Tips for a Successful Den Meeting

Our pack has den meetings twice a month right after school, and an evening pack meeting at the end of each month.  Our den meetings are two hours long, which is why we only have them twice a month.  A two HOUR den meeting?!  Oh yes.  It gives us plenty of time to complete an entire achievement, do a related craft, or even go on an outing related to what we're working on.


With two hours to fill, it requires some pre-planning, as well as a few back up activities, just in case the boys complete the objectives in less time than you've allotted.  So I present to you:


CubMom's Tips for a Successful Den Meeting

1. Plan ahead.  The most important tip there is, explained above.
2. Feed those kids!  After a long school day, I always feed them as soon as they get in and settled.  We use an online sign up sheet so everyone can sign up for a snack day.  For us, crunchy snacks like crackers work best.  After a disaster of a meeting involving mini brownies, I don't allow sugary snacks to be sent in!
3. While they're eating (as in their mouths are full so I have everyone's attention) I go over everything we're going to do during the meeting, in the order we're going to do it.  This (almost) eliminates the repeated question, "what are we doing next?"
4. Get the discussion part of the meeting taken care of while they're still seated.  Once the snacks are cleaned up, discuss the Character Connection and do any of the "tell your leader" portions of the achievement that you're working on.
5. Get those boys moving!  Can you pass off your achievement outside?  If so, make it happen!  Boys have energy, better to let them get it all out where there is space and fresh air!  (The parents will thank you for this!)
6. Make something.  In the Cub Scout program there are plenty of opportunities for crafts (we call them projects because it sounds better to the boys!)  that relate to an achievement, elective, or belt loop/pin.  Not only do these projects serve a purpose in scouting, it's good for fine motor skills, allows them to express their creativity, and gives them a physical reminder to take home and share with their families and remind them of the fun we had that day.  
7. Have a wrap up activity if there is time.  I don't use the suggested Gathering Activity because I'm filling their little bellies, so I usually have a maze or word search or other easy activity for the last 10 minutes or so while the kids are being picked up.

I didn't quite make it to 10 tips, but this works too.  When all else fails, if they have way too much energy, or come in looking spent after a long school day, throw all of this out the window, and play a group game before attempting any achievement work.  Shark Shark and Clothespin Tag are popular in our group, and the Leader How To Book offers a ton of other suggestions.  

Until next time,

CubMom