| Cub Scouting
has just got to be fun. If it ain't fun, no one's going to stick
around long enough to get any benefit out of it.
FUN
FOR THE KIDS
Games, ceremonies and outings rule!
Everything else is boring and dull. Gather a list of games,
songs, sparklers, cheers and all the other zany stuff that will work for
your pack. Fill your ceremonies with cheers, drama, explosions and such
to make them exciting and memorable. What's wrong? Never been to a rock
concert? Punctuate your calendar with lots of outings and service projects.
Above all, don't hold meetings; they're boring! Put on productions.
FUN FOR THE
ADULTS
Get everyone involved in the program.
Give them a piece of the action whether it be setting up the room, participating
in games or leading an outing. Don't let them sit still. Do away with long
boring announcements. Instead, use skits, run-ons, or just hand out
printed sheets. Did you ever go to a circus where the ring master read
off a long string of announcements?
FUN FOR THE
LEADERS.
If you're not having fun being a
leader, then you're doing it wrong. Go back and review why you're
doing this and start eliminating things that aren't fun. Talk
it over with other Scouters, retake training, check out the Cub Scout Leader
Book. Start changing things, because if you're not having fun then no one
else is either.
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If a boy's
parents are not a big part of his Cub Scout program then all he gets
from it is second-rate baby sitting. Don't cheat the boy by leaving out
those people he lives with and loves.
PARENT
AGREEMENT
Make sure that every parent is aware
of what is expected of them at the moment the boy joins. At this age, his
parents are his main role models, make sure they know what's expected of
them.
PARENT
MEETINGS
Regularly, meet with parents to ensure
that they are up to date with how advancement works, what the pack is doing,
house rules, and how they can help make their sons' Cub Scouting important
and valuable. Do it as a pack and as a den. Do it in a back yard, a church
basement or over coffee and sticky buns, but DO IT.
PARENT
INVOLVEMENT
Hold parents to their agreement.
Do as little advancement in the den as you can. Push the projects home.
Make sure your pack activities are so interesting that parents don't dare
stay away. Get every parent involved by bringing them into the action.
Give them jobs, responsibilities, and ownership. As a leader, never,
never, never do anything that you could pass off to another
parent. Let each boy see his parent be a Hero.
PARENT
RECOGNITION
Make sure that parents get
rewarded for their efforts. Do it with ceremonies, in your newsletters
and web sites, or just a quick round of applause.
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Keep a clear
vision of why we are doing all this. Yes it's fun, but keep on track.
THE IDEALS
The things a boy learns on the Bobcat
Trail, the Cub Scout Motto and Promise and the Law of the Pack. Use
these as sign posts and guides at all Cub Scout functions.
PURPOSES
OF CUB SCOUTING
Every Activity, must somehow lead
to or support one of these purposes:
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Character Development
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Spiritual Growth
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Good Citizenship
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Sportsmanship
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Family Understanding
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Respectful Relationships
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Personal Achievement
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Friendly Service
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Fun and Adventure
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Preparation for Boy
Scouts
SCOUTING'S
CORE VALUES
-
Citizenship
-
Compassion
-
Cooperation
-
Courage
-
Faith
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Health and Fitness
-
Honesty
-
Perseverance
-
Positive attitude
-
Resourcefulness
-
Respect
-
Responsibility
Connecting
Core Values to Outdoor Activities
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Make
sure that there is a connection between each Cub Scout activity and one
or more of these Core Values.
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