Polaris

I like the idea of more adventurous activities at the Webelos level. Or, perhaps we can offer one adventurous Pack event per year knowing the attendance will be low. ?? Some of the issues in Pack planning is recycled local activities for families that have been with the group for 3-4 years. A Do Everything at our Pack planning meeting mentioned part of the fun is getting there. I believe a large part of the issue is the Indoor parents don't get scouting. I had one parent ask me if there are bugs around on a campout. How do you answer the question to convince her to come out? I am pretty sure she wanted me to say "nope, no bugs ever." It is much easier to parent by computer than getting in the car and taking a "hike." The Do Everythings are the best supporters of the program. It seems like the Do Everythings grew up with exposure to the outdoors. They aren't intimidated. So, you are right. We'll try to keep it simple, keep it cheap, keep it local, and maybe they will come.

I have started to classify our parents into two groups: Indoor and Do Everything parents. The Do Everything parents will show up at anything you put on the schedule--bowling, day hikes, camping, resident camp, swim parties, etc. They are more adventurous. The Do Everything parents will consider driving hours for some great family fun. Out of 45 members, we have about 8 Do Everything families. The Indoor parents are much more selective. They mainly stick with the Pack meetings for entertainment. They don't like to plan anything. They want to show up and go home. Camping requires a lot of planning. That's out. As we just wrapped up our yearly planning meeting, we decided we need to cater more to our Indoor parents to increase event participation. For example, instead of a 2 hour day hike in a forest 45 minutes away, we scheduled a one hour hike 20 minutes away. We plan to advertise it as a "stroller friendly" walk on a paved trail. We offer a wide variety of programming, but it's the usual Do Everythings that routinely take advantage of the activities. We will now plan more basic events to involve more families, evaluate our progress and add more complex activities as needed to keep our Do Everythings satisfied.

Welcome to the Forums! I am a new Scouter and I have learned a lot by reading these forums. I will get you started with a few ideas and let the other members chime in with more. The Cub Scout Den and Pack Meeting Resource Guide has your meeting "helps" or outlines. Talk to the current Den Leaders at your monthly Leaders Meetings. They will be very helpful getting you started. A Google search on a specific activity pin will also give you meeting ideas. Parents should be asked to help with meetings I.e. an EMT would help with Readyman. The Pack may have completed Parent Talent Surveys on hand. Here is the link to the belt loops: http://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/CubScouts/Cub%20Scouts/UniformsAndAwards/sanda.aspx

Oh, but the Fire Dragons look so cool in their red berets in: http://www.scoutcampthemovie.com/ But, that's my opinion, and I'm stickin' to it!

I would inform parents about the required/optional belt loops for some of the activity pins. If the belt loops were earned previously, they need to be earned again during the Webelos years. For example, I postponed some organized group sports until 4th grade (flag football and basketball) so my son could earn those belt loops for his Sportsman pin. Also, our Council offers the Webelos Super Achiever award for those that earn all 20 pins. Some of your scouts may be interested in this award.