Cubmaster’s Minutes

Spreading a Seed of Kindness

Heart of America Council

A friend of mine once told me of being on a long business trip. His car broke down in the middle of nowhere and he was going to be late for a very important meeting. Just then a farmer came around the corner on a hay wagon, and pulled over to see what was wrong. The farmer and his son often fixed their own machinery and they were quickly able to get my friend’s car running again.

My friend offered to pay the farmer and his son for their help, but they refused. He insisted that they must take something because they had saved him so much by letting him get to his meeting on time.

The farmer replied that he and his son now had something far more valuable than the businessman could give them. They had helped someone when they did not have to. That gave them a warm feeling about themselves. If they took the money for an act of kindness, then it would simply be a job, and take the feeling of goodwill away.

Keep your feelings of goodwill by spreading seeds of kindness.  It will be the most valuable reward you will ever receive.

Using Our Talents

Sam Houston Area Council

Do you like to put together jigsaw puzzles? Some families find a lot of pleasure putting together a big jigsaw puzzle on a cold autumn night, with cups of steaming hot cocoa and fresh cookies nearby. The most important thing about a jigsaw puzzle is that all of the puzzle pieces must be there. If even one small piece has been lost, then the whole puzzle is incomplete, and that takes away a lot of the fun of seeing the puzzle come together.

The same thing is true for people. Each of us is a piece of the puzzle that makes up our family, our school, our church, our community. We each have special abilities and skills that no one else has. When you put your abilities together with those of everyone else, it makes a beautiful picture of friendship and cooperation. But if even one of the pieces is missing, then the whole picture is incomplete. Use your abilities to help others; don't let your piece be the one that makes the puzzle incomplete!

Over Four Million 

Sam Houston Area Council

So we end this evening of celebrating Seeds of Kindness. But before we go, let us take in this thought...

Today in our country there are over 4.5 million youth and adults in Scouting. That's a good thing to know, a good thing to think about when we start wondering about the future. Four and a half million keeping a promise to “Do My Best,” to “Help Other People,” and “Respect God and Country.” Four and a half million following Baden-Powell's admonition: “Try to leave this world a little better than you found it.”

These 4.5 million can make the difference in tomorrow. These 4 and a half million will make the difference in the future of this country and in the future of the world around us.

A Good Turn

Grand Teton Council

In a past issue of the Scouting Magazine, there was a story about a Webelos Scout named Daniel Simon of Pack 381, Buffalo Grove, Illinois.  Daniel earned a $750 gift certificate, and instead of spending the money on himself, he filled seven shopping carts wtih toys for other children who might not get anything that holiday season.  It was a fine example of spreading seeds of kindness and generosity. 

For Daniel, the Cub Scout Promise and the Law of the Pack aren’t just words; they represent a way of life.  Wouldn’t it be a great holiday tradition if we all followed Daniel’s example and performed some special good turn for someone in need?  That would bring a lot of joy to the people we served.  It would also bring a lot of joy to us, knowing that we had done something to make someone’s life a little better. 

When you ask the question, “How do you spread seeds of kindness?” think about what you can do to give good will and serve others.  What better way to build good memories that will last forever?

Good Turn Closing Thought

Capital Area Council

Most of us are happiest when we are spreading seeds of kindness.  That is doing something good for others. Think, for a moment of a time when you were helpful to someone. Chances are it made you feel pretty good. Of course, we feel best when we do something for others without being found out. When we help others regularly, it soon becomes a habit and gets to be a natural thing. Once a Cub Scout establishes this habit, he learns the real meaning of a good turn.

Starry Night

Capital Area Council

Dim or turn off room lights except
for an electric candle or flashlight

This is the season of lights and stars, when days are short and nights are long with beautiful stars.

Lord Baden-Powell, the founder of Scouting, once said this to his Scouts, “I often think when the sun goes down, and the world is hidden by a big blanket from the light of heaven. But the stars are little holes pierced in that blanket by those who have done good deeds in this world. The stars are not all the same size; some are big, and some are little. So some men have done great deeds, and some men have done small deeds, but they have all made their hole in the blanket by doing good before they went to heaven.”

Let’s remember when we look at the starry sky, to make our own hole in the blanket, by doing good deeds that spread seeds of kindness and help other people.

THANKSGIVING THOUGHT

Heart of America Council

As is natural at this time of year, we all start thinking about the blessings in our life. As we do this, we need to think of Cub Scouting and what it means to each of us and what Cub Scouting has brought to our lives. Not only the things we have learned but all the wonderful people we have the pleasure of knowing. I count each of you as a blessing in my life.

SCOUT BENEDICTION

Heart of America Council

Introduction from HOAC -
Over the years I have been involved in many different Scout organizations, all of which have used this prayer at one time or another (or regularly) as a closing. Each seems to have its own variation on the "actions" that accompany it, but in general, they involve holding arms outstretched as in a bowing or veneration posture. If this is new to your group, you can use the "repeat after me" method of reciting it.

May the Great Master

Of all Scouts

Be with us

'Till we meet again.

I Will Do My Best!

Capital Area Council

"I will do my best!" Do these words sound like there is a job that has to be done? Yes, it does. What do they mean? These words explain what every Cub Scout, Webelos, and adult leader has promised to do.

What do they mean for the young 7 year old Cub Scout? For him they mean that he will try to do his best in all things that are taught to him by his Den Leader at den meetings and by his Cubmaster at pack meetings. He has to do his best in helping around the house, school, and community.

What do they mean for the Webelos? He now turns his thought to going on Scout trips, hiking, and camping out under the stars with just the sounds of the night all around him. He learns the first part of the Scout Oath that says, 'On my honor, I will do my best.  Yes, like the knights of old, he has to be gallant, brave, and strong. He has to do his best to be kind, courteous, thrifty, and prepared at all times, especially when called upon in times of need.

What do they mean for the adult Scouter? This is the person who lives up the street and has volunteered to see that activities for the boys get carried out. The adult leaders have to do their best in showing and teaching the boys how to do their best. They give up their time to go to training, committee meetings, and den and pack meetings.

But what is the true meaning of 'To do your best'? It means doing the best work and service that you are a of at all times. Service to your family, to God, and to your community. As we leave tonight, let us all remember that doing his best is one way a Cub Scout Gives Goodwill during the holiday season and throughout the year.