Volunteer
When your child joins a Cub Scout pack, SO DO YOU! Cub Scouting is a family activity.
Pack 1220 has always been fortunate to have a great group of family members who are very active in the pack both on the pack and den level. When you step up to volunteer you are setting an example of service and leading the way for your Scout to understand what it means to actively participate in a community! Parents of Pack 1220 are expected to serve on or lead at least 2 events/committees per year. The pack doesn’t run without help from everyone! Do you have a skill that would help the pack? Let us know so we can find a way for you to contribute that you will enjoy. Volunteering as a Cub Scout leader or a committee member is a very fulfilling experience.
BECOMING A DEN LEADER AND FORMING A DEN
Many willing children each year are unable to join Cub Scouting because an adult doesn’t volunteer to be a den leader. Having a den leader for a den of Pack 1220 Cub Scouts is absolutely critical, so let’s talk about what’s involved.
The Duties: A den leader meets 2-3 times a month for about one hour with a den of Cub Scouts. A den can have anywhere from a minimum of four to a maximum of twelve kids. The den meeting is held at a meeting place selected by the den leader and the parents. The time, place and frequency of den meetings is at the convenience of the den leader and families in the den.
Support and Training: Pack 1220 is committed to providing den leaders with the necessary training and support to carry out their duties. In addition to support from current leaders and online Fast-Start Leader Training and online Youth Protection Training, there are district-wide Cub Scout training opportunities that we strongly encourage den leaders to attend.
Since the Fall of 2015, Cub Scouting is promoting the rank specific den leader guide, which is a very detailed step by step resource about hosting a den meeting. While it is not required to follow this, it will provide anyone with all the information needed to run a den. There are also additional den and pack leader resources, making it much easier to be a leader then it once was.
It’s Fun for the Leader, Too! This is absolutely the best part of being a den leader. You’ll find that the den meeting time passes quickly, and that, if you let yourself, you’ll end up having as much fun as the kids.
The Excuses (NOT!):
I Don’t Have the Time – Time is, of course, scarce for everyone. However, Pack 1220 believes in den leaders working as a team in the Pack, to share the load. The Cubmaster, Asst. Cubmaster and other den leaders will be there to help when you need it, and you’ll find help among the other den parents.
I Don’t Know How – Unless you were a Cub Scout or Boy Scout, or have some other Scouting experience, it is entirely likely that you don’t know anything about how Scouting works. Don’t let this bother you. In addition to the resources listed above, Scouting itself, and our District and Council, have all kinds of resources to help you succeed. And other pack leaders are more then happy to try to help you figure something out as well. All you need to bring to the table is a little time and a positive “I can do this” attitude.
BECOMING A EVENT LEADER OR COMMITTEE MEMBER
In addition to leading a den, there are many opportunities for involvement in your son’s Cub Scout experience. During the year, we stay busy with a variety of activities, some of which include such things as: Pinewood Derby, fund-raising, Scouting for Food, Blue and Gold, and summer activities. As a result, we are always looking for parents to help out to lead the coordination of an activity or just to “lend a hand”.
Some of the opportunities we have include:
- Raingutter Regatta Coordinator
- Blue and Gold Coordinator
- Outdoor Activities Coordinator
- Scouting for Food Coordinator
If you can help us in the above positions, please email the Chairperson, so that we may discuss your participation. Thanks!