Shaping Boy Behaviors

Techniques for encouraging good behaviors:

http://scoutingmagazine.org/2012/08/quell-cub-scout-chaos-with-these-good-behavior-techniques/

http://www.flintrivercouncil.org/Resources/University%20of%20Scouting%20Resources

http://rt492.org/dl/behavior.html

http://kismif.org/2009/09/12/good-den-behavior/

http://forums.welltrainedmind.com/topic/308987-cub-scout-leaders-boys-behavior/

http://www.scoutmastercg.com/discipline-and-accountability-in-scouting/

Examples of Den/Pack Codes of Conduct

http://www.rspack28.org/index2.php?option=com_docman&task=doc_view&gid=37&Itemid=27

Dealing with Food Allergies

The number of children with food allergies is growing and Scouts with food allergies need to have their conditions taken seriously.  Best outcomes for everyone will occur when Unit leadership:

• Works with the Scout and his parents to understand the specific triggers and reactions for this Scout's allergies.
• Communicates to parents and Scouts in the unit so everyone understands the seriousness of the situation.
• Allows the Scout to participate in activities that he is capable of doing
• Finds alternatives to snacks, meals, and food crafts that avoid the allergens.

The video "It Only Takes One Bite" explains many of the possible allergic reactions and treatments and ways to work around the allergies.  This video is on YouTube and can be shared with adults and with Boy Scouts.

National's "Guide to Safe Scouting" advises Scouts with allergies to have appropriate treatment with them at all times and to alert leadership prior to an event so that precautions can be on hand.

If an incident happens during a unit event, National has an Incident Information Report form that can be filled out online and printed to document the incident.

Food allergies should guide the decisions abut Scout treats and snacks as well as at meals, whether at a Troop campout or a Blue & Gold banquet.

One Cub Scout Pack developed their own Food Allergy form.

UFAN - The Utah Food Allergy Network - offers a patch to Cub Scouts who learn about food allergies, with many age-appropriate activites.

FAAN - The Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network - has good suggestions with their Be a PAL: Protect A Life program.  They have a very helpful booklet designed to earn a PAL Girl Scout badge.

Food allergy considerations for Jamboree are made known well before the event, so alternatives can be prepared.  http://www.scouting.org/sitecore/content/Jamboree/LastDetails.aspx

Some Camps have practices in place for dealing with food allergies and other good related issues (managing diabetes, religious diet, vegetarian) http://www.upscouting.org/scoutforms/forms/summercamp/FoodAllergies.pdf

Troops are encouraged to manage risk and include allergies to their Emergency Response Plan.  http://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/HealthandSafety/Resources.aspx

Parents can get involved in Unit leadership as a way to monitor and to educate, as this parent tells:  http://www.allergicchild.com/allergicblog/food-allergies-boy-scouts-2/

Snacks for Dens and Packs

Today's Roundtable will include Share and Tell snack time, for leaders to tell about their favorite Cub-pleasing snacks.

In my own den, the Cubs have always enjoyed Goldfish Bubbles, which is so easy to make.

• In a large bowl or sealable container, add equal parts Pepperidge Farms Goldfish Crackers and General Mills Kix cereal.  Mix.  Enjoy.

Cub Scout requirements encourage young chefs to get a start in the kitchen.
Tiger Elective #25: Snack Time  Make a snack and share it with your family or den.
 
This site argues in favor of snacks at den meetings: http://www.examiner.com/article/cub-scout-snacks-why-to-serve-food-at-den-meetings
Snack time is a good time to make announcements, because (in theory) the boys are quieter due to chewing.

Do Your Best to encourage healthy snacks.

Other sites for Cub-friendly recipes:
http://balboaoaks.bsa-la.org/download/blog/Cub%20Grub%20Cookbook.pdf
http://voices.yahoo.com/five-no-cook-snacks-cub-scouts-4552247.html?cat=25
http://pinterest.com/thescoutermom/cubs-in-the-kitchen/
http://pinterest.com/scoutingmag/cub-scout-snacks/
http://www.boyscouttrail.com/recipes.asp
http://www.parents.com/toddlers-preschoolers/feeding/healthy-eating/the-20-best-snacks-for-kids/

See our entry on Food Allergies for more information about group snacks.

Build and Maintain Den and Pack Spirit

Den Spirit / Pack Spirit keeps the Scouts enthusiastic, encouraged, and proud about their group.  They support and bolster one another and follow the Law of the Pack.

Spirit stick

http://www.angelfire.com/mo3/pack2columbia/pages/Cubmasters.html

http://www.roundrockpack154.com/8.html

http://packs.scouter.com/dc/bafbscouts/events/packmtg.html

http://www.bspack93.org/pages/Info/glossary.htm

https://www.facebook.com/topic.php?uid=42997888660&topic=15414

https://www.facebook.com/topic.php?uid=57933698231&topic=10185

Den flags

http://www.scouter.com/forums/viewThread.asp?threadID=97558

http://www.troop142bsa.org/sketchbook/Patrol%20Flag%20.pdf

Den spirit comes from a happy Den Leader! http://usscouts.org/baloo/bb0705/bb_trainingtips.html

http://deseretpeakcubscouting.com/resources/January%202011%20RT%20Webelos%20Section%20Handout.pdf

Skits & Cheers http://www.scoutingpages.org/us/in/pack359/leaders.htm

Stunts & Applause  http://usscouts.org/bbugle/bb0501/bbst.html

http://www.pack793ws.org/fun/cheers.html

http://scoutpack281.clubspaces.com/object.aspx?id=54&o=21104

http://www.scoutmaster.org/dchiefmaterial1.doc

Pack T-shirts, including Pack t-shirts for the parents

http://www.classb.com/bsa/designs/pack/

http://www.classb.com/bsa/designs/pack/screenprinted/1.html

http://www.customink.com/design_ideas/search/scout

Parent pins

http://www.scoutstuff.org/catalogsearch/result/?q=parents+pin

http://www.mothers-pride.com/

http://www.ehow.com/info_8638767_boy-scout-ideas-mothers-pin.html

Rocket Day

http://www.pack200medfield.org/meetings-events

Book Review: Cub Scout Leader How-To Book

Older cover - How-To Book

The Cub Scout Leader How-To Book is a wondrous resource for anyone working with Cub  Scouts.  It contains hundreds of ideas to use in den and pack meetings (especially when Plan B isn’t working either).  Den doodles, magic tricks, behavior incentives, fire building, the Cubmobile, skits, games, stories, crafts – it’s all in there!  Having this book handy can rescue a meeting gone awry and can help to plan meetings that Cubs will remember for years after.

For Scouters who like a paper book at hand, click here to order or stop by your local Scout Shop.
http://www.scoutstuff.org/cub-scout-leader-how-to-book.html

The current cover uses the 2010 design scheme, but Scout Stuff assures that the content is the same as the older How-To books.  Currently the price is $7.99, which is a bargain – my own copy has a price tag of $9.95.

For Scouters online, the book is available for free in Portable Document Format (.pdf) – all 288 pages.
http://www.scouting.org/filestore/hispanic/english/33832_WEB.pdf

Depending on your computer’s limitations, the document should be searchable, but the table of contents and the index are also available. 

The book is divided into seven main topics, with several sub-topics for each.

Table of Contents

Introduction
1.    Accentuate the Positive
2.    Crafts
3.    Games
4.    Outdoors
5.    Razzle Dazzle
6.    Special Pack Activities
7.    Cub Scouts with Special Needs
Resources
Index