Tone and Your Child's Behavior
Pack and Den meetings should be FUN, but cub scouts should be learning to listen respectfully to leaders and public speakers when appropriate. The proper tone lends importance to all activities that follow. Parents can help establish the appropriate tone at meeting time by reminding their Scout before they arrive to be attentive and respectful of the Cubmaster, Assistant Cubmasters, Den Leaders and other Scouts at the meeting.
Parents behavior should be the example for their children as well as other cub scouts. Please avoid unnecessary conversations when a speaker has the floor. Room acoustics make this very distracting and it sets a bad example for the boys. If pack business conversations need to take place, please visit quietly and try not to disrupt the proceedings.
We encourage you to bring as many members of your family as you can. We have a travelling trophy which is awarded each Pack meeting to the Den with the highest attendance, including family members and friends. All the children in attendance get a chance for a door prize.
We understand youger children do not always understand the importance of being attentive and respectful, so we ask you to please bring something for them to quietly do.
The Meeting Agenda
The standard agenda starts with an opening and flag ceremony. During this time parents need to be an example by removing hats, placing hands over hearts, facing the flag and joining in the Pledge of Allegiance. You might want to remind your Scout to do his Scout salute if he is in uniform (two fingers to the eyebrow or rim of their hat, which they may wear during the ceremony), or place his hand over his heart if he is not.
Awards will be given out at different times during the meeting. The award ceremonies are clearly to be held in high regard. Each Scout has worked hard to achieve their advancements and awards and each deserves the attention and respect of all who are at the meeting. Please accompany this recognition with applause and excitement. It really means a lot to the boys.
There may be cheers, songs, storytelling and other interactive elements to the meeting. Please join in the fun! That will encourage your son to do so as well.
The Cub Scout Sign
If order needs to be re-established during the meeting, you may note that the leaders will raise the
Cub Scout Sign
(a "V" made with the fingers) and say "Signs UP!" Scouts and parents need to immediately echo this signal and return attention to the speaker.
At some point announcements will be made as to upcoming events. This is the best time to ask questions. Please feel free to do so. If you have a question about an upcoming activity, there will be others in the crowd with the same questions. Please ask.
Leaving the Meeting
Look around as you leave and pick up anything that might have been left behind (trash, coats, etc). Scouts and parents are asked to clean their tables at the end of the meeting. We should remember we are guests of VFW Post 3990 and need to be respectful of their facilities.
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