Wildlife Conservation Belt Loop & Pin
Fun – Challenge – Reward
From Ask Andy
Fun, challenge, reward… Are we delivering these three key ingredients to our youth of all ages, every week, week after week? And how about our fellow volunteers? Are we providing the same for them as well?
I once knew a Scoutmaster whose nickname (given to him by the Scouts, of course) was “Mister Awful.” What would you guess his views on fun, challenge and reward might be? I knew a Den Leader who took pride in being “tough” on Cub Scout advancement. Tough…to what end? I’d always thought the requirements are the requirements.
When youth leave our units, or our fellow volunteers stop doing what they originally committed to, we’re often tempted to think, Well, they’ve just given up on Scouting. But have they? Are they really leaving Scouting? Or are they leaving us?
Did we somehow forget that fun, challenge, and reward are the three key ingredients we need to deliver, and keep on delivering, each and every time?
Most Scouters get it right, and then some. I well remember a Scoutmaster who knew more knots than I ever knew existed. Every week he would tie a new one and wrap a Scoutmaster’s Minute around it. His Scouts could hardly wait to see what knot he’d tie, and what story he’d tell, each week... ... Little things, perhaps, but it’s these little things, maybe, that make all the difference!
Fun, challenge, and reward. Pretty simple. Easy to remember. Sometimes tougher to deliver than we might think. But, that’s our job. We can do it. We just need to focus on it: Fun – Challenge – Reward.
Read the complete post here
The Cub Scout Cycle
The Cub Scouting ranks effectively change with the end of the current school year's grade, and work toward the next rank can begin then. Boys are automatically advanced to the next level in the BSA National database on June 1st. However, some Packs go "dark" in the summer and so September is often the actual start toward the next rank.
So, a Tiger finishing first grade begins working on Wolf requirements in June of that year, and has the whole summer to be a Wolf Cub Scout. Cub Day Camps treat boys who have completed a grade as having advanced to the next level for purposes of grouping.
The Cub Scout Leader Book states that Packs can allow a boy a few extra weeks after the typical school year to finish up a rank if he is not yet finished ("few" being undefined and left up to the unit to be decided in the best interests of the Scout).
excerpts from: http://netcommish.com/AskAndy61.asp and the Cub-Scout-Talk list
Meetings and Achievements
http://netcommish.com/AskAndy26.asp
A Den meeting is supposed to be made up of activities related to the Pack's monthly theme and upcoming Pack meeting. Not requirements! When you work on rank requirements in Den meetings, did you know you're actually undermining a central aim of the Cub Scout program, that being to strengthen the bond between the boy and his parents? That's not my opinion, either—that's a BSA-stated aim! Here are three key quotes from the BSA: "Cub Scout advancement involves PARENTAL approval of requirements," "A parent or adult family member should approve his work and sign his book, signifying completion of the requirement," and "Cub Scout leaders approve only a few requirements, which are indicated in the book." Got it now? Good!
If you want to work on "requirements" and "advancement-type stuff," and there's time in the Den meeting after getting ready for the Pack meeting, then have your Bear Cubs work on BELT LOOPS & PINS. There are two programs for this—one is ACADEMICS-oriented and the other is SPORTS-oriented, and they're both great "supplemental" programs for an active Cub Den. You and your Den can choose from over 30 different activity areas, ranging from Art to Basketball to Chess to Geography to Physical Fitness to Science to Weather. There are activity areas that can work beautifully "inside" and a whole bunch that are "outside." Doing these as a Den does NOT get in the way of a key aim of Cub Scouting. Check these out. There are belt loops (and pins, too) and books on every one of the 31 activity areas available at your local Scout Shop or at "scoutstuff.com."
http://netcommish.com/AskAndy79.asp
Rank advancements for Wolf and Bear and Arrow Points aren’t done in Den meetings—This is one big No-No! These are done at home, with parents as Akela (Yes, this includes signing his book, too!). You actually are interfering with the program as it's intended to be delivered when you take away the parents’ jobs by doing pre-Webelos advancement stuff in your Den meetings. Now, just in case you're thinking, "If I don't do it, these boys won't advance!" I'll remind you that your job, as Den Leader, is to counsel the parents and tell them flat out what their own responsibilities are. And, yes, if they don't do it, their sons won't advance, and it's absolutely NOT your job to "rescue" anybody—parent or Cub! (This isn't my opinion—This is how the BSA designed the Cub Scout program to be carried out!)
http://www.scouting.org/cubscouts/about/parents/benefits.html
Cub Scouting Has an Advancement Plan
The advancement plan recognizes a boy's efforts and achievements. It provides fun for the boys, teaches them to do their best, and helps strengthen understanding as family members work with boys on advancement requirements.
The Methods of Cub Scouting
"...a game with a purpose: the game is a fun and exciting program, and the purpose is to become better adults."
1. The Ideals 2. The Den 3. Advancement 4. Family Involvement 5. Activities 6. Home and Neighborhood-Centered 7. The Uniform |
taken from: http://www.scouting.org/cubscouts/about/pandm.html
Cub Scouting uses seven specific methods to achieve Scouting's aims of helping boys and young adults build character, train in the responsibilities of citizenship, and develop personal fitness. These methods are incorporated into all aspects of the program. Through these methods, Cub Scouting happens in the lives of boys and their families.
- 1. The Ideals
- The Cub Scout Promise, the Law of the Pack, the Tiger Cub motto and Promise, and the Cub Scout sign, handshake, motto, and salute all teach good citizenship and contribute to a boy's sense of belonging.
- 2. The Den
- Boys like to belong to a group. The den is the place where boys learn new skills and develop interests in new things. They have fun in den meetings, during indoor and outdoor activities, and on field trips. As part of a small group of six to eight boys, they are able to learn sportsmanship and good citizenship. They learn how to get along with others. They learn how to do their best, not just for themselves but also for the den.
- 3. Advancement
- Recognition is important to boys. The advancement plan provides fun for the boys, gives them a sense of personal achievement as they earn badges, and strengthens family understanding as adult family members work with boys on advancement projects.
- 4. Family Involvement
- Family involvement is an essential part of Cub Scouting. When we speak of parents or families, we are not referring to any particular family structure. Some boys live with two parents, some live with one parent, some have foster parents, and some live with other relatives or guardians. Whoever a boy calls his family is his family in Cub Scouting.
- 5. Activities
- In Cub Scouting, boys participate in a wide variety of den and pack activities, such as games, projects, skits, stunts, songs, outdoor activities, and trips. Also, the Cub Scout Academics and Sports program and Cub Scouting's BSA Family program include activities that encourage personal achievement and family involvement.
- 6. Home and Neighborhood Centered
- Cub Scouting meetings and activities happen in urban areas, in rural communities, in large cities, in small towns—wherever boys live.
- 7. The Uniform
- The Tiger Cub, Cub Scout, and Webelos Scout uniforms help build pride, loyalty, and self-respect. Wearing the uniform to all den and pack meetings and activities also encourages a neat appearance, a sense of belonging, and good behavior.
BSA Monthly Themes
| 2008 | |
| January | Cub Scout Car Show |
| February | Chinese New Year |
| March | Litter To Glitter |
| April | Abracadabra |
| May | Leaf It To Cubs |
| June | Go For The Gold |
| July | H2Ohhh! |
| August | S'more Summer Fun |
| September | New Buddies |
| October | Adventures In Books |
| November | Seeds Of Kindness |
| December | Holiday Lights |
| 2009 | |
| January | "A-MAZE-ing" GAMES |
| February | American ABC's |
| March | When I Grow Up |
| April | Jurassic Pack |
| May | Leave Nothing But Footprints |
| June | A Camping We Will Go |
| July | Be A Sport |
| August | Fun In The Sun |
| September | Cub Scout Pockets |
| October | Jungle Safari |
| November | Scout Salute |
| December | Works of Art |
| 2010 | |
| January | Power Up! |
| February | Happy Birthday, B.S.A. |
| March | Take Flight |
| April | Spring into Action |
| May | In the Spotlight |
| June | Hoop-de-doo! |
| July | Celebrate Freedom |
| August | Waves of Fun |
Software
http://trax.boy-scouts.net
FREE TOOLS By Scouters For Scouters for use with Microsoft Excel or OpenOffice Calc
The CubTrax Series:
TigerTrax, WolfTrax, BearTrax, WebelosTrax, CubPatchesTrax, Beltloop&PinTrax, RecordTrax, and EventTrax
The KnotTrax Series:
CubKnotTrax and ScouterKnotTrax (KeyKnotTrax coming soon?)
The TrainingTrax Series:
CubberTrax and ScouterTrax
What is a Podcast?
Podcasting or Netcasting is a method of publishing files via the Internet, allowing users to subscribe to a feed and receive new files (or installments or episodes) automatically.
Listening to podcasts or netcasts does not require a portable player (iPod) and it is not traditional “broadcasting” to a mass audience at a fixed time. If you wish to "subscribe" to a show, you will need to download and install a Podcast client such as iTunes.
Many podcasts can be listened to directly from their websites with no additional software necessary.
 | Leader's Campfire |
 | An Hour A Week? Cub Scout Podcast The adventures of Cubmaster Chris, a Cub Scout parent and Cubmaster. Includes hints and tips for Scout Leaders. |
 | Akela's Adventure with Mr. Bob |
 | Cubcast An official podcast from the BSA, Cubcast is an audio podcast featuring a variety of how-to and information topics for Cub Scout leaders and parents. |
 | National Commissioner's Podcast Here, in an informal, conversational style, BSA National Commissioner Don Belcher reveals how we can make a difference, bringing a quality Scouting experience to more young people than ever. |
| Small Pack Leader This podcast provides advice, tips and resources for leaders of small packs or leaders of struggling packs. |
Print materials
Print materials
Here is an overview of some of the key publications for Cub Scout leaders. All of these items, and many others, are available to you at your local council service center or wherever Scouting merchandise is sold.
- The Cub Scout Leaders' Library
- Program Support
- Guide to Safe Scouting A Unit Leader's Guide for Current Policies and Procedures.
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