Orchestrating the Beginning Of the New Pack Year

[SeattlePioneer]

I have observed how many Cub Packs start the new school year---- often it is a rather boring meeting devoted to collecting dues for the next year and getting things organized.

 

A boring meeting is an invitation for Cub Scouts and families to drop out, in my view.

 

I have carefully designed our September program to get families involved in the pack and the pack program, including the popcorn sale.

 

Here is the program for September:

 

Monday August 20th Pack Committee Meeting to plan the September program and approve the annual pack plan of meetings and activities.

 

Wednesday, September 12th First pack meeting of the school year AND Pack recruiting night.

 

Scouts and parents make and launch stomp bottle rockets and boys get stickers for their Rocket Pilot License each time their rocket goes the farthest.

 

New families are invited to sign up.

 

Monday, September 17th. First den meeting of the school year. Ceremonies for each newly recruited Cub Scout and parents welcoming them into the pack and awarding the Cub Scout the Pack neckerchief --- at which point they are "in uniform."

 

Activities include preparation for our Saturday outing and making custom hot dog roasting sticks.

 

Saturday, September 22nd Outing to the Government locks and fish ladder to watch the boats and salmon.

 

https://www.google.com/images?q=ballard+locks&sugexp=chrome,mod%3D2&hl=en&sa=X&oi=image_result_group

 

At the entrance to the locks we have a popcorn site sale and all the Scouts have a chance to sell at least some popcorn. Parents get to observe this site sale and decide if they want to sell popcorn to pay membership fees for 2013 or whether they would prefer to pay those fees in cash and skip the sale.

 

A hot dog roast concludes the outing, with everyone using their newly made hot dog roasting sticks around a fire in a Barbecue.

 

Monday, September 24th Parent meeting set up as a reception to introduce new parents. Most new parents accept the invitation and attend. Meeting length --- no more than an hour, which involves planning the October activities.

 

The emphasis is getting new and existing Cub Scout families started in Cub Scouts with exciting and meaningful activities, and introducing new families to the pack program without overwhelming them with detail.