At our last den meeting, we were tackling one of the many Cub Scout requirements about citizenship and what it means to be a good citizen. We’ve had discussions on this topic in the past, but I wanted to somehow make an example that the scouts could really understand, so we played a little game. […]
Go See It idea — The petting zoo!
Living in the burbs doesn’t offer much in the way of farm life, but fortunately, most suburban setting have a petting zoo not too far away. Taking your cub scout den to an operating farm or petting zoo is a great way to introduce young scouts to animals and a way of life they might […]
Confessions of a Reluctant Camper
I am not a camper. There, I said it. Before becoming a Den Leader, the last time I went camping, Reagan was president. When my son signed up for Cub Scouts, the one thing I wasn’t sure about was the overnight camping trips. Well, it turned out that all those fears were totally unfounded. We […]
What you need to bring on a Cub Scout Campout
Our pack has always been big on camping, and it’s a good idea to make a checklist of items to bring in order to ensure my sons and I have a good time. After numerous Cub Scout campouts, this is the list I use: Tent Sleeping bags or blankets (depending on the weather) Sleeping pad […]
Communication is the key
Want to know the best way to engage the other parents in your den? Talk with them. Yep, it seems pretty obvious, but I’ve known den leaders who don’t even know the names of all the parents in their den after several years! Parents play a vital role in a successful cub scouting experience. Without […]
Remember: KISMIF
Kis-what? KISMIF is a valuable tool for the Den Leader: Keep It Simple, Make It Fun. Boys are easily entertained. Give them a stick and a piece of string and they can occupy themselves for hours. It’s up to you, the den leader, to make sure that your scouts are having a good time, and […]
The scariest den meeting you will ever lead
Most of the time, den meetings are filled with fun and games, but there’s one meeting that all den leaders dread: the one where the knives come out. Knives should not be introduced until the Bear level (third grade), and only after knife safety is taught. Scouts are always excited to receive their very own […]