PACK ADMIN & TRAINING TIPS

WOLF CUB SCOUT, BEAR CUB SCOUT, AND WEBELOS SCOUT HANDBOOKS TO BE REVISED

My council recently received a letter from Alan Westberg, Director - Cub Scout Division, BSA, about upcoming revisions to the Wolf, Bear and Webelos Books.  He states the change is part of efforts to help leaders deliver a quality Cub Scouting program and to ensure that Cub Scout materials remain current and age-appropriate.  The content of the current handbooks has been enhanced. They have been updated for relevance to today's youth, appropriateness of content, ease of use, and perceived challenge to the reader. 

He continues, “We have maintained many of the current elements in these books that have proven successful during the past. We have eliminated topics that have become dated and do not challenge today's Cub Scouts and their families. Some specific revisions are as follows:

·         Integrated Character Connections (that draw on Cub Scouting's 12 Core Values) directly into selected requirements in each book

·         Infused age-appropriate outdoor program activities into both the requirements and the electives in each book.

·         Enhanced the advancement and elective trails to create a progressively more challenging pathway that logically prepares boys for the next rank in Cub Scouting and prepares Webelos Scouts for Boy Scouting

·         Reformatted and enhanced the Webelos handbook, particularly, the Webelos badge and Arrow of Light Award requirements.

In an effort to assist you end your leaders with the transition from the current handbooks to the new handbooks, we have created the following implementation plan.

·         The enhanced Wolf, Bear end Webelos handbooks will be released to the field in July 2003.

·         The enhancements to the requirements in these books will not affect the advancement trails of boys who are using the current books. They are to continue using their current books until they have completed all requirements in those books.

·         Based on availability, Cub Scouting youth members may use either the current handbook or the new handbook. As boys enter the program or advance in rank by the dates indicated below, they are required to use the new books.

·         Boys who become Wolf and Bear Cub Scouts after August 1, 2004, will be required to use the new book for the corresponding rank.

·         Boys who become Webelos Scouts after August 1, 2005, will be required to use the new Webelos Scout Handbook.”

The letter concludes by recommending that the transition information be given to your Cub Scouting leaders and families before public announcement about the new books to help alleviate any concerns regarding the need to switch from the current handbooks to the new ones.

Comment from Commissioner Dave –

This sounds really good to me.  I see more outdoor activities for our Cub Scouts.  That uses Scouting’s strengths.  I see help for Leaders in understanding how their activities fit with Cub Scouting’s Core Values and Purposes. There is an article in the March–April 2003 Scouting Magazine that begins to explain Character Connections, Core Values and Cub Scouts.  There is a BSA Bin item, # 13-323A, referenced in the article as a resource to learn more. When requested, Bin items are provided free from National to your local council. So ask your District Exec or Local Council to get you a copy. It looks like most of the brochure’s info is at http://wtsmith.com/rt/ethicsinaction.html.  There are now requirements in the National Den Award and Cub Scout Leader Recognition Plan for Character Connection Activities.  The literature stresses the point that Character Connections use the regular activities but focus on the Core values.  I am looking for activities to use as examples for my roundtables. If you have info for me on this, write me at commissionerdave@comcast.net.

SAFE SWIM DEFENSE

Talking about Swim Parties for your pack.  Your Pack should have several adults certified in BSA’s Safe Swim Defense and Safety Afloat.  (We conducted this course at our May Roundtable).  Many Boy Scout camps offer this training every week in the summer to Boy Scout Leaders in attendance.  With a phone call to your local camp, you might be allowed to attend one of these.

If you don’t know what the BSA eight point Safe Swim Defense Plan is, check out the Webelos Aquanaut section of this month’s Baloo’s Bugle.  And make sure your pack gets someone certified before conducting water activities.

LEAVE NO TRACE

With Hiking the theme for July a many of Packs and Dens will be out in Camps and Woods and Parks exploring.  BSA has published a Cub Scout Version of the Leave No Trace principles.  It is available as a bin item, # 13-032.  (When requested, Bin items are provided free from BSA National to your local council.)  Go ask for your copy.

The brochure describes six Front Country Guidelines for Cub Scouts to follow while hiking, camping and enjoying the outdoors.  There is even a Cub Scout Leave No Trace award with a patch for Cub Scouts and leaders to earn. 

Making sure our leaders and Cubs are familiar with theses principles should enable our Cubs to be complimented wherever they go and help us recruit even more boys!!

SUMMER PLANNING MEETING

It’s that time of year when Packs should be scheduling their Summer Planning Meeting.  My district’s Program Launch is early June and then my Pack has it’s meeting in July.  Several years ago we started having a swim party, picnic & bar-be-que for all the Leaders.  My daughter and other’s older children and spouses are the  “child care specialists” and lifeguards (My daughter is a certified Red Cross Lifeguard).  It increases attendance, rewards the leaders for their work and gets the task accomplished.  Think of ways to have fun planning out your year.  This planning session is vital for the success of your pack.  There are excellent instructions for the Annual Summer Planning Session in the Cub Scout Program Helps and the Cub Scout Leaders’ Book.  This session will help ensure

·         A well-rounded program

·         A calendar of events throughout the year that can be given to current members and prospects.

·         Incorporation of council and district sponsored events into your schedule.

·         Minimal conflicts with dates from other organizations

·         FUN, FUN, FUN for boys and adults

·         Time to plan activities, ceremonies, pack meetings, trips, costumes and other things around the monthly themes

·         Time to plan and recruit participants for Pack family camping trips