Den5Pack457
11-18-2007, 02:21 PM
A lot of good packs and dens, with good boys, fold due to lack of adult support. A pack is only as strong as the adults who facilitate and lead the program.
My first Den was no exception. Our Den Leader was an older brother of one of the Weblos. He was really proactive for the first two months, then stopped attending less and less, to the point where he stopped showing up. We were an overflow Den of new scouts and transfers from a school that closed. So, when they merged us in with an existing Weblos Den, we felt ostrisized. They had been together, as a Den, since they were Wolves, and where a tight knit group.
Even in my current Pack, last years Tiger Cub Den Leaders quit in February. Luckily, three of the Adult Partners took over to see their Sons complete the program.
I know we have a lot of barriers that hold us, as parents, back from becoming registered adult leaders. But, I implore ALL PARENTS to register as adult leaders to help out the pack. You don't have to be Den Leaders! You can be Committee Members. Use your natural talents to help your Pack and your Son(s) succeed!
Okay, swallow your humility for a moment while we discuss your barriers:
1) My work conflicts
-Are you telling me, you work 24 hours a day, 7 days a week?! If you do work during Den Meetings, then Committee Member is just for you. OR, if it's between you being Den Leader and the Den Folding due to lack of leadership, when are you free? The meeting times are not set in stone.
2) I can't afford it
-I know, it sucks being broke. I'm not going to get in to how you do spend your money, but I'm sure if you swallow your pride and ask the committee for help, they WILL because they need a good leader. Will your support be a good investment versus the $10 dues and maybe an "experienced" shirt they may provide? I think so. The Scout Gives Goodwill.
3) I don't know anything about scouts
-POPPYCOCK! Do you think ANY of the other parents knew all there is to know about their positions? BSA does a god job of training adult leaders. Fast Start and youth protection is online, now; and specific training is offered quite frequently by your districts, surrounding districts, and your council.
4) I just don't have the time
-I know... I cherish my free time, too. One of the best things about scouts is, doing something worthwhile with your son. Do you play video games with him? Does he go to the pub or to the gym with you? If you already have great leadership, become a Committee Member or Assistant Den Leader to help out ONCE IN A WHILE or to pinch hit if your leader comes ill, or his job calls him back into work. What?!? Do you mean my Den Leader has a job, too?
5) What else?
-Do you really think the other adult leaders have all of the free time in the world? That we're rich, and must not have a real job? We have to juggle our schedules around, do without some luxury items to afford expenses, and work voluntary overtime to make up or the time lost administering our scout programs.
Spend time with your Son! Do you want to have fun with your Son? Learn things, together? Regardless of what I've said, above, I have just as much fun as a Cub Scout Leader than my Cub Scouts do. If your son's already a scout, then come along for the ride! :)
My first Den was no exception. Our Den Leader was an older brother of one of the Weblos. He was really proactive for the first two months, then stopped attending less and less, to the point where he stopped showing up. We were an overflow Den of new scouts and transfers from a school that closed. So, when they merged us in with an existing Weblos Den, we felt ostrisized. They had been together, as a Den, since they were Wolves, and where a tight knit group.
Even in my current Pack, last years Tiger Cub Den Leaders quit in February. Luckily, three of the Adult Partners took over to see their Sons complete the program.
I know we have a lot of barriers that hold us, as parents, back from becoming registered adult leaders. But, I implore ALL PARENTS to register as adult leaders to help out the pack. You don't have to be Den Leaders! You can be Committee Members. Use your natural talents to help your Pack and your Son(s) succeed!
Okay, swallow your humility for a moment while we discuss your barriers:
1) My work conflicts
-Are you telling me, you work 24 hours a day, 7 days a week?! If you do work during Den Meetings, then Committee Member is just for you. OR, if it's between you being Den Leader and the Den Folding due to lack of leadership, when are you free? The meeting times are not set in stone.
2) I can't afford it
-I know, it sucks being broke. I'm not going to get in to how you do spend your money, but I'm sure if you swallow your pride and ask the committee for help, they WILL because they need a good leader. Will your support be a good investment versus the $10 dues and maybe an "experienced" shirt they may provide? I think so. The Scout Gives Goodwill.
3) I don't know anything about scouts
-POPPYCOCK! Do you think ANY of the other parents knew all there is to know about their positions? BSA does a god job of training adult leaders. Fast Start and youth protection is online, now; and specific training is offered quite frequently by your districts, surrounding districts, and your council.
4) I just don't have the time
-I know... I cherish my free time, too. One of the best things about scouts is, doing something worthwhile with your son. Do you play video games with him? Does he go to the pub or to the gym with you? If you already have great leadership, become a Committee Member or Assistant Den Leader to help out ONCE IN A WHILE or to pinch hit if your leader comes ill, or his job calls him back into work. What?!? Do you mean my Den Leader has a job, too?
5) What else?
-Do you really think the other adult leaders have all of the free time in the world? That we're rich, and must not have a real job? We have to juggle our schedules around, do without some luxury items to afford expenses, and work voluntary overtime to make up or the time lost administering our scout programs.
Spend time with your Son! Do you want to have fun with your Son? Learn things, together? Regardless of what I've said, above, I have just as much fun as a Cub Scout Leader than my Cub Scouts do. If your son's already a scout, then come along for the ride! :)