LDS-BSA Thomas S. Monson Award

Below is a portion of the article.  For the full article, to view a picture of the award, and to order the award, visit http://ldsbsa.org/lds-bsa-centennial/thomas-s-monson-award/

"The Thomas S. Monson award may be earned by youth and adults of all ages.  It was introduced at the 2013 National Scout Jamboree.

To earn the Thomas S. Monson Award, complete the following two requirements and at least four electives.

Requirements

1.Read “100 Years of Scouting in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints,” which is included on this card. With your family or a Scout leader, discuss two things you learned from this history.

2.Read “Run, Boy, Run,” (which is included in the article), and write your feelings about this story in your journal.

Electives

1.Complete at least two requirements toward earning the Genealogy merit badge.

2.Complete at least two requirements toward earning the Family Life merit badge.

3.Memorize the thirteenth article of faith, and discuss with your family or a leader how this article of faith and the Scout Law support each other.

4.Meet two youth outside of your area and discuss with them how Scouting has benefited your life or the life of a Scout you know.

5.Share your feelings about doing your duty to God with your family, a friend of another faith, or a leader"

Cubanapolis

A Cubanapolis is such a fun pack activity for the whole family. It can be done any time of the year, because it can be done indoors or outdoors. (For instructions, click the highlighted "Cubanapolis" above.) The boys (with their family ... not necessarily strictly done by the boy, as n the Pinewood Derby) create a vehicle from a box, paint it, then race wearing it, while their families act as their pit crews and their cheerleaders. Watching the race is, itself, a hoot!

Den Chiefs: Your Heroes

Den Chiefs are an underused part of the scouting program.  They need to be a registered and "experienced Boy Scout, ideally First Class or above Varsity Scout, or Venturer". Cub Scout Leader Book, pg 65.  Generally 13 years old is a good age to start.  They are assigned to a den and are there to serve as a helper, role model, and friend to the scouts.  

They can help set up and take down; teach basic skills, games, songs, skits, etc.; be an example of a good scout and a friend to the cubs; take part in den meetings; be the activities assistant; and help the boys achieve the cub scout aims and purposes.  They DO NOT punish scouts or plan full den meetings

To best use your den chiefs, meet with them before and/or after each meeting and review the meeting.  Sometimes they see things that den leaders don't.  Talk about how things went.  Then give specific assignments for the next den or pack meeting.   For example, "John, next week can you prepare a gathering activity for the boys?  We will also have a craft project, so if you can set out these papers and markers while I explain that would be awesome.  Finally, the boys need to run through our skit for pack meeting.  Can you help them while I check off books? "  

They are there to help, be a good example, and encourage the boys to continue in scouting.  If you do not have a den chief, they are "selected by the senior patrol leader and Scoutmaster, Varsity Scout Coach, or Venturing Advisor at the request of the Cubmaster." Cub Scout Leader Book, pg 65 They are then approved by the Cubmaster and pack committee.   

They do need to complete Den Chief Training.  This can be done online or, preferrably, through the District Training.  There will be a den chief training as part of the Council Cub Pow Wow on August 24.  The next District sponsored one will be held in November.  Check the Training page on this blog for more information.

If you have any further questions, please feel free to comment or contact Melissa Graham with any questions.

Introducing .... Personal Safety Awareness

The Utah National Parks Council

Porter Rockwell District

Personal Safety Awareness Program

Use these links to access the images for the requirements and the certificate.

Link to Requirements

To Upload Certificate, Click Here

Permission Slips & Medical Forms

 Click on the follow to be brought to it:

Fillable pdf Permission Slip

Basic Permission Slip

Annual Health & Medical Record (parts A & B required for Day Camp)

Complete Annual Health & Medical Record (in case you attend more than 72 hours at camp)

Day Camp Preparedness Checklist

Here is a link to a Day Camp Checklist.  This is specific to Jeremiah Johnson Day Camp and Porter Rockwell District Day Camp, but I'm sure it'll help for any Cub Scout Day Camp.

Go West Young Man!

Perseverance

Sticking with something and not giving up, even if it is difficult

►Finish what you start

►Never give up

►Continue to work hard even if you're not successful at first

►Work to get better at things you aren't very good at

►Set personal goals for improvement

►Always do your best

- definitions from Trapper Trains Council

 

RACE TO SUTTER’S MILL (can be a den meeting activity or a pack meeting activity)

This course can berun as a timed race by individuals, race between two teams (one round at a time), or a relay race.

START

Have one Scout as a miner with a wagon, or another Scout as a trusted pack horse instead of the wagon. For a wagon, use a redwagon.

GENERAL STORE

Load supplies (cup, rolled blanket, gold pan --strainer or pie pan with holes) on the wagon or horse.

DESERT

Drink a cup of water (and feed horse) from “spring.”

MOUNTAIN CAMP (Have a few logs ready)

1. Unload supplies. 2. Lay logs for fire. 3. Roll out bedroll. 4. Lay down. 5. Get up.

6. Roll up bedroll. 7. Scatter fire 8. Load supplies.

SUTTER’S MILL

1. Unload supplies. 2. Pan for gold (gold painted pebbles buried in the sand. Use “gold pan.”). Have miner find 2 or 3 nuggets (decide ahead of time).

ASSAYER’S OFFICE

This is the end of the race. Weigh the gold and give scout a certificate for “authentic fake gold.”

- idea from "District 11"

 

Tips for Pack Activity: Western Rodeo Roundup and Pioneer Day. In the spirit of Head West, Young Man, your pack may wish to hold its own Western-themed event.

This activity can be as simple or as elaborate as you like, but either way, playing like cowboys and testing their roping and riding skills will be lots of fun for the Cub Scouts and their families. Consider researching the local history in your area and create games and activities that not only challenge the boys’ physical prowess but also engage them in knowing more about where they live and how it all began. Tips and ideas can be found in the Cub Scout Leader How-To Book, Page 6-23

Sample Ceremony: A rededication ceremony. Materials: A small twig or stick for each participant and a campfire (real or artificial).

CUBMASTER: Fire has been used as a symbol in many cultures. It provides heat for warmth and light of darkness. It cooks our food, and it brings us together in friendship.

Before you is a fire of friendship. All of us in our pack are friends and shall remain so for many years to come. I am going to ask everyone here to add their stick to the fire as a pledge of their continued friendship.

Please make the Scout sign and repeat after me: “I promise to do my best and be a friend to everyone.” Now place your stick on the fire.

Hikes, Hunts, Activities, and Checklists

 

Here is one of our collections of hike ideas, to keep the cubs' minds busy and present (not to get to the end of the hike fast). There are also a couple of scavenger hunts. I particularly like the Camera Scavenger Hunt, because the Outdoor Code is about "Take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but footprints".

Doing a scavenger hunt while hiking will help the boys really explore the world around them while they are walking, rather than getting from point A to point B as quickly as possible. This scavenger hunt is a “check off” type hunt. They don’t actually bring the items with them. This fits in with the Leave No Trace guidelines. 

Here is a list of 14 Themed Hikes, including: Hold the Front, Puddle, Stop-Look-Listen, Crafts, Color, Historical, City, I Spy, Nature Cribbage, Follow the Odor, Awareness, Breakfast, Sealed Orders, Touch and Feel. 

Another fun hike is taking the boys Geocaching! 

Do you have petroglyphs or fossil sites nearby? Have the boys draw a picture of what they see to take home with them.
 

Without A Trace are activities that can help the boys appreciate nature, getting a feeling of why we would want to preserve it and why we adopt ways such as Leave No Trace. 

Ready, Set, Go! includes things the boys need to know before taking a hike, as well as things the adult leaders need to know before taking the boys on the hike. Happy Hiking!

Fun Den or Pack May Ideas

HEALTH and FITNESS IDEAS

1.  Value of Handwashing: Here’s a 55-minute handwashing science activity.  You’ll need some germ-glowing agent.  The least expensive I’ve found is GloGerm  ($5.50 for 25 applications in a 2 oz bottle)

2.  Figuring Out Food Labels: This is a place you can learn about it to teach kids.

3. First Aid Neckerchief Slide:  Start with a plastic 35 mm film canister.  Make a red cross with red electrical tape on the front of the canister.  Glue a twist tie, aluminum ring, or piece of pvc pipe on the back.  Put inside the canister: Self-adhesive bandages with first aid ointment.  Alcohol pads.  

4. Chicken Dinner Neckerchief Slide:  Start with a plastic 35 mm film canister.  Tape on the front “Complete Chicken Dinner”.  Glue a twist tie, aluminum ring, or piece of pvc pip on the back.  Put inside the canister: 2 dried corn kernels

5. Cub Olympics: It would be fun to coordinate with other dens within or outside of your own pack.  Here’s one idea how to organize a Cub Olympics.

6. Silly Olympics:  Here is another cub olympics, based on world olympic activities

7. Sports Belt Loops:  Pick a sport, individual or team.  All the belt loops have three requirements:  Explain the rules, Practice the skills for 30 minutes, then play a game.

8. Go Hiking:  In 2009 a Hiking Belt Loop was added -- earn it. Or, go on a Geocaching hike around your area.  Or, simply go on a den hike.  Two documents that give hike ideas are found at this link and this one.

*Anytime you take your cubs away from home for an outdoor activity, one of the attending leaders ought to have Hazardous Weather training first.  Go to this page, scroll down to Hazardous Weather, then log into your MyScouting to take the course.  http://scouting.org/training/adult.aspx

9. Fitness Center:  Take a field trip to a Fitness Center.  Ask an employee to give a tour of the fitness equipment, demonstrating the proper way to use them, then let the boys practice using the equipment correctly -- always under adult supervision.

10. Swimming:  *Remember that any time you take cub scouts in water, one attending leader must get Safe Swim Defense trained first.  Go to this page, scroll down to Safe Swim Defense, then log in to your MyScouting to take the course. http://scouting.org/training/adult.aspx  *In addition, anytime you go away from home for an outdoor activity, one attending leader ought to have Hazardous Weather training, which can be found on the same page further down.

Service & Conservation Projects

Consider these when looking for a service project.  This list was found in 

Pack 98 Service Project Committee Guide, which seems to be no longer available online.

1.  Does it serve a real need?

2.  Is it within the boys’ ability and understanding?

3.  Does it show dignity and privacy of the people being helped?

4.  Does it make the best use of time and money being spent?

5.  Is it a project that the boys are interested in?

6.  Can it be supervised adequately?

Here is a 1- page list of World Conservation Projects

Here is the HUGE list of Cub Scout Service & Conservation Projects

Food Drive Scavenger Hunt

Things you will need:
 * a limit of your choice:  time limit, neighborhood/street limit, # bags limit,       1 per item limit
 * boxes or strong bags for food
 * list of items to collect:    filled form (page 3)  Or, make your own list.  Call the local food bank to see what they are most in need of, and give those items the most points on the list
 * pencils for groups and stations
 * maps of the neighborhood streets (highlight ahead of time which streets each car will cover)
 * enough vehicles to carry participants (3-4 boys + 2 adults, one of whom is Child Protection trained)
 * methods and items to weigh & measure
 * certificates or awards for: heaviest, bulkiest, most items, most points
 * return stations: 1) Record number items, 2) measure bulk, 3) weigh, 4) record points, 5) leave for item separation
 * 2 volunteers per station:  one to gather info (weigh, measure, etc.) and one for recording results
 * A truck, trailer, or empty van that will take all the food items to the local food bank


Instructions:
*  Explain the rules of the game, as well as what categories will be awarded
*  Separate cubs or kids into groups of 3-4 (or if you have all vans, 5-6)*   Give each group the items they need: 2 adults (one Child Protection trained) w/car, map, bags/boxes, scavenger list, pencil
*  Remind them of their limit and send them out
*  When they return with the collected, have them rotate through the stations, then help at the end with separating
*  Gather for awards
*  Refreshments! for a job well done

Den Discipline: The BRAVO Board

The BRAVO board

This idea came from my son's 4th grade teacher that uses it in her class so I adapted it to use for my children for good behavior. Then got thinking this would be great for den discipline. It's easy.. just create a grid with letters on the top and numbers down one side. Then laminate the board and use dry erase markers. Then when you observe good behavior from a scout you let them put their name on the BRAVO board. Then when all the squares are filled (this could take a few weeks or so, depending on how big your BRAVO board is), then you have a Bingo drawing where you put the square number on a piece of paper (such as B4 and so forth). Then just pick out a determined amount of squares (at my house we draw out 5) and then they get to pick out of the reward box, which is filled with items the scout would like (neckerchief slides, first aid kit, candy, etc). This has really worked personally in my household to change behavior and helps me focus on good behavior instead of the negative. - Debbie

February Den Chief Training = Success!

We had 11 people attend our Den Chief Training in February, 8 den chiefs and 3 leaders.  It was a great turnout for the lack of notice.  We learned a lot, gave a KITS (Karry It to Scouts) away, and had fun.
  Congratulations!

The next Den Chief Training will be held on April 13 from 1-4pm at the Training Building at 496 S River Way in Lehi.

Thank you all for your attendance and help with the training!  If you are interested in training or attending at the next Den Chief Training on April 13, please comment below.

You've Been Served

Pay It Forward

At Roundtable Rachel Hawley gave an idea on a service project  "You've Been Served".  "I thought of the idea when someone BOO'd us [for Halloween]."  It the same thing, but in services. 

Her scouts have done it twice and love it!  Here are the links to the poem and instructions and the picture for the door.

You can pass off One Faith In God, and in Bears you can pass off 9f 9A and 9D.  She broke them into groups - just two - and made two batches of cookies.

SCOUTINGS!! Getting OUT with your scouts will help keep Cub Scouts FUN!!

HERE is a list of outings in the UNPC Porter Rockwell District area that correlates with Bear Achievements.

THIS is a list of outings in the UNPC Porter Rockwell District area that correlates with the Wolf Achievements.

Activities for Teaching Faith

Hot Potato, Candle Dipping, Shepherd Game, Star Gazing ....   How do these teach Faith?

Here are some activities focusing on Faith, how to connect any activity with any core value, and a few ideas on how to encourage and implement the LDS Faith In God into the Cub Scouting program.

Themes that go well with Faith: Scripture Heroes, Patriots, Pilgrims, Pioneers, Stars, Campfire

Leave No Trace Activities

The Leave No Trace Award is a temporary patch worn on the right pocket of the uniform shirt.
The Tiger, Wolf, Bear, Webelos, and even the Cub Leader can earn the Leave No Trace Award, each with its own set of requirements. FIND OUT MORE  about the requirement of each group.

HERE is a list of quick activities you can do in your Den (or Pack) to teach how to Leave No Trace.

Cub Scout Leave No Trace Pledge

I promise to practice the Leave No Trace front country guidelines wherever I go:

1. Plan ahead.
2. Stick to trails.
3. Manage your pet.
4. Leave what you find.
5. Respect other visitors.
6. Trash your trash.

Cub Meeting / FIG Correllation

1 Doc = Cub Meeting Plans + Faith In God

Thanks to Julie Shaffer and the Eagle Mountain North Stake for a unique and useful new LDS tool.  They have taken the BSA "Den and Pack Meeting Resource Guide's" meeting plans and incorporated Faith in God ideas. (click on the highlighted words)

Resourcefulness Ideas

THIS is a list of ideas for activities and games that teach and allow the boys to experience Resourcefulness. (Especially: Recycling, Natural Resources, Power, Imagination, Finding What's Already Available, Survival Skills, Balance of Nature)  It's a great list of ideas especially for Pack Meeting, but some of the ideas (like the field trips at the end of page 2) can be done in the Den or with their family.

CUB SCOUT CAMP FLOYD ADVENTURE

Fairfield – Cub Scout Camp Floyd Adventure program is designed for Cub Scout Bears and offers an authentic and unique hands-on adventure! Cub Scouts travel back in time to 1861 and enter the world of a soldier with Johnston’s Army at Camp Floyd in the Utah Territory.  Participants are taught to march and drill, play period games, tour historic buildings, more.

The camp curriculum is based on the history of Johnston’s Army at Camp Floyd, Utah Territory, and is designed to complete the requirements for Achievement #8, The Past Is Exciting and Important. Each camp is limited to 30 scouts and leaders.  Program fees are $5 per boy / adult, which includes all camp material.  The program is scheduled for March 6, 2013 and April 3, 2013, beginning at 4:30 p.m. and concludes at 6:30 p.m.  Advanced registration is required and can be made online at the following links beginning February 4, 2013.

March 6^, 2013  (http://stateparks.utah.gov/node/3088)

April 3, 2013  (http://stateparks.utah.gov/node/3089 )

Established in 1858, Camp Floyd housed the largest concentration of U.S. troops then in the United State.  The troops were sent to Utah to suppress a rumored Mormon rebellion, which never took place.  The army was recalled back east in 1861 for the Civil War emergency. 

Camp Floyd State Park is located in the town of Fairfield, 22 miles southwest of Lehi on State Highway 73. 

For more information please contact the park at:  801-768-8932 or email: marktrotter@utah.gov or megankeller@utah.gov

Book Report

The August Cubscout Leader POW WOW book is now available for purchase on Amazon for $15.

Go Here to check it out 

Or

You can go down to the Scout office and pick on up for $12.00

It's a great book for any Cub Scout Leader.  It has all kinds of information, from ideas for den meetings, to skits, crafts, run-ons, jokes, games, you name it it's there.  

Flag Ceremonies

I love to teach the boys respect for the flag!  Here are some fun den flag ceremonies that can also be used in a pack setting.

Suggested Den Flag Ceremonies

1.  Scouts salute the flag and repeat the Pledge of Allegiance
2.   Have two scouts parade the U.S. flag and the den flag past a line of scouts who stand at attention and             salute. Repeat the Pledge.
3.  Plan a ceremony on the history of the flag.  Each boy in the den can make and color a paper flag or pirnt flags to represent flags from an earlier period.  End with the Pledge of Allegiance.
4.  Have the scouts march past a posted flag and then give the proper salute.
5.  Form the den in a horseshoe with the U.S. flag in front of the horseshoe.  Each scout in turn steps forward, salutes the flag, and steps back in formation.  When all have finished the den gives the Pledge of Allegiance. Cub scout promise or law may also be said.
6.  Line up the den in a single line.  Bring the scouts to attention, turn out all lights.  Spotlight the U.S. flag with a flashlight, have a scout read the first verse of "The Star-Spangled Banner," "America the Beautiful" or other patriotic song.
7.  Face the flag in unison and sing a verse from a patriotic song.
8.  Form a circle around the flag with scouts grasping the flag pole with their left hands.  Give the cub scout sign with the right hand and repat the cub scout promise or law of the pack. Release L hand hold to salute and repeat the Pledge of Allegiance.
9.  Webelos can incorporate the Scout Oath and the Scout Law into these ceremonies.
10.  Cub scouts stand at attention while leader reads Red Skelton's Commentary on the Pledge of Allegiance.  The boys then salute and Pledge Allegiance to the flag.  (Patriotic background music enhances this ceremony well.

Sources: Flag Code adopted by the National Flag Conferences of 192 and 1924, The Boy Scout Handbook, The American Patriot's Handbook, Webelos Book , Den Chief Handbook. "How to Respect and Display Our Flag" printed by the U.S. Marine Corp.

*** Red Skelton's commentary on the pledge can be found on-line at the following location which includes an audio by comedian red skelton: www.redskelton.com/PLEDGE.htm

Meet Our Staff

Our staff is one fun group, which is just how Cub Scouts is meant to be! Here are some silly pictures we took at our Planning Meeting!
Top Left: Angela. That's Me! District Cub Roundtable Commissioner
Top Right: Debbie.  One crazy lady with a dramatic and whimsical flair, Assistant District Cub Roundtable Commissioner and Co-Teacher for Cubmaster Breakout.
Bottom Left: Heather. My Secretary (because she's organized, and I lose everything!), one crazy lady that keeps things fun and moving, and Co-Teacher for Beginning Den Leader Breakout Class.
Middle:  Janelle.  This one's a thinking generator with a sense of humor and propriety, and Co-Teacher for Intermediate Den Leader Breakout Class.
Bottom Right: Kerri Sutton.  She's the one that keeps us rolling with laughter as she writes our Core Value and Theme Introduction skits, gives us her Book Reports, and Teaches Committee Breakout Class.

Left: Tamara. New volunteer with lots of experience and good ideas and Co-Teacher with Janelle for the Intermediate Den Leader Breakout.
Right:  Oh - There's Debbie, again!
Not Shown:  Kirsten -Tons of ideas, tons of experience, tons of laughter.  Witty, that one is!  District Cub and Webelos Camp Co-Director.; AmyJo - Tons of scouting spirit, very knowledgeable with tons of experience, Co-Teacher for Beginning Den Leader Breakout; Lizzette - Lotsa fun, sociable, happy, a great Webelos leader at home, and Co-Webelos Breakout Teacher.

Left: Scott.  Quite a character, totally reliable, keeps your attention, amazing whittler, and Co-Teacher for Cubmaster Breakout.
Right: Chad.  Another character, quiet until he starts talking!, knows what he's doing, and Webelos Breakout Teacher.

Each one of us loves the Boy Scout and Cub Scout program and what it teaches, and we LOVE to laugh, party, and find the fun!

Jan 2012: Abracadabra!

Our staff's interpretation of "Abracadabra" was inspired by the movie series Harry Potter.

We set up our Roundtable common room to resemble the Great Hall at Hogwarts, with 4 rows of tables running front to back of the room and banners up front for each house, and the staff dressed up like wizard professors -- some known and named, and some made up. 

We had 5 classes for breakout:
 
The den leaders who had been in their position less than 5 months attended Muggle Studies, where they learned how to use their Den & Pack Resource Book.

Everybody who was not a new den leader got to pick their class.  Here are handouts from two of the classes:

Quidditch for Muggle Cubs:  HANDOUT FOR GAME


Rock Identification: HANDOUT FOR IDENTIFICATION

Planning the BIG Blue & Gold "Banquet"

New and don't know where to start in planning the anticipated Blue & Gold Banquet in February?  On THIS DOCUMENT you will find the first step, options to consider, food portions, and lots of ideas for themes. I suggest your committee starts planning this big event soon after November's Roundtable!

Adult Appreciation Awards

 

RECOGNITION and APPRECIATION AWARDS

For those who help your DEN or PACK

Not just for Blue & Gold.

(Found in GSLC Cub Scout Pow Wow 2012 book)

It's nice to be sure that every person in cubs gets an award at the Blue & Gold Banquet, including the adults who serve in Cub Scouts.  However, it is best to also include at least one appreciating award at every pack meeting.

"Everyone deserves to be recognized no matter how large or small the contribution. When people feel appreciated they are more likely to help in the future. It makes them feel important and that they matter!

When saying thank you to someone, be sure to be specific in the thanks and pinpoint what and how they helped you the most. Saying thanks in a traditional way is always better than not at all, but if you want to express your thanks in a more unique or silly way, it may be a bit more memorable for the recipient."

Here are two lists I have found of ways to say "thank you".
    Appreciation 101
    Appreciation 102