The
Den Program
Anyone who has planned and conducted den meetings knows that
different boys have different interests. It is important to keep
the den program varied so there will be something interesting for
each boy. A boy who is bores or not interested can disrupt the
den program.
Planning gives us time to research the theme and pick the most
suitable activities. it allows us to make creative use of
available resources. It allows time for gathering the needed
materials and equipment. It helps us to be sure that the
activities we plan meet the purposes of Cub Scouting.
General plans for den activities are made at the pack's annual
planning conference and the monthly pack leader's planning
meeting or den leader/den leader coach meeting. Detailed planning
is the responsibility of the den leadership team. Every den
meeting should have a written plan.
It takes time to plan a quality den program. Generally, the more
time spent in planning, the better the program. A good rule of
thumb is an hour's planning and preparation for an hour's meeting.
Handicraft projects and special projects take more time to
prepare.
The weekly den meetings lead to the monthly pack meeting. Each
den usually has a specific assignment for the pack meeting, such
as opening or closing ceremony, skit, game, or song.