Calming the Chaos

David Larson

What experiences do you with chaotic Den meetings?

• Kids leaving the meeting area?

• Just can not get them focused?

• Poking each other?

• Unsafe behavior?

• Bullying?

• Showing off?

• Hiding inabilities?

What have you tried?

Evaluate your Den

• Think of this as a teaching Opportunity

• Kids want to feel good about them selves.

• Peer pressure is a tool

Scout Program Goals

• Learning to work as a group

• Teach leadership

• Building Scout skills

• Have fun

The Scout Program

• Boy Scouts is boy lead, Cub Scouts prepares boys for that.

• The goal is to have them define their own boundaries or a least make them think they have.

• How do you create leadership in this age group?

What can you do?

• Determine the Activities

• Establish a routine

• Set the limits for unacceptable behavior.

Creating Den Rules

• In a early meeting, ask the boys to define their own rules .

• The model for this is a brain storming session. You control the pen and can guide the boys in their rule creation.

• Boys push adult boundaries, but are very susceptible to peer pressure.

Enforcing the Rules

• State the rule, Their rule.

• Warn of the Consequences

• Enforce the consequence

Classic Methods

• Use the Cub scout sign.

• Use Ceremonies

• Wear you uniform.

• Use Props

• Have a pre game the wear the kids out.

• Reward good behavior

• Get a Den Chief

Classic Methods

• Code of conduct CandleLight a candle when the meeting start as part of the opening ceremonies.

It burns while the meeting going well. Blow out the candle when the meeting goes chaotic.

Kids get a treat when the candle burns down to nothing.

• Instead of a candle, use a jar of beads,

Prevention

• Have a well planned Den Meeting.

• Tell the Boys a head of time what you will be doing.

• Get parents involved.

• Keep authority

Planning a Den Meeting

• A well planned meeting is essential.

• Think of it as your job to engage the boys.

• Have an agenda, tell the boys what it is.

• End meeting with a quiet focused activity.

Do Not

• Do not make idle threats, you must follow through.

• Never shout

• Do not be negative, reward good behavior. “Oh man, I really like the way Kameron is sitting quietly! Kam, would you come a pick up a prize from the treasure box?”

Involve Parents

• They can take the bead / marble away from their child.

• They can lead an activity, while you the den leader can control the flow of the meeting.

Other Tricks

• Flaming sticks are dangerous. What do you do?

• Noise Trash Can.

Tricks

• Use Stations to break up into smaller controllable groups.

• Have activities that take concentration.

• Have a backup plan if something goes wrong.

Tool box • Positive Attention

• Praise

• Rewards

• Pre-Teaching

• Ignoring

• Timeout

• Loss of Privilege

• Logical Consequence

• Natural Consequences

Remember

• It is all about the Boys

• Remember who they are

• Remember their abilities

• Remember it is not about you, the adult.

Follow these 5 rules of Den Leader

• Don’t kill the boys

• Don’t let the boys kill each other

• Don’t let the boys kill you

• Don’t lose them

• If you have them long enough you better feed them.