TRAINING TIP

Youth Protection training - online:
 http://www.scouting.org/pubs/ypt/ypt.jsp

 

To complete online Youth Protection Training, the person must have his/her registration card with the registration number to be able to print a completion certificate at the end of the session.  You do not have to be a registered Scouter to take the training, but you have to be one if you want Scouting credit for doing so.   Periodically, your Council  will get a printed summary of people who have completed the online course from the BSA .  They can issue pocket cards  if taking the course preceded registration by a brief period of time.

Den and Pack Discipline

KDScouter

Hiawatha – Seaway council

I received these articles from a new Scouting friend just after I sent the last Baloo off to be put on the web and saved it for this month.  It should follow up to discussions you had at your Roundtable.  Commissioner Dave

Boy Behavior

Peter Van Houten

Discipline is seldom a problem if you time the activities so that the NEXT activity is always something they would rather do than what they are doing NOW. My meetings worked best with the following schedule.

          Gathering time

          Flag (Opening ) Ceremony

          Announcements (Business)

          Advancement Activity or Craft

          Games

          Snack

          Closing

For some reason there is always someone eager to do a flag ceremony in a Wolf den, so that gets us started. They expect announcements, and have not gotten antsy yet, so it is an easy transition to explaining the activity or craft. When they are finished or bored (same thing) with the craft, they are always receptive to the idea of playing a game, likewise snack.

I like the agenda.  Add Before the Meeting and After the Meeting and you have the Classic Seven Parts of a Den Meeting taught in Position Specific Training.  See that Training stuff really works! Personally, I put snack after Closing, that way the boys are occupied if I want to talk with a parent.  CD

Also, plan a backup plan for when an activity that sounded great just does not go over with the Scouts. I have had the chance to work with two dens on the same activity at different meetings, and what works with one den might be a complete flop with another, so be prepared with an alternative. As long as you keep them busy they are easy to handle.

Another approach to discipline that worked well for us is the bead jar. Each time they come to a meeting they get one bead for attendance, one for being in uniform, and one for a good turn they have done if they have done one, or if they do one during the meeting. We put the beads in a small jar and when it is full they all get to choose a special treat for the den. We spent part of one meeting coming up with rules of conduct for Scouts that should result in a bead being taken away.

There was an article in the September Baloo about this concept only using marbles. CD

I had the Scouts make suggestions on what rules they thought belonged on the list, and then the Scouts voted on them. These became THEIR rules, and thinking about them and deciding about them was a positive learning experience. It only takes a gentle reminder from myself or one of the other Cubs to stop a behavior  that is on the list.

Den Code Of Conduct

www.PowWow-OnLine.net

Surprisingly enough, most den leaders find that if their den has a Code of Conduct to follow, their home, their furniture, and their dignity remain intact throughout their Cub Scout experience.  Boys need to know just how far they can go, and the Den Code of Conduct will tell them this.

Each den will want to develop their own code to fit those special boys.   Don't make too many rules.  Omit insignificant ones. The rules should be simple, clear, and concise so they can be understood by the boys. In fact, the boys should help set the rules.

Some dens use a good conduct candle.  This is a large candle that burns during den meetings. When any boy breaks the conduct code the candle is extinguished for the remainder of the meeting.  After several den meetings, the candle will be burned down, and a special treat or trip is planned for the den.  The sooner the candle burns down, the sooner the boys receive their treat.  In this way, the candle serves as an incentive for good behavior.

Suggestions for a Code of Conduct

Enter by back door.

Wipe feet before entering. 

Leave boots on porch.

Go directly to den meeting room.

No running or wrestling indoors.

Show courtesy and respect for other den members, leaders, and the den meeting place.

Bring den dues and handbook to each meeting.

Some Cubs answer to what the code should say:

Don't interrupt

No nasty jokes

No cussing

No punching or kicking

Listen to Akela and don't talk back

Don't stick your tongue out or spit

No talking ugly about other people

If a boy disobeys more than three times in one den meeting, he will phone his parents to pick him up immediately.

Always go straight home after den meetings.

Friendly Reminders

It is important to keep boys under control at all times, without smothering them.

If you lose control, you need to know how to regain it. Don't try to out shout the boys. Stand where the boys can see you and raise your arm in the Cub Scout sign. Train your boys to respond to this signal.  They should know that when the sign goes up, they get quiet.

Don’t say or shout, "When the sign goes up, the mouth goes shut." Or you’ve lost the advantage of the sign

Alternate sitting, doing quiet activities, and doing less quiet activities.

Know when the boys are getting restless and change the pace of the meeting. Go outside for an active game or contest. Give them a chance to blow off excess steam.

I love cheers for this – give someone a cheer for something they did, make it a really active one.  It provides “wiggle time.”  CD

Balance is important. Know where to draw the line.

Did You Know.....

Wtsmith.com/rt

Boys behave better when they wear their uniforms. They act out their Scouting roles. Tiger Cubs are more willing to Search Discover and Share when wearing their Tiger shirts. Cub Scouts and Webelos are more willing to give good will when wearing their uniforms. 

The Ten Needs of  Boy

York-Adams Council

·         To climb a mountain and look afar.

·         To sit around an embered campfire with good friends

·         To test his strength and his skills on his very own.

·         To be alone with his own thoughts and with his God.

·         To reach out and find the hand of an understanding man ready and willing to help.

·         To have a code to live by… easily understood and fair.

·         A chance to play hard just for the fun of it… and to work hard for the thrill of it.

·         To have a chance to fail… and know why.

·         To have and to be a good friend and have a chance to prove both.

·         To have a hero… and a vision to measure him by.