Wisdom, compassion, and courage are the three universally recognized moral qualities of men



Yüklə 4,66 Mb.
səhifə9/24
tarix08.11.2018
ölçüsü4,66 Mb.
#79211
1   ...   5   6   7   8   9   10   11   12   ...   24

CUBMASTER THOUGHTS


http://c001af38d1d46a976912-b99970780ce78ebdd694d83e551ef810.r48.cf1.rackcdn.com/orgheaders/1206/cubmaster%20award%20of%20merit%20patch.jpg

Lions and the


Scout Law & Oath


Mark Diienno, Cubmaster,
Garden State Council


Mark has added Lion Coordinator and Lion Guide to his position as Cubmaster. He has a strong belief that the youngest Scouts and parents need have a great start and learn about Scouting the right way. He is leading his second Lion Pride (Den) this year. 100% of his first one are still active as Tigers!!
Mark Diienno, Cubmaster,
Garden State Council


Mark has added Lion Coordinator and Lion Guide to his position as Cubmaster. He has a strong belief that the youngest Scouts and parents need have a great start and learn about Scouting the right way. He is leading his second Lion Pride (Den) this year. 100% of his first one are still active as Tigers OOpps – WOLFS as of June 1!!

When I first heard of the Lion Program, I wondered how I could relate to a five year old boy. I thought finally the BSA had crossed the line, and I will become a babysitter in a uniform.

And what I thought was more amazing, the “Lion Launch” coincided with the New Program Launch for Cub Scouting, and the Scout Oath and Scout Law would be replacing The Pack Law and Promise.
And there it was, page 22, in The Lion Parent and Leader Handbook, The Scout Law and Oath. It took me a while to digest this.

Then I saw the following: “Do not expect Lions to memorize the Scout Oath and Scout Law”



Wow, that was a relief.

I know many an adult Scouter who cannot state the Oath and Law.

So during our first meeting, it was time to give it a try. We practiced how to stand at attention. We practiced The Cub Scout Sign. (This is a very important form of riot control when practiced properly). We practiced The Cub Scout Salute. (This was more out of habit, being the Cub Master, you can’t help but say “Cub Salute!” while you say the Pledge.)

The Lions reacted brilliantly to all of these.


AND THEN A VERY DEEP BREATH
ON MY HONOR …"

And I recited the Scout Oath.


Blank faces.
ANOTHER DEEP BREATH
“A SCOUT IS..”
And I recite the Scout Law.

I think I heard some grunting from the boys. It was in perfect timing with the rhythm at which I stated the twelve points of the Scout Law.



12 Points - 12 grunts
I’ll take it.
It’s better than the blank looks I got earlier.

And I accepted the challenge.
I would think of ways to make the Oath and Law relevant to a five year old, because they ARE relevant to a five year old.
Our next meeting, I came armed and ready.

I WAS PREPARED

We stood at attention.

We Saluted.

We pledged.

We held up our sign.

I took a deep breath and proclaimed loudly:

REPEAT AFTER ME!

“On My Honor …”



And it was completely different.

I said it slowly, one sentence at a time.

And there they were, participating in those words that define us, and will now begin to define them.

The words and thoughts are easy to understand really. Breaking it down on their level allows them to take ownership.

No blank faces this time.

No, they can't memorize it, but to participate and own the words is a monumental step.

So much for babysitting.

Then I took another deep breath..


REPEAT AFTER ME!

“A Scout is…”



The words came out.

No more grunting.

And these words can be understood by a five year old. Because they are just like us.
They want to be good. To do what is right.

They want to be trustworthy.

They are naturally friendly.

They are always kind.

They work hard on being Obedient.
To further the understanding of the Scout Law we play a game.

We lay the twelve points of the scout law on the floor, and line the Lion Parents on each side forming a human Scout Law ladder.

We roll up our socks, (Yes we are barefoot for this. The Lions (five year old boys) think it is great), and the boys take turns rolling the socks on the floor over the ladder. The parents keep the sock in bounds by kicking it back in if it goes astray.

The sock will land on a point of a Scout Law and the leader discusses it with the Pride in Lion Terms.


For instance -

The sock lands on..



TRUSTWORTHY – Did you really brush your teeth when Mom and Dad told you to do so?
CLEAN – Do you clean up your toys when you are finished with them?
REVERENT – Do you say your prayers every night?
The Scout Law and Oath are relevant, and teachable to ALL Scouts.

We as leaders, cannot forget that all activities should be age appropriate to be effective.



Even the Law and Oath.

There is nothing a five year can't do or learn, if he is led properly.

Stay tuned next month for more talk on the Lion Program

https://voiceofscouting.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/lion-adventure-book.jpg

The Chief Scout Executive


on Lions


What We Know
According to a 2014 U.S. Census Bureau report, 57 percent of kids ages 6–17 participate in at least one after-school extracurricular activity. This means that by the time they are eligible for Tigers, more than half of them already are engaged in some type of athletic, artistic or other program.

Often, children become attached to lifelong activities at an early age — that is certainly a goal we would have, as we know the long-term benefits of Scouting involvement include strong asset development in the areas of character and leadership. However, we also know that when youth participate in numerous activities at an early age, and miss joining Scouting, they are unlikely to do so at adolescence.

What will be important to learn in the next few years, if the initial entry point works at the kindergarten-age level, is will this cause losses at a different age, or will the program keep the same retention all the way through to Boy Scouting?

What we learn from the pilot Lion format could also help us assess and create a smoother transition from Webelos into Boy Scouting. Too many parents now see a barrier or obstacle, rather than a smoother transition. You will often hear parents say, “We did Cub Scouting, now we’re not sure if we are going to do Boy Scouts.” We do not have a seamless transition into Boy Scouts for a number of reasons. This pilot test will help us think through some of these issues.

We want to be sure that our Lion program delivers the right mix of character and leadership values and that we set the bar high. The program must be sustainable, we must have the right infrastructure to support it, and it needs to address in a meaningful way the needs of parents who want their kids to join Scouting at an earlier age.

You can rest assured that we will carefully evaluate our progress and keep you apprised of the results. Stay tuned for more.

Thanks for reading.

Mike
Reprinted from "The Chief's Corner" on Scoutingwire.org

MORE LION INFORMATION

Bryan's Blog has written about Lions –

New details released about Lions, the pilot program for kindergarten boys

March 10, 2016 // 38 Comments



lion-logo-emerging In Lions, the new pilot program for kindergartners, boys wear T-shirts instead of uniforms and earn adventure stickers instead of adventure loops.  

Lions, a new pilot program for kindergarten boys, to begin this fall

February 24, 2016 // 109 Comments



lion-cubs Lions, a new Boy Scouts of America program for kindergarten boys, will begin a pilot in participating councils this fall.  

Will Lions be part of the pack? (And answers to your other Lion questions)

April 15, 2016 // 15 Comments



lion-questions-answered-featured Will Lions be part of the Cub Scout pack? By adding another year to the program, is the BSA concerned about "burnout"? And why was the Lions name chosen?  

Cub Hub Lion Posts

Go to the Cub Scout Learning Library item to see the Cub Hub Blog entries on The Lion Program.

There are slideshows on the web put up
by local councils. Some examples are:

WD Boyce Council has "Lion Cub Pilot Program" at: http://www.wdboyce.org/document/lion-cub-pilot-program/161325

Northern Star Council has a training slide show for District Coordinators and others at: https://www.signup4.net/UPLOAD/NORT26A/LION12E/District%20Lion%20Cub%20Coordinator%20Training.pdf

Councils are putting up webpages about what their packs need to know to begin a Lions Program. Examples are:

New Birth of Freedom: http://seb.newbirthoffreedom.org/2016/03/22/were-approved-for-the-lion-scouts-pilot/

WD Boyce: http://www.wdboyce.org/cub-scouts/lion-cub-pilot-program/63360

Garden State (My Council): http://www.gardenstatescouting.org/lion-program-0

Garden State, also, has an FAQ PDF - http://www.gardenstatescouting.org/sites/default/files/Lion%20Program%20FAQ.pdf

And we have created a Facebook page for our units with Lions - https://www.facebook.com/GSCLion/


Scoutingwire has had a series of
posts on Lions:

New Lion Program Piloting This Fall! http://scoutingwire.org/new-lion-program-piloting-this-fall/

What’s A Lion, Exactly? Here’s The Scoop http://scoutingwire.org/whats-a-lion-exactly-heres-the-scoop/

Answers To Your Lion Program Questions Revealed! http://scoutingwire.org/answers-to-your-lion-program-questions-revealed/

Our Lion Pilot Program Aims To Attract More To Scouting At A Younger Age http://scoutingwire.org/our-lion-pilot-program-aims-to-attract-more-to-scouting-at-a-younger-age/
Organizing for Lions

From – New Birth of Freedom Council

For those packs that are thinking ahead about participating in the Lion Scouts program, having the right volunteers involved in delivering the Lion Scouts program will be important.  Research shows that the most important person for a successful Scouting experience is a good leader.  There are two new adult leader positions within the pack that are directly engaged in the delivery of the Lion Scouts program – a Lion Coordinator and a Lion Guide.  Where do these positions fit into the current pack structure?



http://newbirthoffreedom.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/2016-03-22-lion-scouts-pack-org-chart.jpg



What is the Lion Coordinator’s job description?

  • Is an experienced and successful den leader

  • Understands den and pack operations within the overall structure of Cub Scouting

  • Demonstrates excellent communication and organization skills (and will remain in at least monthly contact with the Lion dens)

  • Participates as needed in the unit’s School Night with all new Lions and their parents

  • Assists the Lion guide in hosting the first orientation meeting for all the individual Lion dens in their pack

  • Serves as a coach and mentor for Lion Guide

The position description for the Lion Guide is as follows:

  • Has previous successful experience as den leader

  • Works directly with other den and pack leaders to ensure that the den is an active and successful part of the pack

  • Plans and prepares for initial Lion den meeting and outings

  • Mentors adult partners in the delivery of Lion den meetings

  • Attends the pack leaders’ meeting

  • Leads the den at the monthly outings and other pack activities

  • Ensures the transition of Lion Scouts to Tigers at year-end

  • Prepares the Lions for day camp at the end of the Lion year if appropriate

  • Coordinates shared leadership among the Lion adult partners in the den

  • Ensures that each Lion and his adult partner have the opportunity to be the host team, which plans and executes the den activities, and rotates responsibilities monthly

Selected FAQ's

Our council has run a kindergarten-age program for years. Why is this considered a “new” program now? 
Although a few councils have run locally-developed programs in the past, the National Lion Pilot launching now is the only approved BSA program for five-year-old kindergarten-age boys. The curriculum was developed by a team of experts, including representation from the fields of childhood development, education, and child psychology. Locally-developed content was reviewed by that team, and the best pieces woven into the new curriculum. That team worked to ensure that the organization’s high standards were met in delivering effective (age-appropriate) character and leadership programs. A small number of councils have tested the new curriculum over the past two years, and it is now ready to expand as a national pilot.

Why was the “Lion” name selected? I remember a Lion rank in Cub Scouting from years ago. Are you just bringing it back?
Congratulations to all the Scouting historians who caught that! Yes. The Lion name has significance as a rank within Cub Scouting from the 1930’s-1960’s. As names were considered for this new, cutting-edge pilot program, honoring a name from our past made sense. It was a great way to give a nod to the organization’s rich history of delivering fun and exciting Scouting experiences to our nation’s youth. Indeed, it was a fun way to look back at our history while moving forward in a new and exciting way.

Isn’t this just the Tiger program re-branded? Will boys be doing the same activities two years in a row?
No. The Lion pilot program is designed to be an introduction to Cub Scouting. It is filled with fun, age-appropriate activities that will appeal to kindergarten-age boys. Although they share a focus on the traditional Scouting concepts of character development, leadership skills, personal fitness and citizenship, the activities are specific to the Lion program and are not duplicated within Cub Scouting. The activities will be fun and challenging in a way that is separate and apart from what boys will experience as they enter Tigers in 1st grade.

By adding a new rank to Cub Scouting, won’t boys and families “burn out” sooner and drop earlier then they normally would?
Chief Scout Executive, Mike Surbaugh, commented on this in this Chief’s Corner post in March. (Reprinted in this article) He wrote, the Lion pilot is, “designed to develop good, measurable data to determine program quality, parent involvement and its overall fit into the Scouting format.” The pilot will help determine whether a kindergarten program will benefit the development of five-year-old boys, and how it might effect their movement through BSA program areas long-term. As was written by many of you in posts and comments, though, fun and engaging program delivery may be more impactful on retention than a program’s overall length. This pilot will track that type of data and provide key learnings as we move forward.

We’re so excited about this program, when will I know if our council is approved to participate? How will we be told?
Interested councils may apply through their Area Director to become a pilot site. Scout Executives are aware of the application and notification processes. If interested, please contact your council office to inquire. The excitement continues to build!

How will Lions be structured? I’m thinking it might be hard to find volunteers to lead a group of boys that age.
Lions will be organized in dens of six to eight kindergarten-age boys. The dens will be mentored by Lion Guides (experienced Cub Scout adult leaders). Similar to the Tiger rank, each boy will be required to have an adult partner. With the guidance of the Lion Guide, each adult partner will take turns leading den meetings or activities. It is a shared leadership concept.

Will Lions be a part of the pack?
Yes. For units participating in the pilot, Lions are a part of the Cub Scout pack. It is important to note, however, that Lions will only be a part of the pack at an introductory level. The Lion program is designed to introduce five-year-old kindergarten-age boys to the fun and excitement of Scouting, but in ways that maintain appropriate expectations. Because of their age, development level, physical abilities, and stamina, it would be unrealistic to expect Lions to participate fully in pack activities. For example, Lion dens should not participate in pack fundraising, overnight camping or activities such as shooting sports. Those experiences, and others, are more appropriate for older boys as they move through Tiger, Wolf, Bear and beyond. Instead, keep the Lion dens focused on their exciting (and age-appropriate) adventures. Invite them to attend just a few (two to three) pack meetings throughout the year. Be sure to include them in special activities, but only if appropriate for kindergarteners. Remember, the Lion program is an introduction to the world of Scouting. Deliver the curriculum as written and keep it fun!

I can’t help but wonder if this is driven by low recruitment and a desire to get more fees. Is that the case?
Absolutely not! The development of a kindergarten program is driven by the desire to reach more of America’s youth with the purposeful outcomes only Scouting can provide. Oftentimes, families make “joining” decisions at about the kindergarten age. As they enter 1st Grade, schedules are often full and we’ve missed the opportunity. We know from the recent Tufts study that Scouting works! It has a tremendous impact on the lives of young people. The Lion program is a way to reach more of America’s families with the benefits of Scouting.

What are some positive results/outcomes you can share from councils that have already piloted Lions?

Pilot units have been extremely positive about their Lion program experience. A common theme emerging from those units has been their ability to identify engaged families for future leadership roles within the pack. Remember that the Lion program uses a shared leadership concept – introducing parents to the idea of leading just a few meetings or activities throughout the year. This gives the parents a chance to try their hand at leading activities and gives units a way to interact with those parents. In addition, pilot units showed very strong Tiger recruitment the following year. There will be much more data learned this fall as the pilot executes on a broader scale, but these have been early positive outcomes among initial units.



Yüklə 4,66 Mb.

Dostları ilə paylaş:
1   ...   5   6   7   8   9   10   11   12   ...   24




Verilənlər bazası müəlliflik hüququ ilə müdafiə olunur ©genderi.org 2024
rəhbərliyinə müraciət

    Ana səhifə