Things You'll Need:
- Materials for activities
- state flag and national flag
- snacks or refreshments
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Step 1
Design a gathering activity: There must be a planned activity available to ensure that each Cubscout that arrives for the weekly meeting can easily join the activity without much disruption. Planning a gathering activity ensures that the boys are thoroughly engaged and this ensures less opportunities for behavior issues. There are several gathering activities that have proven to be sure winners with cubscouts. One game in particular involves the use of a simple ball. The cubscouts simply pass the ball to other fellow scouts. Once a scout catches the ball, he must answer the question of the scout that threw the ball to him. This game can go on and on until the meeting actually starts. Whatever you decide to do, please ensure that the boys are fully engaged.
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Step 2
Plan short, fun, and engaging opportunities throughout the meeting: Believe it or not, it is better to over plan than to not plan enough. During any typical den meeting is is absolutely necessary that the boys experience some cheers and games. Cheers are extra special. You may have the tiger cubs during their den meeting to give off the sound of a tiger's call. Then allow the wolves sound off their howling. Of course you must allow the bear cubs sound off with their bear call, and the webelos can just shout and scream to the top of their lungs. The boys love the out of the box cheers. You may even try the watermelon cheer. This cheer involves the boys audibly sounding like a person that is eating and slurping on a watermelon. They will simply just love it. Games are always a winner as long as it is active and long lasting. One the best ways to ignite excitement is with sporting activities and relay games. Tug of war, potato bag hop, the list goes on and on.
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Step 3
Ensure to include time for advancement: One of the hallmarks of scouting is to ensure that the scout earns advancement throughout his experience. Therefore, the Den leader must ensure that advancement stays as a top priority. The first objective is to engage the parents into taking a serious part of working with their son and his advancement requirements. Parents have the authority to sign-off on all of the requirements for most of the awards. In addition, the Den leader must ensure that a good portion of the den meeting focuses on some of the requirements leading to scouting advancement. Push the scouts to excel at their own rate of excelling.
