invited the new Scouts to our Pack Graduation, which was a week later.
 At Pack Graduation, we gave each Scout his Cub Scout belt and T-shirt to change into. You should have seen the faces of the new Scouts when they saw their new uniform. During the Graduation, we had an induction ceremony for the new Scouts. Boy, were
those new Scouts excited. Rain gutter Regatta is this weekend and the new Scouts should have a ball.
We signed up 7 Tigers and 2 Wolves, which increased the size of my pack from 12 boys up to 21 boys. The leaders and I were really pleased with the success of the Spring Roundup.
 By the way, we told the new Wolf parents that they won't have to buy the full uniform until August.
Will we do a Spring Roundup again? Most definitively.

CT - Chuck Wagner, Pack 471
CM, Step by Step School/St. Anne's School, Tomball, TX

 
 

Have you ever climbed a mountain? Do you know how to save a life? Can you survive in the wilderness? Have you ever lived in a igloo for a weekend? Do you know how to build a bridge out of a few trees and some rope? Boy Scouts Do

 

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WELCOMING NEW FAMILIES We give all the new boys their first neckerchief and slide, the Tigers get their shirt instead of the neckerchief.
I set up a campsite in the school cafeteria including a tent, outside the tent is a cooler, a battery lantern, a backpack, folding table and chair, anything I can find available. In front of the tent I set stack 6-8 small logs in the log cabin style. I put a utility/work light inside the logs so that the light glows orange through the plastic cover. I put a large (camping style) pot on top of the stack of logs. Inside the large pot is a smaller pot that I have already put the shirts, neckerchiefs, and slides into. Between the two pots, inside the large one but outside the small one, I add chunks of dry ice.
I tell a story of the Cub Scout colors, explaining the meaning of the colors. As I explain the meaning of Blue, I hold up a clear plastic gallon container filled with blue colored water and pour it over the dry ice getting the steam effect. Then I explain the Gold color and do the same with yellow colored water for more steam. I then call the boys (older boys first works best for us since they can sit still longer after their turn) up and reach into the boiling pot to pull out their neckerchief/shirt. The looks on the boys faces when the pot started boiling were great, but the looks on the parents faces were even better.
The problem is, after you start with a ceremony like that, how are you going to equal/top it at future meetings.

CT-Marty Linn CM, Pack 1878, Sam Houston Area Council

RECRUIT PACK LEADERSHIP The key factor in my experience is asking them personally. This should be done in a one on one situation, preferably while you are wearing your uniform. If you ask someone personally to basically give what you're giving, it is much harder for them to say no.

Jim Miller, Sr., JJMSR@LSFCU.ORG

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WHY PARENTS MAY WANT TO BE LEADERS  Many parents attend their first Cub Scout meetings ready to be involved as leaders in their son's pack . All it takes is for us to find out why they want to, and then tie that reason to our invitation. Here are some of the important reasons why parents in your pack may want to be leaders:
 

• LOVE - Most parents love their children and want to express their love in tangible ways. Getting involved with their son's Cub Scout program is a very special way of showing him how much they love him.
• CHILDHOOD MEMORIES - Many adults have fond recollections of their own good times with youth organizations like Scouting. They want their children to have similar opportunities and are willing to work to make it happen.
• AIMS AND IDEALS - We want our children to grow up to become good citizens with strong character traits and to be physically and mentally fit. Giving Good Will, Helping Other People, and Duty to God and Country, are important educational goals.
• STRENGTHEN THE FAMILY - The Cub Scout program is designed to strengthen communication and respect between family members.  It is structured so that even the busiest of us with the most stressed family structures can take advantage of the achievements and electives to build strong bonds between ourselves and our Cub Scout sons.
• RESPECT OF FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS  - We all like to look good in the eyes of our friends and neighbors. It is important that parents are personally invited to help by someone in their community whom they know, trust and respect.  They should feel that they were selected, not recruited.
• BE A ROLE MODEL - Parents are role models for their children. Taking an active part in their son's Cub Scout program is a way of teaching boys how to make things happen. Every boys deserves to see his parents doing something important for his pack or den.
• COMMUNITY SERVICE - Most Americans expect to perform some service to their communities. Scouting offers an ideal way for busy parents to become involved in making their communities and their neighborhoods better places in which to live.

CPC-MEM

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ROUNDUP TIPS At the meeting we seat the boys and parents by grade/age and have an opening flag ceremony done by the Cub Scouts (mostly sons of the leaders) and a couple skits and/or songs. Then the boys are sent outside where we have two or three den leaders, available den chiefs, and any volunteer Boy Scouts keep them busy with games.
Inside we break the information into sections with different leaders presenting topics.

We give a sales talk on what Cub Scouting is, what activities we participate in, and how it can help their boy. Another talk is on our rules and expected involvement by parents. Another talk is on what the costs are, where the money goes, and how to sign up. Break it into sections so you don't have one person up front doing all the talking, but make it clear what is to be covered. Nothing is worse than having five leaders getting up front and taking turns telling everyone the same things over and over.

If you have to do it all yourself, take the time in advance to plan out the different topics that need to be covered and use note cards to keep yourself on track. Make sure you have enough people to help with filling out applications and collecting money. And if they are still using those terrible applications with the health record on the back, make it clear not to fill in the back, give them a separate Class I form. The separate form will be easier to work with and you will be able to read the registration information.

CT-Marty Linn, Cubmaster, Pack 1878

Sam Houston Area Council

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Packs vary in size from as small as 5 boys to some super-sized ones with a dozen or more dens and well over a hundred boy members. While good Cub Scouting can, and does, go on in packs of any size, there are certain advantages of having a pack of a certain size.
 

The question comes up when someone in a small packs says:

Our Pack is too small, Why don't we merge with Pack 36 down the steet?

Or someone else (usually a district person) comments about a large pack:

Let's split this pack and have twice as many boys.

What determines the size of a Pack?

• Program: A well planned program put on by trained leaders using lots of resources attracts lots of boys and parents. More importantly, a great program keeps them coming back right through Webelos II. If a pack is small, or if boys are dropping out, it may be because the activities, the meetings and the leadership are just plain dull. Large packs get that big because the leaders make it fun and worthwhile.

• Recuiting Base: Some packs. especially those that serve small religious communities or home school groups, or are isolated just run out of families to recruit. Some actually end up with every available boy as members. Most packs, however, recruit from schools. Here in Oregon, our council has organized one pack in almost every elementary school. Since each school has at least 100 boys in grades 1 through 5, (some have more than 200) it's reasonably easy for most to build their membership. A good pack should have no trouble recruiting and keeping about a third of the available boys. A really top-notch band of leaders can get more than 50% but it's difficult in many schools to get much more than that. If you are drawing less than 15% of the available boys, there is a good possibility that some boys will be the only Cub Scouts in their school class - a real downer.

• Communication: A pack's ability to attract members depends a lot on how they get the word out to their community that they exist, that it's fun and that Cub Scouting is great for boys and parents. Some packs seem invisible to the public. Some populations are so transient that it's next to impossible to get to them. These packs need lots of help with publicity, and recruiting.

 

 
SMALL PACKS (Less than 20 boys)

Advantages:
• Lots of individual attention and recognition.
• Field trips and events are easy to manage.
• Families tend to know each other.
Disadvantages:
• Dens may be mixed - Cub Scouts mixed with Webelos or Tigers.
• Small parent base to recruit committee and leaders.
• Boys may not have school buddies. (see Recuiting Base)
• Loss of one or two key leaders may be catastrophic.

MEDIUM SIZED PACKS (20 - 60 boys)

Advantages:
• Easy to form dens for each rank or school grade.
• Pack meetings are manageable.
• Time for den participaion at pack meetings.
Disadvantages:
• May not adequately serve enough boys in a typical elementary school.


LARGE PACKS ( 60 or more boys)

Advantages:
• Huge parent base to draw from.
• Each school class may have several Cub Scouts.
• Pack meetings and campouts can be major festive events.
• Large committees make it easy for new families to participate.
Disadvantages:
• Advancement recognition is difficult.
• Limited time for den participation at pack meetings.
• Field trips are a major operation.
• Meeting rooms may be strained.

Should Small Packs Merge?

If the recruitng base for the packs is truly limiting the packs' growth and the Chartered Organizations are compatable, then there could be some real advantages to combining the packs. A larger pack committee puts less strain on the Cubmaster and den leaders. It becomes easier to run seperate dens for each school grade. There is a good chance that boys and families will get better Scouting.

However if the packs are small because the available boys are not showing up at Roundups, or that the ones that do join drop out after one year, then merging two small packs will surely end up as one equally small pack. Nothing will be gained and some boys may even lose. Better to overhaul the two programs by shaking up the leaderships. Better parent recruitng, more leader training, improved use of program resources should be the goal of everyone concerned here: the COs, the present leaders and committees, and the district. Two small packs could become two large packs.

Should Large Packs Split?

There is always the danger, that when a pack splits that one one of the halves will wither and die. So, care must be taken to ensure that both have good resources to survive and flourish. Although more packs usually means that more boys will get good Scouting, it's not automatic. A good bit of planning and support is required.

If the present pack has more than a third of the available boys then it is probably not a good idea. One big successful pack then becomes two medium or small packs with diluted leaderships and little hope of recruiting more boys or more leaders. The present organization probably got that big because they coralled all the good available parents.

Now if there are still hundreds of available boys and families out there who are not in Cub Scouts, or if the pack is the only one recruiting from multiple schools, then splitting has some real possibilities. Some one should check out the potential for a new chartered organization (although one CO could charter two packs.) Will the present membership, leadership and committee divide up or will a new cadre be formed from scratch? I have seen it done successfully both ways but the latter requires careful and close support from the district.

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WHY TRAINING? One of the first questions that new leaders ask is: "What am I supposed to do? What is expected of me?" Another important question is "How do I do it?" That's where training comes in. Training shows new leaders how to do their jobs and allows for an interchange of ideas with more experienced leaders,
Everyone needs training for anything that is new or is to be done well. We train Cub Scout leaders to be sure that boys get a quality fun filled program. People gain confidence from knowing what others expect of them. When leaders understand the whys and hows of Cub Scouting, they are more effective in their roles.
Trained leaders have a positive influence on the lives of boys. At the same time, they enjoy the feeling of self-satisfaction that comes from knowing their efforts are truly worthwhile. How well the Boy Scouts of America influences the lives of boys depends on the leaders’ understanding of the program and their responsibilities.
Cub Scout leader training is simply collecting what leaders already know about boys and organizing this information toward the purposes and methods of Cub Scouting. Training helps leaders gain knowledge, develop good attitudes, and learn the skills necessary for their leadership position. It shows them how to use the available resources to provide an exciting and worthwhile program for the boys. It gives them confidence in carrying out their responsibilities. As a result, Cub Scouts receive a program based on Scouting's aims: CITIZENSHIP TRAINING, CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT, and PERSONAL FITNESS.
The Boy Scouts of America's training plan not only provides training for new leaders, but it also provides continuing training for all leaders. Leaders continue to learn through experience and from addition training opportunities. They stay up-to-date and acquire new skills that help them do a better job with the boys. Ongoing training is essential to keep leaders informed and active. There is no such thing as "once trained, always trained".

Leslie's Pow Wow Online

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PACK TRAINER POSITION

The pack trainer must meet BSA membership requirements, be at least 21 years of age, and register with the Boy Scouts of America as a pack trainer. It is recommended that the pack trainer have at least one year of experience in a leadership position in Cub Scouting, preferably as a Cub Scout or Webelos den leader.
The pack trainer is selected by the pack committee, with the approval of the chartered organization.  Pack trainers should be trained in a Trainer Development Conference. They should, of course, also have completed a training session before they teach it.
For new packs and those lacking experienced leaders, an experienced leader from the district training team or another pack may be appointed as pack trainer until the new leaders gain experience.

The pack trainer is responsible for:

• Conducting orientation of new families and pack leaders.
• Training each new leader and pack committee member for his or her specific position, using material in the
• training manuals New Leader Essentials and Cub Scout Leader Specific Training.
• Conducting other tr aining as designated by the district and/or council.
• Encouraging pack leaders to attend ongoing training, such as roundtable, Pow Wow, outdoor training, Youth
• Protection training, and Wood Badge.
• Remaining current with training material and program updates.
• Keeping track of the pack training records.

The pack trainer seeks 100% of the pack leadership trained in their position responsibilities. New leaders and adult family members should receive orientation within one week of joining the pack, and leaders should receive position specific training within 30 days.

Circle 10 Pow Wow 2001

THE LANGUAGE OF SCOUTING

• Achievement - The name given to a major requirement in the Cub Scout program. There are 12 Wolf  and 24 Bear achievements.
• Activity Badge - One of 20 specialized recognitions earned by Webelos Scouts.
• Advancement - The process by which a member meets certain requirements and earns recognition.
• Akela - A title of respect used in Cub Scouting; any good leader is Akela. The name comes from Rudyard Kipling's Jungle Book.
• Arrow of Light Award - Highest rank in Cub Scouting. The only Cub Scout badge that may be worn on the Boy Scout uniform.
• Arrow Point - An award given to a cub Scout who has completed 10 elective projects beyond the rank for his grade. A gold arrow point is given for the first 10 projects and a silver arrow point is given for each additional 10 projects thereafter.
• Assistant Cubmaster (CA) - A person 18 years or older holding this position in a Cub Scout pack.
• Assistant Den Leader (DA) - A person appointed to help the Cub Scout den leader.
• Baden-Powell, Robert Stephenson Smyth - Founder of the worldwide Scouting movement.
• Basic Training - Formal introduction to the program, purpose, ideals and procedures of the Cub Scout program necessary for a volunteer to function.
• Bear Rank - awarded to the Third grade Cub Scout for completing 12 of the 24 achievements.
• Blue and Gold Banquet - A birthday dinner for Scouting held by Cub packs in February.
• Bobcat - The first rank for all Cub Scouts.
• Boy's Life - The magazine published by the Boy Scouts of America to help boys in Scouting.
• Buddy System - A part of Safe Swim Defense. Swimmers are paired, check in and out of the water together, and stay within 10 feet of each other during the swim. Buddy system is used also in other activities such as hiking and field trips for safety reasons.
• Character Connections - Scouting methods used to connect a boy's thinking, feeling, and behavior to Scouting's 12 Core Values.
• Charter - Formal permission from the Boy Scouts of America allowing a pack to organize.
• Chartered Organization - The organization (a religious, civic, fraternal, educational or other community based group) that is responsible for the pack. Monthly pack meetings are usually held in a building owned by that organization. Commissioner - A volunteer Scouter who works with packs and/or troops to help units succeed.
• Committee Chairman (CC) - An adult 21 years of age or older, the executive officer of the committee, that works with the Cubmaster to assure that the pack provides the Cub Scout phase of the Scouting program.
• Compass Point Patch - Award earned by Webelos Scouts as they advance in the Webelos program. .
• Core Values - Scouting's primary values for youth development: Citizenship, Compassion, Cooperation, Courage, Faith, Health and Fitness, Honesty, Perseverance, Positive Attitude, Resourcefulness, Respect, and Responsibility.
• Council The local Scouting Organization for a specific geographic area. The country is divided into more than 200 local councils. Our council, Cascade Pacific, serves more than 53,000 youth in north-west Oregon and south-east Washington.
• Cubmaster (CM) - An adult 21 years of age or older, who holds this commission in a Cub Scout pack. The pack leader and Akela for the pack, serves as Master of Ceremonies during monthly pack meetings.
• Cub Scout - A boy who is registered with a Cub Scout pack. Also, the reason why we're all here!!!
• Cub Scout Handshake - Used by Cub Scouts and Scouters with the right hand.
• Cub Scout Motto - "Do Your Best."
• Cub Scout Promise -

I, (name), promise to do my best
To do my duty to God and my country
To help other people, and
To obey the Law of the Pack.
• Cub Scout Salute - A hand salute made by Cub Scouts and Scouters with the fingers of the right hand held in position as for Cub Scout Sign,
• Cub Scout Sign - A sign made by raising the right hand straight up high over the head with the palm forward and the first two fingers wide apart in a V.
• Day Camp - Summertime fun for all Cub Scouts.
• Den - Small group of Cub Scouts who meet once a week usually in the home of a den leader to work on projects, learn games, songs, tricks and skits to be presented at monthly pack meeting.
• Den Chief - A Boy Scout who has been appointed to help direct the activities of a Cub Scout den.
• Den Leader (LD) - The adult on-the-scene supervisor of a Cub Scout den. A registered member of the pack who attends basic training.
• Denner - Cub Scout who helps the den leader with den and pack meetings. This is generally a rotating position so each Cub Scout may serve and learn a little about helping and leadership.
• District - An administrative arm of the council that provides service to the Scouting units (packs, etc.) within its jurisdiction.
• District Commissioner (DC) - A volunteer Scouter who is in charge of all commissioners within a district.
• District Committee - A group of registered adult Scouters responsible for carrying out the council program within their district.
• District Executive - A professional paid Scouter who works with the volunteers under the Scout Executive.
• "Do Your Best" - The Cub Scout motto.
• Elective - A part of the Cub Scout advancement program in the Wolf and Bear rank books. For every 10 electives, a Cub Scout earns an arrow point.
• Fast Start - A training program for new leaders designed to help them until they attend basic training.
• Friends of Scouting - An annual campaign in which Scouters, and other interested people in the community, provide financial support to the local council.
• Good Turn - A distinctive feature of Scouting is its emphasis upon service to others. The Good Turn habit is one that all Scouts endeavor to acquire.
• Instant Recognition - Diamond shaped patch to which beads are attached for recognition of achievements. A boy receives one bead for each 3 achievements. Wolf earns yellow and Bear earns red beads.
• National BSA - Headquarters for the Boy Scouts of America, located in Irving, Texas, where the Cub Scout program is developed and literature is developed and printed.
• National Summertime Pack Award - An award earned by the pack for conducting a summer program.
• Outdoor Code - A pledge for proper outdoor conduct followed by all Cub Scouts and leaders.
• Outdoor Program - The total scope of outdoor programs offered by the Boy Scouts of America, including unit outings, camporees, Cub Scout day camps, long term Scout camps, council and national jamborees.
• Pack - The unit that conducts Cub Scouting for the chartered organization. Usually consists of 2 or more dens and conducts monthly meetings.
• Pack Committee - A committee of concerned parents and leaders, approved by the chartered organization, to administer the affairs of the pack.
• Pack Meeting - Monthly meeting of Cub Scouts, adult leaders, committee members and parents, where Cub Scouts and adults receive recognition.
• Pinewood Derby - A pack activity that involves making and racing model cars on a tract.
• Pow Wow - All day learning experience for Cub Scout leaders in November, covering a wide variety of subjects with some hands-on experiences.
• Program Helps - An annual publication of the BSA to help den and pack leaders plan their meetings by using monthly themes.
• Quality Unit Award - Recognition given each charter year to units that commit to, and meet national standards pertaining to leadership training, service, advancement, camping and membership growth.
• Registration - The payment of an annual registration fee. This is one of the requirements for membership of the BSA.
• Religious Awards - An award present by individual faiths to Cub and Boy Scouts for completion of a set of requirements within their respective faiths.
• Roundtable - A monthly district level meeting where den and pack leaders learn new ideas on monthly themes, receive information on district and council activities, and have a general exchange of ideas.
• School Night for Scouting - A one night event in a neighborhood school where boys and parents gather to learn about Cub Scouting and how they can join.
• Scouter - A registered adult member of the Boy Scouts of America.
• Scout Executive - The professional staff leader of a council.
• Scouting Magazine - The official magazine sent to all registered Scouters.
• Service Center - Scout Headquarters - It contains the professionals' offices and the Scout Shop (where you can buy uniforms and all of
• your Scouting needs.)
• Service Star - Worn on the uniform above the left pocket to denote years of service in the Scouting program.
• Tenure - A term used to describe the length of service and membership in Scouting.
• Tiger Cub - A first grade boy registered with an adult partner in the Pack.
• Tour Permit - Permit approved by the council for any outing that is to be taken by a group of Cub Scouts if traveling is involved. Check with the Service Center.
• Two Deep Leadership - The concept of having at least two adult registered leaders at every pack meeting or den outing for the safety and welfare of the Cubs.
• Uniform - The distinctive feature of Scouting that quickly identifies its members.
• Unit - A term used to designate any one of the following; pack, troop, team, post, crew or ship.
• Volunteer - Individual who donates services, time, and/or funds to support the program of the Boy Scouts of America.
• Webelos Badge - A rank earned by a fourth or fifth grade boy which is part of the requirements for the Arrow of Light.
• Webelos Den - A group of Webelos Scouts who meet weekly under the supervision of a Webelos den leader.
• Webelos Den Leader - The adult on-the-scene supervisor of a Webelos Scout den. A registered member of the pack who attends basic training to learn how to fulfill the job of a Webelos den leader.
• Webelos Scout - A Cub Scout who has completed the third grade belongs to a Webelos den. He works on activities in the Webelos book.
• Webelos-to-Scout Transition - The preparation and graduation of a boy from Cub Scouting to Boy Scouting.
• Wolf - A rank earned by a 2nd grade Cub Scout when he completes 12 achievements in the Wolf Book.
• World Conservation Award - An award for Cub Scouts emphasizing the importance of our natural resources.
• World Crest - A badge worn by Scouts and Scouters as a symbol of commitment to the World Association of Scouting.
• World Friendship Fund - A fund to which Scouts and Scouters in the United States of America may contribute to provide material help to Scouts and Scouting around the world.

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PURPOSES OF CUB SCOUTING Cub Scouts is more than having a group of boys at your den meeting to say the Pledge of Allegiance, or playing games with their friends. Getting Cub Scout Leader Training will allow you  to understand, then meet the aims of the Boy Scouts of America's program through Cub Scouting.
The BSA's  program has three overall aims:
• To build character:
• To build self-reliance, self-discipline, self-confidence and self-respect
• To foster citizenship: To foster love of community, country and world, along with a commitment of service to others and an understanding of democratic principles.
• To develop fitness: To develop physical, mental, emotional, and moral fitness that will stay with a Scout for the rest of his life.
These aims are met through the purposes of the Cub Scouting which are:
• Character Development
• Spiritual Growth
• Good Citizenship
• Sportsmanship
• Family Understanding
• Respectful Relationships
• Personal Achievement
• Friendly Service
• Fun and Adventure
• Preparation for Boy Scouts
These are the purposes of Cub Scouting.  Activities planned by leaders and enjoyed by boys relate to one or more of these purposes. These purposes help us achieve the overall aims of the Boy Scouts of America.
More information on "What is Cub Scouting?" can be found in Chapter 1 of the Cub Scout Leader Book available from your Nor'WestScout Shop.

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Character Connection

When it comes to developing character, the complete person must be considered.  Character development involves at least three critical areas: 1) know, 2) commit, and 3) practice.   In the Cub Scouting program, using these three critical areas and relating them to values will be referred to as Character Connections.

Character Connections are used to connect a boy's thinking, feeling, and behavior to Scouting's 12 Core Values, which are:
 

Citizenship

Compassion

Cooperation

Courage

Faith

Health and Fitness

Honesty

Perseverance

Positive Attitude

Resourcefulness

Respect

Responsibility

Cub Scouting assists in teaching values and developing character in boys by offering a program where boys can experience value based activities with caring leadership and family support.
In developing character, Cub Scouting promotes twelve core values: citizenship, compassion, cooperation, courage, faith, health and fitness, honesty, perseverance, positive attitude, resourcefulness, respect, and responsibility.
As boys participate in a Cub Scout activity, they learn to “connect” their experience with a core value. Boys connect by learning (knowledge), feeling (commitment), and accomplishing (practice) the skills that relate to these values.
In an effort to make character development part of every boy's experience in the Cub Scout program, the “Character Connections” will be integrated throughout the boys’ handbooks and advancement programs.
Resources include the Cub Scout Leader Book, No. 3322 1B, Cub Scout Program Helps, No. 34304D, and monthly roundtables.

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THE BSA FAMILY PROGRAM The BSA family program is designed for all families, especially families with children of Tiger Cubs and Cub Scout ages. A family participating with the Boy Scouts of America may use the BSA family program to meet their own needs and to enrich and strengthen family bonds.

The pack committee chairman should designate a pack committee member to implement and oversee the BSA Family program. The pack committee member responsible for the BSA Family program should:

1. Identify eligible families with registered boys.
2. Plan a group orientation to initiate the BSA family program.
3. Introduce the BSA Family Book and the BSA family Award at the group orientation and to individual families.
4. Each family secures a BSA Family Book.
5. Help participating families to use the BSA Family Book effectively, by keeping in contact with the family and giving encouragement and assistance as needed.
6. Explain the BSA Family Award to the participating family. Encourage the family to earn the award.
7. Invite members of the families using the BSA family program to help identify prospective BSA families.
8. Invite BSA families and prospective BSA families to participate in appropriate pack activities.
9. Plan to recognize families who earn the BSA Family Award, making sure that each qualified family receives the award. The award could be presented at the monthly pack meeting or at; another time.

Monitor the community regularly in order to provide all eligible families an opportunity to participate in the BSA Family program.

Pack 215

 

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PLANNING FOR SUCCESS Planning for Success is simple when you follow:

THE SIX STEPS OF PLANNING

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PLAN, PLAN, PLAN

CUB SCOUT PROGRAM PLANNING: The most important responsibility that leaders have in Cub Scouting is program planning. The quality of the Cub Scout experience each boy receives will depend on how leaders schedule and carry out the essential planning procedures. Den Leaders spend the greatest amount of time directly with the boys. The Pack Committee members need to use their efforts to provide the material and help Den Leaders to make their job easier, more enjoyable, and meaningful.

KEEP THESE IN MIND: There are some basic ideas which you need to understand before you start planning:

Cub Scouting is a year-round, 12 month program.
Cub Scouting has enough variables to meet the needs and desires of any boy, any place.
The Cub Scout program is built around a big idea for Tiger dens, and a monthly theme for Wolf and Bear dens boys. Webelos Dens use an activity badge area for their monthly program.
The Cub Scout program should have variety, action, and purpose.
The program must be fun for both boys and their families.

THEMES: Cub Scouting's recommended planning system is based on themes, one for each month. Themes help to achieve Cub Scouting's purposes; to keep all the dens active, vigorous, and working on meaningful projects during the month. They assure a well planned, more interesting pack meeting as the big climax of the month. A good monthly theme should have:
Boy Appeal
Boy Learning
A Variety of Activities

PROGRAM RESOURCES: Specific ideas for program planning can be found in the wide variety of Cub literature available to all pack leaders. The Pack Library is a useful source. Also refer to ideas received at Roundtables, Pow Wows and training courses.

SPECIFIC TIPS: Take advantage of special events like Scoutrageous, Scouting for Food, Good Will Good Turn, local parades, Scout Nights at the Ball Game, hockey or basketball game. Plan several tours  or pack field trips throughout the year  and at least one pack camping trip.

STEPS IN PLANNING: There is a proven plan and procedure which brings success. The process consists of the following four steps:
Annual Planning Conference -- long range look at all program possibilities. Held as soon as Program Helps become available, usually in July or August, to make general plans for the next 12 months.
Monthly Pack Leader's Meeting (or Committee Meeting) -- to firm up plans for this month's pack meeting and make specific plans for the pack meeting next month.
Den Chief's Meeting -- a monthly meeting with Cubmaster or Assistant, to help prepare them to assist the Den Leaders. Webelos Den Chiefs meet with their own Webelos Leader.

-- Adapted from: Last Frontier Pow Wow Book,

RESOURCE BOOKS FOR PLANNING
Cub Scout Program Helps 2002—2003
Council 2000—2002 Planning Calendar
How-To Book
Pow Wow Books
Sports and Academics

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THEMES

Q. Is it absolutely necessary to follow   the themes for each month? Are the themes for pack  meetings only, or for den meetings also?

A. No, it is not necessary. They are recommended themes, packaged to make running den meetings and pack meetings as easy as possible so adults can deliver a fun quality program all year long. But, the theme police will not be knocking at the door if your group uses only part of the themes, or uses them in a different order, or even if your group doesn't use them at all.
The recommended themes are kind of like permanent press clothes. You don't have to wear them, but you might find there is less time spent ironing and more time for playing when you do.
We don't always use them either, but they are useful. When a pack meeting is based on a theme that the boys worked on in the den meetings, everyone is kind of on the same page at the pack meeting. decorations, when used, make sense to all the dens, cause they are clued in. The gathering activity, opening skits, songs, run-ons, games, cheers, costumes, ceremonies, closings (the key ingredients for pack meetings to be fun instead of snoozer business meetings) all tie together, albeit sometimes loosely, when a common theme is used.

CT Kevin Pate, Norman, Ok

 

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PACK MEETING IDEAS Q. How do you keep order at Pack meetings? How do you keep the boys from running around and keep the parents from holding conversations at the back of the room?

[Sean Scott is a successful Cubmaster who believes that  Cub Scouting should
always be fun. Here is what he says about this last December.]

A. I've observed a lot of pack meetings (good and bad) and I've seen a definite correlation between the behavior of the kids and parents and the quality of the program being presented. If it's not interesting to both groups, one or the other will stop listening. So, as leaders, we have to tailor the program to include "Interesting to kids and adults" right along side "Recognize advancement" and "Inform the membership".
Focus on the boys, and fine tune for the adults
The catch is catering to both sides.
 For the boys, the overall program should be short and entertaining, and each segment should be as brief as possible within the larger meeting. Keep it loud and visual and dynamic. Physiologically, boys have short attention spans, process information visually, and don't hear a good percentage of  what is said to them. (Read Michael Gurian's "Wonder of Boys" for details on this, gentleman. The ladies already know we don't listen! <grin>) Don't let any segment deal exclusively with one boy or one den for too long, especially awards. Nobody but Den 2 will be paying attention if you're giving out awards to Den 2
Skits, run-ons, costumes, props, ceremonies, involving parents and leaders in the program, songs, decorations, games.
Mix everyone in at random if you can.
How do we apply this to a real life pack meeting?
Brief, informative segments scattered throughout. No gaps, pauses, extensive preparations, long speeches, readings. Plan on making a fool of yourself, because it has ageless appeal -- kids and adults alike are inexplicably mesmerized and amused by a grown man or woman performing "Tooty-Ta", talking in a weird accent, or otherwise embarrassing themselves.
It means you need to plan and practice your meeting, and most of all, have no pride. It means you need to be a playwright, producer, director, and actor. You need to hire assistants to help with lighting, costumes, props, and curtains.
Not needing a microphone is helpful
You need to think like a nine year old boy.
You need to be imaginative, and being funny is a big step in the right direction.
Personally, I have 2 CA's: one is my partner in crime, one is my "announcement person" (and better half). I'll recruit one or two other leaders, one or two parents, a few older siblings, and one den each month to help out. All the adults and siblings get a script that my CA's and I write on the Saturday before the meeting, based on a general plan we hash out the week before over the phone. In all, it takes about 2-3 hours to write, and another 3-4 hours to gather everything together. We'll scatter run-ons, skits and songs between the segments that take more preparation, giving time to get ready. We use lots of props and costumes, even if it's just a bandana over the face and a sign hung around someone's neck that says "Bank Robber". Remember, as a kid, how you could turn a cardboard box into a house, race car, space capsule, submarine or jet fighter with just a few quick crayon marks? That's the idea.
I don't claim to be the ultimate Cubmaster, or an expert by any means, but I can count on the fingers of one hand every time I've put up [the Cub Scout] sign since our September meeting (and tell you why it was necessary each time).
This is a method I've seen work for others, and all I've done is apply it, so it should work for everyone out there. The boys tell me they're always wondering what's going to happen next, and the parents tell me they can't believe that we did some goofy, silly thing. They pay attention (and show up) because they don't want to miss something, and wonder what's coming up next. So what are we doing this month, besides a visit from Santa? My CA and I are being arrested by Highway Patrol officers for our pack not being in the spirit of Christmas. The boys will have to sing carols for our release. Some leaders and I are getting pies in the face from the top popcorn sellers. Our Bears will perform a skit, and we'll give out advancements, possibly in a "Twelve Days of Christmas" theme.

CT—Sean Scott, Cubmaster, Pack 307

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YOUR PACK MEETING WILL BE A SUCCESS BECAUSE

YOUR SCOUTS WILL HAVE FUN! When scouts have fun, they want to keep coming back.  To succeed, remember this simple rule:

"Keep It Short & Simple - Make It Fun"  (KISMIF)  and use VARIETY."

To achieve this goal, advance planning is critical. As you plan your pack meeting, consider the following:

Plan your meetings well in advance using themes or special activities as focal points.

Confirm the time and place of the meeting.

Reserve meeting places well in advance.

Make sure that someone is responsible for opening the meeting place ahead of time.

Assign den responsibilities in advance; e.g. set-up, opening, skits, songs, stunts, closing, clean-up.

Make sure that arrangements are made for transporting displays, props, special equipment,  etc.

Make sure that awards, badges, pins, etc. are ready for presentation before the meeting.

Try to have displays set up before the meeting.

Have a gathering activity planned and use it when scouts arrive.

Conduct an Opening Ceremony that is serious and impressive.

While you have the scene set, transition to introductions and inductions.

Build spirit with den cheers, den reports, rousing songs and group activities.

Entertain with skits, stunts, songs, and games.

Take time to recognize pack and den accomplishments.

Have a Webelos Den demonstrate something related to an activity badge.

Use a song, story, or other device to transition the group to a serious setting.

Present awards and recognitions with an impressive ceremony.

Give special recognition to special  accomplishments.

Recognize adult contributions - thank you and special awards.

Give a very few words on coming events (give details in handouts, newsletters)

Have a Scouter's minute - leave the scouts with something to ponder

Conduct a closing ceremony.

Serve refreshments (optional).

Clean-up the meeting site and leave it as good as or better than you found it.

Evaluate and plan an even better meeting next time.

 USSP

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PARENT ATTENDANCE AWARD Each pack has its own way of building family attendance at the pack meetings. Some have a simple trophy of a homemade "Cubby" which is presented to the den having the best adult attendance at each pack meeting. The winning den keeps the trophy in its meeting place until the next pack meeting, where it is passed on. "Cubby" is a homemade attendance trophy, made from tin cans and any scrap material. Challenge a creative parent to design and make your attendance trophy.
Some packs present a family attendance ribbon to the den or dens with the best parent attendance. The den or dens are presented with a ribbon to be attached to the den flag. If attendance of families at pack meetings is not what you would it to be, perhaps the pack committee can come up with a plan for increasing attendance.

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CUB SCOUT GRADUATIONS

Pack Leaders should be planning the graduation of Tiger Groups, and Wolf and Bear Dens during the next two months. Graduation ceremonies at pack meetings, featuring new neckerchiefs, new books and new dens,  highlight these milestones in a boy's Scouting career.

Many packs have found an advantage in holding graduations at their April pack meeting; others wait until May or June. All are acceptable to National and Council policy. The earlier graduations seem to facilitate the formation of dens and the training of den leaders and Webelos den leaders. This can be important to packs that have strong summer programs.

More important than the exact date that boys start their next phase of the Cub Scout program is that each den has the best, trained leaders. Cascade Pacific Council is justifiably proud of the excellent training available to Cub Scout leaders. We should be striving to recruit more assistant den leaders and do everything we can to see that they all get both Fast Start and Basic training.

 

NATIONAL SUMMERTIME PACK AWARD

Your pack can earn this award by holding at least one pack activity during each of the summer months -- June, July, and August. There are two excellent reasons for trying to qualify for the Summertime Pack Award: · Summer is a great time for Cub Scouting -- maybe the best time. The boys have plenty of leisure and few distractions.  · Packs staying active all summer maintain their momentum in September. They don't have to, in effect, reorganize in the fall because they've been going strong during the vacation months. The pack award is a certificate and streamer for the pack flag. Dens that have at least half their members al each summer pack activity may get a gold den participation ribbon for their den flag. And Cub Scouts who attend all three summer activities get a special pin. Have all den leaders keep attendance records at the pack picnic and at the July and August pack activities. In September, pack leaders should apply for the National Summertime Pack Award at the local council service center.

SUMMERTIME ACTIVITIES

By April, it's time you planned your  Pack Summertime program to earn the Summertime Pack Award.
These are some favorite summertime pack activities of  both the boys and the adults of Pack 876, Midlothian, Virginia.
• Baseball game -- annual council sponsored event, Scouts and leaders in uniform free.
• Fishing derby -- biggest, smallest, most, fewest, first, last etc.
• Water circus -- raingutter regatta, water balloon contests, watermelon seed spitting etc.
 

 


SUMMERTIME ACTIVITIES

Make plans to for your Pack and all your dens to earn the Summer Time pack Award. Assign a team of parents to lead each summer activity and then start promoting them.

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PACK ACTIVITIES
Comments from the Net

Fishing Derby at a friendly neighborhood lake/pond followed by a cookout

Swimming party at a community pool, followed by a picnic

Raingutter Regatta with other "get set to get wet" activities - water gun fights, water balloon toss, fire brigade relay etc.

Participate in your community's Memorial Day, Flag Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day activity or parade.

Bicycle derby/rodeo

Participate in your Council/District Cub Day Camp

Pack weenie roast/watermelon feed

Go to the zoo, ball game, aquarium, local historic site, state park

Two important points. Make it something that can compete with the other stuff going on i.e. fun, and make it something that can involve parents.  Hope this helps, and have fun

CT Roy Fisher

So, we plan two activities per month so that each Cub has an opportunity  to attend at least one each month and earn their Summertime Award.
Just be sure you have other parents out there willing to help organize these events.
Our events don't take much organizing with the exception of our Raingutter Regatta.  Basically you just need a parent to keep track of attendance, someone to arrange dates and group rates, someone to maybe make certificates (for the rodeo and regatta), someone to organize the food for  a picnic, etc.
 Hope this all helps and good luck!  It's important to have a summertime  program to keep kids interested and willing to continue in Scouting!

CT Mary, Committee  Chair, Pack 180, North Syracuse NY


 
 

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Click HERE for Summer Time Pack Award Requirements!
Click HERE for the STPA Application Form.
Click HERE for Ideas on Where to Go!

Click on these for:

Places to Go Local Tour Permit

 
 

WHEN PLANNING A TOUR...

File a Tour Permit. Phone ahead, check on: cost, parking, opening/closing times, special features, restrictions, availability of rest rooms, refreshments, water etc. Publicize early Meeting time and place, Clothes for weather, Return time, Cost

TOURS

Be sure to contact the place you intend to visit ahead of time so that they can prepare for you and give you necessary information before you arrive.

• Consider distance - how much travel time is involved?
• Obtain a local tour permit at least 2 weeks in advance, if the trip will involve more than 50 miles.
• Let parents/guardians know where you are going and when you will return.
• Obtain a signed permission slip from each boy before the trip (take the medical release on the back of each Scout's application or obtain a medical release on the permission slip).
• Make sure there is sufficient adult supervision. Invite parents to come along. Don't go without enough adults.
• Tell your Scouts the highlights of what they can expect to see.
• Coach your Scouts in advance so that they are attentive, courteous and follow all of the necessary rules.
• Remind your Scouts that they are guests and must follow the rules of their host(s).
• Point out to your Scouts that they are representatives of Scouting and that their behavior will determine whether other Cub Scouts will be welcome later.
• Establish the Buddy System before starting the trip. Explain that the two Scout Buddies must remain together at all times.
• Scouts and leaders should be in uniform on any tour or trip.
• Decide on a meeting place, just in case someone gets misplaced.
• Make sure that each Scout has money for an emergency telephone call.
• Locate restores as soon as you arrive and let your Scouts know where they are.
• Know where emergency care can be obtained.
• After the trip is over, write your hosts and thank them for their courtesy, including notes from the Scouts too.

USSP

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GOOD WILL PROJECTS
 

MONTHLY GOOD TURN

We have started the practice of asking each boy to bring one can good to each pack meeting.  Out of 14 boys, about 4-5 remember each month (My son forgot his last month so we are not
immune to forgetting).  We then donate the can goods a local food pantry.

Chuck Wagner, Pack 471 Cubmaster, Spring, TX

• Put on an information fair for latch key kids.
• Sing Christmas carols for people in retirement homes, in your community.
• Service projects for senior or disabled residents; cleaning, painting, yard work, etc.
• Plan a picnic for senior citizens.
• Collect perfume and makeup for a battered women's shelters.
• Spend your summer break restoring trails in an area park.
• Adopt a grandparent in a retirement home.
• Make a resource list of community services and distribute it to your neighborhood.
• Build bird houses or rabbit shelters.
• Collect old art supplies and donate them to your church youth group.
• Raise awareness of the Youth Protection program.
• Publish a calendar on the Internee of upcoming Community events, and keep it updated.
Scouter Magazine

In December the theme focuses on Good Turns as well as holiday fun. Cub Scouts may make gifts to give to their family, friends, the elderly, and those less fortunate. Activities that dens may participate in that surround this theme are:

Scouting For Food - The Cascade Pacific Councils canned food drive. Not only does every participating scout get a segment, but it allows the boys to see first hand how they can help others. Visit / Caroling at a nursing home - Many nursing homes love to have Scouts come in and sing old favorite Christmas carols. Call ahead and schedule with the home supervisor. Collect good sweaters, coats, blankets for the homeless. Take them to a shelter for distribution. These themes are designed to achieve Cub Scouting's purposes of: Influencing the development of character and encouraging spiritual growth. Developing habits and attitudes of good citizenship. Showing how to be helpful and do one's best. Preparing boys to become Boy Scouts.

 

CONSERVATION GOOD TURN PROGRAM

Conservation and environmental agencies typically have a backlog of needed projects that they have been unable to carry out, for lack of funding or volunteers. The list of possible Good turn projects is limited only by the needs of the agency and the willingness of the Scouting unit. In every community, whether urban, suburban, or rural, worthwhile projects await all Scouting units. Cub Scouting conservation, projects should involve the entire Cub Scout pack, each den, adult leaders, and family members. Hands-on projects help Cub Scouts and Webelos Scouts realize that everyone can do things to care for the environment. Cub Scouts and Webelos Scouts participating in the Conservation Good Turn can also meet some advancement requirements.

Suggested projects include, but are not limited to: Plant grasses, trees, shrubs, and ground cover to stop soil erosion. As a den or pack, adopt a park. Remove litter and garbage from a favorite neighborhood recreation area or park. Organize or participate in a recycling program in your neighborhood, or visit a recycling center. Arrange a natural resources awareness program. Invite natural resource professionals such as wildlife biologists, soil conservationists, foresters, or conservation officers to speak to your pack. Participate in a beach or waterfront cleanup. Record the items collected and determine the possible harmful effects to wildlife. With youth participation, develop a plan to educate the public about the dangers posed to wildlife. From a local, state, or national organization that is concerned about environmental protection, obtain suggestions for den and pack projects to improve the environment. As a den or pack, visit a public utility to learn about the wise use of resources, and become involved in programs offered by utilities to help consumers conserve resources. Contact the camp ranger or BSA local council property superintendent for information about camp needs and plans.  Establish a nature trail, plant vegetation, or carry out other needed projects as requested by the camp ranger.

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CUB SCOUT WORLD
CONSERVATION AWARD

Giant panda on violet Scout trefoil, violet trim, gold background (No. 00139, $.95). Two-inch embroidered emblem worn centered on right pocket. Requirements mandate participation in a Den or Pack conservation project and completion of the following:

Wolf Cub Scouts Achievement 7 - "Your living World" and all of the elective projects in 2 of the following: Elective 13 - "Birds" Elective 15 - "Grow something" Elective 19 - "Fishing" Bear Cub Scouts Achievement 5 - "Sharing your world with wild-life" and all of the elective projects in 2 of the following: Elective 2 - "Weather" Elective 12 - "Nature crafts" Elective 15 - "Water and soil conservation" Webelos Cub Scouts Forester Activity Badge Outdoorsman Activity Badge Naturalist Activity Badge        International Committee of Mt. Diablo Silverado Council http://www.geocities.com/Yosemite/Rapids/7418/ CONSERVE Arrangement: Cub Scouts hold cutouts of cars made from poster board, with letters printed on back of each one to spell out the word: C-O-N-S-E-R-V-E. C - Cars and buses and such were invented by men. O - Oil fields were discovered also by them. N - Nobody really worried about the amount of fuel this would take. S - So on no transportation did they put on the brake. E - Eventually the amount of fuel used grew astonishingly. R - Raising on everyone's mind a great big doubt. V - Very soon the world's traffic was put to the test. E - Now, to conserve fuel, we must do our best. BB - Simon Kenton Council

 

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SAY YES TO READING The Say Yes To Reading contest is an annual essay contest for Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts. Each boy has to write a one page report about "The Best Book I Read This Year". Then, he writes his name, age, address, and school grade on the report and sends it in. There are three categories: 8 and under, 9 & 10, and 11 and over.
When you send in the essay, also include a business size, self-addressed envelope, and your Cub will get a patch with Pedro the Boys'  Life mascot on it. These are the most popular patches in our Pack.

 Every boy wants to earn one.

The essays are due by December 31, and can be sent to this address:

BSA
Boys' Life Reading Contest
S204
P.O. Box 152079
Irving, TX 75015-2079

Now for the bragging: My Wolf Cub son Vinny placed second in the nation in his category. There were over 3000 entries. For his second place finish, he earned 2 Codemaster books, a patch and pin set, a Leatherman Tool, and 4 books of his choice. This is a great program, and my son is over the moon with pride. If any of you get Boys' Life, look on page 8 of  the current issue. My son Vinny is mentioned, as are the other winners. Have fun, and try to get every child to enter!

Michelle

 

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WORLD CONSERVATION AWARD

Town Crier Staff Report      The Cub Scouts of Springer School Pack 36, Den 6 have just completed the Cub Scout World Conservation Award and are receiving the award at their pack meeting this  month. Those receiving the award are second graders Kevin  Jeff, Christopher , Tyler, Jeffrey  and Stuart. To earn the World Conservation Award, the scouts had to complete the Cub Scout Achievement titled "Your Living World" and two electives. "Your Living World" requires that the scouts talk, read about and perform tasks related to keeping their community clean and beautiful, understanding energy conservation and protecting our living world.

"Birds" and "Fishing" were the two electives chosen to complete the requirements for their award. The scouts started with a bird walk in San Antonio Open Space led by docent Julie Muir from the Mid-peninsula Regional Open Space District. They also worked on putting out nesting materials, building bird houses and learning to identify birds. To learn about fishing the scouts visited a tropical fish store, studied and discussed California fishing rules, and then practiced their skills at Lintt Trout Farm. [See More ]

 

ENDANGERED SPECIES

A list of local species that have been listed as THREATENED or ENDANGERED by federal or state authorities. Each den could choose one to investigate and make a report at the Pack meeting in the form of a display, a skit or some other way they wish.
Chinook salmon (Upper Columbia Sp) Oncorhynchus tshawytscha Steelhead (Upper Columbia) Oncorhynchus mykiss Chum salmon (Hood Canal Su) Oncorhynchus keta Chum salmon (Lower Columbia) Oncorhynchus keta Sockeye salmon (Lake Ozette) Oncorhynchus nerka Chinook salmon (Puget Sound) Oncorhynchus tshawytscha Chinook salmon (Snake R. Sp/Su) Oncorhynchus tshawytscha Chinook salmon (Lower Columbia) Oncorhynchus tshawytscha Chinook salmon (Snake R. Fall) Oncorhynchus tshawytscha Steelhead (Snake River) Oncorhynchus mykiss	Sockeye salmon (Snake R.) Oncorhynchus nerka Steelhead (Lower Columbia) Oncorhynchus mykiss Bull trout Salvelinus confluentus Oregon spotted frog Rana pretiosa Mardon skipper Polites mardon Gray wolf Canis lupus Sei whale Balaenoptera borealis Fin whale Baleonoptera physalus Blue whale Balaenoptera musculus Humpback whale Megaptera novaeangliae Black right whale Balaena glacialis Sperm whale Physeter macrocephalus Steelhead (Middle Columbia) Oncorhynchus mykiss	Brown pelican Pelecanus occidentalis Leatherback sea turtle Dermochelys coriacea Pygmy rabbit Brachylagus idahoensis Peregrine falcon Falco peregrinus Western pond turtle Clemmys marmorata Fisher Martes pennanti Grizzly bear Ursus arctos Snowy plover Charadrius alexandrinus Spotted owl Strix occidentalis Oregon silverspot butterfly Speyeria zerene hippolyta Sea otter Enhydra lutris American white pelican Pelecanus erythrorhynchos Sandhill crane Grus canadensis Upland sandpiper Bartramia longicauda Columbian white-tailed deer Odocoileus virginianus leucurus	Woodland caribou Rangifer tarandus Northern leopard frog Rana pipiens Western gray squirrel Sciurus griseus Ferruginous hawk Buteo regalis Sage grouse Centrocercus urophasianus Sharp-tailed grouse Tympanuchus phasianellus Steller sea lion Eumetopias jubatus Lynx Lynx canadensis Aleutian Canada goose Branta canadensis leucopareia Bald eagle Haliaeetus leucocephalus Marbled murrelet Brachyramphus marmoratus Green sea turtle Chelonia mydas Loggerhead sea turtle Caretta caretta Olive Ridley sea turtle Lepidochelys olivacea Audubon Society
FROGS About 4,000 species of frogs and toads are known to scientists, and another ten to twenty species are discovered each year. Because of their acute sensitivity to changes in the environment, such as deforestation, ozone depletion, global warming, and air and water pollution, these amphibians are disappearing faster than most other wildlife. Many frog species become extinct before scientists ever have a chance to learn of their existence. Others are vanishing before our very eyes. Global frog declines are a sad indicator of a decline in the planet's general health. The Rainforest Alliance: canopy@ra.org		WILD TIGERS The Siberian or Amur tiger lives primarily in eastern Russia, and a few are found in northeastern China and northern North Korea. It is estimated that 150-430 Siberian tigers still exist in the wild. About 490 captive Siberian tigers are managed in zoo conservation programs. In this century, the Siberian tiger (sometimes called the Amur, Manchurian, or Northeast China tiger), has survived four wars, two revolutions, and now an onslaught on its forests. Its IUCN status is considered Critical, its numbers in the wild fluctuating from a low of 24 tigers in the 1940s to IUCN estimates of about 150 to 200 in 1994. Tiger Watch

RECYCLE REGATTA I saw a great RR (Raingutter Regatta) at my nephew's pack last summer while visiting.  The kids made their boats out of recycled materials.  Plastic soda bottles with some sand for ballast could be the hull, a pencil for mast, tin pie plate (mini-ones) for the sail...the winner was a plastic transmission fluid bottle (flat rather than cylindrical) ballasted with  plaster of Paris, capped and with a mast/sail combo as above.  It was really fast! Didn't even need a rudder. The creativity was inspiring, and the cost was nothing.  Only parameters for the boats was that they had to fit in the gutter. (draft of no more than 1.5 inches).

A second idea (not as good) was from my day camp (pirate theme).  We had the boys cut a hull from Styrofoam meat trays (donated to us from the local grocer), a straw for mast, sail cut from typing paper, rudder from card stock (file folders),.  You ended up with a flat hulled boat (raft?) that could make it to the finish line, but the sails did not put up with more than 1 or 2 dunkings.  But the kids had a great time and could take the boats home.  Good 40 minute activity.

Lorie McGraw llmcgraw@worldnet.att.net

Webelos Leader and more in Columbia, SC,  Indian Waters Council

WORLD FRIENDSHIP FUND We had a gathering game before our pack meeting last month that doubled as a fundraiser for the World Friendship Fund. I let everyone know before hand that there would be a game, so to come a little early and to bring $1 worth of pennies and that the pennies would be donations. I had plenty on pennies on hand for those that had none or those that needed change. We  had a five gallon bucket (we actually had 2 so 2 scouts could do it at once) 3/4 of the way full with water. The scout was given a 4 inch x 4 inch peice of aluminum foil to make a small boat. They then floated the boat in the bucket and slowly added the coins until the boat sank keeping count of how many coins it took. Once sunk, the boat and pennies remain in the bucket and after the meeting the total was tallied and the amount marked on our "goal poster". The boys had fun and also knew that they were helping others at the same time!
It took anywhere from 10 to 75 pennies depending on the boat to sink it!
PS for information on the World Friendship Fund follow this link: PATCH

CT - Steve, Pack 888, Stuart, FL

FATHER/SON CAKE BAKE Let me tell you about the pack meeting.
We had our Father/Son Cake Bake with  the only rule that everything in/on the cake must be edible. The boys brought in some great looking cakes which were put on tables in the back of the room. We had three teachers from the school that judged the cakes while we started the program. Every boy got a ribbon and every cake won a Best ?????? or Most ??????? title.
We had our opening, introduced and thanked the judges and parents, then had awards. I recognized our newest Committee Member and awarded her son a Garfield Recruiter Patch for getting her signed up and trained. We had a brand new Wolf and a new Webelos I (brothers), that received neckerchiefs for joining the pack and had already earned their Bobcats (took one week). I had the Webelos I den help me lead the pack in singing Ghost Chickens in  the Sky? then the Webelos II den did the car skit where they must ?ill the engine? We then had ten Webelos II that crossed over to Boy Scouts and an award for the den leader that is crossing with them.
After all the awards (now we are running late) the boys got their cakes and lined up to give them to the Auctioneer to sell. After the second cake I did a spur of the moment run-on. I stopped the auctioneer (former pack leader, now troop leader) telling him I could do it faster and get more money. I took the next cake and set it where everyone could see it and told everyone to be ready to get their hands up to bid because this would be fast. I pointed around the room with one hand and used my finger on my lips for a “BUBUBUBUBUB” sound. Then I announced the cake SOLD to my Assist.
Cubmaster for $150.00 He quickly yelled “I didn’t bid that! and chased me out of the room. We had about forty cakes, one went for $40, a few for $30, most averaged $20 and everyone had a good time.
 My son and I made the $40 “2KAKE” - Computer cake. We had two 9x13 cakes stacked for the CPU with two 8X8 cakes stacked on top for the monitor. We also put a small amount of cake mix in a tilted 9X13 pan for the keyboard. These were all covered with white frosting, and Hershey’s chocolate bars for keys on the keyboard. Graham crackers with blue frosting and store bought cake decorating letters spelling “2KAKE” went on the front of the monitor, while graham crackers with green frosting became a mouse pad. For the mouse we used a package of Twinkies covered with white frosting, and the cables and wires were licorice whips. It used 31/2 packaged cake mixes and over 5 tubs of frosting. Believe it or not almost all of the ideas for the cake came from my son, except my co-worker suggested changing his plain  “2K” to “2KAKE”.
Marty Linn, CM, Pack 1878, Sam Houston Area Council, CT

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