Pack Meetings with Pizzazz!Presented by Bill BatesPresented by Bill BatesCubmaster, Pack 374 – Santa Clara County CouncilCubmaster, Pack 374 – Santa Clara County CouncilProgram Impact Executive – Santa Clara County Program Impact Executive – Santa Clara County Council Council
Who am I? (Okay, a bit of a brag page)
Involved in BSA for almost 25 years (Eagle Scout)Involved in BSA for almost 25 years (Eagle Scout)
66thth Year as Cubmaster of Pack 374 – Sana Clara Year as Cubmaster of Pack 374 – Sana Clara County CouncilCounty Council
Former Cub Scout Roundtable CommissionerFormer Cub Scout Roundtable Commissioner
Have planned 60 Pack meetingsHave planned 60 Pack meetings
Dad of a Webelos I and Dad of a Webelos I and Boy Scout Boy Scout
Program Impact Executive Program Impact Executive for the Boy Scouts of for the Boy Scouts of America America
What this presentation is not…
ShortShort
The “right way” to run pack meetingsThe “right way” to run pack meetings
A cure for behavior problemsA cure for behavior problems
The presentation of your dreams! (Well, I The presentation of your dreams! (Well, I guess maybe…)guess maybe…)
What this presentation is…
Ideas for jazzing up pack meetingsIdeas for jazzing up pack meetings
Examples of ideas that worked for my packExamples of ideas that worked for my pack
A pointer to good online resourcesA pointer to good online resources
Hopefully, a time where we can share ideasHopefully, a time where we can share ideas
Agenda
IntroIntro
What is a Pack Meeting?What is a Pack Meeting?
The Pack Meeting Plan The Pack Meeting Plan (Agenda)(Agenda)
Den Duties (Assignments)Den Duties (Assignments)
Using Leaders & AdultsUsing Leaders & Adults
GatheringGathering
PrayerPrayer
The Welcome!!!The Welcome!!!
SongsSongs
SkitsSkits
Run-onsRun-ons
Spotlight DensSpotlight Dens
Rank AdvancementRank Advancement
AwardsAwards
Monthly ActivityMonthly Activity
Leader RecognitionLeader Recognition
AnnouncementsAnnouncements
What is a Pack Meeting?(Oh my, soooo many words….)
The monthly pack meeting brings together The monthly pack meeting brings together boys from every den, their leaders, and their boys from every den, their leaders, and their families, to participate in a large-scale event families, to participate in a large-scale event that serves as a showcase for everything the that serves as a showcase for everything the boys have learned and done in their individual boys have learned and done in their individual den meetings. den meetings.
The pack meeting gives the boys a larger The pack meeting gives the boys a larger experience beyond their own den, and helps experience beyond their own den, and helps them to connect their individual activities to them to connect their individual activities to the entire Cub Scouting program.the entire Cub Scouting program.
What is a Pack Meeting really?
A monthly show for your pack families!!!A monthly show for your pack families!!!
There should be:There should be:
SongsSongs
SkitsSkits
JokesJokes
AwardsAwards
Rank advancementRank advancement
Short announcements (use a newsletter)Short announcements (use a newsletter)
FUN!!!!!FUN!!!!!
Mix it up! Some families have been there for years!Mix it up! Some families have been there for years!
(Remember: Get every den involved!)
Coming Up With the Plan!
You NEED an agenda!!!
Consistency is good; but change is also okay (find a balance)Consistency is good; but change is also okay (find a balance)
Keep it simpleKeep it simple
Keep it as short as possible (90 min in my world 80+ boys Keep it as short as possible (90 min in my world 80+ boys and 12 dens)and 12 dens)
Be flexible!Be flexible!
Have a copy on handHave a copy on hand
Get every den involvedGet every den involved
Get parents and leaders involvedGet parents and leaders involved
Cubmaster is the Ringmaster Cubmaster is the Ringmaster not the starnot the star of the show! of the show!
Den Duties (Assignments)
This is what I use:This is what I use:Gathering & SetupGathering & Setup
OpeningOpening
PrayerPrayer
SongSong
SkitSkit
Spotlight DenSpotlight Den
Den Choice (Song, Skit, Cheer)Den Choice (Song, Skit, Cheer)
Jokes or Run-onsJokes or Run-ons
Closing & CleanupClosing & Cleanup
Monthly Den Duties
Publish the duties ahead of timePublish the duties ahead of time
Remind leaders at your leader meetingRemind leaders at your leader meeting
Come up with an easy rotationCome up with an easy rotation
Send email reminders!Send email reminders!
Be ready to fill/change as neededBe ready to fill/change as needed
I give my dens 5 minutes each (they can use less)I give my dens 5 minutes each (they can use less)
Get every den involved!!Get every den involved!!Public speaking is an important life skill!Public speaking is an important life skill!
Keep what works, change what doesn’t!Keep what works, change what doesn’t!
Keep the kids occupied!
Gathering & Setup
Gathering & Setup
Setup (same for cleanup)Setup (same for cleanup)Give the boys a jobGive the boys a job
Train parents to helpTrain parents to help
GatheringGatheringAssign to a leader, parent or denAssign to a leader, parent or den
Keep it simpleKeep it simple
Plan for siblingsPlan for siblings
Easy clean-upEasy clean-up
• I found this hard to do when my pack got largeI found this hard to do when my pack got large
Keep the boys involved!
Opening & Closing
Opening & Closing
Rotate!Rotate!
A Flag ceremony is preferred (but not A Flag ceremony is preferred (but not required)required)
Every rank has a flag ceremony requirement or Every rank has a flag ceremony requirement or electiveelective
Let dens be creative!Let dens be creative!Don’t let them go on too long (5 min is good)Don’t let them go on too long (5 min is good)
Folks are ready to go home by the closing!Folks are ready to go home by the closing!
Use the time before “Pack Dismissed” for final Use the time before “Pack Dismissed” for final reminders (cleanup or after meeting activities)reminders (cleanup or after meeting activities)
The Prayer
A Scout is Reverent!A Scout is Reverent!
Let the boys do it!Let the boys do it!
Not required, but I think it is a good idea to Not required, but I think it is a good idea to start each meeting with a prayerstart each meeting with a prayer
Opportunity to use prayers from different Opportunity to use prayers from different faiths and belief systems (for example, lots of faiths and belief systems (for example, lots of great Native American Prayers)great Native American Prayers)
Know your audience!Know your audience!
Do NOT miss this important part of the meeting!
The Welcome!
The Welcome
Welcome scouts, parents, leaders and other special Welcome scouts, parents, leaders and other special guestsguests
Welcome new or potential scouts (gift?)Welcome new or potential scouts (gift?)
Set expectations:Set expectations:BehaviorBehavior
Stage AreaStage Area
Scout Sign for family, siblings and guestsScout Sign for family, siblings and guests
Applause of the Night (This gives your families Applause of the Night (This gives your families something to do between “boring bits. It can make something to do between “boring bits. It can make the meeting!)the meeting!)
Theme of the Month (or similar)Theme of the Month (or similar)
Remind pack of any little touches (“Stand up…”)Remind pack of any little touches (“Stand up…”)
Cub Scouts and families NEED to sing!
Songs
Songs
Try having a Cubmaster song as well as a den Try having a Cubmaster song as well as a den songsong
You don’t need to be good, just loud and full of You don’t need to be good, just loud and full of energy! (I sing in the "key of me")energy! (I sing in the "key of me")
Use leaders and other adults!Use leaders and other adults!
Try to mix it up, but using the same songs Try to mix it up, but using the same songs over time also works wellover time also works well
Kid’s Music vs. Children’s Music
Children’s Music: Perfect, happy, sometimes Children’s Music: Perfect, happy, sometimes fun for Tigers and lowerfun for Tigers and lower
Kid’s Music: Edgy, sometimes borderline Kid’s Music: Edgy, sometimes borderline inappropriate (in their minds), fun for allinappropriate (in their minds), fun for all
Song Tips for Cubmaster
Give the audience something to doGive the audience something to do
Hand motions, dancing, their own part, and so onHand motions, dancing, their own part, and so on
DO NOT PASS OUT SONG SHEETS!DO NOT PASS OUT SONG SHEETS!
Change songs to fit theme:Change songs to fit theme:
Hole in the ground (Coffin in the ground)Hole in the ground (Coffin in the ground)
Tarzan of the Apes – Monster Style!Tarzan of the Apes – Monster Style!
If the Cubmaster does not like to sing, find If the Cubmaster does not like to sing, find someone who does!someone who does!
Songs for Dens to Perform
Most important to get the scouts involvedMost important to get the scouts involved
Keep it simple and easy to learnKeep it simple and easy to learn
Song sheets for the den are okay (sometimes)Song sheets for the den are okay (sometimes)
Some of my Favorite Songs
Cheese Moose (think Lion/Bear Hunt)Cheese Moose (think Lion/Bear Hunt)
The Banana SongThe Banana Song
Frosty Jamaican StyleFrosty Jamaican Style
Billy the Cub ScoutBilly the Cub Scout
Beaver Song/CheerBeaver Song/Cheer
The Birdie SongThe Birdie Song
I Met a BearI Met a Bear
Flea Fly (and all of the variations)Flea Fly (and all of the variations)
Everyone gets a part!
Skits
Skits
A skit by leaders or other adults can be lots of fun!A skit by leaders or other adults can be lots of fun!
Remember skits can be edgy and “inappropriate” Remember skits can be edgy and “inappropriate” just like songs (it is okay, within reason)just like songs (it is okay, within reason)
Keep them short and sweetKeep them short and sweet
Get every scout in the den involvedGet every scout in the den involved
Do you have a microphone?Do you have a microphone?
Know your audienceKnow your audience
Don’t Offend (that changes over time)Don’t Offend (that changes over time)
Repetition sometimes works very well!Repetition sometimes works very well!
Never be afraid to cut a skit off...Never be afraid to cut a skit off...
Some of my Favorite Skits
Invisible bench (yeah, overdone, but easy for Invisible bench (yeah, overdone, but easy for Tigers!)Tigers!)
Scout Leader Emergency Broadcast SystemScout Leader Emergency Broadcast System
BaloneyBaloney
Ugliest Man in the World (or Bravest Scout)Ugliest Man in the World (or Bravest Scout)
Hot LunchHot Lunch
Always preview the skit first if you are not familiar with it.
Always preview the skit first if you are not familiar with it.
Don’t miss out on the fun and laughs!
Jokes & Run-Ons
Assign Jokes and/or Run-Ons to Dens
Each scout in the den gets to tell a jokeEach scout in the den gets to tell a joke
Knock-Knock jokes are classicKnock-Knock jokes are classic
Groaners are preferred! Groaners are preferred!
Easy to fit into a pack meeting themeEasy to fit into a pack meeting theme
Keep them short (no long stories)Keep them short (no long stories)
A Run-On?
A mini-skit that lasts a minute or so (did A mini-skit that lasts a minute or so (did anyone watch Laugh-In?)anyone watch Laugh-In?)
Usually involves two peopleUsually involves two people
Sometimes they build on each otherSometimes they build on each other
Don’t worry about scheduling them in the Don’t worry about scheduling them in the program, just let them happenprogram, just let them happen
Run-ons by adults and leaders are great!Run-ons by adults and leaders are great!
Memorization is good, but not necessaryMemorization is good, but not necessary
This has made a difference in our pack!
Spotlight Den
What is a Spotlight Den?
A den who’s job is to introduce themselves, their A den who’s job is to introduce themselves, their grade level, rank level and leaders to the packgrade level, rank level and leaders to the pack
A den may have something to showA den may have something to show
A den may talk about some interesting things they A den may talk about some interesting things they did that monthdid that month
A den may find an interesting way to introduce A den may find an interesting way to introduce themselvesthemselves
Could answer a question:Could answer a question:““What is in your pocket?”What is in your pocket?”““What do you like best about summer?”What do you like best about summer?”““What is your favorite…?”What is your favorite…?”
How has the Spotlight Den Helped?
Leaders are more easily recognized by the pack Leaders are more easily recognized by the pack familiesfamilies
Pack families know the age groups and dens betterPack families know the age groups and dens better
Scouts don’t always have to perform (a break from Scouts don’t always have to perform (a break from songs and skits)songs and skits)
Gives the den leader a break (easier to prepare)Gives the den leader a break (easier to prepare)
Gets every scout in the den to talk in front of the Gets every scout in the den to talk in front of the packpack
Dens can show off what they have doneDens can show off what they have done
Are you having fun with this?
Rank Advancement
Overly complex or too Simple?
Rank advancement should be fun, interesting and Rank advancement should be fun, interesting and different each monthdifferent each month
Don’t hand out rank with other awards (make it Don’t hand out rank with other awards (make it special)special)
Sometimes same can be good, but your audience Sometimes same can be good, but your audience needs you to mix it upneeds you to mix it up
It does not need to be over It does not need to be over the top or complex (too the top or complex (too hard to keep up with that) hard to keep up with that)
Get other adults and leaders Get other adults and leaders involvedinvolved
Let folks take pictures!Let folks take pictures!
Advancement Ideas
Use a themeUse a theme
Let parents/adult partner present badgeLet parents/adult partner present badge
Plan ahead (especially if you need supplies)Plan ahead (especially if you need supplies)
Some ceremonies that worked for me:Some ceremonies that worked for me:
Don’t let them bring your meeting to a crawl!
Awards
Presenting Awards
Make it interesting and fun (as much as Make it interesting and fun (as much as possible) possible)
Small packs have an advantageSmall packs have an advantage
Try not be a “baggie pack”Try not be a “baggie pack”
Individual recognition is needed (even if it is in Individual recognition is needed (even if it is in a smaller group)a smaller group)
Is it hard to keep everyone interested? Quiet?Is it hard to keep everyone interested? Quiet?
Large packs can spend 30-40 minutes handing Large packs can spend 30-40 minutes handing out awards (not counting rank advancement)out awards (not counting rank advancement)
Award Board
My pack has been doing this for 2 years (I have My pack has been doing this for 2 years (I have 80+ scouts)80+ scouts)
All awards are on a giant boardAll awards are on a giant board
I talk about the awards for 5-ish minutes, I talk about the awards for 5-ish minutes, highlighting special achievementshighlighting special achievements
I explain what some awards entailI explain what some awards entail
Leaders gather dens at the end of the meeting Leaders gather dens at the end of the meeting (before the closing) and hand out individual awards(before the closing) and hand out individual awards
Major awards are still given individually (rank, Major awards are still given individually (rank, religious knots and such)religious knots and such)
Award Board Feedback
Meeting runs betterMeeting runs better
More time for “the show” aspect and dens to More time for “the show” aspect and dens to become involved in itbecome involved in it
Scouts still get individual recognitionScouts still get individual recognition
Pack families understand and appreciate the Pack families understand and appreciate the awards betterawards better
Pack pays more attention to the awardsPack pays more attention to the awards
It has all been positive (even from the It has all been positive (even from the skeptics)skeptics)
Traditions or keep it fresh?
Pack Monthly Activity
Pack Monthly Activity
Do you have one?Do you have one?
It can make the meeting feel more specialIt can make the meeting feel more special
Not needed every monthNot needed every month
Traditions can be good (but not EVERYTHING Traditions can be good (but not EVERYTHING needs to be a tradition)needs to be a tradition)
Keep it freshKeep it fresh
Pack Meeting Activity Ideas
Cookie DecoratingCookie Decorating
SundaesSundaes
Uniform InspectionUniform Inspection
GamesGames
Scout Skill StationsScout Skill Stations
Graduation/Bridging Graduation/Bridging CeremoniesCeremonies
CraftsCrafts
Your leaders are scouts too!
Leader Recognition
Leader Recognition
Leader achievements need to be recognized in Leader achievements need to be recognized in front of the packfront of the pack
Can be very simpleCan be very simple
Can make it fun!Can make it fun!
Make sure leaders wear Make sure leaders wear a uniform!!! a uniform!!!
Isn’t there a song…
Announcements
Announcements
These need to happen, but KEEP THEM SHORT!These need to happen, but KEEP THEM SHORT!
Use a newsletter (printed or emailed)Use a newsletter (printed or emailed)
An online calendar does wonders!An online calendar does wonders!
The Announcement Song can be cute, but The Announcement Song can be cute, but don’t let it get out of handdon’t let it get out of hand
Everyone needs help and ideas!
Great Resources!
Great online Resources
Pack Meeting Info from BSA: Pack Meeting Info from BSA: http://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/CubScouts/Activities/pack.aspx
Simple Pack Meeting Planning Document:Simple Pack Meeting Planning Document:http://www.scouting.org/filestore/pdf/34-37.pdf
My University of Scouting Website:My University of Scouting Website:http://cubmaster101.com/
My website for Pack 374 Leaders:My website for Pack 374 Leaders:http://leaders.cubpack374.org/
Major Helps
Baloo’s Bugle (my secret sauce)Baloo’s Bugle (my secret sauce)http://www.usscouts.org/bbugle.asp
Cubmaster Resources from the BSACubmaster Resources from the BSAhttp://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/CubScouts/Leaders/Cubmaster%20Resources.aspx
Den and Pack Meeting Resource GuidesDen and Pack Meeting Resource Guideshttp://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/CubScouts/Leaders/DenLeaderResources/DenandPackMeetingResourceGuide.aspx
MacScouterMacScouterhttp://www.macscouter.com/
The Virtual Cub Scout Leader’s Handbook The Virtual Cub Scout Leader’s Handbook http://webspace.webring.com/people/wu/um_10831/home.html
The Scouter Mom The Scouter Mom http://www.scoutermom.com/
Thank [email protected]