TRAINING TIP
Seven Things I Learned As A Cubmaster.
(In the order I learned them.)
Bill Smith, the Roundtable Guy
www.wtsmith.com/rt
And a big Heap How to Bill for putting Baloo’s Bugle on his website until www.USScouts.oeg has their new server up and running. Commissioner Dave
1. Protect and Retain Den Leaders. The program runs on DLs. Do anything to keep them happy and productive. Don't let anyone pile extra duties on them. They are not someone's personal messenger, or delivery boy and especially they are not your wait staff at the Blue and Gold Banquet. Their only job is to lead the den.
2. Outings are Worth the Effort. As a pack, do something special every month over and above the pack meeting. Tours, hikes, service projects, picnics, and especially pack camp outs – these sorts of things make the difference between ho-hum and WOW!!!
3. Recruit Every Parent. Every parent must do something for the pack or den. He or she must be the role model for their boy to help make the pack go. Every boy deserves to see his parent be a Cub Scouting Hero. The longer I do this, the more value I see in parent participation: for the pack, for the family and for the boy.
4. Be Nutty! Lose your inhibitions and have uproarious FUN. Do all the zany songs, cheers, run-ons and stunts. Wear crazy costumes and play outrageous games. Do this a lot in Cub Scouts because as the boys get close to Boy Scout age they lose much of their appreciation of madcap humor – especially by their parents.
5. Cute is a Four-letter Word. Cute stuff has no place in Cub Scouting. Boys at this age have no interest in being cute or being with people who want them to be. One of our den leaders would summarily veto any program idea that evoked the word “cute.” Every pack needs someone like her.
6. Den Chiefs are Gods. Den Chiefs don't make your job much easier, but they do make the Cub Scout experience better. They require coaching and direction to be successful but when they succeed they bring a unique spark to a Cub Scout's life that no one else can.
7. Games and Ceremonies are all You Need. Everything in a pack or den meeting should be either a ceremony or a game. If you can't make announcements, setting up chairs, craft projects, or anything else be one or the other, then you are not reading the right books.
And following up on his comment, “Cute stuff has no place in Cub Scouting. “ –
PROJECTS FOR BOYS
Generally speaking, boys like certain kinds of projects. Here are some basic rules to help you choose projects that will go over well and contribute to their growth:
What will it do? Boys like to make things that do something. Pinewood derby cars, boats, kites and catapults do things. They run, fly, throw things or explode. Girls, at this age, are already aware of form and beauty - boys usually don't care. Watch boys build things. They spend most of their time playing with a half finished model, visualizing what it will do. What it looks like is low priority.
What is it made of? Wood is good. Large is better. Collect large cartons, scrap wood and other similar stuff. He needs to learn to manipulate material. Start thinking of the help you will need to handle all this - let parents know you will need them.
What is the process? Using tools is usually popular. Do things that are as messy as you can stand. Big painting projects, papier mache and cooking all fit this category. Dainty and cute are not going to make it here.
At this age, building projects help a boy in several ways: it stimulates his imagination, it develops hand-eye coordination, it enhances his ability to go from a mind’s eye view to a physical creation. Use projects to build den game equipment, scenery and costumes for skits, camping gear and den snacks.
