Some more Roundtable Pics - April 2011

Here's a few more pics from Roundtable. Each shows an idea presented by highly creative and imaginative contributors!

In the "Olympics" theme, here are some "events." Roll a hoola-hoop and see if you can throw beanbags through it as it rolls. Create marshmallow "guns" and see who can shoot farther or more accurately. Race in a fun plunger kayak race! A great Mother's Day gift! A bouquet of strawberries on a skewer. One has a slice in the top with a marshmallow inside.

Eggheads & Strawberries

Great ideas for presenting awards and for treats.

Marshmallow Teeth instructions Thank you to everyone who shares their ideas at Roundtable!

Some RoundTable Fun

When we meet for RoundTable each month, we have a blast. It is so much fun. There are a few of us who don't even work with the boys. We use RoundTable as much needed "me" time on a monthly basis. We really enjoy using our individual talents to make a wonderful training and brainstorming session for the leaders in the Pony Express District. These pictures are from the April, 2011, RoundTable.

Mary loves to volunteer. We enjoyed a few laughs at her quickly raised hand.

A visiting Webelos showed remarkable skill at skateboard kayaking. (Clean plunger optional...)

Our fearless leader, Angela, loves to show her enthusiasm for everything. What a great example of how to be with Cub Scouts.

March 2011 RT

These are pictures from Roundtable in March.

Sharing the Cubbies & Scrapbook pages.

The pages can be viewed in the album shared at every RT.

These are the items each Stake made during the Gathering Activity.

(Sorry, I can't remember which stake is which)

Stake Flags

Craft Time

Awesome CampFire Crafts

Click on the pictures to go to the link with instructions.

Tall Tales Bingo Game

This is a Tall Tales Bingo Game that Tomi Ann Hill developed to help pass off Bear Achievement 4: Tall Tales.

INSTRUCTIONS:
Print out the game cards on cardstock (from HERE).  Make sure you choose your printers "shrink to fit" option so the edges don't get cut off.  The last page has just the icons so you can cut them out and put them in a bowl, then draw them out at random.  Give each scout a card (there are 8 different cards in this set) and some kind of markers.  We used goldfish crackers.  As you draw the cards out of the bowl, tell the boys the basic story (as found in the handbook) and let them figure out which name goes with it.  Each card has all the stories on it, so eventually everyone will get a blackout.  We had a little treat for the first 3 boys to get Bingo.

Program Self-Assessment

"Where performance is measured, performance improves. Where performance is measured and reported, the rate of improvement accelerates." -- Thomas S. Monson

It's nice to have a measuring stick readily available for self-assessment. Two wonderful measuring sticks are the Pack Self-Assessment and Journey To Excellence. Journey To Excellence replaced Quality Unit, effective February 2011. There are different forms for Packs, Troops, Crews, Ships, Districts, and Councils. The criteria and a webinar for each can be found at the links below.

Pack Self-Assessment (or here)

Journey To Excellence Criteria and Webinars-All links

Journey To Excellence (Packs) Criteria and Pack Webinar

Packs report their progress to a Unit Commissioner. Unit Commissioners are not from within your Pack or LDS ward. Unit Commissioners usually serve 3 BSA units and are assigned by your District or LDS stake. They are a resource for you, a friend who knows Scouting well, and a liaison between your Pack and your Council. They help your pack set and meet yearly goals. If you do not know who your Pack's Unit Commissioner is, your Unit Chartered Organization Representative, aka COR, is a good resource to find out (for LDS units, that's your bishopric counselor over Scouting).

Values with Themes

Our focus for Pack Meetings is the Core Value of the month. While we need to be careful the Core Value isn't replaced or lost by a theme, a theme can demonstrate and punctuate a Core Value. Themes can be used for decoration, games, and especially award ceremonies. Here are some ideas, mostly compiled by Charlene Rowley, to help our imaginations get started:

• CITIZENSHIP: Patriotic, Pilgrim, Patriots, Historic Flags, Our Country's (or local) Heritage
• COMPASSION: Pilgrims, Pioneers, Firemen, Medical First Aid, Wizard of Oz, Disability Awareness
• COOPERATION: Carnival, Circus, Rodeo, Mountaineers, Trailblazers, Circle the Wagons, Showbiz, Music Makers, Derbies, Sports Extravaganza, Genius Kits, Communication, Tied Up in Knots
• COURAGE: Wright Brothers, The World of Tomorrow, Vikings, Pirates, Pilgrims, Pioneers, Tall Tales, Legends, Knights, Robin Hood, Wizard of Oz
• FAITH: Patriots, Pilgrims, Pioneers
• HEALTH & FITNESS: Blast Off, Down on the Farm, Knights, Grecians Olympics, Sports Carnival, Fire Detective, Field Day, Survival
• HONESTY: Knights, Derbies, Pilgrims, Pioneers
• PERSEVERANCE: Wright Brothers, Viking, Pirates, Ship builders, Waterways, Discoveries, Patriots,Pilgrims, Our Heritage, Mountaineers, Pioneers, Trail blazers, Winter Olympics, Knights, Field Day, Survival
• POSITIVE ATTITUDE: Wright Brothers, The World of Tomorrow, Neptune Rex, Vaudeville, Magicians, Olympics, Heroes, Derbies, Wizard of Oz
• RESOURCEFULNESS: Sound Props, Trains, Solar System, Jungle, Zoo, Natural Resource Conservation, Recycling, Survival
• RESPECT: Great Events in Scouting, Circle the Wagons, Pioneers, Trailblazers, Wild West Rodeo, Pilgrims, Historic Flags, Akela's Council, It's A Small World
• RESPONSIBILITY: Wright Brothers, The World of Tomorrow, Discoverers, Patriots, Pilgrims, Pioneers, Trailblazers, Fire, Detectives

Field Trip Safety

This post has been updated with more current information.  Starting March 1, 2011, Tour permits were replaced with Tour Plans. 

As always, there is a little controversy surrounding field trips. In the Intermediate Den Leader class, we attempted to dispel some of the myths surrounding taking the boys out of our normal meeting places.

Myth #1--I don't need a tour permit unless I'm going way far away.

The National BSA now requires that you fill out a Tour Plan (replaces Tour Permits effective 3/1/11) for every activity that takes place outside of your regular meeting place. 
 You then need to keep a copy of your tour plan with your chartered organization. 
You do not need to submit the Tour Plan to your council for approval in most Cub Scouting outing scenarios. 

Times when a tour plan must be submitted for council review include:

• Trips of 500 miles or more

• Trips outside of council borders not to a council-owned property

• Trips to any national high-adventure base, national Scout jamboree, National Order of the Arrow Conference, or regionally sponsored event

• When conducting the following activities outside of council or district events:

Aquatics activities (swimming, boating, floating, scuba, etc.)

Climbing and rappelling

Orientation flights (process flying plan)

Shooting sports

Any activities involving motorized vehicles as part of the program (snowmobiles, boating, etc.)

• At a council’s request

Please complete and submit this plan at least 21 days in advance to ensure your council has enough time to review the plan and assist you in

updating the plan if it is found defective. When review is complete, the second half of the plan is returned to you to carry on your travels.

Myth #2-- I don't need that pesky Guide to Safe Scouting with me.

Well, that's another biggie. This must be in a car traveling with scouts. The official guide must be in at least one of the cars attending the field trip. Many with large vehicles who routinely drive cub scouts around have chosen to purchase their own guide and let it live in their car. A good idea would be to read it through, as a leader, and be aware of what it contains and the procedures for various events. An online version can be read here: http://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/HealthandSafety/GSS/toc.aspx

Myth #3-- As long as the leaders stay in eye sight of one another, they can drive the boys in 2 separate cars.

Two leaders per car is always better, but having only one leader per car is fine according to BSA policy.  The Guide to Safe Scouting states (Section I-Leadership Requirements for Trips and Outings): If you cannot provide two adults for each vehicle, the minimum required is one adult and two or more youth members (never one on one). The BSA also states in the Cub Scout Leader Book that when driving in more than one car, you should NOT try to caravan or convoy (2010 printing, page 126, under Tips For Outings).

However, the units sponsored by the LDS Church MAY have a different guideline. General Church policy does not specify the need for two leaders in a vehicle, but your stake and/or ward leadership may require that you have two leaders in each vehicle (or one leader and one parent).  Church guidelines can be found online at lds.org in the Church Handbook 2:  Administering the Church, sections 11.5.3, 11.8.1, 13.6.2, and 13.6.24.

Don't Forget--
Always remember to get Permission Slips (or this one)!! It is also good to make sure all boys have a current Annual Health & Medical Record on file (Parts A & B). 

I know, I know. I can hear you now. You're wondering why on earth this has to be so difficult. Why don't people just understand we want outings and not all this red tape. Well, due to the day and age we live in, it's easier to prepare a little more in advance and be safe rather than sorry.

I think the BSA puts it perfectly:

"The purpose of the Guide to Safe Scouting is to prepare adult leaders to conduct Scouting activities in a safe and prudent manner. The policies and guidelines have been established because of the real need to protect members from known hazards that have been identified through 90-plus years of experience. Limitations on certain activities should not be viewed as stumbling blocks; rather, policies and guidelines are best described as stepping-stones toward safe and enjoyable adventures."

Always think ahead of time what is needed to achieve the guidelines of both the BSA and your charter organization (in the Pony Express District that would be the LDS Church). These guidelines are not meant to make your life hard. They are only there to help you succeed in providing the best program you can for these great boys.

Song Videos

A few of my new friends from Akela's Council 26 (2010) got together and made videos of some of the songs we learned there. I have introduced a few of those songs at Roundtable, or am planning to introduce them in the near future.

I am ENTHUSIASTICALLY going to give a shout out for Akela's Council. Go! Really! Whether you are brand new as a leader in any capacity with Cub Scouting or have been involved with it for years you will learn something new -no, tons of things - to improve your program. It's AWESOME, fun, and in all honesty - invaluable! Really, it truly is! Go! Click HERE for more info.

The Pizza Hut Song

The Itsy-Bitsy Spider Chant


The Beaver Song (Chant) (Working on getting audio fixed)
Here's a link to the lyrics, in the meantime:  Beaver Song


The Bubble Gum Song

BSA Emergency Preparedness Award

Emergency Preparedness Award

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The Emergency Preparedness Award is part of a new BSA program of emphasis for Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Venturers, and Leaders, in cooperation with the Federal Department of Homeland Security.

All emergency activities carried out by Scouting units must be appropriate for the ages and abilities of the young people involved. Units should participate only under the supervision of their own leaders, and plans for unit help must be coordinated with community agencies responsible for disaster preparedness.

Tiger Cub Requirements

1. Complete Tiger Cub Achievement 3—Keeping Myself Healthy and Safe. This achievement covers a family fire plan and drill and what to do if separated from the family.
2. Complete Tiger Cub Elective 27—Emergency! This elective helps a Tiger Cub be ready for emergencies and dangerous situations and has him discuss a family emergency plan with his family.
3. With your parent or guardian's help, complete one of these three activities.
   • Take the American Red Cross First Aid for Children Today (FACT) course.
   • Join a safe kids program such as McGruff Child Identification, Internet Safety, or Safety at Home.
   • Show and tell your family household what you have learned about preparing for emergencies.

Wolf Cub Scout Requirements

1. Complete Wolf Cub Scout Achievement 9*—Be Safe at Home and on the Street. This is a check of your home to keep it safe.
2. Complete Wolf Cub Scout Elective 16*—Family Alert. This elective is about designing a plan for your home and family in case an emergency takes place.
3. With your parent or guardian's help, complete one of the following activities that you have not already completed for this award as a Tiger Cub:
   • Take American Red Cross Basic Aid Training (BAT) to learn emergency skills and care for choking, wounds, nose bleeds, falls, and animal bites. This course includes responses for fire safety, poisoning, water accidents, substance abuse, and more.
   • Make a presentation to your family on what you have learned about preparing for emergencies.
   • Join a Safe Kids program such as McGruff Child Identification program. Put on a training program for your family or den on stranger awareness, Internet safety, or safety at home.

* Achievement and elective numbers could change; the achievement or elective title determines what the requirement is.

Bear Cub Scout Requirements

1. Complete Bear Cub Scout Achievement 11*—Be Ready. The focus of this achievement is the best way to handle emergencies.
2. Make a small display or give a presentation for your family or den on what you have learned about preparing for emergencies.
3. With your parent or guardian's help, complete one of the following activities that you have not already completed for this award as a Tiger Cub or Wolf Cub Scout:
   • Take American Red Cross Basic Aid Training (BAT) to learn emergency skills and care for choking, wounds, nose bleeds, falls, and animal bites. This course includes responses for fire safety, poisoning, water accidents, substance abuse, and more..
   • Put together a family emergency kit for use in the home.
   • Organize a safe kids program such as McGruff Child Identification program. Put on a training program for your family or den on stranger awareness, Internet safety, or safety at home.

* Achievement and elective numbers could change; the achievement or elective title determines what the requirement is.

Webelos Scout Requirements

1. Earn the Readyman activity badge from the community badge group.
2. Build a family emergency kit, with an adult family member participating in the project.
3. With your parent or guardian's help, complete one of the following that you have not already completed for this award as a Tiger Cub or Wolf or Bear Cub Scout:
   • Take a first aid course conducted by your local American Red Cross chapter.
   • Give a presentation to your den on preparing for emergencies.
   • Organize a training program for your Webelos den on stranger awareness, Internet safety, or safety at home.

When a member has fulfilled the requirements appropriate to his age/program segment, a completed application is submitted to the council. Upon approval, an Emergency Preparedness pin is awarded. The pin may be worn on civilian clothing or on the uniform, centered on the left pocket flap. The award may be earned more than once; for instance, as a young person advances through the ranks and is capable of more complex preparedness activities, but only one pin may be worn. You can download the application here. This information can also be found at: http://scoutleaderawards.com/advance/EmergPrep.asp

Den Doodles

I have been asked to provide the guide to the colored beads on Pack 1122's Bear Den Flag and Doodle. You can provide your own color scheme according to what beads you may already have on hand. The trick is to be consistent.

Blue--The boy wears his uniform to the meeting
Yellow--He brings his book
White--This is the over achiever bead. The Cub Scout has done something at home that needs to be signed off.
Red--This corresponds with the Instant Recognition Bead for Progress towards Rank. He should have 4 of these. If this is for a Wolf Den, you could swap red and yellow to keep it with the Wolf beads.
Clear--There is only one of these on the string. The boy receives it when he gets his rank advancement.
Orange--For participating in the meeting.
Green--Good behavior.
Pink--The cub brought his parents to Pack Meeting.
Purple--The cub came to Pack Meeting.