Twin Arrows District
A Member of Indian Nations Council, BSA
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Twin Arrows District A Member of Indian Nations Council, BSA |
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A "how to" guide for new Den Leaders on navigating the critical first month of cub Scouting Welcome Den Roster Form
You know how important first impressions are and Cub Scouting is no different. Boys join Cub Scouting for excitement, to be with friends, and to have fun. Fun den meetings will help ensure that good first impression. By following the plans outlined in this kit, you will be able to conduct fun and exciting den meetings and your scouts will come back for more! The first thing you should know is that you’re not alone. Hundreds of thousands of adults have preceded you in the Cub Scouting organization. Their experience and wisdom are available to you through a number of resources that will be discussed in the following pages. You won’t have to “re-invent the wheel” as you plan and prepare for your meetings. To ensure that you get off to a great start, you should attend a Cub Scout leader training course as soon as possible. The first step in the training process is viewing the Cub Scout Leader Fast Start Video. This video is available through your Cub Scout Pack or you can check it out from the Indian Nations Council’s Library. You can also view it on the Internet by going to the council’s website at www.okscouts.org and clicking on training. This video will help you to better understand your duties and responsibilities as a new adult leader. After viewing the Fast Start Video, you’ll want to attend a Cub Scout New Leader Essentials course and the Cub Scout Leader Job Specific Training course. These trainings will give you further insight into the wonderful world of Cub Scouting. Thanks again for your time and commitment to the youth in your community. We know that you will find Cub Scouting to be a rewarding and positive experience for you and your Scouts. Remember that you are not alone and the staff and volunteers of the Indian Nations Council are ready to assist you in any way that we can. Indian Nations Council There are 3 primary steps that will help you be successful in your first month as a den leader: Step 1. Gather important information Complete the Important Information Sheet on the next page answering the questions below.
Important Information About My Den and Pack (Keep this information posted for easy access)
Council Name: Indian Nations Council, Boy Scouts of America Step 2. Prepare your 1st Den Meeting How does a Den work? A den meets weekly and you will need to determine when and where you will meet. Den meetings should occur consistently on the same day, same time, and same location of each week every month. Your den may meet at a parent’s home, school, church, or community organization building. The den meetings are planned around a monthly theme set by your Pack. 00 Meetings consist of activities, projects, and business items. The following will help you prepare for your first den meeting:
Step 3. Learn more about additional resources available The Essentials There are many Cub Scouting resources available which can make your volunteer role easier and more enjoyable. These may be in printed form, video form, or human form. You’ll find out more about them when you attend training. In the meantime, there are a couple of essential items you will want to buy or borrow as soon as you can. You’ll need them to plan meetings beyond this first month. Your first month den meetings have been included in the back of this packet. Website Resources Twin Arrows District website - twinarrowsdistrict.org Cub Scout Literature and Resources
The Basics - Must Haves Every Den Leader should have the Cub Scout Leader Book and the How-To Book along with the appropriate Scout Book for their Den. Webelos Leaders should also have the Webelos Leader Guide. These items are available at the Council’s Scout Shop. Cub Scout Leader Book - No. 33221 Youth Handbooks: Tiger Cub Handbook - No. 34713 Program Support - Additional Resources Den Chief Handbook - No. 33211A Training Resources Fast Start Training Fast Start training provides immediate help for the new leader by providing information and examples for planning and conducting the first meeting. These video programs are available through your Cub Scout Pack or you can check them out through the Indian Nations Council’s library. You can also view them on the Internet by going to the council website at www.okscouts.org and clicking on training. Youth Protection Training This training covers the subject of child abuse. It will provide you information and guidance in the policies and procedures of the Boy Scouts of America in recognizing, preventing and reporting abuse. This training is also online at the council website www.okscouts.org and go to training. Basic Leader Training: Cub Scout Leader Program Training These classes will get you off to the right start and make your den meetings much easier to plan. There are classes for Tiger, Wolf, Bear and Webelos leaders as well as Cubmasters and Committee Members. Parents are encouraged to attend the training to learn more about how the Cub Scout program works. New Leader Essentials: for all leaders in Cub Scouting Leader Specific Training: by Scouting position. In Cub Scouting, specific training is offered for Cubmasters, pack committee members, Tiger Cub den leaders, Cub Scout den leaders, and Webelos den leaders. Basic Adult Leader Outdoor Orientation (BALOO): This training is for leaders who may be responsible for a pack overnight campout. BALOO will help you to properly understand the importance of program intent, youth protection guidelines, health and safety, site selection, age-appropriate activities and sufficient adult participation. Outdor Leader Skills for Webelos Leaders: Webelos Leader Outdoor Training provides specialized training for Webelos leaders in outdoor skills and programs. Cub Scout Leader Program Workshops These are quarterly workshops available to learn about planning den meetings, pack meetings and more. Consult your Cubmaster to find out when these trainings are available. You can also visit the council website and go to your district calendar to find dates and times for trainings. National Awards National Den Award Cub Scouting happens in the den. The National Den Award will create an incentive for a year-around fun, quality program in the den. The National Den Award may be earned only once in any 12 month period. Requirements may be found in the Cub Scout Leader Book. Religious Awards ad Emblems Many religious-faith groups have programs of instruction for religious education for individual Tiger Cubs, Cub Scouts, and Webelos Scouts. Religious emblems are designed to recognize boys who demonstrate faith, observe the creeds or principles of the faith, and give service. Religious emblems are not Scouting awards; they are presented by religious groups to boys who earn them. Tiger Cubs, Cub Scouts, and Webelos Scouts may earn an emblem whether or not they are members of a pack operated by a religious organization. The intent of the program is to encourage each boy to work directly with his own religious leader or, in some cases, a layperson designated by that religious leader. The religious body determines requirements for each religious emblem. Student and counselor manuals are available at the Indian Nations Council. Camping Opportunities for Cub Scouts and their Families Cub Scouting’s camping and outdoor activities fulfill Tiger Cubs, Cub Scouts, and Webelos Scouts dreams of fun, excitement, and adventure. They provide a natural setting for quality time with family and friends. Cub Scout Day Camp Day Camp is an accredited, organized, one to five day program for Tiger Cubs, Cub Scouts, and Webelos Scouts under certified leadership at an approved site, and is usually held during daylight or early evening hours, but not overnight. Ask your Cubmaster when and where your district day camp will occur. Webelos Resident Camp Webelos Camp is geared specifically for Webelos Scouts. It is a three-day and two-night camp conducted at the John Zink Ranch near Sand Springs, Oklahoma. Activities are age appropriate. To learn more about Webelos Camp, go to the council’s website, www.okscouts.org, or the Twin Arrows District website at twinarrowsdistrict.org.. Cub Scout Pack Family Overnighters Cub Scouting packs are encouraged to provide their youth members with positive outdoor experiences. The format under which an entire pack can camp is a pack-organized camping activity.
This is a brief overview of the many exciting programs and activities of Cub Scouting. As a new leader we want to make sure that you get off to a great start. Thanks again for your support of the youth in your community.
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| We are a member of the Indian Nations Council, BSA. Serving Scouts and Scouters in Twin Arrows District including Tulsa, Union, Broken Arrow, Bixby, Haskell and Coweta in Oklahoma. Search the Twin Arrows District Site District Chairman District Commissioner - Ron Bender District Director - Doug Banner District Executive - Saulo Garcia Questions or problems with the web site?
All material © 2008 Twin Arrows District, Indian Nations Council, Boy Scouts of America |
