Scout Law: Courteous
_____________________________
Theme: Cubs in Shining Armor
_____________________________
Roundtable Blog: elkhorncubs.blogspot.com
_____________________________
LDS Scouting Handbook: https://www.lds.org/bc/
_____________________________
Upcoming Events
Basic Training
Old Ephraim: Saturday, Oct. 15, 8 am, 940 Three Point Ave, Logan
Old Juniper: Friday, Nov. 18, 6:30 pm, 6575 N 2400 W, Amalga
Leader Specific classes will also be taught at Baden-Powell University on Nov. 5.
LDS Relationships Conference: Thursday, Oct. 20, 7 - 8:30 pm. Elkhorn District will be meeting at the Providence Stake Center, 180 S 485 W, Providence to view the broadcast. Everyone associated with Scouting is invited to attend. Speakers will be Pres. Owen, Sister Cordon, and Elder Laing.
Baden-Powell University: Saturday, Nov. 5, 8 am - 3 pm, Weber State University. BPU is supplemental training for all adult volunteers. Register online. Cost is $15 and includes lunch.
Cub Scout STEM Activity Day: Saturday, Nov. 5, 9 am - 3 pm, Camp Fife. Cost is $5 per Cub Scout, includes lunch. Parents are also invited for free. Work on 4 STEM/NOVA awards in 7 Adventure Zones. Register online.
______________________________
Training Highlight: Family Involvement
What is the definition of family in Scouting? A family is different for each scout. It could be a mom and dad, a mom or dad, stepparents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, foster parents, etc. Whoever a Scout's family is, that is who should be involved with him in Scouting. Families help provide leadership and support to ensure that their Cub Scout has a good experience in the program. Successful family involvement relies on a meaningful connection between the youth, his family, and his Cub Scouting leaders. This connection nurtures and supports the Scout, allowing him to explore and experience all the Cub Scouting program has to offer to him. It is a connection that understands the diversity among the families in a pack and den, the differences in cultures and socioeconomic situations. It is a connection that works together to acknowledge that each boy's family can make an impactful contribution to his Cub Scouting activities and advancement.
How can we get parents involved and keep them involved? Here are a few ideas:
*Give each adult a copy of the Family Talent Survey Sheet and have them fill it out and return it to you. Invite family members to help with activities in which they have an expertise or interest.
*Specify exactly what you would like for them to do. Creating a list of needs for your annual program year will help families sign up for a specific responsibility.
*Make sure each family member is asked personally to help. If they sign up on the list you have created, reach out to them one-on-one, confirming their desire to help and thanking them for their support.
*Encourage them to ask questions.
*Explain how their involvement can help with the "bigger picture" of things. For example, parents can help with fun activities so the den leader can focus on advancement and den meetings, and provide transportation.
*When a family signs up for a task, hold them accountable by checking in with a friendly tone and asking if they have any questions.; Keep that connection strong and communication lines open at all times.
*Make sure to invite them to pack meetings each month and keep them updated on scheduled activities.
Sometimes a family is not involved enough, and sometimes a family is involved too much. What can we as leaders do?
Too little involvement:
*Keep lines of communication open. A visit with the family can help answer questions about missed meetings and forgotten handbooks. There may be a sensitive situation going on at home. Try to connect with the family and gain insight on how to support them and their Scout.
*Families that are new to Scouting might be holding back, believing they have nothing to offer, or they may misunderstand, thinking they have to be registered leaders in order to help out. Many are simply unfamiliar with the program, and don't know that they have responsibilities helping their Scout with adventures and attending pack meetings.
*All family members have something to offer, and pack leadership must make opportunities available to them.
Too much involvement:
*Family involvement is essential to the Cub Scouting program, but when it becomes "too much of a good thing," asking those helpers to do specific tasks may help give direction. For instance, ask a parent to help by teaching a specific knot.
*If a den leader still feels that he or she is being overrun, the Cubmaster and pack committee chair can attend a den meeting or outing and kindly remind a family member that their Scout is getting the support he needs from the Cub Scouting program and its leadership.
How is the family involved in Advancement? Advancement is a joint effort involving the youth members, the adult leaders, and the family. Cub Scouting uses the program delivery method of involving families in advancement. Together with the den leader, a family member signs off on advancement each step of the way in the Tiger, Wolf and Bear handbooks. In the Webelos Handbook, if a family members serves as a Webelos/Arrow of Light adventure counselor under the leadership of the den leader, they may sign for the requirements they helped the Scout complete. Make sure families know when their Scout will receive an award at pack meeting, so they will be sure to be in attendance.
______________________________
Resource of the Month: Family Talent Survey Sheet
The Family Talent Survey Sheet is a form created by the BSA for parents and adult family members to help with den and pack activities, according to their interests and abilities.
You can find this form online at http://www.scouting.org/
Make sure to review the forms often, and use them when planning activities.
______________________________
Patch of the Month: World Crest
An emblem of the World Organization of the Scout Movement, the World Crest may be worn by all registered youth members and adult leaders as a symbol of their membership in a worldwide Scouting brotherhood. A small amount from the sale of each emblem is sent to the World Scout Foundation to help extend Scouting in developing nations throughout the world. This adds an opportunity for each Scout to personally share indirectly in the activities of brother Scouts in other lands.
Over the years, each member national Scout organization has made use of the badge in a different manner. In 1988 the World Organization of the Scout Movement requested that every national Scout association authorize this emblem to be worn by all members to signify membership in a worldwide movement.
The emblem is worn as a permanent patch centered horizontally over the left pocket and vertically between the left shoulder seam and the top of the pocket.
No comments:
Post a Comment