Den Leader Specific

Training - LDS

Thank you for coming!

Please find your den table and join / start the

fun “activity” on the table.

Den Leader Specific

Training - LDS

This course is designed for den leaders who have been called to

serve in Cub Scouts packs chartered to The Church of Jesus

Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Magic Number “7”

Part I - Before The Meeting

Starts1. Why does the Church use

Scouting to help develop its young men?

2. Youth Protection Policies of BSA.

3. Den Meeting Preparations.

• In 1875, Brigham Young organized MIA(Mutual Improvement Association) to provide activities.

• After hearing about scouting, the church investigated the program.

• On November 29, 1911 the MIA scouts were officially recognized by the General Board of the YMMIA.

• On May 21, 1913 the MIA Scouts were invited by BSA National Council to be a part of the Boy Scouts of America – the longest formal partnership with a national chartered organization.

Part I - Before The Meeting

Starts1. Why does the Church use

Scouting to help develop its young men?

2. Youth Protection Policies of BSA.

3. Den Meeting Preparations.

• Scouting Supports the Priesthood and Families.

Part I - Before The Meeting

Starts1. Why does the Church use

Scouting to help develop its young men?

2. Youth Protection Policies of BSA.

3. Den Meeting Preparations.

“Scouting, along with the Faith in God program, lays a foundation which prepares a boy to keep his baptismal covenants. It builds confidence in boys by creating opportunities for service and character-developing experiences. Memories are created as boys gather for Scout meetings and events. There is a sense of unified respect for God and their country as they practice leadership skills and develop a moral compass for the future. “

“Scouting contributes to a boy’s preparation to hold the priesthood of God. Scout leaders have a sacred responsibility. They help boys learn Scouting principles that also help them live the gospel. We thank each leader as they foster faith in Christ and prepare boys to make temple covenants and become a missionary, husband, and father. “

- Primary General President Rosemary M. Wixom

Part 1 - Before The Meeting

Starts1. Why does the Church use

Scouting to help develop its young men?

2. Youth Protection Policies of BSA.

3. Den Meeting Preparations.

Youth Protection Training:• Protecting youth from abuse is a

priority of the Boy Scouts of America and the First Presidency.

• Each leader must take Youth Protection training to maintain registration with BSA.

• A GOOD indication of how important YPT and safe scouting is to the Church is shown by the fact that BSA’s Guide to Safe Scouting is the only resource on LDS.org that is not produced by the Church.

• Church Handbook directs “All adult Scouting leaders must be properly registered and complete Youth Protection Training before beginning their service.”

• www.seattlebsa.org, resources.

YPT has Several Purposes:1. Protect our Young Men2. Help leaders avoid situations that

can be considered abuse. 3. Help leaders identify youth that are

being abused and get help for them.

Part I - Before The Meeting

Starts1. Why does the Church use

Scouting to help develop its young men?

2. Youth Protection Policies of BSA.

3. Den Meeting Preparations.

Preparation and planning helps Cub Scout leaders make Cub Scouting more fun for both the boys and the leaders, and it will provide the most long-term benefits for our young men.

BSA provides the materials to make planning simple –

we just need to use them!

Preparation Should Include - 1. Monthly Roundtable

Attendance2. BSA Training Opportunities –

Baloo, PTC, etc. 3. Monthly Committee Meeting4. Den Leader Planning Meeting5. Arriving early for den meeting /

set up 20 to 30 minutes early6. Use of the Den & Pack Meeting

Resource Guide

Part II – While Cub Scouts

Gather1. Activity

2. Business

• Active Scouts can be happy scouts!!

• Before the meeting can be a frustration to leaders or a fun time to get to know your scouts better, forming lifelong friendships – both between leaders and scouts / scouts within the scout den.

• Good time to use the denner in a leadership position or the den chief.

Part II – While Cub Scouts

GatherWhen the first cub scout arrives, get

him started on a gathering-time project. Planned activities during this time will keep boys busy and eliminate

some possible behavior problems. Some den leaders find this period a

convenient time to check attendance, and note the boys’ achievements.

Gathering Time:A great gathering activity is:• Can be started and

stopped at any point.• Can be joined at any time. • Includes everyone.

Ideas:• Airplane Flying Contest• Ring of Fire Variations• Ah So Gi Game• Crossword Puzzles• Word Search Puzzles• Matching Game• Simple Craft Projects• Picaria Game• Anti-Gravity Tent Pole• Balloon Juggling

• Check the internet and Scouting Magazine / Boys Life for ideas.

Part II – While Cub Scouts

Gather1. Activity

2. Business

Business Time:• Check attendance • Final organization of den activity

Budget Information:• Each pack has a budget that is

approved by the Bishop each year after the annual planning meeting. This budget must meet basic expenses of the pack, as the program is written.

• A portion of the pack budget includes expenses for den meeting materials. Some materials can be brought from home by the boys, but most if not all out-of-pocket expenses for den meetings should be reimbursed by the ward from the cub scout budget.

• Dens needs to have money budgeted each month for activities.

Part II – While Cub Scouts

Gather1. Activity

2. Business

Advancement:• Most advancement occurs in the

den, but some at home with the family.

• Now is a good time to check with the boys to make sure that their “homework” is completed and record it.

• Encourage the families to NOT sign off in the book, but to send notes indicating additional requirements that were accomplished at home.

• Church uses an age-based program.• Tiger Program• Bobcat – Teaches the basics of cub

scouts. Only earned once. • Individual Cub Scout Record• Den Advancement Records / Wall• Den Doodle• Instant Recognition / Wolf – Bear• “Do Your Best” – Remember that its

the cub’s best, not a strict standard.

Part III – Opening1. Opening Ceremonies

2. Cub Behavior

3. Uniforms

4. Cub Scout Sign

Scout Sign:• Used when reciting the Cub Scout

Promise. • Used as signal “it is time to be

quiet and pay attention” – Akela’s Ears.

Purposes of Scouting

Character DevelopmentSpiritual Growth Good Citizenship

Sportsmanship and FitnessFamily Understanding

Respectful Relationships Personal Achievement

Friendly ServiceFun and Adventure

Preparation for Boy Scouts

Keep These In MindDuring The Training

Part III – Opening

1. Opening Ceremonies

2. Cub Behavior

3. Uniforms

4. Cub Scout Sign

Opening Ceremony: Flag Prayer• Formal Opening – Like in

Sacrament Mtg / formal start. • Opening ceremonies are a good

time to meet the citizenship and spiritual growth parts of Scouting’s purpose.

Uniform Inspection:• Boys in uniform are generally

better-behaved. • Uniform is the best place to

display patches and awards earned.

• Uniform provides identification with the organization and with other scouts.

• Uniform is an equalizer among the members of the den.

• Important that the leaders set a good example by wearing a proper uniform.

Proper Scout Uniform

Webelos may remain in their blue uniform until their crossover to 11-yr-old scouts

Uniform is:• Clean• In good repair• Buttoned up• Tucked in• Neckerchief • Cub hat is optional• Cub Belt is

optional

Part III – Opening

1. Opening Ceremonies

2. Cub Behavior

3. Uniforms

4. Cub Scout Sign

Conduct:Establishing good behavior is important –

GO FORWARD AS YOU WANT IT TO

BE

• Set a Den Code and Stick to it.

• Remember that every boy is a unique individual.

• Also Remember that “the conduct of adult den leaders is also an important consideration. In addition to issues discussed in the Youth Protection, verbal abuse is to be avoided.”

Part IV – Business Items

1. Character Connection Ceremonies

2. Relationship between Den and Pack

3. Den’s Role in Pack Meeting

Den Business:After opening it is time to conduct Den Business• Pack and Den meeting

ideas. • Plans for upcoming pack

meeting. • Plans for special den

meetings. • Denner Selection• Creating a den yell /

cheer, or play a game. • Check Advancement.

Part IV – Business Items

1. Character Connection Ceremonies

2. Relationship between Den and Pack

3. Den’s Role in Pack Meeting

Theme/Adventure:Each month the Cub Scouting program emphasizes a theme or the Cub Scouting’s Adventures – use them to plan den / pack meetings. • Simplifies planning• Give dens a focus of work• Bring all the dens together at

pack meeting with activities related to the same theme.

• Teaches important values• Talk about it throughout the

activity and the month.

Cub Scouting Core Values1. Citizenship 2. Compassion 3. Cooperation 4. Courage 5. Faith 6. Health / fitness 7. Honesty 8. Perseverance

9. Positive attitude 10. Resourcefulness 11. Respect 12. Responsibility

Part IV – Business Items

1. Character Connection Ceremonies

2. Relationship between Den and Pack

3. Den’s Role in Pack Meeting

CHARACTER CONNECTIONS:12 core values are important throughout Cub Scouting:As you work on achievements, ask your Cubs to consider thefollowing:Knowledge: Character development includes developing moral knowledge /moral reasoning. Help them understand what the value means, and how it applies to daily situations.Commitment: Character development also includes attention to moral motivation. Help them be committed to doing what they feel is right in daily activities - CTRPractice: Character development also includes attention to thedevelopment of moral habits through guided practice. Help them practice how they will react or CTR in daily situations.

Part IV – Business Items

1. Character Connection Ceremonies

2. Relationship between Den and Pack

3. Den’s Role in Pack Meeting

Pack Meeting:• Dens = Wolf, Bear & Webelos

groups. • Pack = All dens together / unit.• Den Meetings = Weeks one thru

three. • Pack Meeting = Fourth week of

the month.

Pack meeting is lead by the cubmaster and should include all members of the Cub Scout’s family!! Activities include:• Songs/Skits• Group Activities• Faith In God• Demonstrations• Ceremonies• Recognition• Each Den should have a part in

the pack meeting• Use monthly theme to plan

pack meeting

Part V – Activities1. Fun with a Purpose

Down By The Station – Action

SongDown by the station / Early in the Morning

See the little pufferbellies / All in a Row

See the station master / Pull the Lttle Handle

Chug-Chug Puff-Puff – Off they Go!

Part V – Activities

1. Fun with a Purpose

Activities:

FUN WITH A PURPOSE SO KISMIF

• Boys just want to have fun!!! • Den meetings should be one of

the most fun times

Remember during the business items portion of the meeting plan fun activities to do at the pack meeting. This is not an extra assignment to fit in, but can be fulfilling a requirement. • Remember the energy level of a

cub and plan accordingly. • Fun, simple, short activities, • Teamwork, sportsmanship,

personal fitness, earning awards, and “doing your best.”

Favorite activities that went well??

Part VI – Closing1. Closing Ceremony

2. Upcoming Training Opportunities

Closing Ceremonies:Just as opening ceremonies are important to start, closing are important to conclude. • Reflection• Recognize achievements• Learn / practice a new skill, i.e. flag,

conducting, prayer.• Solemn, patriotic, inspirational, and

of course – FUN!• Remind the boys of upcoming

events or “homework.”

Follow the Flame• Gathering is bright

and quick• Opening gradually

gains energy• Activity burns hot

with lots of fun and energy

• Closing is calm with a stead flow of energy – a low level of light or energy.

Part VI – Closing1. Closing Ceremony

2. Upcoming Training Opportunities

Training:• Committee Meeting• Roundtable – 2nd Thursday

every month. • Online BSA Training• District Training Opportunities• BALOO Training • PTC (Council)• Woodbadge

The Church encourages us to continue to meet with other scout leaders at offered training throughout the year. You can never know too much! The Church is a constant example of the importance of improving ourselves as we serve others.

Part VII – After the Meeting

1. Importance of planning den meetings and activities.

2. Resources

Planning:• “I Don’t’ Plan My Meetings – The

Boys Usually Just Figure Out Something to Do.”

• They will, but it will not be the things that led the Church to use it as an activity for our Young Men.

• Den Planning Meetings with the other den leaders, similar to a presidency meeting.

• Annual Pack Meeting Planning, each August.

• Plan ahead quarterly or even a whole year. The week before…

Keep in Mind when Planning:• Have a written plan• Involve Parents• Less-active scout age boys• Frequency• Time and Location• Length of Meeting• Purposes of Scouting• Age Appropriate• Fun, Fun, Fun

Part VII – After the Meeting

1. Importance of planning den meetings and activities.

2. Resources

Calendaring:• Pack Meetings, special

community, pack events, and other council activities are to be put on the calendar so everyone can plan for them.

Resources:• Den & Pack Meeting Resource

Guide• Faith in God Booklet• Scouting.org• Ldsbsa.org• Council, District, Local Scout

leaders• Boys’ Life and Scouting

Magazines• Roundtable• District and Council Training

Review

Seven Parts of a Den Meeting:1. Before the Meeting Starts2. While the Scouts Gather3. Opening4. Business Items5. Activities6. Closing 7. After the Meeting

Part VII – After the Meeting

1. Importance of planning den meetings and activities.

2. Resources

“As a den leader, you are one of about 500,000 Cub Scout leaders, serving about 2 million Cub Scouts in around 50,000 Cub Scout packs. But to the boys in your den, you are the most important of those leaders. Through you, a young man will have experiences that he will remember his entire life. The Church has been using Scouting experiences for nearly 100 years to help prepare young men for missions, leadership, parenthood, and life in general. We challenge you to make sure that those experiences are safe, well-planned, and fun – for you and for your Cub Scouts. “

“We encourage you to take advantage of all the resources and opportunities available to you as a den leader. We thank you for your time today and for all the time you contribute to your Cub Scouts.”

- LDS Den Leader Specific Training Manual

Closing

Cub Scout Vespers

As the night comes to this land,On my promise I will stand,I will help the pack to go,As our pack helps me to grow.Yes, I'll always give goodwill,I'll follow my Akela still.And before I stop to rest,I will do my very best.

As the night comes to this land,On my promise I will stand.I will help the Pack to go,As our Pack helps me to grow.Yes, I'll always give goodwill,I'll follow my Akela still.And before I stop to rest,I will do my very best.