Running a Pack Council
- Very informal format
- A chance for feedback from the pack about things like games, activites etc.
- Brainstorm for future activites
encourage sixers and seconds to set a high personal standard
- Information is fed in by the leaders.
A Pack Council does not have to be a long meeting. It can be only 30 minutes, depending on what you want to do.
The Pack council
- adds to the Sixers' and Seconds' sense of responsibility.
- helps the leaders find out what the Cubs like and what they would like to try.
- allows a Sixer to talk through a problem in the six, which in turn is a training aid to others.
- encourages a Sixer to set an example for the others. Standards of behaviour can be made quite clear.
- gives leaders an opportunity to get to know the Sixers and Seconds more closely.
Strengthens leadership bonds, and the bond between the Sixers and Seconds.
- gives Sizers the assistance and encouragement he/she needs to measure up to the required standard.
- helps build the team spirit.
The Cub Scout Leader normally chairs the Pack Council meeting. Should the CSL
not be available, another Leader should do so.
Sixers and Seconds are often the older Cub Scouts. When meeting with their Pack
Council, Cub Scout Leaders should bear in mind that the Cub Scouts:
- Have a strong sense of what is right and what is wrong
- Can be influenced by peer pressure
- Are very quickly learning the art of a smart or polite non-answer
- Can sometimes exhibit insight and understanding
- Are starting to think ahead of the present and make plans
- Respond better to suggestions rather than direct orders
Sixers and Seconds are older children not young adults and
as such may need a little coaxing and encouragement to help them understand and
consider certain issues.
Be prepared not to over react to any smart or shock comments. It may well be that
they are being made to test your sincerity and commitment to their input. A
negative response could result in the Cub Scouts not communicating their ideas and
thoughts. Be responsive. Be kind.
Locations to Hold Pack Councils
Variety being the spice of life, CSLs can spice up their Pack Councils by holding
them in a variety of locations other than the Scout Hall.
Try
- Akelas (or other Leaders) home
- Sixers home
- McDonalds/Pizza Hut etc
- Playground (Picnic tables)
- Local Council Chambers
- Region Headquarters
- At the beach
- In a rowboat
- On the train
Frequency and Times of Pack Councils
Some Packs conduct Pack Councils on a monthly basis, others six weekly or every
second month.
They can be on another evening, after school, at a Pack Holiday, on an outing, on a
special outing for Sixers and Seconds or on a Saturday or Sunday in fact, anytime
it suits you and the Cubs. But try not to hold a Pack Council after an evening Cub
Scout meeting it can be very late, or the Cub Scouts tired from the meeting.
Its best to write Pack Council meeting dates into the Packs yearly program and
include them in the Term Program, Group Newsletter etc.
Pack Surveys
Two week prior to the Pack Council have Sixers survey their Six about the types of
activities Cubs Scouts would like to have incorporated into the program and for any
problems or issues that may be causing them concern.
The distribution, collection and reporting on, of these questionnaires, should be a
Sixers responsibility. However, keeping in mind the age group we are dealing with,
Leader(s) could (tactfully) discuss the questionnaires with the Sixers on the night
they are done and offer to look after them until the Pack Council.
These surveys will differ from month to month, depending on the activities and
outings of the Pack. They are an ideal opportunity for the Leaders to get feedback on
past outings and activities and input for future programming purposes.
As this will be a new experience for your Pack, the first two (or even three)
questionnaires are going to need a lot of careful explanation and patience, also keep
the questions as few and simple as possible.
(Sample Pack Survey)
-
..Six
Cub Scouts Comments and Program Suggestions
for the month of
Akela and the Leaders need your help to make Cub Scouts even more fun.
They need your ideas and thoughts on the following.
If you are not sure of the meaning of a question, please ask either your Sixer
or a Leader. They will help you with your answers.
Your Sixer and Second will take your ideas and suggestions to the next Pack Council
1. We played a lot of games this month. If you can remember, please write the
name of the game on the dotted lines
(a) Game you liked the most
..
I liked this game, because
and
(b) Game you didnt like
I didnt like this game, because
2. Boomerangs
Do you think that we - Tick one
(a) Did too much Boomerang stuff?
(b) Could have done more Boomerang work?
(c) Did just enough Boomerang Work?
Why do you think that?
.
3. Things you would like your Sixer to recommend to the Leaders to put into
the program - For instance
A game you would like to play again
A new game that you know of that you would like to play at a Pack meeting?
A handcraft you would like to make
Somewhere you would like the Pack to visit
An Achievement Badge you would like to do
Write the things you would like to do on the dotted lines below
If you need more space, write on the back of the page
Pack Council Activities
The Pack Council activity segment could be used to
- Discuss involvement in forthcoming ceremonies
- Learn a new game or song to be used in an upcoming program.
- Assistance with Gold Boomerang or Grey Wolf requirements
A short training or developmental activity could be included to provide the Sixers
and Seconds with some skills and information, which will assist them with the
requirements of their roles.
These developmental activities could include case studies, activities, or games, on
topics such as
- Helping others
- Bullying
- Problem solving
- Multiculturalism
- Welcoming New Chums
- Self esteem
Some activities are included in the Australian Cub Scout Leaders Handbook. There are of course, many more
such activities available. Try the Web, your local library etc.
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