Den Meeting in a Box

[Den5Pack457]

I'd like to see feedback on the "Den Meeting in a Box" program. Are you or have you used them? Were they worth the $38? How were they received by the boys?

I've put off looking into them since my Den is running the pilot program. But, after Blue and Gold, I have to find more things for them to do for three months.

I got to see December's Box at our Round Table, and it seems to be worth the money. The problem another Pack was having, though, was they only have 5 boys in their Den, but it comes for 10. So, between the Dens and the Packs, we're going to work on a share program.

I have 8 boys and 2-3 older siblings that come to meetings. The problems I face, are:

1) I don't charge the siblings dues since they help out as our unofficial Den Chiefs.

2) I have one ward (can't afford dues); too. So, getting the boxes would take up all of our Den Dues for the month. Which means no withhold for activities.

That's it. I'm good for my first month, since the Pack Committee owes for the Ward's scout stuff (already voted to reimburse); and for a parent who wrote a check for three months of dues.

Not to back paddle, but some may not know what's in the kits. Each kit contains a set of ten books, emblems, and craft materials in a generic 12.5" x 12.5" x 4" box to provide a den leader with the materials needed to produce four weeks of meetings. They're themed based, based upon the CS Program Helps.

For example, January's box contains:

10 - Poles Apart Activity Books
10 - CS Poles Apart Emblems
10 - Cub Scout Note Cards
10 - Compass with Wristband
1 - Beginning Compass Game
1 - Local Tour Permit

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated, as always!

[Westergaard]

Our Pack knew about these kits from their introduction but we have a strong itinery of events planned for the year that they would only serve as a 3rd choice in the pack/den's program.
We would use these as a backup, but would probably not use them exclusively throughout the pack year.
These are wonderful kits for the inexperienced leader to use as is the pilot program for jump starting a program.

[Nuts4Scouts]

Poles apart was the theme for January 2007.

These kits are way to expensive, especially if you have under, or over, 10 boys. Considering the optimal den size is 6-8, that could well be an issue with a lot of dens.

We don't spend our den meetings doing only rank requirements so we don't shut down after the boy earn rank, and they usually don't all earn rank at the same time anyway.

We have lots of things to do from now until the end of the school year. If I need craft ideas I will look online, or in the "How To" book.

I have noticed that the activity booklet alone is available from ScoutStuff for $2. That might be helpful if you are looking for activities for a specific theme (ideas for a pack meeting, fun day, day camp, summer camp, etc). However, once again, if a den spends $2 a month on this as just an added resource, I would rather use the $24 a year and take the boys to do something outdoors.

[ccjj]

Our dens are too small to effectively use them. Most of our dens are between 3 and 5 boys.

The den leaders also, already have things planned and are just not interested.

ccjj

[WB Bear]

I am really not sure about the den meetings in a kit. They have good points and not so good points. I don’t believe in having the den meetings just working on rank advancement. Some could be started at the meeting and finished at home. But then there is the problem with the home life of the boys. Hopefully where there is no support at home this should encourage some.

The other thing I don’t agree with is that the den leaders might not have the onus in the program. The leaders enthusiasm is contiguous, so if it’s not their plan there will typically be less enthusiasm. Some leaders might look at it as a financial burden to have to buy the kits as opposed to some of the literature. As Nuts4scouts said it would be much cheaper to but a book then spend the money for the kit.

I think it is good that there is one source leaders can go to for a meeting plan, despite all the other literature, resources and information that is already available, such as Roundtables, Powwow’s etc. I guess it would be better to have a program then not having one. And that is good!

We should not be concerned about siblings at the meetings. The program is for those who are registered in Scouting. There are ways if a boy doesn’t have the funds to pay the dues can obtain the funds. Whether there is some sort of scholarship fund through the pack, council or chartering organization or money he earns through popcorn sales or other fundraisers. Money should never be an issue of a boy not being able to be registered in our program. In fact there has been times that I have paid for registration out of my own pocket if other funding could not be obtained. Den Chiefs are to assist the den leaders and not be participants. Remember that position qualifies as a leadership position for rank advancement in Boy Scouts.

[Den5Pack457]

Thanks again for the feedback! :) I believe I'll bring it up at the next parents meeting, presenting these points of view. I knew I could count on my scoutparent forum members! :)

If you're just joining in on this topic, please post and/or vote on the poll. I won't see my parents until 7 January.

[Den5Pack457]

Follow-up... we voted to try out the Den Meetings in a Box for January. They were very well received. We now will continue with them for the remainder of the program year.

There's only one problem, but we've regarded it as a nescessary casualty if you will. The acitvities in the box are supposed to be enough for 4 meetings worth of activities. Well, there are a craft and the activity pamphlets. I'm sure they intend the pamhplets to last three meetings, but with Tiger Cubs... it's a 30 minute run of doing the easy stuff and the sticker/scene in the middle. Fortunately, we work on electives and belt loops for the other two den meetings a month.

[Scouting Mom]

I do not personally have $38 per month to spend on activities for my den. My den dues, won't cover it. The Pack doesn't have the funds to pay for it either.

I have reviewed the booklets from the kit, which you can buy separately for about $2 each and while they are nice and colorful, they generally serve the same purpose as the program helps, which are available online for free.

We don't generally give the monthly patches out unless we do something extra that really focuses on the theme of the month, for example the theme one month was Zoo Adventures and those boys who actually went to the zoo with us got that patch. Again, mostly a matter of the expense of it.

Also, while my den at the moment consists of 10 boys, the other dens in the pack range from 3 to 12, so it is not practical for most of them. because there would either be leftovers or a need to buy additional pieces.

[WB Bear]

Scouting Mom, I completely understand your position and you are not alone in it either.

The Program Helps and How-To-Book have some great resources that are much less expensive. This month’s theme was Litter to Glitter and it a great example of the resources that are available.

Patches can get expensive; they are a way of recognizing the boys’ achievements. Check the How to Book and also Staging Den and Pack Activities for some other ways of recognizing, such as Den Doodles.

[Den5Pack457]

Thanks for the additional feedback. After this past month, we're re-thinking continuing to purchase the boxes. Scouting Mom's points, along with the others, are valid. Our main reason was convienence. We're up to eight Tiger Cubs and it was cool to break opn the box, do some of the book's activities and then work on the craft. January and February's box crafts were easy and all inclusive. I got March's box, and saw were it even had paint and 5 paint brushes. So, I assumed that once again, it was all inclusive.

That is, until I had them all bring 2 Liter Soda Bottles in, and we cracked open the craft, and we needed scissors and glue for the project even get started... needless to say, our projects did not get finished. Even after the mad dash to the cars and the closest house to get scissors and glue.

Like I posted previously, we go through the whole box in one meeting. They're Tiger Cubs... they don't understand half of the activities in the activity books. With the exception of a puzzle, they only get satisfaction from the sticker activity.

Also, only three of my eight seem to care about the theme patches. Heck, it's like pulling teeth to get them to sew on their quality unit patches, and even their Bobcat and Tiger ranks.

And, yes, the cost. Even with the $5 per month a draw from the Tiger Cub Teams, I don't break even and go a little out of pocket. $38 plus tax, then there's the driving 50 miles, round trip, to pick it up every month. That's another $6 +/- in gas.

I really think we've bought our last box.

[WB Bear]

I am not really sure but from what I understand about the boxes is that they were intended to be an easy recourse to help a new Den Leader to get started.

[Frogman]

We looked at them. after careful research of the avalible resources we decided that the cost was not in the best interest of the pack or the den. The money can be better spent on outings for the boys.

[Den5Pack457]

I heard they're lowering the price this year for the boxes? Anyone else heard that?

[sthanson]

Sorry, only the past versions are being price reduced. The current and upcoming months are still $37.49.

Steve Hanson
Manager, Scout Shop
Capitol Area Council
Austin TX

[Den5Pack457]

I see. Thanks.

[Apache Bob]

Don't forget that for many, many, many years that Den Leaders have been holding great den meeting without any boxes.
A quick fix or easy out is not what you want to give to your son. Or have someone else give to your son.
The box is only a tool and nothing more. There is a ton of information out there for Den meetings. But the best thing out there is a den leader who cares.