Cub Scout Meeting Recommendations

Information Covered

Recommendations for Cub Scout Den and Pack meetings during

the time of COVID-19.

Things are certainly different these days. This guide takes

you through recommendations on how to best manage

den and pack meetings for the rest of the year.

- Ideas on how to safely meet in-person

- Virtual meeting options and ideas

- List of Cub Scout requirements that can be done

outdoors and socially distant

- How to do a Drive-By Advancement Ceremony

- Sample schedule of how/when to meet

FALL 2020GREATER ST. LOUIS AREA COUNCIL

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01 LAST UPDATED 8/28/2020

A local park

Try to meet near an outdoor pavilion in

case of rain

A scout property

Opportunity for overnight family

camping and council provided activities!

The parking lot of your chartered

organization

Make sure to have their permission first

We do not recommend you meet at

residential residences.

WHY? It is very hard to stay outside of a

friend's home (kids want to go inside,

use restrooms, etc.) and it can be very

tempting in this environment to bend

the rules.

All local and state governments, both where the unit is chartered and where the meeting

or activity is to take place, must clearly permit the activity in terms of gathering size and

ability to maintain proper social distancing. All of their and the Federal CDC guidelines

must be followed for all phases of the meeting or activity (such as feeding, housing/tents,

swimming etc.).

Chartered organizations must approve in-person activities and/or meetingspriorto

restoring them.Units should also consult with their chartered organization to determine

the best path forward for the unit’s Scouting programs.

Parents should be surveyed and a majority of the parents in the Scouting unit must

approve restoring in-person activities.

The safest locations for face to face activities is outdoors. Scouting activities are to

continue to take place outdoors until the change in seasons makes it necessary to meet

indoors. At that time, Scouting meetings and activities may take place indoors. Local

building capacity restrictions must be met, masks are required, and social distancing must

be practiced at all times.

The safest method for transportation is that only household members in a vehicle. This

may not always be practical. When necessary, people outside of a household may travel in

a vehicle together. Unless the vehicle is a large van, (4 rows of seats) there should not be

more than four people in a vehicle, and they are to sit as far apart as possible. Masks are to

be worn at all times. If possible, carpool with people who interact together in other venues

such as sports teams or schools.

Before we dive into ideas on how to host in-person meetings, let's review the safety

requirements of in-person meetings:

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Focus on advancements that can be done

easily outdoors, socially distant, and needed

for rank (see page 5-7 for full list)

Include lots of FUN

Prepackage a craft or STEM project or

create a park scavenger hunt

Prepackage any snacks individually

Wear masks and set up picnic blankets or

chairs 6 feet apart, giving families their own

spaces

Remind others frequently to maintain

space - use signs as reminders!

Keep notes of what was accomplished so

that youth who did not attend can complete

the activities at home

First, check with your chartered

organization to see if they have access to

any unlimited accounts to the options

below. Many of the free versions limit your

meeting to 45 minutes.

Zoom

Options of call in by phone for those

without internet access

Great safety features and can see many

participants at one time

Google Classroom & Google Hangout

Google Classroom is a portal to upload

videos, documents and pictures, similar

to a private group on Facebook. People

can comment and post as well.

Google Hangouts is similar to Zoom but

the free account has unlimited meeting

time

UberConference

Call in phone option and similar to

Zoom

All virtual and in-person meetings must have at least two

adults present at all times

You may not record youth in a virtual meeting unless you

have permission from each youth's parent/guardian

Do not forget this as many want to record the meetings

in case others cannot attend! Ask permission first and for

every single meeting!

Make sure you do not post a link to your meeting on

Facebook or other public internet sites

Make sure there is a security password needed in order to

enter the meeting. Be very careful who you share the

password with.

Before we explore ideas on how to host virtual meetings, let's

review the youth protection requirements of virtual meetings:

Dedicate part of each meeting to give each

youth a chance to share something important

to them

Keep the rest of participants muted

Set a timer for each Scout as some may want

to be more verbal

Possible questions to ask (if scouts don’t know

what to share):

What is something new you want to do in

scouting this year?

What is your favorite part of being outside?

What do you most look forward to doing

with Scouts this year?

What are three awesome things about

yourself?

Which is your favorite season and why?

It is no surprise that Cub Scouts may have a

harder time paying attention on virtual meetings.

Carpet Time allows them a chance to talk with

their peers and interact.

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Meet at a central location with a large parking lot

Have families line up with their cars

You could even give them different times of when to

arrive

Have Cubmaster and 1-2 other leaders handout

advancements and congratulate Cubs (wear your masks!)

Have music playing and balloons - have fun with this!

Make a playlist and have cubs submit song requests!

Encourage Cub families to decorate their cars if they

want

Focus on warmer months for outdoor requirements and electives

If you cannot meet in-person, we still encourage you to meet virtually

Always have a backup plan in case of rain or bad weather. (A pavilion at a local park is

appropriate if there is rain but no thunderstorm). We do not encourage scouts to be dropped

off in the event of bad weather.

Find what works for your pack or den.

Same location and same day of the week. Makes it easier for parents and can be less

overwhelming.

Different locations such as a local park, scout camp, or state park can make it more

interesting for the youth.

Pick a theme for each month (ideas on page 5)

Choose what works for your unit.Some meet weekly with 3 den meetings and one pack

meeting.Some meet twice a month with one den meeting and one pack meeting. Include

“extra” optional activities … such as hikes or geocaching. That makes it easier to social

distance and those that aren’t available won’t be “left behind”.

Things to keep in mind when scheduling meetings:

Theme: Friendly

Meet 1-2X virtually

Weather pemitting - try an outdoor

activity that is active in case it is cold!

December

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Theme: Trustworthy

Do an outdoor activity!

Meet 1-2X virtually

September

Theme: Loyal

Do an outdoor activity!

Meet 1-2X virtually

October

Theme: Helpful

Scouting for Food Nov. 14th & 21st

Meet 1-2X virtually

November

Make a circle of "TRUST." Pass a beach ball around the circle. Lead a discussion about

trusting each other to get the beach ball around the circle. As a den, we are all relying on each

other. When one of us drops the ball (or can't be trusted), we don't work as well. Remove

scouts one at a time. How does it affect the group if others let the den down with

untrustworthy behaviors?

Trust Walk. Place scouts in pairs. Have one scout lead his/her blindfolded partner through an

obstacle course using words only. (Scouts may not physically lead each other.) Discuss how

trust between the two played a part in the success or failure of the task.

Loyalty to your school or your Pack could be putting them first:

Clean up the front of the school or place where your pack or den meet (Loyalty to the

organization)

Write a thank you letter to a Veteran (loyalty to your country)

Helping your family do yard work (weeding, sweeping, etc) (Loyalty to the family)

Help a younger sibling with a chore they have trouble doing

Do something for your neighbor     

Bring a food item to the next Pack meeting for the school's foodbank (or church, etc.)

Do an "extra" good turn daily for a week. How does that make you feel? What did you do?

Invite a new neighbor to play a game with your friends outside

Invite a new classmate to join you at recess

Have lunch with someone new

Invite a younger sibling to play a game

Get into theme! Here are activities and games to help with these themes.

September's Theme: Trustworthy

Adapted fromhttps://www.kellerisd.net/cms/lib/TX02215599/Centricity/Domain/98/CommOfCharacter/CoC_Trustworthiness_5-

8.pdf

October's Theme: Loyal

November's Theme: Helpful

December's Theme: Friendly

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Looking for STEM Novas and how to do them outdoors and socially distant? Check

out our resource here: https://tinyurl.com/y33nfty6

Just for fun activities:

Hiking

Fishing (have everyone bring their own pole/supplies)

Make a park scavenger hunt (or any type of scavenger hunt for the location of your

meeting!)

BYOP-Bring Your Own Picnic - have families set up 6 feet apart and bring their own food

and drinks

Campfire with skits and songs

Scout show-and-tell

Council Provided Activities (see page 9 for more)

Beaumont (and other locations) will host Cub Launch Saturdays where scouts can

participate in BB guns, archery, STEM and earn their bobcat badge on a hike! Most

Saturdays in Sept. & Oct.

Outdoor Experience

Overnight camping at all scout properties and select activities such as climbing,

horseback riding and shooting sports!

Go to https://stlbsa.org/2020FallOutdoorExperiences/ for more information

General Activities:

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Below are activities and advancements that can be done outdoors and socially

distant when you are meeting. The best places to do these meetings are at local

parks, a scout property, or the parking lot or field of your chartered organization.

Looking for STEM Novas and how to do them outdoors and socially distant? Check

out our resource here: https://tinyurl.com/y33nfty6

Required advancements:

Fun on the Run: 1, 4

Animal Kingdom: 4

Mountain Lion: 3

Electives:

Pick My Path: 3 (need to be creative choosing games and

very explicit on rules to maintain social distance)

On Your Mark: 1, 2 (need to be creative choosing games

and very explicit on rules to maintain social distance)

Build It Up, Knock It Down: 3

Ready, Set Grow: 1, 3

Lions:

Required advancements:

Games Tigers Play: 1, 3 (need to be creative choosing

games and very explicit on rules to maintain social

distance)

My Tiger Jungle: 1, 2, 3

Team Tiger: 4

Tigers in the Wild: 2, 4, 5, 6, 7

Electives:

Rolling Tigers: 5

Sky is the Limit: 1, 2

Tiger Tag: 2, 3, 4 (need to be creative choosing games and

very explicit on rules to maintain social distance)

Tigers:

Required advancements:

Call of the Wild: 1B, 5, 6

Council Fire: 2

Howling at the Moon: 3, 4

Paws on the Path: 5

Running with the Pack: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 (need to be very

explicit on rules to maintain social distance)

Electives:

Air of the Wolf: 1, 2A, 2C, 2D

Code of the Wolf: 2A, 4A (Flashlight Morse Code)

Digging in the Past: 3A

Finding Your Way: 3, 4

Germs Alive!: 2, 3

Grow Something: 3

Motor Away: 1, 2

Paws of Skill: 2, 5 (need to be very explicit on rules to

maintain social distance)

Spirit of the Water: 5

Wolves:

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Looking for STEM Novas and how to do them outdoors and socially distant? Check

out our resource here: https://tinyurl.com/y33nfty6

Required advancements:

Cast Iron Chef: 3

Stronger, Faster, Higher: 1, 2, 5

Webelos Walkabout: 1, 3, 4, 5

Electives:

Art Explosion: 3A, 3D

Castaway: 1B, 1C, 2C, 2D

Earth Rocks: 2, 3A, 3B, 3C

Into the Wild: 1, 3, 5, 7, 8

Into the Woods: 1, 2, 3

Webelos:

Required advancements:

Baloo the Builder: 3, 4

Bear Claws: 1, 2, 3

Bear Necessities: 1B, 4, 5, 6

Fur, Feathers, and Ferns: 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7

Paws for Action: 4A

Electives:

A Bear Goes Fishing: 3, 4

Make it Move: 1, 2, 3

Roaring Laughter: 6

Salmon Run: 2

Bears:

Required advancements:

Outdoor Adventurer: Option B- 1, 2, 4

Electives:

Art Explosion: 3A, 3D

Castaway: 1B, 1C, 2C, 2D

Earth Rocks: 2, 3A, 3B, 3C

Into the Wild: 1, 3, 5, 7, 8

Into the Woods: 1, 2, 3

Arrow of Light:

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Looking for STEM Novas and how to do them outdoors and socially distant? Check

out our resource here: https://tinyurl.com/y33nfty6

At all GSLAC Camp properties

Overnight camping by family or unit

Additional day activities such as horsebacking riding, swimming, fishing, etc.

activities will depend on camp property

Go to this link for more information: https://stlbsa.org/2020FallOutdoorExperiences/

Beaumont Scout Reservation and 8 other locations across the Council

Saturdays in September and October

Activities: BB Guns, Archery, STEM, and hike the Bobcat Trail (and earn your Bobcat

while doing it!)

Socially distant activities that adhere to the 50-person limitations, masks and proper

sanitation protocols

Depending on the property, there are activities such as horseback riding, climbing the

climbing towers, fishing, swimming and more!

You do not have to camp overnight to reserve these activities!

Details and registration at: https://stlbsa.org/2020FallOutdoorExperiences/

Overnight/Camping Opportunities:

Outdoor Experience:

Day Activities/Events:

Cub Launch Saturdays:

Outdoor Experience Day Activities:

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Videos for EVERY adventure for each rank

Send these to your families as you work on the adventures!

Rank overviews

Scoutbook Hacks

Resources and ideasto help your Scout Unit provide a superior program

PDF version of the Den Leader Guide for the rank you lead (must be an assigned

den leader in Scoutbook)

Below are essential resources to host meetings, activities and Scouting events:

Be on the *lookout* - another meeting guide will be publishing in November to help

you plan your meetings January-April

National Den Leader Meeting Tips & Tricks:

https://www.scouting.org/programs/cub-scouts/den-meeting-resources/den-leader-

tips-tricks-video-series/

ScoutShare - Remote Scouting Resources

http://scoutshare.org/

Scoutbook for Den Leaders

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Looking for STEM Novas and how to do them outdoors and socially distant? Check

out our resource here: https://tinyurl.com/y33nfty6