Wednesday, November 28, 2018

I Have Decided to Start a New Pack - Now to Figure out How to Start a Pack


My kids love Cub Scouts, and I have decided to start a Pack that can include my children.  I have Lions and Tigers and girls in my family, which the local chartered organization doesn’t choose to include in their packs. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has been chartering Wolves, Bears, and Webelos for more than a hundred years; but they are not chartering after 2019 and so there is a very well served population that’s about to be a very large underserved area.

As I tried to find a pack for my kids, we tried a pack about 15 minutes north of our home, and then switched to a pack that is 30 minutes to the south. It’s a pretty good fit for my kids, who are not eligible for any of the packs in my home town. (The bonus about this Pack is that I have many good friends on staff that I met through Akela's Council, and they truly understand how to run a good pack and make it fun for the Cub Scouts.)

For months, now, I’ve been saying that I’m going to help to establish a new pack in Orem, Utah. So far, I’ve been to a few meetings, and I’ve talked to some friends.

My roundtable buddies have agreed that we’re in. I’ve been talking to friends, and there are a couple people in my ward (area) that are ready to help and who want their sons to continue. A couple people in my neighborhood have said they are in although they have no children of Scouting age; but they love scouts and are eager to continue serving.

The Cub Scout year is recommended to begin as kids end school and begin summer break, and I want to be well established by June to take advantage of the fantastic summer opportunities.

I have been learning about community units (that's the terminology in our council for any pack not chartered by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Community packs that are chartered by any other organization can include girls, and younger kids in lions and tigers). One of the advantages of registering my children in a community pack is that I can learn. The pack leaders I am with now, know that I intend to leave them eventually, and they share wisdom all the time. They want me to succeed and are generous.

At roundtable I am still fully engaged in learning, and just volunteered to teach a breakout session. This gets me in to the roundtable planning meetings, and I am networking with other great Scouters.

I have been to Akela’s Council, and my husband is going this summer to get that level of training as well, since he is willing to be a leader in our pack.  He has been wood badge trained and has held Cub Scout positions; but he is sure that he will be better for the pack after Akela’s Council. I agree completely.  ** Akela’s Council is ALL ABOUT the Cub Scout program. If you are interested in knowing how to run a quality program that delivers the promise of fun, adventure and character development for 5-11 year-old Scouts, Akela’s Council can launch you in the right direction by immersing you in the purposes, methods and excitement of Cub Scouting.  In 2019, Akela’s Council will run June 19-22 and will fill in any gaps in your Cub Scout toolkit.  CLICK HERE

I will go to University of Scouting. I am part of several Facebook groups dedicated to scouting and Cub Scouting. I have gone to a couple meetings about the future of Scouting in Utah. I have been gathering information.

In August, somebody at a meeting mentioned the William D Boyce scouting award for starting a new unit, and they said there was a document online with step by step instructions for starting a new unit.


Here are links to three documents that I found, not sure which one they actually meant.

https://filestore.scouting.org/filestore/commissioner/pdf/522-990.pdf

http://scoutingwire.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/522-025_WB_sm.pdf

https://filestore.scouting.org/filestore/pdf/04-515.pdf

According to these guides, successful new units are organized in these steps:

  • Identify the prospect.
  • Approach the prospect.
  • Make the sales call.
  • The organization adopts the program.
  • The organizing committee meets.
  • Help the organizing committee select and recruit unit leaders.
  • Help train the leaders.
  • Help the unit plan and organize programs.
  • Recruit youth members and provide parent orientation.
  • Complete the paperwork. Attend the first meeting. Present the charter.

They say that you can’t skip steps and expect a long-lasting pack.
I honestly don’t know exactly what these steps mean; but I will learn. I intend to follow these steps and establish a Cub Scout pack in Orem, Utah.

I will share my efforts and experiences right here.




 ~ By Merinda Reeder who is a Cubmaster from Pack 466 in the Orem District, Utah National Parks Council.  She serves on Roundtable Staff, attended Akela's Council in 2017 and served on Akela's Council Staff in 2018.






To see other articles by Merinda, CLICK HERE


Monday, November 12, 2018

Fun in the Sun - Cub Scout Themes - PowWow Books - Pack Meeting Plans - Wheel Into Summer


FUN IN THE SUN was the official Cub Scout theme in August 2009.  This is from the 2008-09 Utah National Parks Council PowWow book.  This is a great theme, and many of the ideas that were used back then can still be used today.





To open the PDF for Fun in the Sun, CLICK HERE

Some of the things you will find in this PDF are:
  • Invitations
  • Websites that would be helpful for this topic
  • Pre-Openers
    • What do you do in the Summertime?
    • Name that Candy
  • Opening & Closing Flag Ceremonies
    • I Can
    • Fun in the Sun Opening
    • Sunscreen Closing
    • Lights on the Flag
    • Fun in the Sun Closing
  • Advancement Ceremonies
    • Cub Scout Baseball
    • Hot Dog Roast Ceremony
  • Cubmaster Minutes
  • Audience Participation
    • Den Picnic
  • Skits
    • Water! Water!
    • The Paper Bag Show
  • Songs
    • Take Me Out to the Pack Meeting
    • A Hiking We Did Go
    • Ode to a Den Leader
    • Summer Fun in the Sun
    • You are My Cub Master
    • Baden-Powell
  • Games
    • Steal the Bacon
    • Ice Cube Toss
    • Ice Block Races
    • Water Relay Races
    • Sponge Relay
  • Crafts
    • Pet Rocks
    • Adobe Bricks
    • Igloos
    • Wind Chimes
    • Binoculars
    • Water Painting
    • Paper Hats
      • Sailor's Hat
      • Workman's Hat
    • Paper Plate Crafts
      • Note Pocket
      • Sun Visor
      • Frog
  • Food Fun
    • Puffed Rice Sun Balls
    • Easy Lemon Cheesecake
    • Tutti-Frutti Ice
    • Pioneer Ice Cream
    • Sunburned Purple Cow
    • Solar Oven Hot Dogs
    • A WaterMelon Bust
    • Cinnamon Snails
    • Frozen Fruit
    • Banana Icicles
  • Just for Fun
  • Run-ons
  • Riddles
  • Cheers & Applause
    • Blast Applause
    • Cock-a-doodle Walk Cheer
    • Sizzling Hot Cheer
    • Mosquito Applause 
    • Disco Mosquito
    • Sun Applause
    • Water Applause

To see more Theme Ideas, and other PowWow books go to this page CLICK HERE






Tuesday, November 6, 2018

More Good Stuff - Cub Scout Themes - PowWow Books - Pack Meeting Plans ~ Raingutter Regatta ~ Space Derby ~ Pinewood Derby ~ Blue & Gold Banquet


More Good Stuff was an additional section in the 2008-09 Utah National Parks Council PowWow book.  It had many ideas that were used back then and can still be used today.





To open the PDF for More Good Stuff, CLICK HERE

Some of the things you will find in this PDF are:
  • Ceremonies
    • Tips for Great Ceremonies
      • Spotlight the Boy
      • Appropriatness
      • Costuming
      • Rehearsal
      • Staging
      • Props
      • Lighting
      • Sound
      • Public Speaking
      • Audience Must See
      • Inspiration and Ideals
      • Involving Parents
      • Action
      • Adventure
      • Delegation
      • Imagination
      • Symbolism
      • Simplicity
    • Graduation and Arrow of Light
      • Arrow of Light Ceremony
      • Painted Arrow of Light Ceremony
      • Outdoor Arrow of Light Ceremony
      • Graduation Ceremony
      • Painted Cub Scout Graduation Ceremony
      • Magic Neckerchief Graduation Ceremony
      • Burning Neckerchief Arrow of Light Ceremony
    • How to make Fake Campfires for Ceremonies
  • Neckerchief Slides
  • Recycling
  • Craft Recipes
    • Rubbery Play Dough
      • Play Dough
      • Just Like Real Play Dough
      • Modeling Goop
      • Play Dough for Baking
      • Oatmeal Dough
      • Sand Dough
      • Sawdust Modeling Dough
      • Bread Crumb Dough
      • Starch Finger Paint
      • Cornstarch Finger Paint
      • Flour Finger Paint
      • Sidewalk Chalk
  • Special Events
    • Planning Special Events
    • Planning a Pinewood Derby
    • Raingutter Regatta
    • Space Derby
  • Blue & Gold
    • How to Plan
    • Chairperson and Committees
      • Physical Arrangements
      • Decorations
      • Invitations
      • Food
      • Program
      • Invitations
      • Dinner
      • Catered
      • Semi-Catered
      • Potluck
      • One Pot Meal
      • Do it Yourself
      • Cake and Ice Cream
      • Program
      • Gathering Period
      • Opening Ceremony
      • Welcome and Introductions
      • Invocation
      • Dinner
      • Entertainment
      • Recognition
      • Closing
      • Theme Ideas
      • Helpful Hints
  • Recipes for Large Groups
    • Sloppy Joes
    • Sue's Oven BBQ Turkey Steaks
    • Hawaiian Haystacks
    • Chili
    • Crowd Chicken Casserold
    • Macaroni Salad for 100
    • Blue & Gold Mints
    • Baked Beans
    • How to figure out Food Servings for Large Groups - 25 Servings, 50 Servings, or 100 Servings for many different types of items




To see more Theme Ideas, and other PowWow books go to this page CLICK HERE






Saturday, November 3, 2018

Jurassic Pack - Cub Scout Themes - PowWow Books - Pack Meeting Plans ~ Roaming Reptile Alert


Jurassic Pack was the official Cub Scout theme in April 2009.  This is from the 2008-09 Utah National Parks Council PowWow book.  This is a great theme, and many of the ideas that were used back then can still be used today.  This would go well with the theme Roaming Reptile Alert





To open the PDF for Jurassic Pack, CLICK HERE

Some of the things you will find in this PDF are:
  • Invitations
  • Websites that would be helpful for this topic
  • Pre-Openers
    • Dinosaur Word Game
    • Dinosaur Word Find
    • Dinosaur Crossword
    • Dinosaur Trading Cards
  • Opening & Closing Flag Ceremonies
    • Dinosaur Opening
    • America Opening
    • Dinosaur Closing Thought
    • American Boy Closing
  • Advancement Ceremonies
    • The Best You 
    • Dinosaur Treasure
    • Dinosaur Hunt Ceremony
  • Cubmaster Minutes
  • Audience Participation
    • Pachycephalosaurus
    • Dinosaur Hunt
  • Skits
    • Magic Mud Skit
    • Caveman Skit
  • Songs
    • The T-Rex Song
    • Dinosaurs
    • Ice Age
    • Where Did the Dinosaurs Go?
    • Archeologist Song
  • Games
    • Archaeology Dig
    • Hatching Dinosaur Egg
    • Stone, Stone
    • Dino Egg Game
    • Dinosaur Bingo
  • Crafts
    • Dinosaur Treasure Bone
    • Making Your Own Volcano
    • Instant Fossils
  • Food Fun
    • Dino-Bite Cookies
    • Dinosaur Punch
    • Andy's Dyno S;more
    • Fruitty-Sauras Salad
    • Dinosaurs & Volcanoes
    • Dino Bones
    • Dinosaur Dirt Digs
    • Fossil Prints
  • Just for Fun
  • Run-ons
  • Riddles
  • Cheers & Applause
    • Captain Caveman Cheer
    • Fintstone #1 Cheer
    • Flintstone #2 Cheer
    • Brachiosaurus Cheer
    • Compsognathus Cheer
    • Tyrannosaurus Rex Cheer
    • Pterodactyl Cheer
    • Dinosaur Watermelon Cheer

To see more Theme Ideas, and other PowWow books go to this page CLICK HERE



Patches and Awards Too! - Cub Scout Themes - PowWow Books - Pack Meeting Plans


Patches, Patches, & More Patches!!! And Awards Too!  was an additional section in the 2008-09 Utah National Parks Council PowWow book.  It had many ideas that were used back then and can still be used today.





To open the PDF for Patches, Patches, & More Patches!!! And Awards Too!, CLICK HERE

Some of the things you will find in this PDF are:
  • Crime Fighting Patch
  • Crime Prevention Award
  • Hutchings Museum of Natural History
  • Sons of the Utah Pioneers
  • Monte L. Bean Life Science Patch
  • Museum of Peoples and Cultures
  • Utah County Fair Patch
  • Utah County Freedom Festival Patch
  • Utah County Trails Patch
  • Utah's National Monuments Tour Patch
  • Utah's National Parks Tour Patch
  • Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area Patch
  • Ouray National Wildlife Refuge Patch
  • Cub Scout Outdoor Activity Award
  • Leave No Trace FrontCountry Guidelines
  • Cub Scouting's Leave No Trace Awareness Award
  • Cub Scout World Conservation Award
  • Boy Scouts of America Family Award
  • The BSA Physical Fitness Award
  • National Den Award
  • Donor Awareness Patch
  • Boys Life Patch
  • Cub Zoo Trail
  • Kennecott's Bingham Canyon Mine Tour Patch
  • Wheeler Historic Farm Walk
  • This is the Place Heritage Park Utah State Fair Patch
  • Utah Firefighter's Museum and Memorial Tour Patch
  • Ability Awareness Patch
  • The Heart of Scouting Pin
  • The Heart of Scouting Patch for Cub Scouts
  • Centennial Award Program
  • Cub Scout Leader Recognition Plan
  • Miscellaneous Award Cards



To see more Theme Ideas, and other PowWow books go to this page CLICK HERE