Next Meeting: 12/1, 6:30pm Liberty Cafeteria

Tuesday, 12/1, 6:30pm will be a Den Meeting.

Please note the following:

• POPCORN ORDERS DUE
• You don't have to turn in money yet
• If you can't attend, contact Mark Underwood ASAP
• Product pickup is TBD but will probably be next week.
• Bobcat Requirements DUE.
• Please bring your Handbook with as many requirements as possible complete.
• No Meeting 12/8
• Next meeting: PACK MEETING 12/15
• Families are encouraged to attend
• Bobcat ranks will be awarded

Den Meeting Plan for 12/1

This is part 2 of the plan for the "Bobcats All" program theme. Information below is adapted or copied from "Program Ideas for Your First Month of Den Meetings" by the BSA.

The Den Leaders and Assistant Den Leaders (or "leaders of the month" if you're rotating duties) are responsible for making sure all needed game or activity materials are there for the meeting. Plan on up to 8 boys per den.

What follows is a suggestion.  Feel free to "punch it up" a bit if your boys are doing well with the work. The goal is to wrap up the Bobcat requirements in time for the Pack meeting.  Keep in mind - the parents are supposed to be reviewing and signing off requirements at home.  Den meetings are for practice and fun.

General Notes:

• Plan to be finished by 7:15 or 7:20, and out of the building by 7:30
• Check the boys' books for completion of Bobcat requirements
• Submit a list of boys who have completed Bobcat to Mark Underwood (msunderwd@gmail.com) by Wednesday 12/2.
  

Meeting Plan

The den meeting is broken up into the following segments:

Tiger Cubs

• Gathering - Tigers/Parents play a game (e.g. "It Can't be Done")
• Opening - Teach Cubs and Adult Partners the Sign.  Explain how it is used to maintain order in the den. Cubs and Partners give the Sign and repeat the Promise in repeat-after-me fashion. 
• Share - Each boy tells what his favorite animal is, and why.
• Discover - Make Clay Snake Slides
• Search - Discuss plans for January Go-See-It.
• Closing - Give the Sign and repeat the Law of the Pack in repeat-after-me fashion.

Wolf and Bear Cubs

• Gathering - Play "Guess Who I Am" or practice the Magic Knot Trick
• Opening - Either:
• Stand in semicircle, give the Sign, repeat the Law of the Pack, light the Conduct Candle
• Recite the Law of the Pack.  Light the Conduct Candle.  Roll call - each boy steps forward and salutes on his name.
• Business - Talk ("high level") about achievements and electives for Wolf/Bear.  Practice a Den Yell.
• Activity - Practice the Handshake.  Make Clay Snake Slides or play Laundry Grab Bag.
• Closing - Reminders, then either:
• Form a line, repeat the promise, then extinguish the Conduct Candle
• Sit in a circle.  Explain the meaning of the Motto.  Extinguish the Conduct Candle.

Webelos

• Gathering - Play "Guess Who I Am" or Ballon Battle Royale
• Opening - Either:
• Stand in semicircle, give the Sign, repeat the Law of the Pack, light the Conduct Candle
• Recite the Law of the Pack.  Light the Conduct Candle.  Roll call - each boy steps forward and salutes on his name.
• Activity Badge - Sportsman: Practice skills of one or more of the sports for the Sportsman requirements 3 and 4.  Review and practice official's signals.
• Preparation - Practice the Handshake.  Work on a Den Yell.  Discuss the Den name.
• Closing - Reminders, then either:
  
  • Form a line, repeat the promise, then extinguish the Conduct Candle
  • Sit in a circle.  Explain the meaning of the Motto.  Extinguish the Conduct Candle.
  
  
  

All dens should leave the meeting space neater than they found it after the closing.

Activity Descriptions

See the 11/17 Den Meeting Plan for other activity ideas.

It Can't Be Done:

Say that you can jump backward farther than they boys can jump forward, if they do exactly as you do. Then grasp your toes and hop backward a few inches. When the boys assume the same position, they'll find they can't budge when they try to jump forward. This is good for gathering time, as each boy who arrives can try to catch the next boy to arrive, in sequence.

Guess Who I Am

Leader decides who he is pretending to be, and the boys ask up to 20 "yes or no" questions, trying to guess who the leader is after each question.  This can be a contest between dens (or teams) to see who can guess in the fewest questions.


Magic Knot Trick


Have several pieces of rope or cord about 3 feet long.  Ask the Cub if he can tie an overhand knot in the middle of a cord without letting go of either end.  Let the Cub Scout try it, then show the trick:  First, fold your arms over your chest, then lean over and pick up each end of the cord without unfolding your arms.  As you straighten up, unfold your arms - still holding the rope - and, presto, there's the overhand knot!


Laundry Grab Bag

Fill a large pillowcase with an assortment of old clothes (hats, shirts, belts, pants, shoes, etc.).  Cubs stand in a circle, and one takes the bag.  On a signal, he passes the bag to the player on his left, and so on around the circle.  As the bag is being passed around, the leader blows a whistle.  Whoever has the bag in his hand when the signal is given pulls an item out of the bag and puts it on.  Repeat until the bag is empty.


Balloon Battle Royale


Arrange Webelos in a large circle, and tie an inflated balloon to one ankle of each boy.  On a signal, the boys try to break all other balloons by stomping on them, while keeping their own balloon safe.  When a boy's balloon is broken, he is "out".   Last boy with an unbroken balloon wins.  "Out" boys should be encouraged to cheer the remaining boys.

Thanksgiving

When I was a boy, I was in a Cub Scout pack that barely existed.  There were barely a handful of boys and just a couple of adults.  The pack, and the Boy Scout troop it was attached to, folded not long after I graduated.  It was a good experience, but it could have been better.

Fast forward 25 years.  I now have a son in third grade.  I wanted him to have the Scouting experience, so I went asking about a neighborhood pack for him to join.  Finding none, I was persuaded to start one.  I fully expected to end up with just a handful of boys and a couple of willing parents to keep it going.

Imagine my surprise when in just a few weeks, we had built to a pack with over 50 boys and a nearly fully staffed adult leadership - a team of dedicated parents who are working hard to provide a quality experience for their boys.  A pack that is already spoken of with recognition and great hope by folks at the Council office.

This year, as always, I am thankful for a great many things in my life.  But this year, I am also thankful for Pack 1221.  I'm thankful for the boys who are so enthusiastic to have a good time and learn Scouting,  for the school and PTA who have been so cooperative in providing a place and means to have the meetings, and especially for the parents who have stepped up to be leaders, who have taken on their jobs with a dedication that bears commendation, and who are building the foundation of a program that will serve neighborhood boys for years to come.

This year, I am thankful for you.

Happy Thanksgiving, Pack 1221!

Leaders: How to create a MyScouting account

Leaders,

In order to complete your online training, you will need to create a MyScouting account.  Here are the directions:

1. Go to http://www.scouting.org
2. Click on the MyScouting tab.
3. Click on "Create an Account"
4. Enter a username of your choice
5. Choose whether you are a member.
1. If you have your Member ID, select "I am a member" and then provide your ID.
2. If you do NOT have your Member ID yet, select "I am not a member".  You will be able to add your ID later, once I have given you your ID card.
6. Fill in your personal information, do the verification thing, and select "Create User"

You should be able to access the online training with your login, whether or not you provided a Member ID.  Later, you can add your Member ID by logging in and selecting "Update my profile" from the menu on the left.

Reminder: Bobcat Ranks

We have only one more Den meeting (Dec. 1) before the Pack meeting.

Parents, please be working at home with your boys on completing their Bobcat rank requirements.  We'd like to award Bobcat to all of the boys at the Dec. 15 Pack meeting.

Parents must sign off on the requirements.  Please do so one of the following ways:

• Sign the corresponding pages in the Handbook, then show the Den Leader
• If you don't have a Handbook, print this blog entry, sign each requirement, and show the Den Leader.  Catch up your Handbook when you get one.
• Email the Den Leader certifying that the boy has completed the requirements.  Catch up your Handbook when you get one.

Bobcat Requirements:

1. Cub Scout Promise  ____________________
2. Law of the Pack ____________________
3. Meaning of "Webelos" ____________________
4. Cub Scout Sign ____________________
5. Cub Scout Handshake ____________________
6. Cub Scout Motto ____________________
7. Cub Scout Salute ____________________
8. Review Youth Protection Guide ____________________

Details on the requirements can be found on our website here.  

Note that requirement 8 cannot be done without the guidebook included inside the Handbook.  So I suppose you'll have to get a Handbook to do that.  I may try to summarize the handbook in a separate post, to help with that, but it's pretty important stuff, so I recommend you do review it with your boy when you get a Handbook.

Reminder: Leader Training Friday 11/20 6:30-9:00pm

What?  Position-Specific Basic Training
Who?  All Den and Pack leaders, including Committee members
When?  Friday, 11/20, 6:30-9:00pm
Where?  At the Council Office, off Richmond Road.

This is a District-run, position-specific leader Training event, and is one of the requirements for the "Trained" leader badge.

Attendance is optional, but strongly recommended.  There should be a wealth of valuable information to help you with your role in the pack. There will not be another opportunity like this until some time next year.

I hope to see you all there!

Tiger Go-See-It: Salato Wildlife Refuge

What:  Go-See-It!  Explore the Salato Wildlife Refuge near Frankfort, KY
When: Saturday, November 21 10:00am - 12:00ish
Leader in Charge:  Kevin Wilder

This outing is hosted by Tiger Den 2 (ACE), but all Pack 1221 Tigers are invited.

Details:  Tigers and Adult Partners meet at the main building at the Refuge at 10:00.  Families are responsible for their own transportation.  We will explore the Refuge for about 1.5 - 2 hours.

Directions:

• Take I-64 West toward Frankfort
• Take Exit 53B to US-127 N, and go about 1.3mi
• Turn Left on US-60, and go 1.6 mi
• Turn Right on Game Farm Road

Looks like a beautiful, but cool day for a hike, with sunny weather, temps in the 40s to low 50s, and low winds.  Dress warmly, though!

Reminder: Next Meeting 11/17, 6:30pm Liberty Elementary

Our next Den Meeting is Tuesday, 11/17 6:30-7:30pm at the Liberty Cafeteria.  This will be a regular Den Meeting for the boys.

What to bring:

• Boys, of course.
• Handbooks, if you have them.
• Uniforms, if you have them.  If not, please try to wear a solid (or nearly so) navy blue or gold/yellow shirt, for uniformity
• Tigers:  Please bring a leaf for your craft activity.

Attendance:

• Please consider staying to help.  We are desperately short of assigned leaders, especially among Bears (3rd grade)!
• If you must drop & go, please return by 7:15.  We may be finished by then.
• For certain, please plan to pick your boy up by 7:30 at the latest.  We must be clear of the building promptly.

Other Notes:

• Popcorn orders are due 12/1.  Please work hard on this, we need to build some working cash.
• No Meeting on 11/24.  Enjoy your holiday!
• Next Den meeting 12/1 (**not** 12/8).
• Pack Meeting 12/15.  Families are encouraged to attend.

We are working on making arrangements for ACE dens to meet at ACE starting in January.  We need a Den Leader for the ACE Bear Den.  Pack Meetings will remain at Liberty, 4th Tuesday of each month.

Uniform Requirements

There's been some question about uniform requirements. Who's supposed to get what.

Here's a basic summary, in some semblance of priority order. All of this stuff is available at the Scout Shop at the Council office.

There are three basic types of uniform:

• Minimal Class A. This is not regulation, but is the least you should shoot for.
• Class A. This is the full, official uniform, head to toe. Should be worn for all ceremonies and official outings where we need to look good (outings, parades, etc.)
• Class B. This is the "casual" or "play" uniform, suitable for den meetings and most active outings.

All families are encouraged to get as much as they can in terms of uniform. It helps the boy develop pride in his unit and unity with the group, just like a team uniform for a sport.

However: NO BOY WILL EVER BE TURNED AWAY from a Pack 1221 event for lack of a uniform as long as I have something to say about it. This Pack is about what's in the boys' hearts and minds, not their mirrors. The Cub Scout Motto is "Do your best." I believe that applies here, especially in these economic times.

I went all the way through scouting, from Bobcat to Eagle Scout. I think I bought my first pair of Class A uniform pants so that I could wear them to my Eagle Scout award ceremony.

The Handbook

Every boy needs a Handbook. They're $10, but it's really, really hard to do the advancement work without it. Darn near impossible.

Uniform Color Standards

Tigers, Wolves and Bears all wear the Blue uniform. Tiger accents are orange, Wolf is yellow, and Bear is light blue.

Webelos as a den have the option of Blue or Khaki/Olive, but all boys should wear the same colors. Going Khaki allows the outgoing boys to re-use the uniform as a Boy Scout. Going Blue allows the incoming boys to re-use their Cub Scout uniform. Webelos accents are plaid.

Adult men wear khaki/olive with blue epaulet loops. Adult women have the option of khaki/olive or yellow/navy.

Minimal Class A Boy Uniform

The minimal uniform is the shirt, neckerchief and slide. Together, new, these will set you back about $35 for short sleeves, $40 for long sleeves (your choice). Since the shirt is where the rank badges go, it would be nice if all the boys get their shirt before they earn the Bobcat rank.

Neckerchief and slide colors are as follows:

• Tiger: orange
• Wolf: yellow
• Bear: light blue
• Webelos: plaid

For the minimal uniform, the boy should wear navy blue shorts, pants, or jeans. This is not regulation, but less expensive than buying the official pants. If going khaki, Webelos can wear olive pants or navy jeans - the den should try to be consistent.

For shoes, anything suitable to the activity will be fine. Safety should be considered in selecting shoes.

Minimum Insignia

All boys need the following basic insignia:

• Council Patch ($6-ish, I think) - goes on left shoulder
• Unit Numerals ("1221", $5). Blue uniform gets white on red numerals. Khaki uniform can use white on red or Centennial green on khaki, but should be consistent for whole den.
• World Scout Crest ($1.49). Purple circle. Goes on left breast centered between shoulder and pocket.

Total cost: $12.49. Note that these patches are sew-on, not iron-on. You can use "badge magic" or "wonder under" or other such iron-on material, but my experience is that it doesn't work well with the shoulder patches - too much bending and folding.

If wearing the khaki shirt, Webelos need to add the blue epaulet loops. These are $2.50

We can also talk about adding Den Number patches, which go under the American flag on the right sleeve. These are $1.50.

Official Class A Uniform

In addition to the shirt, neckerchief and insignia, the rest of the official Class A uniform comprises:

• Uniform pants or shorts ($16-$24 depending on style)
• Uniform belt ($8-$10 on size - buy big, trim down and tuck. Blue for all Cubs. Webelos match pants.
• Uniform Cap ($12 - Webelos wear the olive/plaid Webelos cap regardless of shirt color)
• Uniform Socks ($6 - Tiger=orange top, Wolf/Bear = yellow top, Webelos to match pants)

Class B Uniform

The Class B Uniform, which can be worn to Den Meetings and outings (unless specified by the Den/Pack leaders in charge) consists of a Cub Scout T-shirt and pants/shorts appropriate to the activity (preferably navy blue). T-shirts are about $10, give or take.

Adult Uniform

The minimal, Class A and Class B adult uniforms are basically the same as the boy uniforms (at least in the items they comprise), with the following exceptions:

Men wear the khaki adult shirt (no blue option). If worn, the pants and belt are olive.

Women have a lot of options. Blouse is either khaki or yellow uniform shirt. Bottoms are pants, shorts, coulotts, or skirt in navy. Choice of ladies neckerchief or scarf.

Basic insignia is the same for all adults:

• Council patch (left shoulder sleeve at top)
• Unit numbers ("1221", below council patch)
• Office badge (below unit numbers or on sleeve pocket if present)
• Blue epaulet loops (on epaulets)
• World Scout Crest (left breast centered between pocket and shoulder)

Pack Provided Items

We can't do this yet because we have no money, but as a pack we should consider and vote on this in the near future. It is traditional that certain items are provided by the Pack and paid for out of either dues or fundraising. We can discuss the exact list, but a suggestion would be:

• Handbook
• Council Patch, unit numerals and World Scout Crest
• All earned insignia (ranks, arrowheads, Webelos activity pins, etc.)
• Basic insignia for adult leaders

We might also provide a small contribution to each boy for part of the uniform (perhaps buy the neckerchief and slide). Traditionally, families would be responsible for the actual clothing (shirt, hat, pants, etc.) and optional patches, such as those given out or available for an outing that is not part of a rank-like achievement.

Finally, we might as a Pack consider establishing a benevolence fund and/or a "well loved uniform" wardrobe for providing help for those families who could use the help.

If we do well enough on fundraising, we might even consider doing what we can to reimburse this year's families for part of their uniform expenses. This would have to be considered, voted upon, and weighed against other Pack needs such as flags, program materials, benevolence, activities and events, etc.

Please feel free to comment below with questions, concerns, and thoughts!

Leader Training November 20

Leaders:

There's a position-specific "Basic Training" event coming up next week. This is one of the requirements for your "Trained" badge (yes, adults get to earn badges, too!) and also goes towards the Pack's Quality Unit Award.

• Where: Blue Grass Council Office (off Richmond Road)
• When: Friday, November 20
• What time: 6:00pm

Details will be posted early next week.

Please RSVP by either commenting to this post below or emailing me (msunderwd_AT_gmail.com) or Jean Williams (ggloriawilliams_AT_aol.com). The training leader needs a head count to prepare for the meeting.

(obviously, replace "_AT_" with the "@" sign.)

Next Meeting: 11/17, 6:30pm Liberty Elementary

Next week's meeting will be Tuesday, 11/17 6:30-7:30pm at the Liberty Cafeteria.

This will be a regular Den Meeting for the boys!!

Den Leaders and Assistants, please have the first week's program from the "Bobcats All" plan ready. If you do not have a copy of the plan, I've posted a summary here on the blog: http://libertycubscouts.blogspot.com/2009/11/den-meeting-plan-for-1110.html

The rest of the schedule for 2009 looks like this:

• Nov. 17: Den Meeting
• Nov. 24: No meeting - Thanksgiving
• Dec. 1: Den Meeting - Popcorn orders due!
• Dec. 8: No meeting (conflict with school)
• Dec. 15: Pack Meeting

All of these meetings will be at the Liberty Elementary Cafeteria. Den Meetings at ACE will (hopefully) begin in January. Stay tuned for that.

Notes from 11/10 Meeting

First, let me thank everyone who attended! Your hard work and planning will surely pay off!

We had about 20 parents attend, and all dens report that they will be ready for Den Meetings starting next Tuesday. That is excellent news!

A few other notes, as I understand them:

• The Tigers have chosen to split into two dens along school lines, so the ACE kids can meet at ACE and the Liberty kids can meet at Liberty. I will be working on arranging that with the schools.
• All Dens will, of course, be meeting together at Liberty for the monthly Pack meeting. I will try to make sure that arrangements with ACE give us the flexibility to occasionally host the Pack meeting there should we want to.
• Wolf Dens are planning to meet together for the first few meetings, then split once the adults are more comfortable with running the meetings.
• Bob Henz has volunteered to be Pack Secretary.
• Popcorn sales have been extended to December 1. You will be able to sell through Thanksgiving weekend.
• Online Popcorn sales are coming. I am working out the details of getting things set up. Watch for further news.
• Membership cards for most boys and adults will be available next week. Some folks are still being processed at the Council office.

I am also, on an excellent suggestion from Kevin Wilder (Den 2), making arrangements for Den Leaders (and other interested folks) to visit a Den Meeting or two at another established pack. This will help you get more comfortable with what a typical Den Meeting will be. Watch for further news.

Also, please note that the first December meeting was moved to December 1. There was a schedule conflict with the school on Dec. 8, so we had to move.

11/10 Planning Meeting Only - NO BOYS

Change of plans, folks!

It has come to my attention that we have not had an opportunity to do the necessary planning to start having regular Den Meetings just yet. Meetings so far have focused a bit too much on "recruiting" and not enough on "planning", and trying to keep the boys active while giving the leaders time to talk is problematic for a number of reasons.

Tuesday, 11/10 will be a Pack Leaders (and interested parents) Planning Meeting. Boys should stay home! If you need to bring your boy with you, please provide something to keep him busy. There will NOT be a program for the boys on 11/10.

Agenda:

• Time for Den parents/leaders to meet and plan as a den who is covering what over the next few months
• Time to discuss Pack level plans, including the first Pack meeting Dec. 15
• Discussion of Popcorn Sales
• Optionally, start planning the Blue & Gold Banquet for February.

All parents who have volunteered to be leaders are strongly encouraged to attend. All parents who are not leaders but have an interest are welcome to attend as well.

I will not personally be able to attend, but I will do my best to make sure this meeting is not just another recruiting meeting, but provides sufficient time for you parents to talk amongst yourselves and get organized. I recognize that such time has been sorely lacking in our earlier meetings.

Also, please note that the schedule through 2009 is somewhat different:

• 11/10 : Pack Planning. Parents only. No program for the boys.
• 11/17 : First Den Meeting for boys. Den Leaders will be in charge of the program
• 11/24 : Meeting is tentative. Popcorn orders are due.
• 12/1 : Den Meeting. Den leaders will have program for boys.
• 12/8 : NO MEETING. There is a conflict with an already scheduled school event.
• 12/15 : Pack Meeting. Pack Committee will be in charge of the program.
• 12/22, 12/29, and 1/5 : No meeting. We might schedule an outing for boys who are in town.
• 1/12 : Den Meeting

The Pack Calendar has been updated to reflect this.

Den Meeting Plan for 11/10 11/17

This is the plan for the "Bobcats All" program theme. Information below is adapted or copied from "Program Ideas for Your First Month of Den Meetings" by the BSA.

The Den Leaders and Assistant Den Leaders (or "leaders of the month" if you're rotating duties) are responsible for making sure all needed game or activity materials are there for the meeting. Plan on up to 8 boys per den.

Meeting Plan

The den meeting is broken up into the following segments:

Tiger Cubs

• Gathering - Tigers/Parents play a game (e.g. "Clothespins in a Bottle")
• Opening - Teach Cubs and Adult Partners the Salute, say the Pledge of Allegiance
• Share - Have Cubs introduce Adult Partner, explain relationship, and share a fun thing they do together.
• Discover - Make a leaf rubbing with crayon, paper, and a leaf
• Search - Plan a Go See It for the 12/8 (or 12/1) meeting
• Closing - Teach Cubs the Motto ("Do your best!"). Follow with a Tiger cub roar!

Wolf and Bear Cubs

• Gathering - Have boys do the "It can't be done" trick or another game
• Opening - Show sign and recite Promise. Show Salute and recite Pledge of Allegiance. Introduce Den Leaders and members
• Business - Discuss and establish a simple Code of Conduct for the den (basic "rules of the den")
• Activity - Play a game, like Newspaper Softball
• Closing - Remind boys of next meeting (11/17) and to work on Bobcat requirements at home. Make Living Circle.

Webelos

• Gathering - Have boys do the "It can't be done" trick or another game
• Opening - Show sign and recite Promise. Show Salute and recite Pledge of Allegience. Introduce Den Leaders and members
• Business - Discuss and establish a simple Code of Conduct for the den (basic "rules of the den")
• Activity Badge - Sportsman: Discuss good sportsmanship and teamwork. Review Sportsman Badge requirements. Play Forehead Squeeze Relay
• Preparation - Develop Code of Conduct for Den, Talk about what to do / show / demonstrate at the Pack meeting.
• Closing - Remind boys of next meeting (11/17) and to work on Bobcat requirements at home. Make Living Circle.

All dens should leave the meeting space neater than they found it after the closing.

Note that I'm not sure whether there's a US flag on display in the cafeteria. If not, we'll need to improvise on the Pledge until we can buy a Pack flag. The boys should form a line or square or half circle or something and stand at attention during the Pledge. In the absence of the flag, they should face the Leader.

Activity Descriptions

Den Code of Conduct and Conduct Candle:

The Den Code of Conduct is a basic set of ground rules for behavior during Den Meetings. It is unique to each den, and should be developed with the input of the boys. Rules like "no teasing" or "no horseplay" are examples. The rules should be short, easy to remember and follow, and fair. The Code should also spell out what happens when a rule is broken (including "boy gets to call mommy and go home immediately", but not including any form of hazing). Having the boys help develop the rules will encourage them to follow them.

The Conduct Candle is a candle that is lit at the beginning of the meeting and stays lit until either (a) the closing ceremony, where it is ceremoniously blown out with praise, or (b) someone breaks a Code rule. The Candle helps visually encourage the boys to stay on task. When the candle finally burns out completely (needs to be replaced), the boys should be rewarded with a special party or trip.

Living Circle:

The Living Circle symbolically ties the boys in the Den together and helps remind them of the bond of friendship they are forming. The boys make a close circle facing each other. Each boy makes the Cub Scout Sign with his right hand, turns slightly to the right, and extends his left hand straight out to the center of the circle. Each boy should make a fist with his left hand, extending his thumb out to the right and grabbing the thumb of the boy on his left in his closed fist. So the closed fists make a joined circle in the center. The boys then recite the Promise, Law or Motto (leader's discretion). Optionally, the boys can chant "A-ke-la! We'll do our best!", pumping their left-hand-ring rhythmically up and down on the syllables, then breaking the ring and snapping salutes on the word "best!".

Clothespins in a Bottle:

Materials: 10 clothespins and a narrow-mouthed jar.

Place a narrow-mouthed jar upright on the floor. Give each boy, in turn, 10 clothespins. The boy stands over the bottle and, holding each clothespin at eye level, tries to drop them into the bottle. The boy with the most "hits" wins.

Newspaper Softball:

Materials: 1 rolled up newspaper, two tin cans, and three designated "bases".

Divide the den into two teams. Place a can on either side of "home plate" and balance a rolled newspaper across the tops of the cans. The first "batter" stands behind the newspaper and kicks it with his instep, and the game is on. All the rules of softball are followed except for the method of putting the "ball" into play.

It Can't Be Done:

Say that you can jump backward farther than they boys can jump forward, if they do exactly as you do. Then grasp your toes and hop backward a few inches. When the boys assume the same position, they'll find they can't budge when they try to jump forward. This is good for gathering time, as each boy who arrives can try to catch the next boy to arrive, in sequence.

Forehead Squeeze Relay:

Materials: one tennis ball or orange for every two boys

Split the den into teams with an even number of boys in each team, and give each team a ball. Two boys from each team hold their team ball between their foreheads and race across the room and back. On return to the start, they hand off the ball to the next pair of boys on the team. First team to complete the relay wins. If the ball is dropped, the dropping pair starts over.

First "Real" Den Meeting

Our next meeting is Tuesday 11/10 6:30-7:30pm at the Liberty Cafeteria.

This time, we'll be having our first "real" Den Meeting. I will not be able to attend, but Beau Andrews is planning to have a couple of experienced Den Leaders to circulate and assist our Den Leaders. I think we should already have a plan in place as well.

I will have the (basically random) Den assignments out before the weekend. Due to the large Pack size (over 50 boys!!), we will have three Tiger dens, two Wolf dens, three Bear dens and one Webelos den. This will keep the den sizes to a manageable 6-7 boys each (but 9 Webelos).

We will need a designated Den Leader and Assistant Den Leader for each den to lead Tuesday's meeting. This can be whichever two parents are going first in the rotation, for those of you who are sharing duties. Tiger parents, remember that the Adult Partner should attend all den meetings.

I have a paper from the BSA that outlines a recommended program for the first four Den meetings. This works the boys through their Bobcat requirements. I will post separately this program so that we can use it. If any of you took home the yellow Den Leader Kit folders, this program is in the folder. If we follow this, all of the boys should have earned the Bobcat rank in time for our first Pack meeting on the 15th.

Who is Akela?

You may be wondering who this "Akela" is who features so prominently in the Cub Scout Law and other places.

Much of the lore surrounding Cub Scouts was derived from the "Jungle Book" stories by Rudyard Kipling. The basic story is outlined in the beginning of your Handbook. Akela, in the story, is the wizend old leader of the wolf pack that raises Mowgli.

In Cub Scouts, Akela is "the good leader." Akela is, first and foremost, YOU, the parent. In other circumstances, Akela can be the Den Leader, the Cubmaster, a teacher, minister, or even a guest speaker. Akela is the person who is in charge of the event in which the boy is participating.

Bobcat Requirements

Parents!

The first rank all of the boys must earn before going on to their respective Tiger/Wolf/Bear/Webelos ranks is the Bobcat rank. The requirements for Bobcat are outlined below, and are also spelled out in the first chapter of the Handbook. As the parent, YOU need to quiz your boy on each requirement and sign off on the requirements in the book (if you have it yet). Your boy can then show your signoff to the Den Leader, who will initial the book and record that the requirement is complete. If you do not have a Handbook yet, send me an e-mail certifying that your son has met the requirements.

In all cases the boy should be encouraged to take these things seriously and to do his best. The sign, handshake and salute should be given smartly with an eagerness to do it right, and the Promise and Law should be recited with a certain reverence for their deep -- if simple -- meaning. The Motto should probably best be shouted at the top of one's lungs! As my grandmother would say, "Do it right, or don't bother..."

Remember that the bar is "Do your best!" Only you and your son know what his best is. Expect it of him, and grade accordingly. Simple, age appropriate answers are expected for the understanding parts.

Please work with your boy on these requriements. We would like to have all the boys certified for the Bobcat rank before our first Pack meeting, so that we can award the rank to them and move on to their grade-specific rank work.

Bobcat Requirements:

1. Cub Scout Promise:

"I, promise to do my best to do my duty to God and my country, to help other people, and to obey the Law of the Pack." The boy should have this memorized, and be able to explain what a promise is, what his "duty" is, and how he can do his duty, help and obey.

2. Law of the Pack:

"The Cub Scout follows Akela. The Cub Scout helps the pack go. The Pack helps the Cub Scout grow. The Cub Scout gives goodwill." The boy should have this memorized, and be able to explain who Akela is, how he can follow Akela, help the pack go, and give goodwill, as well as how the Pack can help him grow. I'll have a separate blog post on just who this "Akela" fellow is.

3. Tell what "Webelos" means:

"Webelos" is an acronym that means "We'll Be Loyal Scouts."

4. Show the Cub Scout Sign and tell what it means:

The Sign is basically the "peace" sign - thumb, ring and pinkie fingers closed in a loop, with index and middle fingers extended straight out and spread to resemble alert wolf's ears. The Sign is given with the right arm fully extended straight up (no bent elbows!). The two extended fingers stand for two parts of the Promise: "to help other people" and "to obey". The Sign should be given when reciting the Promise or the Law of the Pack. It is also used as a signal to get the boys to quiet down and pay attention in meetings. The sign is always done with the right hand.

5. Show the Cub Scout Handshake and tell what it means:

To do the Handshake, perform a normal, right-handed handshake, but slip the index and middle fingers (together, not spread) along the other person's inside wrist. The two fingers, just as in the Sign, remind the boy of the two Promise points "help other people" and "obey". We had some trouble at the meeting last night with this, possibly due to my (poor) instruction. Many of the boys wanted to close their pinkie and ring fingers up, like in the Sign. This makes it hard to shake hands. The hands should be clasped just like in a normal handshake, except for the extended index and middle fingers. The Handshake is always done right-handed.

6. Say the Cub Scout Motto and tell what it means:

The Cub Scout Motto is "Do your best!" It means, simply, to always do your best at whatever you are doing. Run your hardest in a race, pay your best attention in school, give your best respect to others, and so on. It does not mean "win at all costs" or "second place is the first loser." Rarely is one's best equal to perfection, either. Note that one's best is different for each boy, for each activity, for each life circumstance, and even day to day. The boy should learn to know deep in his heart whether he is truly doing his best or not.

7. Show the Cub Scout Salute and tell what it means.

A salute is a sign of respect to a person or a symbol, such as a flag. To give the Salute, hold the right hand as with the Sign, except keep the index and ring fingers together (not spread apart). Bring the hand up till the tips of the fingers touch the right eyebrow or the front right corner of the brim of the hat (if wearing one). When perfectly executed, the upper arm should be horizontal and in line with the body, and the forearm and wrist should be straight, with just the tip of the fingers touching the eyebrow or cap brim. The Salute is always done with the right hand.

The Salute is used, for example, while giving the Pledge of Allegiance or singing the National Anthem (when in uniform). The Salute should be started before beginning the pledge or anthem, and held until completed. In groups, the Salutes should all be done together, in unison.

The Salute can also be used optionally as a sign of respect for an adult leader, but this is not required or even necessarily encouraged. If doing so, the boy should salute first, then hold the salute until the adult leader returns the salute, following the military tradition. Between boys of any rank, the Handshake should be used, not the Salute.

A third optional use of the Salute would be to greet a fellow Cub Scout (or leader) at a distance where a handshake would be impractical (such as crossing paths outdoors) -- as a substitute for a hand-wave, indicating fellow membership in Scouting.

8. Complete the Parent/Child exercises in the booklet "How to Protect your Children from Child Abuse".

This book is included in the front of the Handbooks, and provides discussion points and training about child abuse. It's never a pleasant topic to discuss, but it is important for the safety and well being of our boys. Note that this requirement is a parent/child collaborative effort.

New: Facebook Page and Twitter Feed!

Just another way to keep everyone updated, especially on last-minute info. I've created a Twitter account and a Facebook Page for the pack.

The name is: Pack1221LexKY (for both Facebook and Twitter)

As soon as I figure out how this works, I'll either (a) let all the Pack leaders know the login so they can tweet Pack news, or we'll appoint a "news" person who can keep Twitter, Facebook and this Blog up to date.

Any volunteers for a Web person?