Den Meetings: Using the Monthly Theme

1. Cub Scouting (CS-7) Den Meetings: Using the Monthly Theme Scott Valcourt March 24, 2007 Your boys are eager for fun. Learn how using the monthly theme from the Program Helps makes the planning easy. Learn all about something new at Council called “Den Meeting in a Box”.

2. Welcome! Your Presenter Today: Scott Valcourt • Cubmaster, P313, Berwick • York District Cub Training Chairman • Webmaster – York District, Section NE-1A • Camp Visitation Specialist and Chairman – Northeast Region Area 1 Pine Tree Council University of Scouting 2007 CS-7

3. Today’s Goals • What leadership positions are in the room (Den Leader, Cubmaster,…)? • Are you currently using themes? • What do you want to learn from class? Pine Tree Council University of Scouting 2007 CS-7

4. Planning “Truisms” • Leaders who plan have better results than those who do not. • Planning helps us make the best use of available resources. • All leaders are responsible for planning; it is a team effort. • If you fail to plan, you plan to fail! Pine Tree Council University of Scouting 2007 CS-7

5. What is a Cub Scout “Career?” • 5 years (Tiger-Webelos II) • 5 Pinewood Derbies • 5 Blue & Gold Banquets • 50 Pack Meetings (10/year for 5 years) • 150 Den Meetings (3/month/10months/5years) • Our Time in Cub Scouting is Short! Pine Tree Council University of Scouting 2007 CS-7

6. 10 Let’s Plan Den Meetings Using Monthly Themes • When do you start? • Now is a good time • Planning Process • Annual Pack Planning Meeting • Monthly Pack Planning Meeting • Monthly Den Planning • KISMIF – Keep It Simple; Make It Fun Pine Tree Council University of Scouting 2007 CS-7

7. What are Themes? • A collection of related activities of high “boy interest” for each month • A planning system for Tiger Cub, Wolf and Bear Dens, and the Pack Meeting • Webelos Scouts center around activity badges and display their work at the Pack Meeting • Everything centers around the theme • Themes are described in Program Helps, online and Roundtable documentation Pine Tree Council University of Scouting 2007 CS-7

8. Why Use Themes? • Gives variety and interest to program • Active Den Meetings • Active Pack Meetings • Gives initiative to do things that you would not consider otherwise • Makes Den Projects More Important • Increases efficiency of planning • Makes planning Integrated Pack Meeting possible • Fun • Appeal to the natural interest of the boys • Help achieve the purposes of Cub Scouting Pine Tree Council University of Scouting 2007 CS-7

9. 15 Why use National Monthly Themes? • Variety • Balance of Emphasis • Both in Den and Pack Meetings • May lead a boy to a life-long interest or hobby • Age-appropriate • Appealing to Cub Scout-age boys • Action with depth of purpose • Lasting values Pine Tree Council University of Scouting 2007 CS-7

10. Why use National Monthly Themes? • Extends sense of brotherhood – National theme continuity • Support • Roundtable • simulated Pack Meeting elements • break-out sessions for hands-on ideas • based on annual Cub Scout Roundtable Planning Guide. • Literature • Don’t have to re-invent the wheel • Cub Scout Program Helps • Scouting Magazine inserts Pine Tree Council University of Scouting 2007 CS-7

11. Den Meeting Crafts Games Songs Ceremonies Preparation for Pack Meeting Pack Meeting Atmosphere Decorations Nametags Music Costumes Den Contributions Skits Songs Cheers Demonstrations Ceremonies Opening New Scout Family Advancement New Leader Closing Outside activities Day Camp District Activities How do we use the theme? Pine Tree Council University of Scouting 2007 CS-7

12. 20 Program Helps • Monthly meeting plans in Scouting magazine (except October) and sent to: • Cubmasters and Assistant Cubmasters • Den Leaders and Assistant Den Leaders • Pack Trainers • Commissioners • Annual Cub Scout 2007-2008 Program Helps usually available right about now • Adobe PDF version of the current month's Program Helps can also be downloaded from the BSA national Web site at www.scouting.org/cubscouts/resources/34304 Pine Tree Council University of Scouting 2007 CS-7

13. Do I have to follow the book? • Cub Scout Program Helps is a good guideline for new leaders. But don’t be afraid to try things on your own • Adapt ideas from other literature – like the Cub Scout Leader How-To Book • But…. Stay within guidelines that reflect the positive values of Scouting Pine Tree Council University of Scouting 2007 CS-7

14. Program Helps – Den Level • Weekly layout of Den Activities • Gathering Activity • Entertainment • Snacks • Crafts/Advancements • Field Trips Pine Tree Council University of Scouting 2007 CS-7

15. Program Helps – Den Level Pine Tree Council University of Scouting 2007 CS-7

16. Program Helps – Den Level • Where do Den Crafts go? • Refrigerator? • Garbage can?? • Pack Meeting! Pine Tree Council University of Scouting 2007 CS-7

17. 30 Program Helps – Pack Level • Den Meetings form the backbone of the Pack Meeting • Den displays of crafts and activities • Decorations • Demonstrations • Boy awareness of theme Pine Tree Council University of Scouting 2007 CS-7

18. Program Helps – Pack Level • Pack adds additional elements: • Decorations • Guest Speakers • Ceremonies • Games • Cheers • Songs • Cubmaster’s Minute Pine Tree Council University of Scouting 2007 CS-7

19. Program Helps – Pack Level Pine Tree Council University of Scouting 2007 CS-7

20. Introducing Themes To Pack • Best initiated at Pack level • Pack Meeting “coming attractions” • Annual Pack Planning and Pack Leaders Meeting • Give Den Leaders long-term plan for the theme and their assignments • Make it part of the year-long planning • Go with whatever support you get, and build - recognize Dens that support theme • KISMIF Pine Tree Council University of Scouting 2007 CS-7

21. Impact on Advancements • Stress that responsibility for advancements lies with the family, not the Den Leader • Utilize Den Doodles, advancement charts, Den Goal to reinforce individual responsibility and track progress • Let families know what you do not plan to cover and what should be done at home Pine Tree Council University of Scouting 2007 CS-7

22. 40 Theme Resources • Personal Experiences/Talents • Program Helps/Scouting Magazine • Pow-Wow/University of Scouting • Roundtable • Baloo’s Bugle and other Online Resources • Pack Members • “Footsteps of the Founder” - quotations of Baden-Powell Pine Tree Council University of Scouting 2007 CS-7

23. 2007/2008 National Themes Pine Tree Council University of Scouting 2007 CS-7

24. Den Meeting in a Box • New resource available to Den Leaders for use with each monthly Pack theme. • Available in three versions: • Tiger Cub Scout • Wolf Cub Scout • Bear Cub Scout • Contain materials for 10 boys (such as craft kits for making decorative hat visors) related to each monthly theme and to the den activities suggested in the meeting plans found in the single-volume Cub Scout 2006-2007 Program Helps (BSA No. 34304B). • Den Meeting in a Box kits are available for $37.49 each from the Pine Tree Council Scout Shop, www.scoutstuff.org, or from the BSA National Distribution Center, P.O. Box 7143, Charlotte, NC 28241-7143, (800) 323-0732, Fax 704-588-5822. Pine Tree Council University of Scouting 2007 CS-7

25. 45 Six Great Den Meeting Secrets • Planned well in advance • Make good use of all leaders • Use Program Helps, Cub Scout Leader Book, Program-level Handbooks • Use Pack people resources • Anticipate any behavior problems • Are FUN! Pine Tree Council University of Scouting 2007 CS-7

26. Key Points • Monthly Themes help to thread your meetings together • Monthly Themes tied to the National Program assist in delivering your local program • Monthly Themes tend to be recycled, so there is often significant choices available • Monthly Themes introduce Scouting Fun! Pine Tree Council University of Scouting 2007 CS-7

27. References • National Monthly Themes • www.lastfrontiercouncil.org/cub-webelos-themes-2007.htm • www.lastfrontiercouncil.org/cub-webelos-themes-2008.htm • www.lastfrontiercouncil.org/cub-webelos-themes-2009.htm • National Monthly Program Helps • www.scouting.org/cubscouts/resources/34304 • Baloo’s Bugle • www.usscouts.org/usscouts/bbugle.asp • Pine Tree Council Scout Shop • www.pinetreebsa.org • Archive of this presentation • www.yorkdistrict.org/university07.html Pine Tree Council University of Scouting 2007 CS-7

28. http://www.yorkdistrict.org/university07.html Scott Valcourt Cubmaster, Pack 313, Berwick York District Cub Scout Training Chairman York District Webmaster sav@acm.org Contacts and Questions Good Scouting! Pine Tree Council University of Scouting 2007 CS-7