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 You!cubmaster@batescentral.com