for the scout leaders

[Spartan Tartan]

Wow, gentlemen. What have I gotten myself into!? My son is in first grade and will be a tiger cub (I guess he technically IS a tiger cub). We have been doing activities with the pack throughout the summer. I decided to step up and be a den leader - Avery asked me to do it and they needed someone. I was thinking of helping out anyway, so my interest is there.

I just had my first meeting with the committee chair and I am totally overwhelmed. First, my buddy that said he would do it with me(his son is in the den with my son) has flaked on me and now I don't have an assistant leader. But, I am REALLY feeling the pressure of doing a good job for the boys. I'm not a creative type...so I'm terrified of having to find creative ways to entertain the boys (and parents for that matter!!).

Anyway, I'm amazed with all the scout leaders I've met and find it amazing his many are here at XMTS. I just hope I don't drop the ball and disappoint all those kids. I'll definitely give it my all...I guess I'll be living the Tiger Cub motto and "Do my best"!

[Cygnus]

Congratulations and good luck! It is a huge responsibility but is worth it. I've been a scoutmaster for three years now and probably have many more ahead (since my son has only just turned two).

I find a lot of helpful activities and games on this website, hopefully you'll find some of the cub scout information and suggestions helpful in filling in for your (supposed) lack of creativity.

Happy scouting!

[lukeyrobertson]

Congratulations, Spartan. I'm not so sure how the scouting organization works in the U.S., but if you have regional councils and service scouters available, they are usually fine sources of experience, wisdom and support. You are not alone, you are surrounded by a fine community of scouters here and at home. I am a Cub Scout and Beaver leader and have been in exactly the same position you are in! Remember to draw on the resources of your leaders. Best of luck!

[Spartan Tartan]

Thanks for the encouragement. I will certainly use the experience of others. I may be a but overwhelmed right now, but I'm excited to give it a shot. It's new territory for me, so I'm naturally a bit nervous but that will subside as I get going (I hope )

[Father Bill]

Your American program is so very different from what we do here in Canada, but I'm betting that you have a good Scout Shop with uniforms, equipment and . . . (wait for it!) . . . resource books galore! The staff there can probably show you how to use some of those to provide programme without running yourself ragged too early in the game.

One bit of cheap advice: Always end a game when the boys are having a ball. They'll complain and whine, but next time you offer the game they'll be excited about it. If you wait till they've had enough, next time you introduce it they'll groan because they have had enough.

And they never tire of stories of the jungle (not the Disney crap, but Kipling's original) or about B.-P.

Good hunting!

[Kilted Jeeper]

Congrat's and good luck. I was a Tiger Den Leader last year and am moving on to Wolf this year. I understand your pain about not having an Asst. I didn't have one either and it made things very difficult. I also didn't get much support from my Pack, but I did learn that you need to ask. Remember that all the leaders, just like you are volunteers. They may not necessarily realize you are "lost". Don't be afraid to ask questions or to reach out to other Den leaders and ask what they did in the past. Also if there is another Tiger Den in the Pack, try to combine forces with them and do the activities, "Go See It" adventures, etc together (this saved me).

The other BIG thing is try to involve the parents as much as possible. This is especially helpful if you can get a parent to set up a "Go See It".

As far as the kids are concerned, whatever theme you choose for a particular meeting, assume you will only have their attention for about 15-20 minutes.

www.meritbadge.com is a fantastic resource and I still use it for a lot of my planning. The Scouting.org website has a lot of forms that are pretty good for tracking the boys progress.

Feel free to PM or email me directly pwimer "at" gmail "dot" com and we can commiserate.

[EagleJCS]

Congrats and thanks for stepping up. "It's only an hour a week!"

Seriously, thanks for being willing to take an active role. I'm a long-time Boy Scout leader. I have 24 years as an over-18, just finishing my 34th year as a registered Scout - from my time as a Wolf - this week. (They didn't have Tiger Cubs in my Pack when I started.) Come join us over in the Kilted Scouters XMarks community group. It's not real active, but you can raise questions over there if you need to.

There are lots of resources available to you, as well as the printed literature from the Scout Shop. Among them: SCOUTER interactive, Scouting magazine online, and Boys Life magazine online, plus the others previously mentioned.

I strongly suggest recruiting one or more of the parents to "help out". They wouldn't necessarily have to become a formal Tiger Cub Coach if they don't want to commit to the weekly meetings, but having 3 or 4 extra pairs of hands available can be a relief, even if they only help out once a month. All of the parents, especially anyone going on a 'Go and See', should take the online youth protection training* anyway. It's open to anyone - you don't have to be a registered Scout leader to go through the course. (All registered leaders are now required to have youth protection training).

Also, check with one or two of your nearby Boy Scout troops to see if they have some Den Chiefs (which is a youth leadership position used for rank advancement within the Boy Scouts). A Den Chief can also be an invaluable asset (especially if you get a good one), plus you're helping that older Scout earn his next rank towards Eagle Scout as well.

Best of luck!


*This URL takes you to the main BSA info page about the training. There are instructions there about how to get to the training portal.

[Panache]

I'll definitely give it my all...I guess I'll be living the Tiger Cub motto and "Do my best"!

S T,

Though I was never a Scout as a child, I had the opportunity last year to be an assistant Scout Leader for my son's Weblo II den of 16 boys. It was challenging but a really wonderful experience. You'll start off doing it for your son but you will quickly find that you consider all your den "your boys".

I was so proud and happy to see them achieve their "Arrow of Light" and know that I had been able to help them do it.

Enjoy this adventure, in the end you will get as much out of it as your son.



Cheers

Jamie

[wepollard]

Wow, gentlemen. What have I gotten myself into!? "!

You may just have gotten yourself into a lifetime of service to scouting. It can be addictive and very rewarding.
As a youth I was not adequately motivated to scouting and only got to second class before dropping out. When my two sons joined scouting, 40 years ago, I got involved again and have been involved in some capacity ever since.
My oldest son like his father was not drawn to scouting and dropped out. My youngest son, now 48, got his eagle and after college returned to the troop as Scoutmaster. He stepped down when he accepted a position as a district scouting representitive. After leaving that position he returned to the troop again as Assistant Scoutmaster a position he still holds.
As I said scouting can be very rewarding when you follow these young men and see what they accomplish with their lives. BUT there are also some disappointments. Our troop is currently in a state of shock. Three of our senior boys brought drugs to camp this summer. One came very close to overdoseing. Fortunately they were discovered in time to get him medical help.

[lukeyrobertson]

I forgot to mention in my earlier post... "Have fun!" Everything that I'm reading in the posts above this one is spot on. Parents are a real resource, especially the ones that you notice staying through a meeting. They are potential leaders, too. You'll do fine, because your heart is with the kids!