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.

The Cub Scout Uniform

taken from: http://www.scouting.org/cubscouts/uniform/parents/index.html

Wearing uniforms has been a method of the Scouting movement from the beginning. Decades of experience show uniforming to have many benefits, including these:

• Equality. The uniform represents a democratic ideal of equality. Boys from various cultures and different economic levels wear the same uniform and cooperate as equals.
• Identification. The uniform identifies a boy as a member of the Cub Scouts. Badges on the uniform tell other members that he belongs to their den, pack, and council. The uniform itself identifies a good citizen to the entire community.
• Achievement. The uniform displays badges and other awards so the accomplishments of each Cub Scout can be immediately recognized.
• Commitment. Wearing a uniform is a constant reminder to each Cub Scout of his commitment to the ideals and purposes of Cub Scouting: duty to God, loyalty to country, and helpfulness to others.

For these reasons, among others, all parents should emphasize to their Scouts the importance of wearing the correct and complete uniform on all suitable occasions.

Tiger Cub, Wolf, and Bear Cub Scouts

The Cub Scout uniform consists of the following parts:

• Shirt—The official uniform shirt is available with long or short sleeves and has button-flap pockets and "Boy Scouts of America" lettered in gold above the right pocket.
• Trousers or shorts—Official blue.
• Belt—Official navy-blue web belt with metal buckle and Tiger Cub, Cub Scout, or Webelos Scout emblem.
• Socks—Official socks are available in three lengths: ankle, crew, and knee. Tiger Cub socks are navy blue with orange tops; Cub Scout socks are navy blue with gold (yellow) tops.
• Cap—Official navy-blue cap with orange front panel and tiger cub emblem for Tiger Cubs, yellow panel and wolf emblem for Wolf Cub Scouts, blue panel and bear emblem for Bear Cub Scouts. Webelos Scouts wear an olive cap with a plain panel bearing the Webelos logo.
• Neckerchief—Triangular neckerchief is orange with navy-blue trim for Tiger Cubs, gold with navy-blue trim for Wolf Cub Scouts, light blue with navy-blue trim for Bear Cub Scouts, and plaid for Webelos Scouts. Official BSA neckerchiefs are the only neckerchiefs boys should wear. Packs should not make their own pack neckerchiefs for boys.
• Neckerchief slide—Official gold-tone metal slide with the Tiger Cub, Cub Scout, or Webelos logo. Boys may wear handmade neckerchief slides.

Webelos Scouts

Webelos Scouts may choose to wear either the blue Webelos uniform based on the Cub Scout uniform or the tan/olive uniform similar to the one Boy Scouts wear.

For the tan/olive uniform, boys wear the official Boy Scout olive trousers or shorts and official Boy Scout tan long- or short-sleeved shirt with blue shoulder loops. Official blue socks (with gold tops) are worn with the blue uniform, and official olive socks (with red tops) are worn with the tan/olive uniform.

With either uniform, all Webelos Scouts wear the Webelos neckerchief (plaid with the Webelos emblem), Webelos neckerchief slide (handmade slides are also acceptable), Webelos cap, and Webelos belt buckle.

Note that the Webelos belt buckle will fit either the blue or the olive belt, but the belt loop recognitions for the Cub Scout Academics and Sports program fit only on the blue web belt.

Badges and Insignia

When a boy first joins Cub Scouting, his uniform will display only those badges that identify his status: the World Crest, which shows him to be a member of the worldwide Scouting movement; the national flag; his council strip; his pack number; and his den number. As he progresses, the Cub Scout will earn badges, pins, medals, and other insignia that tell of his accomplishments in Scouting. These items should be added to the uniform only after they have been earned.

For guidance on the proper placement of all badges and insignia, see the BSA's Uniform and Insignia Guide (No. 33066, available at your local council service center) or download the uniform inspection sheet from the forms page.

Wearing the Uniform

In general, every Cub Scout should wear his uniform to all Cub Scouting activities, including den and pack meetings, unit outings, and any activities done with members of the den or pack. When playing sports, going to camp, or participating in other physical activities, a pack may opt to have the Cub Scouts wear an alternate uniform, such as an activity shirt. Pack leaders should provide advance notice of any occasion when the boys should wear anything other than the complete uniform.

Here are some tips for wearing the uniform:

• DO keep the uniform clean and in good repair. The official uniform is a sturdy, machine-washable garment that will last for years with proper care.
• DO be sure to wear the complete uniform. A Cub Scout wearing a uniform with parts missing is not in uniform.
• DO NOT wear non-BSA badges, awards, or insignia on the Cub Scout uniform or make any alterations to the uniform or insignia.
• DO NOT mix uniform parts with non-uniform clothing, such as wearing a uniform cap with other clothing or wearing the uniform shirt with blue jeans. The uniform should be treated as a unit—worn in its entirety, or not at all.

Any time you are uncertain about uniform regulations, ask the den leader for guidance.

Obtaining a Uniform

The official Cub Scout uniform is available at hundreds of locations across the nation - including your local council, nationally-operated Scout Shopts, and other licensed retailers - or can be ordered directly from the national Supply Division. Visit www.scoutstuff.org for a list of distributors in your area.

Before buying a new uniform, be sure to check with the pack leaders about other options. Some packs have money-earning projects to raise funds to uniform their Cub Scouts, or to provide common emblems such as pack and den numerals. Others may have uniform exchange programs for boys to obtain "experienced" uniforms.