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Cub Scouting has just got to be fun. If it ain't fun, no one's going to stick around long enough to get any benefit.
FUN FOR THE KIDS
Games, ceremonies and outings rule! Everything else is boring and dull. Gather a list of games, songs, sparklers, cheers and all the other zany stuff that will work for your pack. Fill your ceremonies with cheers, drama, explosions and such to make them exciting and memorable. Punctuate your calendar with lots of outings and service projects. Above all, don't hold meetings; they're boring! Put on productions.
FUN FOR THE ADULTS
Get everyone involved in the program. Give them a piece of the action whether it be setting up the room, participating in games or leading an outing. Don't let them sit still. Do away with long boring announcements. Instead, use skits, run-ons, hand out printed sheets and update your Pack website regularly. Did you ever go to a circus where the ring master read off a long string of announcements?
FUN FOR THE LEADERS.
If you're not having fun being a leader, then you're doing it wrong. Go back and review why you're doing this and start eliminating things that aren't fun. Talk it over with other Scouters, retake training, check out the Cub Scout Leader Book. Start changing things, because if you're not having fun then no one else is either.
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If a boy's parents are not a big part of his Cub Scout program then all he gets from it is second-rate baby sitting. Don't cheat the boy by leaving out those people he lives with and loves.
PARENT AGREEMENT
Make sure that every parent is aware of what is expected of them at the moment the boy joins. At this age, his parents are his main role models, make sure they know what's expected of them.
PARENT MEETINGS
Regularly, meet with parents to ensure that they are up to date with how advancement works, what the pack is doing, house rules, and how they can help make their sons' Cub Scouting important and valuable. Do it as a pack and as a den.
PARENT INVOLVEMENT
Hold parents to their agreement. Do as little advancement in the den as you can. Push the projects home. Make sure your pack activities are so interesting that parents don't dare stay away. Get every parent involved by bringing them into the action. Give them jobs, responsibilities, and ownership. As a leader, never, never, never do anything that you could pass off to another parent. Let each boy see his parent be a Hero.
PARENT RECOGNITION
Make sure that parents get rewarded for their efforts. Do it with ceremonies, in your newsletters and web sites, or just a quick round of applause.
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Keep a clear vision of why we are doing all this. Yes it's fun, but keep on track.
THE IDEALS
The things a boy learns on the Bobcat Trail, the Cub Scout Motto and Promise and the Law of the Pack. Use these as sign posts and guides at all Cub Scout functions.
PURPOSES OF CUB SCOUTING
Every Activity, must somehow lead to or support one of these purposes:
- Character Development
- Spiritual Growth
- Good Citizenship
- Sportsmanship
- Family Understanding
- Respectful Relationships
- Personal Achievement
- Friendly Service
- Fun and Adventure
- Preparation for Boy Scouts
SCOUTING'S CORE VALUES
- Citizenship
- Compassion
- Cooperation
- Courage
- Faith
- Health and Fitness
- Honesty
- Perseverance
- Positive attitude
- Resourcefulness
- Respect
- Responsibility
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