Focus on the
OEC Joining Event /
Cub Scouting is a great excuse to spend time with your son; it is a year-round, home-centered program that strengthensfamily. As Scouters, we have the opportunity to participate asCub Scouts grow from first through fifth grades, but sometimes we feel families don’t participate fully. Why is it so hard to graspthe program’s values?
The answer appears to be that families have a hard time finding out just what Cub Scouting is all about. They feel lost in their first few months in the program, and drift away. We wantto make it more likely that boys and their adult partners will be engaged in Cub Scouting, feel that Cub Scouting is a significant and valuable part of their lives. The Council Joining Eventfrom 10:00 am to 3:00 pm on September 20that the OEC is a significant part of this effort. It will provide new Cub Scouts (those who join after August 1st) and their adult partners with a wealth of information about Cub Scouting, and remove the barriers to participation often expressed by families.
We will help families understand the program, know how to help their sons succeed in Cub Scouting, and feel they can participate in their Dens and Packs. We will help them be fully engaged in Cub Scouting.
/ As families arrive, they will be greeted by Scouting volunteers who will accept their Registration Cards, and point them in the direction of fun and adventure.Boys (or better yet, their Akelas) should hold onto the Activity Punch Cards. These cards maybe taken back to their Dens and Packs to show what they did at the OEC, and to show that they have earned their first belt loops!
/ Volunteers will show through a very positive experience that Cub Scouting is FUN WITH A PURPOSE. New families will participate in many activities including BB guns, Archery, Frisbee Golf, Bobcat Instruction, parent/adult volunteer training, and a free lunch.
This FREE event is a chance for every new Cub Scout family to learn all about Cub Scouting and find out how easy it is to be involved. The Trading Post will also be open to permit boys to get their handbooks, uniforms, and other Scout items.
The learning objectives for boys include:
- Learn by a positive experience that Cub Scouting is FUN WITH A PURPOSE
- Learn about theirBobcat Requirements (to be completed later by their families, Dens and Packs)
- Understand how their handbook guides them on the Cub Scout trial
The learning objectives for adult partners include:
- Learn by a positive experience that it is easy to get trained and participate in Cub Scouting
- Learn how to help their son complete his achievements and electives on the Cub Scout Trail
Step 1: Parking in the overflow parking area of the OutdoorEducationCenter, 600 S. 120th Street, Walton, NE[1] /
A large sign will be displayed at the entrance to the south parking lot, and Scout and adult volunteers will be present to assist arriving families with parking in the area “on the other side of the creek.” Families will then be directed to proceed to the registration table and gathering area.
A central parking location sets the stage for having one location to both welcome and say fare-thee-well to each new Cub Scout and his family. This will give us the best opportunity to ensure we get each boys registration card, help them understand all that they may during their visit to the OEC, answer their questions, get feedback on the day (and what we can improve next year), and thank them for being a part of Scouting.
Having one location for both entry and departure will also help us properly and courteously assist any persons with special and mobility needs to and from cars to events. The door is open to all to participate, and it is up to us to ensure that all needs are met to the best of our abilities.
Step 2: Greeting, registration, and begin the Cub Scout Trail[2]Location: Pfizer Campsite /
When a family arrives, we want them to drop off their registration card. It’s just that simple – drop off a completed card and start having fun with a purpose. If they do not have a card, they will be given one, and will then need to fill it out. We must have a completed (neat and legible!) registration card for every new Cub Scout. This will give us a complete record of attendance, provide a method for checking enrollment, and allow us to notify Cubmasters of who attended from their Packs.
Adult and Cub Scout applications will also be available at the registration table.
The adventure will begin for each boy and his adult partner with a formal welcomeand gathering activity. Just as we do in a good Den or Pack meeting, we will seek to immediately engage the boys in something fun, and then direct them into the planned activities. Adult volunteers in the area will be in radio contact with the various areas to assist in coordination directing new arrivals to open events (minimize waiting times). The objective is to keep things moving, and avoid long waiting lines at any one area.
Step 3: Participation in the many activities of the day![3] /Every Akela (trusted adult partner of a Cub Scout) who attends this event will learn a lot about Cub Scouting. One question we could ask to test our success is, “How do you feel about Cub Scouting?” A positive response will tell us that we have greeted the new Akelas well, and removed barriers to participating in the program.
Every new Cub Scout will get a solid beginning on the Cub Scout trail. With his completed activity punch card in hand, he will be able to show his Den Leader and Cubmaster that he has completed some or all of the following programs:
- Completed the requirements to earn the Archery belt loop
- Completed the requirements to earn the BB Gun belt loop
- Completed the requirements to earn the Ultimate belt loop
- Completed many of the requirements for the Bobcat Badge (he will need to complete the youth protection requirement with his Akela)
There will be a number of Scouters in attendance who will help us accomplish one of the most important objectives of the day: welcoming new families to Scouting and asking if they have any questions. It will mean a lot to every new Akela to be recognized and welcomed by an adult leader in their new Pack, to be helped along the Scouting trial by and experienced Scouter, and to acquire an understanding of the program.
/ Archery[4] /The plan is have one range with 12 targets on the range.
Archery is a camp program. Boys can earn Archery recognition items only at council or district day camp, resident camp, or council-managed family camping programs – such as the OEC Joining Event.
Cub Scouts and Webelos Scouts can earn the archery belt loop by participating in the archery safety program at Cub Scout camp. When the boy has done his best, his activity card should be punched to recognize his completion of this activity.
To earn the Archery belt loop, a Cub Scout must complete these three requirements by participating in the archery safety program at Cub Scout camp:
- Explain the rules for safe archery that you have learned in the district/council camp or activity you are attending with your leader or adult partner.
- Demonstrate to your leader or adult partner good archery shooting techniques, including the stance and how to nock the arrow, establish the bow, draw, aim, release, follow-through and retrieve arrows.
- Practice shooting at your district or council camp for the time allowed.
/ BB Gun[5] /
The plan is to have three ranges set up, with six BB-gun stations per range.
BB-gun shooting is a camp program. Boys can earn BB-gun recognition items only at council or district day camp, resident camp, or council-managed family camping programs – such as the OEC Joining Event. When the boy has done his best, his activity card should be punched to recognize his completion of this activity.
To earn the BB Gun belt loop a Cub Scout must complete these three requirements:
- Explain the rules for Safe BB gun shooting you have learned to your leader or adult partner.
- Demonstrate to your leader or adult partner good BB gun shooting techniques, including eye dominance, shooting shoulder, breathing, sight alignment, trigger squeeze, follow through.
- Practice shooting at your district or your council camp in the time allowed.
/ Frisbee Golf[6] /
Frisbee (or Disc) golf is a lot like traditional "ball" golf, except players use specially made plastic flying discs instead of balls and clubs, and throw them for 'par' at an above-ground target instead of a hole in the ground. There are different types of discs used for different purposes, much like ball golfers use different clubs.
The object of the game is to throw a golf disc into the target, typically a "Pole Hole®" basket (a steel basket over which chains hang), in the fewest number of throws. The player begins by 'driving' from a designated tee area and continues toward the target, throwing each consecutive shot from the spot where the previous throw has landed. Finally, a successful 'putt' sends the disc into the target. The most satisfying sound a disc golfer can hear is the 'ching!' of a disc crashing the chains before dropping into the basket.
To the Ultimate belt loop a Cub Scout must complete these three requirements:
- Explain the rules of ultimate or disc golf to your leader or adult partner.
- Spend at least 30 minutes practicing ultimate or disc golf skills.
- Participate in a game of ultimate or disc golf.
Model Campsite /
Scouting offers what boys want: outdoor adventures, being with their friends, and going places. The most effective recruiter is an excited, enthusiastic Scout who has just completed the challenge of his lifetime (so far!). The model campsite is intended to give Boy Scouts an opportunity to invite new Cub Scouts to begin their journey on the Scouting trail, and to look forward to the challenges that await them in the years ahead.
It is important to remember that Cub Scouting is focused on age appropriate activities, and younger boys may not be ready for the challenges of camping. The target market for most Boy Scout troops is boys who are completing the fifth grade and who are in the sixth grade. The target market for Cub Scouts is boys in the first through fifth grades. Participants in the model camp must keep this in mind as they share their enthusiasm for camping – invite new Cub Scouts to participate but don’t make them feel uncomfortable with the challenges that await them. They will learn all of the skills they need to be successful in the outdoors as they progress from Tiger to Wolf, Bear, and finally Webelos!
Flag Etiquette Training /The purpose of this training is to familiarize new Cub Scouts and their families with the basics of flag etiquette, and to have the opportunity to complete various Cub Scout advancement requirements. Every rank has something related to flag etiquette:
- Tiger Requirement 2D: Practice the Pledge of Allegiance. (Please explain to the adult partners that this requirement also requires completion of the Citizenship Character Connection with the boy’s Akela and Den.)
- Wolf Requirement 2a: Give the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag and tell what it means.
- Bear Requirement 3i: Participate in an outdoor flag ceremony.
- Webelos Badge Requirement: Plan and lead a flag ceremony in your den that includes the U.S. flag.
Songs in the Amphitheater /
Songs are the punctuation marks of Scouting. They bring sparkle and romance to the rest of the program. They set the moods for games and skits. They frame ceremonies in everlasting color. They engrave the joys of camping firmly in memory. Most packs rarely sing enough. I hope your pack sings often, loudly, with gusto, and with a huge smile exploding on the face of every boy.
W. T. Smith
/ Bobcat Badge Training[7] /The new Cub Scouts will be instructed on Bobcat requirements (now required for all boys including, Tiger Cubs) by adult volunteers. This will be a positive experience in many ways: it will include the participation of volunteer Scouts from the Order of the Arrow who will introduce new Scouts to the idea of boy lead activities (positive role models), answer questions about Cub Scouting, provide a sense of belonging to the group, and give them a sense of achievement.
The adult volunteers should assist the new Cub Scouts in learning and understanding the eight tracks required to earn the Bobcat Badge. Also, adult leaders should show the new Cub Scouts in their handbooks where their Akelas should sign that they have done their best to complete each of the Bobcat tracks.
- The Cub Scout Promise (I _____ promise to do my best, to do my duty, to God and my country, to help other people, and to obey the Law of the Pack)
- The Law of the Pack (The Cub Scout follows Akela, the Cub Scout helps the Pack go, the Pack helps the Cub Scout grow, the Cub Scout gives good will.)
- The Meaning of Webelos (We’ll be Loyal)
- The Cub Scout Sign
- The Cub Scout Handshake
- The Cub Scout Motto
- The Cub Scout Salute
- Exercises in How to Protect Your Children from Child Abuse (this is the hard part of the badge requirements, but may be done by reading the examples provided in the handbook – trying to stay age appropriate to the group of boys)
When the boy has done his best, his activity card should be punched to recognize his completion of this activity.
Gathering Activities /There are many appropriate activities that may be done in the gathering area, and many that promote fun with a purpose. One of our key objectives is to introduce families to Scouting values and methods of advancement. It is very easy for families to help Cub Scouts advance – just refer to the handbook and sign off requirements when the boy has done his best! Here are appropriate gathering activities what are also advancement requirements. Have Akela sign off completion of these actvities!
Tiger Requirement 2D: Practice the Pledge of Allegiance. (Please explain to the adult partners that this requirement also requires completion of the Citizenship Character Connection with the boy’s Akela and Den.)
Tiger Requirement 3Fb: With your adult partner, plan what to do if you become lost or separated from your family in a strange place. For many families, the Joining Evnet at the OEC will indeed qualify, and there is a chance boys may become separated from their Akelas. Our plan is simple: boys should go to the amphitheater (point it out to them very carefully) where adult volunteers will be to help ensure their safety, and where their parents will come to find them.
Tiger Requirement 5F: Go outside and watch the weather. Invite them to seize the opportunity and have fun! (Please explain to the adult partners that this requirement also requires completion of the Character Connection “Let’s Go Outdoors – Faith.”)
Wolf Requirement 2a: Give the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag and tell what it means.
Wolf Requirement 10b: Plan a walk. Go to a park or a wooded area, or visit a zoo or museum with your family. The OEC is a great place to accomplish this requirement, and families are welcome to explore the area and enjoy being outside as they experience the many events ongoing at the Joining Event.
Bear Requirement 3i: Participate in an outdoor flag ceremony.
Bear Requirement 12d: Attend an outdoor event with your family.
Bear Requirement 22b: Tie a square knot, bowline, sheet bend, two half hitches, and slip knot. Tell how each knot is used. If volunteers can bring some knot tying material – this will be a fantastic opportunity to get new Bears started on the Scouting trail!
Webelos Badge Requirements:
- Demonstrate the Scout salute, Scout sign, and Scout handshake
- Explain the Scout Oath, Scout Law, Scout Motto, and Scout Slogan
Webelos Citizen Pin Requirement #5: Repeat the Pledge of Allegiance from memory; explain its meaning in your own words.
Webelos Outdoorsman Knots for Camping: Square knot, clove hitch, two half hitches, bowline, sheet bend. If volunteers can bring some knot tying material – this will be a fantastic opportunity to get new Webelos started on the Scouting trail!
/ Akela Orientation /Adult partners will be invited to one of the conference rooms in the OEC where adult volunteers will offer coffee, and friendly information about Cub Scouting. The objective of the “training” is to remove the barriers to participation that often hold adults back by giving an introduction to Cub Scouting and answering their questions and concerns. Although this training will only take about 15 to 30 minutes, it may the most important fifteen to thirty minutes in their Scouting experience. For many of these adults, this will be the first time the door to Scouting is opened – and the journey begun.