How to Use a
DEN CHIEF
by Terrie Winson http:// www.geocities.com/Yosemite/Cabin/6778/index.html email: HOSTAACTch4Lif@AOL.com
Objectives: A. What is a Den Chief B. To understand the Aims, Purposes and Methods of Cub Scouting C. Recognize resources D. Where does the Den Chief fit in? E. Effective Den Meetings, parts of F. Game with a Purpose G. To Touch the Life of a Child
A. B.
A Den Chief is any registered Boy Scout, preferably First-Class, and trained. Cub Scouting is a stepping stone toward life-long learning and character-building. The boys learn without realizing it because they are having FUN! We teach by example, using various techniques. Resources, just like the boys, come in all shapes and sizes. Everyone around you is a resource from the person sitting next to you to your mechanic, doctor, plumber, the clerk at the local convenience store, etc. I am a resource too. I am a district trainer for Pennsylvania Dutch Council, Horseshoe Trail District and train at monthly Roundtables, Cub Leader Basic Training 3 times a year and annual Powwows. Books, magazine, your child’s teacher, even TV can be a resource. And let’s not forget the Internet (http:// www.geocities.com/Yosemite/Cabin/6778/index.html). A Den Chief is an important part of the Pack. He helps keep the boys busy during setup time and assists the leader during the meeting. He understands that each child learns differently and tailors his involvement to help meet the needs of the individual boys and the adult leaders. He ALWAYS helps to make it FUN! A Den Chief will bring to each meeting his own knowledge and skills in a positive way. He helps where needed and participates in all that the boys do, except he is neither the leader nor another boy in the den. He is to be respected by the boys and not treated as one of their peers.
C.
D.
This doesn’t mean that the Den Chief can’t join in with crafts, songs, skits, etc. Of course he can, and should. He can help organize “backstage” activities on Pack Meeting night and work hand-in-hand in creating props, costumes and crafts. He can even lead parts of the den meetings, as long as an adult Den Leader is present. He can also accompany the boys on outings and help keep track of who is where at any given time. If the leader is busy with initialing books, for example, the Den Chief might use that time to teach a song or a Scout Skill (knots are great!). This keeps the boys busy with Scout-type activities while the leader is fulfilling one of her responsibilities. The Den Chief may want to take the initiative and participate in planning sessions with the leaders. This is terrific. It helps hone his leadership skills and allows brainstorming. Surely, the Den Chief, having had Cub Scouting experience, will have plenty to offer! He cannot, cannot, cannot, take the boys individually or as a group, to the washroom to clean up or supervise without another leader present. Two-deep leadership is enforced at all times! After the den meeting, the Den Chief helps clean up and re-arrange the room. He maintains a Boy Scout attitude at all times.
E.
Recipe for Effective Den Meetings: 1. Basic Ingredients: a. Facility, usually provided by a non-profit (church, synagogue or school) sponsor as pack takes on sponsor’s tax status b. Large handful of boys c. Interested parents (this includes the leader, ass’t leader, Den Chief and any others who decide to help
2.
Add spices: a. Songs: introduction of songs can be upsetting to those who don’t like to sing. One effective way to get the boys singing is to break them into groups and give each group the name of a familiar song. They need to brainstorm and write new words to the song, hopefully Scouting related. This promotes teamwork, creativity and even spelling. They are happier to sing when it’s something they helped create. b. Skits: these are usually funny and can help build confidence and public speaking skills. The boys can also help in the creation of the skit, costumes and backdrops. Skits can also be used to present a theme idea, or to award advancements.
c. Crafts: promotes hand-eye coordination, helps the shy boy communicate, recycle (a great use for items long forgotten in the basement/attic), make them useful (see “b” above). d. Games: builds teamwork, non-competitive, no winners/losers, can help the less-athletic boy feel less threatened, a great way of letting off steam.
F. G.
Cub Scouting has been called *A Game with a Purpose* Closing Thought: If I have touched the soul, the spirit, of just one boy; if I have made a difference in the life of just one child, then I know I was a good Den Chief.