DenLeaderScouter

Twice a month for 90mins. I could not be a den leader if weekly meetings were required.

Our den meets on Sunday afternoon twice a month because most of the boys have sports during the week. I didn’t consider a Friday evening meeting because I would hate that time. Our Pack meets on Tuesday evening. I think most of the Bear and Webelos dens in my Pack meet on Sunday due to sports.

Someone asked earlier why we don’t play balloon popping games anymore..We have a lot of scouts with sensory processing disorder. If a balloon pops some scouts cry or run around screaming. Parents complained about balloon popping games in our Pack and claim it causes “long term damage and the other scouts can play a different game.†So we don’t play them anymore. We do have many younger siblings 3-5 years old that play games with us and they had difficulty popping the balloons.

Popping balloons has never gone over very well at our Pack meetings. We have lots of small siblings that participate in the games. We like balloon games with no popping (on purpose). Balloon Football Equipment: A supply of balloons Formation: Teams The Cubs form two teams and sit on the floor facing each other, their legs stretched out so that their feet almost touch those of the boy opposite. Two Cubs are chosen as goalkeepers and stand one behind each team. The leader throws a balloon into play and each team endeavors to pat the balloon over the heads of the opposing team. A goal is scored when the balloon touches the ground on the opponent's side. After a while the leader throws in a second balloon and then a third and the game becomes increasingly difficult. The team with the most goals is the winner. There is also one we play. Can’t remember the game. Divide scouts into 4 teams. Each team has a different color balloon. 1 balloon per scout. Scouts put 1 hand behind their back. There are 4 plastic boxes at the end of room. Objective is the get your balloon into your goal. With only one hand scouts need to work together as a team. After the set amount of time count the balloons in the goal. Team with the most wins.

The other Den Leader agreed to continue as leader. He plans to leverage a very enthusiastic family and let other families know how they can help. He says he wants to lead and has a den calendar for the year but he is concerned about losing more scouts. So far we are good. If they lose 2 more scouts we will combine. At that point I will have no choice. 2 scouts is not a den. Thanks everyone for your input. Menschen: My parents have a good thing going and they know it. Plus our Cubmaster is reluctant to shuffle scouts between dens.

Thank you everyone for your feedback. There is a Committee Meeting tonight so I'm sure it will come up. 9 is a fine sized den but not for me. I need to hold the meetings in my house for my convenience. With my husband and I leaders we also have our younger daughter at home. Our den meets on Sunday due to sports so the school we have our Pack meetings at is unavailable. My response will be what jblake47 said, "No". If the Pack still wants to combine they need to find a new leader and assistant. My husband is only involved to support me. I will follow through and stop leading. The dens will likely fold to some degree. Most the other den scouts will drop out and maybe some of mine including me. In January the Cubmaster will ask me to lead whatever scouts are still left. Most of our Pack has husband and wives leaders/assistants. We have a difficult time finding leaders. Most of our leaders do the minimum and stick to the achievements only. We are the only den with a flag, den doodle, monthly slides and scout scrapbook. We earned 5 belt loops as a den last year and plan to earn 7 this year. I run a highly efficient and fun den but it takes a lot of planning on my part but I enjoy it on my terms. Maybe that’s the wrong attitude but if it doesn’t work for me I can’t lead it.

Hi - I have question about dens. I am a Bear Leader. My Den has 5 scouts. We have another Bear Den with 4 scouts (lost 5 scouts over the last 2 years). We were the same Den for Tigers and split Wolf year. The other Bear Den has been trying to find a leader (the current leader is done leading and from what I hear did a poor job last year) but no one wants to lead. That is the reason I became a Wolf Leader. I wasn't happy with Tiger year. The Den Leader has asked to join my Den for a total of 9 scouts. My problem is we meet at my house. My current parents stay for the meeting that would put 9 scouts + 4 parents + 1 me + 1 ADL (my husband) + our daughter = 16 people! My house can't hold 16 people and certainly I can't fit 9 scouts at my table. I have the Den meetings at my house for my convenience. I tend to have a lot of stuff at my meetings (den doodle, flag, make slides, need outdoor space for games/songs) and it takes me over an hour to make sure I have everything and pack up my car (if I have to miss the meeting and provide the materials). I want to tell them they can combine the dens but I can't be the den leader. 9 scouts is too many for me plus we have no room for growth. I put A LOT of time and prep into my meetings and yeah, they are fun but I'm in this for my son. My son needs a smaller group where he can establish friends (in Tiger year he didn't know the name of one scout). So, I'm I unreasonable to take on the 4 additional scouts?