gatorcast from paul smith

Today was my first official den meeting as the den leader.  I decided to take on the challege.  Frankly, I’m not sure what I was thinking when I agreed.  Lisa asked me if I was “I high”.

I think what got me was being told by the BSA representive from Jacksonville that my son is only 7 and in 2nd grade once and that if I don’t do it now I wouldn’t get a do over.  Evan is only 7 once.

Plus Evan really, really wanted to do this.  He has been asking since his brother started 3 years ago.  Evan has already asked for the BSA knife.  It’s apparently a  key reason he thinks this is cool.  I’m pretty sure we don’t give 7 years olds knives (thank God) and I keep saying to him, “Dude you have to be 10 years old first, plus you have lots of achievements to do”.  I’m not sure if he can wait.  In fact, I think he has swipped my knife once or twice already.

Since the Pack folded 2 years ago there has been little interest.  Back then I assisted Cameron’s den leader on many occasions and had a lot of fun.  So, after several meetings about leadership and interest I found myself at a table of very few interested in being the leader and thinking to myself that I had some “training” and thinking “Heck, I do can that”.   I know deep down I can be a great leader and have since realized that I just need to embrace this and enjoy it.  [Plus I have all the cool camping gear already.]

We had about 8 boys in 2nd grade signed up to be new Wolves.  I had 7 at the first meeting.

Wolf. Den 1 – Pack 82 – Paul (Me), Ben, Digo, Thomas, Matthew, Evan, Luke & Joey

It was funny in a way that I was probably more nervous this afternoon than presenting a sales pitch for my business to grown adults.   I prepared well.  And with the help of Lisa I lined up several Christmas themed craft projects. Lisa made and instructed me last night on the proper steps to complete them and help create a model for today.  She had the best idea of separating all of the pieces of the SnowMan and putting them into little baggies.  I totally looked like I knew exactly what I was doing when I broke out the prepared kits.  Thanks Lisa! Kisses!

Our Stick Snowman

Our Chenille Star

I read that a good thing to do at the first meeting was to have the boys help in making and signing a Code of Conduct.    So I brought a large poster board size paper pad and asked the boys what they considered as proper rules to conduct themselves during scouting events.  What a trip this was.  I had enforced a word count at times because they were getting very creative..  Here is what we came up with.  Then I had them sign the contract. :>   I think #9 is the best.  No flicking Boogers.  And #4, Keep Clothes On.  Ha!

Despite making the rules, Evan and Thomas promptly broke #9.

This is a summary of the meeting

1. Gathering Actvity: We made Chenille Stars and talked about what Cub Scouts was and what we were going to do in Den meetings.  We Also talked about the theme of the month “Celebrations around the world”.  I asked what celebrations they could think of.  Christmas, Hanukkah, someones Birthday …  we talked about the importance of stars in many religions. When asked about our celebration, Christmas,  I was very surprised most said “Star of Bethlehem” the star used to find the baby Jesus.

2. We had an opening ceremony and recited the Cub Scout Promise.

3. We did the code of conduct.

4. We played an activity called Pass the Snowball (really a plastic bag covered in packing tape)

5. We made our Stick Snowman project.

6. We had a closing in which I tought the boys the “Living Circle”. We formed a circle and each boy put in their left hand and stuck out their thumb and the boy to the right held it.  We also raised our right hand and make the Cub Scout Sign.  We recited “Ah-ke-la! We’ll do our best”.   (That would be me at the den meeting, the leader. Mom & Dad at home)

We did all of this in about 90 mins.  Whew!  I’m tired.  Overall a great time and I look forward to planing the next one.  Evan really enjoyed himself and I know it was a very good thing to do.  I am blessed with the opportunity.