PACK ADMIN HELPS

I would encourage leaders to take a look at Jamie’sgreat resource for Pack Planning for the year. This is the intro to the 9 page workbook style resource found at http://www.cubroundtable.com/miscellaneous.htm you will want to scroll down to the blue and yellow star.

Annual Program Planningby Jamie Niss Dunn, Pack Trainer, Pack 512, Blaine/Coon Rapids, MN, Cub Scout Training Chair, Cub Scout Roundtable Commissioner, 3 Rivers District.

Summer is traditionally the time when packs plan their upcoming program year. Most packs do this by holding a program planning conference, a meeting where interested leaders and parents come together to craft a new program for a full year of fun and exciting events and pack meetings. The meeting should not be a simple exercise in taking last year’s calendar, and putting new dates on all the events and meetings held the previous year. Rather, this should be an opportunity for the pack leaders and parents to think about the quality of the pack’s program, and make improvements. Remember, the single most important factor in why families and Scouts choose to join your pack, and more importantly stay in Scouting, is the program they receive.

This meeting should be held in a relaxed atmosphere – such as a picnic, a potluck dinner or pizza fest. You should anticipate that this meeting will last two hours, at a minimum. Ideally, this is an adults-only function. If children must be present, try to have someone to supervise them, so the leaders and parents can concentrate on the business at hand. You should invite all of the pack’s leaders and parents to this meeting. Your Chartered Organization Representative and your Unit Commissioner are good people to invite as well.

Make sure you have all the resources you need for the meeting. These include your current roster of Scouts and leaders; completed Parent and Family Talent Survey Sheets; the Cub Scout Leader Book; at least one copy of Cub ScoutProgram Helps for the upcoming year; the pack’s budget for the previous year and a current Treasurer’s report; and  calendars from your school district, the council, and your chartered organization. The pack’s copies of the Unit Advancement Reports submitted for the year should be available. If you have conducted a parent or Scout evaluation of your program, bring those completed forms as well. You may also want to bring photocopies of “How do I Rate as an Effective Leader” from page  34-10 of the Cub Scout Leader Book, and the Pack Program Planning Chart#26-004. (This chart is also in the Program Planning Insert in Cub ScoutProgram Helps.)

The steps in the program planning conference should include:

• Evaluation – what did we do well, and what could we do better?
•  Goal Setting – what do we want the pack to achieve this year?
• Program Features – What events will allow those goals to be fulfilled? What themes or special features should we incorporate?
• Calendaring & Assignments – when are we going to execute the program events that will fulfill our goals? Who will carry out the program?
• Budgeting – what financial resources do we need to make the program happen?
• Communication – no plan is complete until you have informed your Scouts and parents. How and when will you communicate your plan?

Appoint a recorder for the meeting, who will transcribe all your results and decisions, and be responsible to report the results to the pack. This may be the Pack Secretary or another individual. You may divide the responsibility among a number of leaders, for instance, delegating the financial section of the plan to the Pack Treasurer, the Program Features to the Cubmaster and the Communication to the Newsletter Editor. Read the rest to start working on a great new Scouting year!

Wildlife Conservation Projects
Carol Little
Black Swamp Area Council

Many of the Park rangers are loosing hours across the U.S.A. in local neighborhood parks and the large National Parks. We will need Scouters and Scouts to help keep America Beautiful. One way would be to volunteer on clean up campaigns but more important. Why not have your den and Pack decide to map out an area that you will take time during a den meeting or Pack meeting that you will all Do a Good Turn. For the Wolfs, Bears and the Webelos, you can earn the World Conservation Award. This award is an International award, which can be earned only once as a Cub Scout. The colorful, purple temporary patch is worn centered on the right shirt pocket of the uniform.

Wolfs – A scout must earn Achievement #7 Your Living World (Do 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d, 7e and 7f).

Complete ALL arrow points in 2 of the following 3 Electives:

Elective #13 Birds (Do all --a, b, c, d, e)

Elective #15 Grow Something (Do all -- a, b, c, d, e)

or Elective #19 Fishing (Do all -- a, b, c, d, e, f)

and participate in a den or pack conservation project approved by your Cubmaster.

Bears – A scout must earn Achievement #5, Sharing Your World with Wildlife (Do 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e and 5f)

Complete ALL arrow points in 2 of the following 3 Electives:

#2 Weather (Do all – a, b, c, d, e and f)

#12 Nature Crafts (Do all -- a, b, c, d, e, f, g, and h)

or #15 Water and Conservation (Do all -- a, b, c, d and e) and participate in a den or pack conservation project approved by your Cubmaster.

Webelos – A scout must earn the

Forester activity pin Do any 5 –1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)

Naturalist activity pin Do  and do 5 form 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9,10,11, 12 or 13)

Outdoorsman activity pin Do 2 from (1, 2, 3, 4) and do 5 from ( 5, 6, 7, 89, 10, 11, 12)

 and participate in a den or pack conservation project approved by your Cubmaster.

Project Ideas for the conservation award are: (First check for permission to work at the site) Make sure that the activity can be done easily by your den or Pack. Be sure to wear protective gloves and clothes.

Plant grasses, trees, shrubs and ground cover to stop soil erosion.

As a den or pack, adopt a park. Remove litter and garbage from a favorite neighborhood recreation area.

Organize or participate in a recycling program or visit a recycling center.

Arrange a natural resources awareness program. Invite natural resource professional such as wildlife biologists, soil conservationists, forester, or conservation officers to speak to your pack.

Participate in a beach or waterfront cleanup.

From a local, state, or national organization that is concerned about environmental protection, obtain suggestions fro den and pack projects to improve the environment.

As a den or pack, visit a public utility to learn about the wise use of resources, and become involved in programs offered by utilities to help consumers conserve resources.