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Subject: [rec.scouting.*] Leader Hints (FAQ 13)
From: Bill Nelson <[e-mail]>
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Archive-name: scouting/leader-hints
Last-Modified: 22 Apr 1997

This file contains a number of ideas for the Cub Scout Leaders.
It shows ways to reward your cub scouts for their behaviour and
attendance, how to deal with kids suffering from Attention Deficit
Disorder (ADD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).
It also gives a couple of program ideas and games for your cub meetings,
and general information on jungle book names and cub scout promises.

Also have a look at the other files in the rec.scouting FAQ series,
especially the following:
  - for general unit administration (See unit-administration)
  - for cub laws and promises (See scouting-around-the-world)
  - for pointers to other resources (See introduction)

If you know a good idea that hasn't been included in this FAQ,
please do all of us the favour and post it on rec.scouting. Drop me
a copy too to make sure that I include it in this file.

The FAQs are archived at:
http://www.cis.ohio-state.edu/hypertext/faq/usenet/scouting/

As the FAQ files are updated regularly, make sure that you have the
latest copy in your hands. The release date of this FAQ is indicated
in the line starting with "Last-Modified:" at the top of this file.
Files older than three months should be considered as outdated.

*** COPYRIGHT NOTICE ***

This file or parts of it may be freely used, printed and re-distributed
as long as you enclose this paragraph and keep the references to the
respective contributors and to the maintainer (listed below) intact.

-- Bill Nelson <[e-mail]>
Original maintainer:
  Danny Schwendener  v/o "Spike"                 [e-mail]
   Wolfsmeute Orion/Glockenhof, Sihlstr. 33, CH-8001 Zurich, Switzerland

------------------------------

From:  [e-mail] (Danny Schwendener)
Subject:  Cub recognitions - should we use them at all?
Date:  1 Mar 93 10:00:00

Whether cubs should be given awards or advancement ranks is a much
discussed item. Some will argue that kids are already overstressed
at school so that an additional pressure in the free-time program is
not productive. Others underline that a small reward is one of the
few very effective ways to boost the participation of the kids in
the program. I personally think that both sides have their good points.
There is, however, one thing you have to keep in mind all the time:

A reward is only a valid option if *all* kids are physically and mentally
able to obtain it. You should also be very careful not to create a
fault between a group of kids who always get all rewards and the rest
of the kids.

The bottom line: If you use awards, use them with intelligence.

------------------------------

Date:  19 Apr 1995 (update)
From:  (Peter Van Houten) <[e-mail]>
~From: [e-mail] (Dave VanEss)
Subject:  Cub Immediate recognition - Den Leader Hints

I know this has not been solicited, but here are some ideas for immediate
recognition for Cub Scout dens that have been working in my Pack, and others
that I have come in contact with.

1)  Arrowhead Necklace --

Using Dough Art dough cut out arrowheads.  Use a spoon to mark texture on
the face of the arrowhead.  Bake until hard.  Drill hole at top of arrowhead
for lace.  Paint arrowhead using Glossy Black spray paint (comes out looking
like obsedian).  Glue white/black feather to the back of the arrowhead, and
thread leather lace through hole.

You now have a recognition necklace the boys can wear and display how far
they are along on their Wolf or Bear trail.  I had the boys make their own
necklaces, but they couldn't start wearing them until they've completed the
Bobcat.  So the Arrowhead represents they've earned their Arrowhead.  As
they progress along the Wolf trail they receive a White Wolf's tooth (also
made from Dough Art) for each of the 12 Wolf requirements.  This can also be
used with Bear Claws for the Bear trail.  To help separate the teeth, the
boy can earn beads to go on his necklace.  A white bead for attending the
den meeting or pack meeting, a black bead for attending in uniform.  When
done you'll have a very impressive necklace (as well as, by having the boys
make them you are doing one of the arrow point achievements for making
something with a feather).

2)  Another tip for rewarding behavior, attendance, uniforming, etc. is to
have a grab box or treasure chest.  In the treasure chest you accumulate all
sorts of trinkets (pencils, cards, key rings, etc.) that they boys can
choose from when they've met your criteria.

For example:  All boys that show up in full uniform for a den meeting will
get to choose from the treasure chest.  Or the boys that pay their dues on
time get to choose something.  Maybe the boys have exemplified themselves
during the den meeting (your house isn't destroyed) and you want to reward
them.

So where do you get the trinkets?  Make friends first with every marketing
person you know (most of them are involved in scouting).  Companys give away
tons of stuff to promote their products, most of which is cheap and fun
(things like sun glasses, small footballs, pencils/pens, key rings,
stickers, buttons, hats, etc.).  Ask and ye shall receive.  Also, check out
the discount stores for cheap items, such as pencils with different style
erassers on them.  Check out garage sells for old souviners...these can be
very, very cheap.

I like to give out awards at the Court of Honor.  For parents that helped
with the Reststop fund raiser (Coffees and coffee), a cookie spray painted
gold on a ribbon becomes "Order of the Cookie".  If you have a wood worker
in the Unit Plaques become real cheap.  (I can make walnut 5" by 7" for
about $1.50 each)  Everyone likes to be appreciatted.

It might seem corny put the people getting the awards reallyy do appreciate it.
Here are soem more things I have done.

Golden Hammers  (plywood cutouts of hammers spraypainted gold on a ribbon)
Given to Adults that helped build paper recycle boxes.

Lemon Heads on a plaque  (One parent suppling transportation got
stopped by the Highway Patrol and asked to have his passengerd not to
throw lemon heads (hard candy) out the windows of moving cars.

Committee Patch on a Plaque.

Order of the Ugly Red Forklift          For the guy that ran our newspaper
recycling program. (He moved the paper box around with said forklift).  Award
was a plaque with a "Matchbox" forklift glued on it.

Anyway, the ideas are endless.  If their is some kind of in joke in between
the participents, so much the better. (Example if on a 50 miler you find
that you are running low on toliet paper, a plaque for the leaders that
went along could have an empty paper roll)

Bottom line is that immediate recognition for achievement and behavior is
necessary to support future achievements and success.  KISMIF -- Keep it
Simple, Make it Fun!

------------------------------

Date:  Thu, 15 Oct 1992 17:58:35 -0500
From:  (Peter Van Houten) <[e-mail]>
Subject:  Recognition Dinner Ideas

HELPING HAND AWARD -- Stuffed glove on a dowel rod for the person who always
lends a helping hand.

WET SPONGE AWARD -- A piece of sponge mounted on cardboard.  For the newest
leader who needs help soaking up all the new info in the Cub Scout program.

ON THE BALL AWARD -- A styrofoam ball with a pipe cleaner Cub Scout on top
for the energetic person who has it all together.

GOOD EGG AWARD -- An egg made out of felt mounted on a piece of cardboard
for the special person who has been a good sport by helping the pack.

BIG HEART AWARD -- A big stuffed heart pillow in red.  For someone who shows
real dedication to the Cub Scout program.

PURPLE HEART AWARD -- A big stuffed heart in purple, for anyone injured 'in
the line of duty'.

LIFE SAVER AWARD -- A roll of lifesavers mounted on cardboard.  This might
be for someone who has assisted the Pack with a problem.

FIRST AID AWARD -- Home made first aid kit for a dedicated unit leader.

GO-FOR AWARD -- Plastic or model car on a handmade trophy stand.  For the
person who picks up awards or runs errands for the Pack.

GO GETTER AWARD -- This is an inflated balloon full of 'Hot Air' for the "Go
Power for the Go Getter".

OLD FOSSIL AWARD -- A rock or an arrowhead for the person who has been in
scouting the longest.

BOUNCE AWARD -- A sheet of 'Bounce' fabric softener for the Den Leaders to
bounce back and to soften their hearts.

BRIGHT IDEA AWARD -- Spray a light bulb gold and mount to a plague.  Present
to the person who always has good ideas.

BANQUET AWARD -- A large wooden spoon painted Blue and Gold.  Attatch a
ribbon and present to the Chairman of the Blue and Gold Banquet.

GOLDEN PEAR AWARD -- Attatch a plastic fruit pear to a plaque.  Present to
the pair (Couple) who has done so much for the Pack.

LINK TO SCOUTING AWARD -- Attatch a few pieces of chainlink fence to a
plaque and present to the leader who has helped prepare the boys for Boy
Scouts.

GOLDEN KNOT AWARD -- This is a good award for a Cubmaster.  Use rope, tie an
overhand knot and spray gold.  Attatch to a plaque and award to the person
who has tied it all together.

MARF AWARD -- MARF (Maintain Absolute Rigid Flexibility).  Cut a piece of
wood or cardboard in an odd shape.  Put the letters M-A-R-F on it and
present to anyone who works with the boys.

------------------------------

Date:         Sun May 29 18:20:02 MET DST 1994
From:         [e-mail],jantikaicc.helsinki.fi,
              [e-mail]
Subject:      The Cub scout promise in other languages

THE PROMISE IN OTHER LANGUAGES

SPANISH:
 Yo prometo hacer todo lo posible para
 cumplir con mis deberes para con Dios y
 mi patria, para ayudar a los demas y obedecer
 la Ley del Pack.

FRENCH:
La promesse du Louveteau:
 Je promets de faire mon devoir de mon
 mieux envers Diey et ma patrie, d'etre
 honnete et d'obeir aux lois de mon groupe.

GERMAN:
Unser Versprechen heisst:
 Ich verspreche mein Bestes zu tun fur
 Gott and mein Vaterland, erlich zu sein
 und das Meutegesetz zu befolgen.

ITALIAN:
La promessa del Lupetto:
 Io prometto di fare il possible, di fare il
 mio doverse a Dio e alla nazione di andare
 diritto e di obbedire la Legge del Gruppo.

FINNISH:
Lupaus                          The promise
Lupaan parhaani mukaan          I promise to do my best
rakastaa Jumalaani,             to love my God,
toteuttaa sudenpentujen lakia   to keep the cub law
ja olla toisille avuksi         and to help other people
joka paiva.                     every day.

AUSTRIAN:
Ich verscpreche so gut ich kann,
ein gutes Wichtel / guter Woelfling
zu sein, nach dem Gesetz zu leben
und bitte Gott, mir dabei zu helfen.

In the last word, you should have two little dots on each "a", but I
seem to be unable to find this letter from my keyboard right now...

The "wolf cubs", "sudenpennut" in Finnish, are scouts aged 7-10. They
are organized as packs ("lauma"), there is usually 2 or 3 packs in every
troop ("lippukunta"). Cubs have weekly meetings, sometimes excursions and
campouts, They learn scouting and every day skills following a program,
which is right now changing, so I will tell more about it next year...

SWISS:
  Although officially there is a cub scout promise,
  cub leaders are discouraged to use them, because at
  the cub scout age, kids are just too young to keep
  the promise seriously. Leaders are however encouraged
  to set up their individual pack law.

[Note: More information on how cub scouting is lived in foreign countries
 can be found in FAQ#2 'Scouting around the World' -- Danny]

------------------------------

From: [e-mail] (Bruce Cockburn)
Subject: Jungle Book / cubs names (UK)
Date: 11 May 92 22:18:38 GMT

  The following may be of interest to scouters not familiar with the Jungle
Book nomenclature.  It is reproduced from the Gilcraft book entitled "Wolf
Cubs", my copy is dated 1948.

  This is a table of accepted pronunciations.  I have used the "*" character
to bracket text which was printed in an italic font.  The term <a-acute>
refers to a single character "a" with an acute accent over it.  It may help
to print this out if you can to aid understanding.

      Akela             Ah-k<a-acute>y-la*h*
      Bagheera          Ba*r*-gheer-a*h*
      Baloo             Baa-loo
      Bandarlog         B<u-acute>nder-loag
      Chil              Cheel
      Hathi             H<a-acute>*r*-ty
      Kaa               Ka*r*
      Mowgli            Mow(as in "now")-gly
      Nag               Na*r*g
      Rikki-tikki-tavi  Rikky-tikky-tay-vy
      Shere Khan        Share-kha*r*n
      Tabaqui           Tar-b<aacute>rk-i

  The following (also from the same source) is a list of "Jungle Names for
the Cub Pack".

      (i) Names held "Ex Officio"

      Akela                     Cubmaster.

      Baloo         }
      Bagheera      }           Assistant Cubmasters.
      Raksha        }

      Black Plume   }
      Brown Tip     }
      Grey Brother  }           Sixers.
      Red Fang      }
      Tawny Fur     }
      WhiteClaw     }

      Sahi (the Porcupine)      Pack Scribe.

      White Hood                Pack Storekeeper.

      (ii) Names Awarded for Prowess in Cub Activities

      Ahdeek        (the Reindeer)            Team Games.
      Apukwa        (the Bulrush)             Weaving.
      Blue Smoke                              Signalling.
      Chil          (The Kite)                Singing.
      Crimson Arrow                           Throwing and catching.
      Dahinda       (the Bull-frog)           Leapfrog, cartwheels, etc.
      Ferao         (the Scarlet Woodpecker)  Woodwork.
      Golden Quill                            Artist.
      Hawkeye                                 Observation.
      Hiawatha                                All-round athletics.
      Iagoo         (the Story-teller)        Telling stories.
      Jacala        (the Crocodile)           Acting.
      Kaa           (the Python)              Tree-climbing.
      Karela        (the Bitter Vine)         Knotting.
      Keego         (the Fish)                Swimming.
      Keneu         (the Great War Eagle)     Running.
      Kotick        (the Seal)                Wrestling.
      Kwasin        (the Strong Man)          Boxing.
      Limmerskin    (the Wren)                Message-carrying.
      Little Beaver                           Lair-building.
      Mysa          (the Wild Buffalo)        Good hearing.
      Nag           (the Cobra)               First Aid.
      Nushka        ("Look!")                 Guide.
      Oonai         (the Wolf)                Reciting.
      Pukeena       (the Grasshopper)         High Jump.
      Scarlet Feather                         Fire-lighting.
      Sea Catch     (the Seal)                Diving.
      Shaw-shaw     (the Swallow)             Skipping.
      Singum        (the Lion)                Book-carrying.
      Rann          (the Eagle)               Good eyesight.
      Tilji-pho     (the Lark)                Musician.
      Toomai                                  Folk-dancing.
      Wabeeno       (the Magician)            Walking the Plank.
      Wawbeck       (the Rock)                Modelling.
      White Elk                               Long Jump.
      Won-tolla                               Hopping.

      (iii) Names Awarded by Akela at his Discretion

      Hathi         (the Elephant)            Punctual and regular
                                                attendance.
      Jeebi         (the Ghost)               Fattest Cub.
      Kim           (Little friend of
                      all the world)          Helpfulness.
      Ko            (the Crow)                Noisiest Cub.
      Mang          (the Bat)                 Obedience.
      Mor           (the Peacock)             Tidiness and cleanliness.
      Onaway        ("Awake!")                Alertness.
      Shada         (the Pelican)             Perseverance.
      Rikki-tikki-tavi (the Mongoose)         Cheeriness, or Courage.
      Mowgli                                  Friend to animals.
      Sona          (the Himalayan Bear)      Good manners.
      Suggeema      (the Mosquito)            Smallest Cub.
      Tall Pine                               Tallest Cub.

------------------------------

Date:         Thu, 28 May 1992 03:51:44 -0400
From:         "Jack W. Weinmann" <[e-mail]>
Subject:      Cub-A-Ree Ideas (USA)

One of the districts in my council is having its first Cub-A-Ree.
Here is a description of the stations:

Station 1: Citizenship
   Part 1:  Den conducts flag ceremony of its choice - up to 5 points
            awarded for correct etiquette, originality & overall
            performance.
   Part 2: Den selects 5 questions to answer on citizenship & national
           heritage from 10 sealed questions. (1 pt. per correct answer)
    Beads:  Gold  9-10 pts,    Blue 6-8 pts,    Red under 6 pts

Station 2: Knots
            (square, bowline, clovehitch, sheet bend, & taughtline hitch)
           Station leader asks 5 boys to tie one knot each.  If a boy is
           not assigned a knot, he may help Scouts who have been assigned.
   Scoring: 2 pts for each knot completed in a 2 min. period
    Beads:  Gold  10 pts,    Blue  6 or 8 pts,  Red  under 6 pts

Station 3: Rope Toss
           The den has a 20 ft. rope and has 3 tosses to hit a graduated
           bullseye.
   Scoring: 10 pts (Gold bead) if best throw hits within 2-ft square
             8 pts (Blue bead) if best throw hits within 4-ft square
             6 pts (Blue bead) if best throw hits within 6-ft square
             2 pts (Red bead) if best throw hits outside of square

 Station 4: First Aid and Safety Message Game
            Station leader presents 5 first aid and safety situations
            to the den, in sequence.  Den has 1 min. for each situation
            to reply to each situation and/or demonstrate appropriate
            technique to use.  (2 pts per correct answer)
   Beads:   Gold  10 pts,   Blue  6-8 pts,   Red  under 6 pts

 Station 5: Obstacle Course
            Entire den runs course consisting of a tire, rope swing, pylon
            run, and ramp climb.  Each Cub timed and the average for the
            den determined.
   Scoring: Average time up to 60 sec.     10 pts -- Gold Bead
            Average time 60 - 90 sec.       8 pts -- Blue Bead
            Average time over 90 sec.       6 pts -- Red Bead

 Station 6: Nature Trail
            Station leader presents den with a list of 10 items to point
            out on the nature trail.  When they find an item, they point
            it out to the station leader. Max. time on trail -- 5 min.
   Scoring: 1 pt per item.  Gold  9 - 10 pts, Blue  5 - 8 pts,  Red under 5 pts

 Station 7: Rain Gutter Regatta
            In relay fashion, 3 Scouts selected by their den blow a walnut
            shell boat the length of a 10 ft. gutter.
   Scoring: Based on how fast it takes to complete the task.  Exact times
            will be determined and be available at the station.
            Ratings: "Hydroplane" ----- 10 pts. ---- Gold
                     "Motorboat"     5 - 8 pts. ---- Blue
                     "Rowboat"    under  5 pts. ---- Red

 Station 8: Marble Shooting Contest
            A range set up consisting of a 5-ft. diameter circle with 13
            marbles placed in center-cross fashion.  Rotating shots, each
            den has 3 min. to shoot as many marbles out of the ring as
            possible.
   Scoring: 11 - 13 marbles knocked out = 10 pts ---- Gold bead
             6 - 10    "       "     "  =  7 pts ---- Blue bead
             0 -  5    "       "     "  =  5 pts ---- Red bead

 Station 9: Uniforms
            Points awarded to the den based on the uniforming of
            participating den members.
   Scoring: All Scouts wearing proper shirt & neckerchief -- 10 pts - Gold
            1/2 or more wearing proper shirt & neckerchief -  6 pts - Blue
            Less that 1/2 wearing proper shirt @ neckerchief  2 pts - Red

Station 10: Skit Competition
            At 4:00, the dens should gather at the pavillion area to
            present their skits.  Each den has 3 min. to put on their skit.
            Points awarded on originality, style, content & presentation.
   Scoring: Up to 10 pts. as determined by the judge.
            Gold Bead -  8 - 10 pts, Blue -  4 - 7 pts, Red -  0 - 3 pts

Note: Dens (2 or more boys).  Games are a DEN effort.  Stations are geared
      so that it takes TEAM effort.  All station activities taken from the
      Wolf, Bear, & Webelos Handbooks. (Their statement - our ideas could
      have other sources!)
      Although there is no limit to the number of boys in a den, it is
      recommended that dens be in the 8 boy range.  Larger dens could
      be split into two dens for the competition so all boys are able
      to participate in the contests.

------------------------------

From: [e-mail] (Joe Collins)
Subject: Chemical Experiments for cubs
Date: Tue, 12 Jan 1993 14:02:18 GMT

[always with adult attendance - Ed.]

As a younger child, my son LOVED mixing baking soda and vinegar in
zip lock bags and watching the bags fill with CO2. We then 'poured'
the CO2 into a plastic pail and lowered a lit match into it (by hand).
The match goes out when it passes into the CO2. But if you can get a
strip of magnesium, ignite that and lower that into CO2 - it won't
go out but will instead strip the oxygen off the CO2, leaving carbon
dust floating in the pail. It is also good because its sparks brightly
and makes loud popping noises. Be using magnesium - perhaps
do it outside

Get a stalk of celery and cut it lengthwise about 2/3 of the way up.
Get two drinking glasses and fill with water. Place them side by side.
Add two different colors of food coloring into the glasses, i.e. red
in one and blue in the other. Place the celery such that
one part is in one glass and the other part is in the other (which is
why you cut it 2/3 of the way.)
Come back the next day and look at the stalks.

Get an ordinary egg and put in a glass. Pour in vinegar sufficient to
cover it with perhaps 1" to spare. Let sit overnight. The next day take
out the egg and feel it....the vinegar has dissolved the calcium carbonate
in the shell and the shell is gone. You are feeling the membrane that
lined the shell and it has a rubbery feel. Rinse with plenty of water.

Get calcium carbonate (blackboard chalk is perfect). Heat up real hot in
a propane blowtorch (put the chalk in a vise). This will drive the
CO2 out of the CaCO3. This leaves CaO (lime). When you heat up lime, it
gets bright - which is where the word LIMELIGHT comes from. Drop in water
when done.

Go to radio shack and buy magnets of all types (square, circular, etc).
Give them to you child, along with paper clips, bobby pins, iron nails, etc
You child will have a ball with it.

Then get wire at radio shack and wrap many many turns around an iron nail.
Connect that to a battery and you have an electromagnet. Show your child
how it also picks up paper clips, etc.

Go a hardware store and get root killer. Look at the package - it should be
copper sulfate pentahydrate. When you open it up, it will be blue crystals.
This is good stuff to work with but be careful - poisonous - wash your hands
after touching it. Anyway, drop some in a glass and dissolve in water.
Then get an iron nail and sandpaper it a bit to make it shiny. Drop it in
and wait a few hours. It will get copper-plated. (Has to do with the
relative activity of metals)

Now dissolve more in water- this time to excess, i.e. have crystals sitting
on the bottom. Connect an old spoon to a wire and connect that wire to
the negative pole of a DC powersupply. Connect some copper wire to the
positive pole of the DC powersupply. The other end of that copper wire should
be stripped clean and dropped in the water. Don't let the two touch while
in the water. After a while, the copper wire in the water will start to
shrink in size but the spool will get a copper coating. (Copper plated).
The DC power supply can be batteries but use at least 3 volts or so.

Get a small piece of aluminum foil, about 4" square. Fold it in 1/2 two
times and this will give you 1" square. Get some lye from the grocery store
or hardware store (Caution - corrosive, dangerous stuff). Get a 3-4 crystals
of lye and place on the foil, dead center. Place the foil on a paper plate
and plate this in a sink. Add 1 drop of water to the crystals and step back.
The water will dissolve the lye. The lye is now in solution and in
contact with the aluminum foil. The aluminum foil is covered with a
thin layer of aluminum oxide (invisible). The lye solution starts to react
with the aluminum oxide and breaks it down. It then hits the foil and
reacts with that. As the reaction gets going, it heats up. This causes the
reactants to mix it up even faster and get even hotter. Finally, you run out
of either lye or aluminum.
Rinse thoroughly with water when done. Moral - never mix lye with aluminum.

A slow burn - get plain old steel wool (non-detergent) and plain old
strong clorox (again - non-detergent). Place the steel wool in a large
bowl or glass. Pour the clorox over it, covering it. Let sit overnight.
Come back tomorrow and most of the steel wool is gone and you now
have plain old rust. (P.S. this will make the clorox quite warm - let it
sit in a sink overnight in case it breaks - don't squeeze the steel
wool before you use it. Just put in as-is - if you squeeze it or
stretch it, the reaction will go faster and become hotter).
Rinse thoroughly  with water when done.

Keep the chemicals away from your child - potent stuff.
Don't mix chemicals on your own without knowing what you are doing.
Some household chemicals and combinations thereof are EXTREMELY dangerous.

Have fun and hope that helps....

Mail me if you want more experiments or have questions on the above.

------------------------------

From: [e-mail] (Charles Hoffman)
Subject: Attention Deficit - Hyperactivity Disorder (ADD/ADHD)
Date: 9 Nov 92 17:54:36 GMT

When I posted by request for information about the  ADD and ADHD boys in my
Webelos Den, the following information was sent to me.  These suggestions have
made my meetings much easier.:

Keep all activities down to 15 minutes or less.  I would add that allowing
and encouraging the boys to be creative in their projects helps tremendously.

Separate the ADHD boys from each other, and from other boys who are liable to
follow the ADHD boys' lead in going wild.  I seat my boys in a "U" shape
with the Den Chief and my Asst Den Leader at the bottom of the "U".  The three
ADD and ADHD boys along with the most reactive of the other boys are seated in
an alternating arrangement with the quieter boys.  The two ADHD boys are seated
right next to the leaders (DC and ADL) to allow for personal one on one control
and the ADHD boys work harder at self control as they can get immediate words
of praise from the leaders.

Let the boys know the plans for the meeting at the begining.  Give them a goal
and keep reminding them why they are doing what they are doing.  Give
recognition in the meeting for their achievements.

Maintain control of the meeting.  I use a carrot and stick approach.  The
carrot is the "good conduct jug".  Each boy places a bead in a clear water
bottle at the start of each meeting.  When disruptive or dangerous behavior
happens, the Denner removes a bead.  There are lines on the jug that will take
about 3-4 months to cover.  We just had our first reward, by their choice a
trip to a local pizza/game center.  The stick is first to "signs up", while
using direct eye contact with the boys.  A firm, non-stressed voice helps.
Don't dwell on control, but quickly move to the focus activity.

Use short simple sentences.  Ask the boys to repeat requests and directions
back to you.

Have the boys draw up their own den meeting rules.  I have a list that my boys
made up posted in our meeting room.  They point out infractions to each other.

Serve refreshments last.  My boys do a round-robin for "snack".  Every kid
seems to prefer red drinks.  The food coloring used, plus sugar in the cookies
is guaranteed to have the kids bouncing off the walls in a half hour.  Snack
is a time for quietly going over the days activities and letting the boys know
what will be done at the next meeting.

Be prepared.  I prepare a month in advance what will be done at each meeting,
and what must be done at home for each boy to earn the current activity pins.
Having a well thought out plan gives me the freedom to adapt as the situation
changes.  In addition make one or more of each craft in advance so the boys
have a model to "touch and feel" and so that you know how to do it, and that
the boys are capable of doing the tasks needed for the craft.

Get the quick boys to help the slower boys.  With supervision this can be a
help.  But watch out.  Boys this age switch from cooperative to competitive
modes very fast.

Keep the boys focused. ADHD boys are very easily distracted by external
stimuli.  I and my leaders constantly walk among the boys asking them to tell
us what they are doing, complementing creativity.  This seems to help in the
longer more complex Webelos crafts.

Many ADD and ADHD boys take drugs (Ritalin, etc)  to allow them to control
their responses.  Parents try to give the boys their dose about 1/2 hour
before the meeting.  But in real life, this does not alway happen.  Be
prepared for lasts week's angel to be this week's terror.  My Asst Den Leader
will become the terror's shadow when this happens.  This is vital to a
controlled meeting.

Contact the ADD Warehouse, which has a catalog of reading and other things
relevant to ADD/ADHD.  You can call them at [phone].  I sat down with
my ADD/ADHD parents and selected books that covered symptoms that were most
common with their boys.  The public library in my town had several books that
gave me a good insight to the problem, but be warned, my parents told me that
some the information was out of date.

ADD/ADHD kids need even more complements than other kids.  But don't forget
the other boys.  Make the complement real, and word it in such a way as to
encourage future growth.  One of my ADHD boys has become quite an innovator
in fishing for complements.  He is begining to understand what actions will
and will not earn him a complement and his behavior is slowly improving.

Don't treat the ADD/ADHD boys as if they have an "unusual" problem.

Cycle your activities.  I have an active gathering game, den business, a
focused activity, another short game, and then snack/reflection all within a
1 1/4 hour period.

My parents stay away from den meetings unless we are doing an activity that
requires lots of supervision or assistance.  The parents state that their
boys are learning that all adults (Akeylas) require the same behavior, not
just parents and teachers.

Relate information and activities to "doing" things.  Somatic language that
connotes physical activity helps.  Many ADD boys learn best by doing, and are
very poor at memorizing remote facts.  This can slow meetings down, but will
improve the experience for everyone.

------------------------------

From: [e-mail] (Danny Schwendener)
Subject: Game ideas for cub scouts [pointer]
Date: 21/4/93

Here's a pointer for those who are looking for games which you can play with
cub scout dens or packs: I have received a collection of cub scout games from
Jim Speirs. Eventually, it will end either as an addition to FAQ#3 'Games'
or as a separate FAQ (I haven't decided it yet), but in the meantime, the
collection can be retrieved by anonymous ftp from ftp.ethz.ch; log in as
'anonymous'. The file can be found in the directory
ftp.ethz.ch:/rec.scouting/games/ . This directory also contains many
other games ideas.

In addition, it is always a good idea to look into FAQ#3 'Games', even
though the games are more directed towards scouts and a few of them may
not be suitable for younger cubs.

------------------------------

From: [e-mail] (Dennis Parker)
Subject: Projects - Wolf's Head Molding
Date: 19 Jan 94 13:49:18 CST

If your pack has the money, buy a set of the wolf's head plastic molds from you
r
local scout shop (they're also in the catalog).  They're about a buck a piece.
Get enough for the largest den in your pack and then you can pass them around
from den to den.  Next year, get the bear heads, etc.

Let the kids mix up some plaster of paris and fill the molds.  The molds will
take several days to harden completely.  At the next meeting, the kids can pain
t
them.  We did blue edges and yellow backgrounds then each boy choose the color
for the wolf head itself.  We had brown, black, gray, and white wolves.

[Charles Hoffman] A hint on plaster of paris.  Spray a coat of primer or varnis
h
on the plaster before painting.  Otherwise the plaster can act like a sponge.

------------------------------

From: [e-mail] (Charles Hoffman)
Subject: Projects - Various
Date: Thu, 20 Jan 1994 22:16:07 GMT

Basicly my boys have enjoyed anything that involved making things with their
hands.  The more tools they got to use the better.  Paint is fun also, but
be prepared for spills and other messes.  I usually had one or two parents
to aid my normal team when it came to these projects.

Give the manual projects a try.  Hand your cubs a copy of the How-To-Book,
or one of the other books (names escape me at the time), and let them make a
suggestion.  This worked wonders for me.  I did it at the begining of a den
meeting.  In five minutes they were itching to start their selected project.
Just be ready as they will alway decide on the most complicated option :)

------------------------------

From: [e-mail] (Paul Ainsworth)
Subject: Camp Sparklers
Date: 26 Apr 1994 09:47:09 -0400

At my camp, Camp Lassen in nothern Calif., after normal merit badge
instruction is over, we start what we call our "Afternoon Sparklers."
These are actvities, other then for advancement, for the boys to enjoy.
(Shotgun Shooting, Hoseback Riding, Free Swim, Wall Climbing".  In the
evenings, we have are "Evening Sparklers" in which there are a variety of
things, camp wide and troop oriented.  Some things we do include: Troop/
Patrol Competitions, Tenure based activites, Hoot-an-naany.

I was wondering if any of you have similar practices.  I am interested in
updating some of our program.  For the last five year, with the exception
of a couple of new program areas, we have not added that much to our
eveing program.

------------------------------

From: [e-mail], [e-mail]
Subject: Re: Middle Ages Camp Ideas?

>I bet some of you have organized or attended a Middle Ages-
>related scout camp. I'm planning one right now and ask for
>your ideas: any fun/exciting/interesting activities related
>to knights, castles, wizards, kings, that kind of stuff...

Ben Delatour Scout Ranch used this theme for their camp wide activies
day.

Contests included archery, lance throwing, 'horse races' piggy back
jousting, fencing and quarter staff.

A "safe" sword can be made by using flexible pvc pipe (1") for the
core stiffiner.  Cover this with the prefab pipe insulation foam
which brings the exterior to about 4".  This is wrapped with duct
tape to hold it on together.  Bicycle greps can be used for hand
holds.  Some sort of helmet should be worn and a referee that makes
sure the match does not get out of hand.

A shield can be made from a foam covered round and held on by two or
three straps (two for the arm and one to hold onto).

A morning star (handle, chain & spiked ball) can be done using a foam
covered soft rubber ball on a cord attached to a foam covered pvc
pipe.

A mace (spiked ball on a stick) can be done as above (with no cord).

And of course the axes.  Foam covered pvc pipe with a foam ax head.

A nature scavenger hunt can be modelled on a quest for ingredients to
'potions' for Merlin to cure Arthur, Lancelot, etc.

A campwide capture the flag could easily have a medieval theme.

Be sure to get a juggler on staff! :)

You might have the staff volunteer to subject themselves to a dunking
chair in costume, labeled as 'FOOL'.  Tuanting the throwers with
things like,

"Thou art unworthy of thy missles." or "Me thinks thou must be the
fool to attempt to unseat me!"

A trumpet blowing competition with a suitably decorated bugle would
fit.

------------------------------

From: [e-mail] (Jaana A Antikainen)
Subject: Re: Hard Questions - Discipline

> Here's a question I faced last weekend at our Cuboree.
> We were camped at a government park, beside a fast-flowing river with
> a waterfall. Our first and clearly stated rule was that no-one goes
> down by river without an adult. Sure enough, Sunday morning,
> four cubs went for a walk on the river trail.
> The problem with the behaviour was:
>  - The were breaking an important rule, established for safety
>  - They had placed themselves in some risk of injury
>  - No adults knew where they were
>  - They had removed themselves when they were needed to help
>    strike camp (everybody else was working)
> I don't think they were defiantly setting out to get in trouble.
> What should we have done with them?

First, I would like to say that I consider sending cubs (or scouts) home
from a camp etc. a very bad move, unless they repeatedly behave
violently or otherwise disturb the *others*. That will only make them
feel that they are not wanted - cubs especially are too young to realise
that it's only their behaviour that's wrong. As a consequence they will
seek for your attention more on the next time, and we all know that
children's way to do this is sometimes not too construnctive...:)

You could try explaining the cubs first what they can do, and when, like
-you can go swimming at your free time, IF you ask an adult to watch
-you can take a walk, IF you go that direction and if you have nothing
else to do
-you can use your knife, as long as you follow these safety rules
And give the cubs enough free time to do all these things.

That was preventive. Then when the crime has happened, they of course
must do the things they left undone (the packing, in your case).
Additionally, I have used the method "if you don't want to participate,
that's your problem". This means that the cubs that didn't take part in
the work done together, may either take part in the play together. Don't
let them do anything else while others are playing, though! Just make
them sit and watch. And explain that if they cannot obay the safety
rules themselves they must be watched - they may not go anywhere where a
leader cannot see them. Ususally a few hours of this ban is enough to make
the cubs realise WHY it is important that they follow the rules - everybody
has more fun so! Similarly, a cub that doesn't follow swimming rules may
not go swimming for a while, and cub who doesn't follow knife rules must
give his/her knife to a leader.

This has worked. Explained in the right way, these all are consequences,
not punishments. And to the cubs it is real shame to be left out because
"you can't be trusted to follow the rules", and if you as a leader
behave correctly (show the cub that you care anyway) he/she will work
hard afterwords to be able to be trusted again...

------------------------------

From: [e-mail] (Ari Klein)
Subject: picked on scout
Date: Tue, 12 Jul 1994 14:28:26 GMT

        This past week at summer camp I was quite impressed with the new scout
patrol.  No homesickness, cooking and cleaning was going well, spirits were
high, everyone seemed to be having a good time.   Friday during breakfast
cleanup.......WHAMMMMM!  All of a sudden one of the boys hit another and
we had two boys crying.  "Everyone is always making fun of me...." etc.

        Things got calmed down, but I knew that I had to figure out
what to do not to lose this boy and probably others.  I remembered an
activity told to me by an elementary teacher and modified it for this
situation.   At lunch time, I had the patrol leader (who is older) draw and
cut out a cardboard person with a "Rip me" sign on him.  I sat down with
the patrol after lunch with this poster.  They all were eager to rip into
him.  The patrol leader eagerly ripped off the ear of the poster as I
instructed him ahead of time.  Without any other prompting the boys all
eagerly ripped off parts of the "guy."  I was amazed.

      After calming them down, I asked, What's left?  "nothing"  Which was
better, your part or the original?  and so forth our discussion then went.  We
agreed that the boy in the poster was no longer any good to help anyone and
that the parts were not too useful.  We needed to put it back together.  They
all worked together, some reluctantly, putting our "guy" back together with
tape.  When they finished, I put him in front of everyone and after a long
silence of them looking at him, wondering what was going on, I asked if he was
the same as he was before, and did they thing think that he had wanted to get
ripped up.  They agreed he wasn't the same as before, but some did not buy
into the idea of him having any feelings.

      I turned their attention toward the event that happened during
breakfast.  I told them it bothered and saddened me that one of the boys in
the patrol felt as though he was picked on so much.  I made the analogy that
every time they said something bad about someone else it was just like ripping
off a piece of him, he would not be the same after being called names or being
put down.  ....Dead quiet. I then said that the boy who blew up that morning
was probably not feeling too good having had comments thrown at him throughout
the week, he has in the same shape as our "rip me guy."  We needed to find
some way of building him back up and making him whole.

      I asked all the boys to think of something that they liked about the one
boy.  After a little while, some of the boys volunteered the thing that they
had thought of, more of the boys said something until all of them had said
something good about the hurt boy.  It was clearly obvious that the boy
appreciated the comments.

      I concluded by asking the boys to think about what they say to others,
that they might be hurting them in a way that they did not want or expect.
They didn;t have to like everyone else in the patrol, but things would work
out better of they didn't say nasty things to other people.

      I was surprised at how well this activity went.  In a way, it was a
modified team building activity we use sometimes during our annual troop
orientation workshop weekend for boy leaders.  A group of 11 year olds seem so
mature to us, but they are still quite young.  This was a heavy thing to lay
on them, but I believe that they got the point and may be just a little better
for it.  I hope that this article is worth the bandwidth.

------------------------------

From: [e-mail] (wild jim bob)
Subject: Re: Help a new Wolf leader... PLEASE!
Date: Thu, 4 Aug 1994 14:49:13 GMT

> I'm going to be a Wolf leader this year and I don't have a clue!!  I
> don't know where to start!  Can anyone give me some guidance?

A previous poster has already said this very well.
Keep them busy.
Keep them busy.
Keep them busy.

Here are a few more ideas (not in any order).
  -  Go to scout den leader training.  Offered by district in the fall and spri
ng.
  -  Consult with your den leader coach (if avail) for ideas.
  -  Talk to other current or past den leaders for ideas.
  -  Go to roundtables for ideas.  Offered monthly by district.
  -  Talk to parents of the scouts for ideas.
  -  Get the parents involved.
  -  You are the leader of the den.  Not the den slave.
  -  Have the parents commit to organizing weekly den activities which you lead
.
  -  Get a den leader assistant.
  -  Get a den cheif from a nearby boy scout troup.
  -  Assign a denner and assistant denner (wolf scouts in your den) to help
     with the meetings.  You might want to practive the activitys with them
     before the meetings.
  -  Don't try to do it all.  I've been there!
  -  Have fun.  You will survive.
  -  Leading the den at den and pack activities is enough for one person.
  -  Go to monthly pack committee meetings to keep up with pack activities.

* From: [e-mail]

In the past couple of years we've done the following: had someone from a Museum
bring live wild mammals and reptiles (small) native to our state, skating,
bowling, a picnic in the park, see a minor league baseball game, go to Mideival
Times, Buccaneer Bay (water park), Santa Claus visit, volleyball, badmiton,
obstacle course, ice cream sundae, and much more.  Do you use the Program
Helps?  I find it to be very helpful in planing the Pack Meetings, plus the
"Den and Pack Ceremonies" book has a lot of neat ceremonies for Advancements
that the boys (and parents) enjoy.  They both really enjoyed one of the ones
for Arror of Light that I did last year.  Another ceremony that was a big hit
was the one for Bear (searching for them).

------------------------------

From: [e-mail], [e-mail], [e-mail]
Subject: Re: Shirts & Skins: Gametime 101
Date: Tue, 9 Aug 1994 10:04:51 GMT

Rules for Choosing Sides:

"1. Leaders choose sides.  Don't let two boys choose the sides because

2. Pick sides by counting off by twos or by randomly picking two boys
of similar abilities and putting one on each side.

Other variations:

2b. count off, using variations on occasions to prevent scouts from
strategically switching themselves (e.g.1-2-2-1-1-1-2-2-1-2-1-2-2-1-1-2)

2c. get everyone to line up "tallest to smallest" and then split off
1-2-1-2-.. The teams rarely were the same because there's always
someone missing, and the kids grow up. It also tends to produce
physically balanced teams for games where it matters.

------------------------------

From: Michael Keables <[e-mail]>
Subject: Magic Ideas (chemical magic for ceremonies)
To: [e-mail]
Date: Sun, 30 Oct 1994 14:03:58 -0700 (MST)

Fellow scouters:

Here are some ideas for using chemical magic in award ceremonies.  Most of
these ideas came from a recent Pow Wow as well as Roundtable discussions.

Hope you find them useful.

YIS,

Mike Keables
Cubmaster, Pack 632
Littleton, CO  USA

[e-mail]
==========================================================================

Denver Area Council 1994 POW-WOW
October 22, 1994

Magic in Pack Ceremonies

1.  Magic Sugar Cube

Materials:      clear glass of water, sugar cube, pencil

Set up:  clearly and darkly mark the letter "W" (for wolf or webelos
ceremony) or "B" (for bobcat or bear ceremony) on one side of the sugar
cube.  Be sure that the letter is very dark.

Effect:  Letter appears to transfer from a sugar cube dropped in water
to the back of the hand of the participants.

Scenario:  Tell participants that the letter will magically leave the
sugar cube and be printed on the hand of the scouts who are worthy to
advance in rank.  Drop sugar cube in water and have one scout place his
hand over the top of the glass; other scouts place their hands on top of
the first.  Tell the scouts to concentrate on their new rank.  After a
15 seconds or so, have the scouts take their hands away and look at the
top of the hand that was over the glass.  The letter appears on the
hand.

How it's done:  Before placing the sugar cube in the water, make some
excuse to dip your thumb and fingers in the glass ("Boy, this sugar cube
sure is sticky ...").  Wet your thumb and press hard over the letter to
ink the bottom of the thumb.  Then, assist each boy in placing his hand
over the glass, pressing your thumb to the back of his hand while doing
so.  You will then have "stamped" the letter onto the back of the hand.
As long as it is done quickly and the boys are focused on the sugar
cube, they will not notice the effect of the thumb on their hand.

2.  Removing color from liquids.

Materials:  food coloring, pitcher of water, 2 glasses, liquid bleach

Setup:  place one drop of food coloring in bottom of one glass, 1
teaspoon of bleach in the other. Place glasses so that the audience
cannot see the advance preparations.

Effect:  Water poured into a glass changes color

Scenario:  Water is poured into an "empty" glass and immediately changes
color.  The colored water is then poured into another "empty" glass
which then turns back into "water."

How it's done:  Water poured into first glass changes color on contact
with the food coloring.   Color is bleached out of water in the second
glass.  Be sure to hide the base of the glass with your fingers so that
the coloring and bleach in the glasses cannot be seen.

3.  Color-changing liquids (yellow-green-blue)

Materials:  yellow and green food coloring, pitcher of water, 4 clear
plastic glasses, liquid bleach

Setup:  Four clear glasses: one empty, one with a drop of yellow food
coloring, one with a drop of green food coloring, one with 1/4 teaspoon
of liquid bleach.  As in above, be sure audience cannot see the
preparation or the bottom of the glasses during the trick.

Effect:  Water changes colors from clear to yellow to green to blue as
the liquid is poured into successive glasses.

Scenario:  Water from a spring at a nearby Boy Scout camp has the
special properties of changing into Cub Scout colors if boys have
completed all of their requirements for their badge of rank.  Water is
poured from a special receptacle into the first glass. Water turns
yellow when poured from first glass into second; water turns green when
poured from second glass into third ("Are you boys sure that you
completed all of the requirements for the ______ badge?").  Water turns
blue when poured into last glass, indicating the boys have in fact
completed the final test for their badge of rank.

How it's done:  First glass is empty so water is clear when poured into
the first glass.  Water turns yellow when added to the glass with the
drop of yellow food coloring; yellow water turns green when added to the
glass with a drop of green food coloring; green water turns blue when
added to the glass with the liquid bleach (the yellow color is bleached
our of the green water, leaving the water blue in color.)

4.  Multi-colored liquids.  This trick requires the use of chemicals
normally available at scientific supply stores; in fact, most chemistry
sets will contain the required chemicals.

Materials:  6 clear plastic glasses, sodium carbonate, yellow and blue
food coloring, white vinegar, phenolphthalein solution, liquid bleach

Setup:  prepare the glasses as follows:

glass 1:  pinch of sodium carbonate dissolved in 6 ounces of water
glass 2:  1 drop yellow food coloring
glass 3:  liquid phenolphthalein (made from powdered phenolphthalein and
          rubbing alcohol); keep covered as solution evaporates.
glass 4:  1 drop blue food color
glass 5:  1/4 full white vinegar (be sure to palm the bottom half of the
glass until you begin pouring.
glass 6:  1/4 full liquid bleach

Effect:  "Water" is poured into different glasses, each time changing to
a different color.  Color sequence is clear, yellow, red, purple, green,
clear.

Scenario:  Similar to the above except more glasses with more colors.

How it's done:  Same as above.  Reactions between chemicals in solution
produce the different colors.  Be careful to dispose of the last glass
quickly as it does look like water but is really heavily laced with
chlorine bleach (the last thing you want to happen is for a scout to
come up and taste the "water")

5.  Magic balloon.

Materials:  large balloon (at least 8 inches in diameter when inflated),
dry ice

Setup:  small piece of dry ice inserted into balloon.

Effect:  balloon continues to inflate, even after being tied closed.

Scenario:  Balloon is partially inflated at the beginning of the meeting
and tied.  By the end of the meeting, the balloon has become even more
inflated.

How it's done:  the dry ice inside the balloon slowly vaporizes when
added to warm air.  Partially blowing up the balloon provides enough
warm air for the process to occur.

6.  Magic water test.

Setup:  Styrofoam or paper cup (not plastic!) with slush powder
("Aqua-gel", "Joke-gel") in bottom of cup.  Approx. 1 teaspoon of powder
per 4 ounces of water.  Slush powder is available at magic supply stores
and novelty shops (usually in the gag gift section with the pepper gum,
plastic vomit, etc.)

Effect: water is poured into a cup and then inverted over the boys'
heads without spilling.

Scenario:  Final test for boys advancing in rank.  Pour water (I use
water colored with blue food coloring) into the glass and tell the boys
that if they are ready to advance in rank, then the spirit of scouting
will protect them in this final test.  Turn the cup upside down over the
boys' heads.

Variations:  have parents hold small cups with gelled water over each
boy and have the boys stick a straight pin through the bottom of the
cup.  Be sure that the cups are held above the sight of the parents as
well so that they cannot see the gelled liquid inside.

How it's done:  The slush powder causes the water to gel on contact and
will not pour/leak from the glass.

------------------------------

End of rec.scouting FAQ  #6
***************************