PACK ADMIN HELPS
Cub Scout Achievement, Elective, Rank, and Academics and Sports Trackers
Roxanne@madsenco.com
A lot of websites carry the Excel based trackers she developed but have old and outdated versions. So Roxanne developed her own web page that will always carry the most recent versions (with all known bugs fixed and many enhancements recommended by users).
She recently revised the Cub Scout spreadsheets to –
ü Include the Outdoor Activity Award that was launched in August 2004!
ü Make them easier to work with in OpenOffice.
ü Track Tiger beads and handle up to 15 tigers.
Please direct your den leaders or advancement chairs to the website for the most recent versions of the trackers. (feel free to add a link to your pack's website if that is helpful!)
http://www.madsenco.com/scouting.shtml
Thank you Roxanne!! CD
PS – She, also, has Girl Scout and Boy Scout Trackers!!!
Cub Scout Academics and Sports
Pack 215’s Virtual Cub Leader Handbook
http://www.geocities.com/~pack215/
The Cub Scout Academics and Sports program is a supplemental enrichment program that complements the existing Cub Scout program. The Academics subjects and Sports activities allow boys to learn new techniques, increase scholarship skills, develop sportsmanship-and have fun. Boys participating in the program will be recognized for enjoying teamwork, developing physical fitness, and discovering and building new talents. The Academics and Sports program encourages a boy to do his best
Concepts and Guidelines
The Cub Scout Academics and Sports program is based on the following concepts and guidelines:
ü The program supplements the existing advancement and recognition program for Tiger Cubs, Cub Scouts, and Webelos Scouts; it does not replace it. The program is one element of Cub Scouting, as are den and pack meetings, day camp, and other activities.
ü All registered Tiger Cubs, Cub Scouts, and Webelos Scouts have an opportunity to participate in the Academics and Sports program.
ü Participation may take place at home, with the family, or within a den, a pack, or the community.
ü Adult participation by a parent or adult relative, if possible, is strongly recommended for Cub Scouts and Webelos Scouts and is required for Tiger Cubs.
ü Emphasis is placed on introducing a boy to a sport or academic subject, allowing him to participate in it and encouraging him to do his best. The Academics and Sports program focuses on learning and skill development, not winning.
ü The primary focus of the program is on scholarship and sportsmanship.
ü Each Tiger Cub, Cub Scout, and Webelos Scout will be presented with the appropriate recognition item for completing the requirements, whether he does so as an individual Scout, with his family, with his den or pack, or in his school or community.
ü The Academics portion of the program covers a variety of subjects, including art, chess, citizenship, communicating, computers, geography, heritages, mathematics, music, science, weather, and wildlife conservation.
ü The Sports portion of the program includes summer and winter sports, indoor and outdoor sports, active and less-active sports, and team and individual sports.
ü Cub Scouts who have disabilities may select their own activities and design their own fitness or academic program with the help of a physician, teacher, or parent.
Implementing the Program
One member of the pack committee should be responsible for coordinating the Academics and Sports program and overseeing the integration of the Academics and Sports activities into the pack program. This person can also ensure that requirements for the different activities are available to boys, families, and dens so that all boys have opportunities to earn awards.
Pack leaders should encourage involvement by dens and families and make sure they have opportunities to participate. Many of these academic subjects or sports may become activities a Cub Scout will enjoy for the rest of his life.
The pack leaders should also define how costs of the program are budgeted, how requirements will be verified, when and how recognition takes place, and what constitutes a den or pack tournament.
The pack leadership can begin incorporating the Academics and Sports activities into the pack program during the annual pack planning meeting. Using a list of Cub Scout Academics and Sports activities, the committee reviews the annual program plan and decides where the academic subjects and sports activities might fit. Remember that these activities should complement the pack's program.
1. As you consider which activities to use, ask,
ü Do the Academics and Sports activities fit into the pack's current program?
ü Which ones are natural parts of the pack program?
ü Which ones will help the boys to grow?
ü Which activities reinforce one or more of the purposes of Cub Scouting?
2. Pack leaders should consider the boys in the pack and ask these questions:
ü What is the natural inclination of the boys?
ü Which activities seem to interest them?
ü How can we best use this program in conjunction with our current plans?
ü What is an avid interest of an inactive Cub Scout in the den or pack?
Remember the object of the program is to help boys learn a new skill or improve those they already possess - not simply to provide an opportunity for boys to earn additional recognition.
3. As you review the Academics and Sports activities, keep the school year in mind. Check with school leaders for guidance.
ü Which of the academic subjects fit with the school's education plans?
ü When does the school offer instruction in certain sports or academic areas?
4. Consider other community programs that affect a Cub Scouts involvement.
ü Are the boys playing organized sports that complement one of the sports in the Cub Scout Sports program?
ü Do they take part in music or art activities that complement one of the Academics subjects?
ü Do they participate in other activities covered by Cub Scout Academics and Sports areas?
Decisions about which academic subjects and sports to include in the pack's plan will be easier if you know the specific requirements for the activities you are considering. The "Academics and Sports Program Guide" book lists all requirements, with academic requirements beginning on page 26, and sports requirements beginning on page 51. You are sure to find several Academics and Sports activities that will interest the boys. Try to introduce several new ones each year.
Recognitions
Each activity has two levels of involvement: first, the belt loop; and second, the pin.
The Belt Loop: There are three specific requirements for each belt loop. As a Cub Scout completes these requirements, he is encouraged to do his best to learn about the activity. The Cub Scout or Webelos Scout can take part in one of three ways: (1) individually or with the family, (2) in the den or pack, or (3) in the school or the community. As Tiger Cubs participate in these activities, their adult partners must accompany them.
The Pin: Once the boy has earned the belt loop, he may choose to stop; however, some boys will want to continue with the activity. A Tiger Cub, Cub Scout, or Webelos Scout may complete additional requirements to earn a pin.
Each boy should be recognized for participating in the program. (Specifics about available recognition items can be found on the "Recognition page.") Once a boy has completed the requirements for recognition, a pack leader completes the Den Recognition Report. He or she secures the appropriate recognition items, and the boy is presented with the recognition in a meaningful setting, such as a pack meeting.
Working With Cub Scout-Age Boys
ü You might often find yourself acting as teacher or coach as you work with boys in the Academics and Sports program. Keep these tips in mind.
ü Keep instruction fun. The use of games and stunts will enhance learning and keep the experience enjoyable for everyone.
ü When teaching skills, use words and ideas that children can easily relate to and enjoy. For instance, in swimming, you might tell boys they are going to "learn to float like a log" rather than learning "the prone float" Knowing the technical names of skills isn't as important as the skills themselves.
ü Keep the boys busy and active. Be ready to change to a new activity or to another skill before boys become restless and bored.
ü Don't tease, ridicule, or threaten learners especially in front of others!
ü Demonstrate skills slowly and correctly. It may be helpful to have a boy who is proficient in a skill demonstrate it for his peers.
ü Always provide for the overall protection and supervision of all the boys.
ü And remember: Actions speak louder than words! Discussions you have with youth may be meaningless if your own behavior is inconsistent with what you say.
For more information on topics such as –
ü Carrying out the Program
ü Adaptations for Individuals With Disabilities
I recommend you consult the Cub Scout Academics and Sports Program Guide (WW34299B $6.25), go to Pack 215’s Virtual Cub Leaders Handbook, check out the information on this topic at www.usscouts.org and/or talk with other Cub Leaders in your District and Council and find out how they use the program.
