A Cub Scout Program for Kindergarten Boys and their Families LION CUBS A Cub Scout Program for Kindergarten Boys and their Families District Coordinators: Please review this presentation to understand the Lion Cub program. It should be used as a training tool for pack coordinators. Welcome to Lion Cubs – A Cub Scout program for kindergarten boys and an adult partner.

Program Concept Background Rationale Integration and Implementation Northern Star Council and its predecessor councils are experienced at developing new programs. In an organization of the scope and scale of the BSA, new ideas must be in constant development, and our volunteers enjoy being a part of such work. We believe a substantial effect on declining traditional membership trends comes from the reality that children are ready for Scouting programs at an earlier age, but are choosing other activities before they are eligible to join Scouting. One specific idea is in relation to the dramatic changes in school access. We need to train and support volunteers (local Cub Scout packs) to be local recruiters with a classic beginning-of-school-year approach – including kindergarten as well as other grades. Integration with existing Cub Scout packs and programs is key. Creating a Lion Cub Coordinator position for both the district and each pack is important for the success of the program.

Program Overview Purpose of the Boy Scouts of America Provide an educational program for boys To build character To foster citizenship To develop personal fitness PURPOSE OF THE BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA The purpose of the Boy Scouts of America is to provide an educational program for boys . . . To build character To foster citizenship To develop personal fitness As children grow, we know how important it is to offer the very best information and provide resources to teach self-assurance as they build respect for other people. The Boy Scouts of America has been serving grade school-aged boys since 1930 through the Cub Scouting program.

Goals of the Program The goals of the Lion Cub Program: Strengthen Scouting Reflect diversity Offer greater support Introduce fun of the outdoors Provide learning opportunities THE GOALS OF THE LION CUB PROGRAM: To strengthen Scouting’s position in the community To reflect the diversity of our communities To offer greater support for children and their families (K-12 Program) To introduce children and their families to the fun of the outdoors To provide extended learning opportunities outside of school IMPORTANT INFORMATION FROM PROGRAM “CONCEPT PAPER” “This new program would be focused on parent planning and delivery, with youth participation. The primary curriculum/educational outcomes would be for parents (learning about the basics of youth development, and Scouting’s proven tools for raising happy, healthy children), and the outcome for kids would be to commit to Scouting fun earlier than now.”

Lion Cub Family Benefits Age appropriate activities Value for families Enhances quality time “Go for my kids . . .” Encourages interaction Strengthens parenting skills Introduces families to Scouting LION CUB FAMILY BENEFITS Offers age appropriate activities each month Provides value for families Enhances quality family time Parents would “Go for my kids, stay for myself” Encourages interaction with others Strengthens parenting skills Introduces families to Scouting As a parent or caring adult, parents want their children to grow up to be self-reliant and dependable, worthy and caring. Scouting has these same goals in mind for them.

Who are Lion Cubs? Kindergarten boys Join with adult partner Form dens Part of a pack Wear special T-shirts “Graduate” to Tiger Cubs WHO ARE LION CUBS Lion Cubs are kindergarten boys Lion Cubs join with a parent or caring adult partner Lion Cubs form dens of 6 to 8 Lion Cub pairs (boy and adult) Lion Cub dens are part of a Cub Scout pack Lion Cubs may wear a special Lion Cub t-shirt to their activities Iron-on decals will be provided to each Lion Cub pair Lion Cubs may wear the blue Cub Scout shirt if desired Lion Cub t-shirts are available in the Scout Shop Lion Cubs move to the next Cub Scout level (Tiger Cubs) at the end of Kindergarten (May/June)

What do Lion Cubs Do? Lion Cubs Explore Adult Members Plan Lion Cub Adventure Guide Adult Members Plan Activity Suggestions in Adult Guide Meet twice a month Den Meeting Grand Adventure Outing WHAT DO LION CUBS DO? Lion Cubs use the Lion Cub Activity book to explore themselves, their homes, and their neighborhoods. Adult Lion Cub members use the Activity Suggestion pages of the Adult Guide to plan family and den activities. Each of these Activity Suggestions has seven parts: Family/Den Activity At-home Activity Grand Adventure Activity Read-Together Selections Fiver year-old Developmental Information Adult Reflection on Parenting Practices “Notes to Self” on the Activity Completed The Lion Cubs and their partners will meet together twice per month: Once a month for a den meeting Once a month for a Grand Adventure outing Once a month for the Pack Meeting

LION CUB Pack Coordinator District Membership Committee will support district participation. All District Membership Committees are asked to recruit a District Lion Cub Coordinator. In the absence of a District Lion Cub Coordinator, a member of the District Membership committee can fill this role. Packs must build in adult leadership – a Lion Cub Coordinator is essential to the success of the program. This person helps recruit Lion Cub pairs in September, hosts the first gathering in October ,and ensures that each month’s Lion Cub den meeting is hosted by a parent/caring adult.

Responsibilities: Pack’s representative to Lion Cub dens Explains program to adult partners Handles paperwork: registration and evaluation Hosts initial meeting with Lion Cub pairs Establishes Lion Cub meeting calendar Recruits/helps parents plan meetings Calls meeting “leader” one week prior as reminder Plans Tiger Cub transition ceremony Pack Lion Cub Coordinator . . . Pack’s representative to Lion Cub dens Explains program to adult partners Handles paperwork: registration Hosts initial meeting with Lion Cub pairs Establishes Lion cub meeting calendar Recruits/helps parents plan meetings Calls meeting “leader” one week prior as reminder Plans Tiger Cub transition ceremony and completes Transition paperwork

Coordinator’s Guide Includes: Lion Cub Information Sheet Pack Coordinator Position Description Frequently Asked Questions Den Calendar Advancement Record Lion Cub Coordinator’s Guide Includes: Council, District and Pack Coordinator Position Description Lion Cub Information Sheet Welcome Letter How Does it Work Recognition Advancement Record

LION CUB Program Materials Lion Cub Adventure Guide Lion Cub Adult Guide Iron-on Decals Instant Recognition Kits

Lion Cub Materials Lion Cub Adventure Guide Lion Cub Adult Guide One for each boy Lion Cub Adult Guide One for each adult partner Lion Cub Coordinator’s Guide One for each Pack Lion Cub Coordinator LION CUB PROGRAM PACKET – SUPPORT MATERIALS Lion Cub Adventure Guide Colorful, fun and age appropriate Lion Cub Adult Guide Informative Parenting Truisms Scouting Information Lion Cub Coordinator’s Guide Position Description Program Evaluation

Activity Planning Lion Cub Adult Guide has suggestions for family, Lion Cub den and Grand Adventure activities. Coordinator assists families in planning meetings. Lion Cub Adult Guide has suggestions for family, den and Grand Adventure activities. Lion Cub adults set the schedule of den meetings and Grand Adventures at their first gathering, guided by Pack Lion Cub Coordinator

Lion Cub Activities OCT I am special, we are special NOV My family is special DEC My neighborhood is special JAN How does it work? FEB I’ll use my words MAR Let’s figure it out APR Health and fitness MAY Let’s go outside Lion Cub Activities include: OCT I am special, we are special NOV My family is special DEC My neighborhood is special JAN How does it work? FEB I’ll use my words MAR Let’s figure it out APR Health and fitness MAY Let’s go outside

LION CUB PROGRAM Lion Cub Program Program starts out on a very personal level Expands to family, neighborhood and community Includes read-together suggestions Includes 5-year old developmental information

My Family is Special Reinforces Core Value: Caring Theme: Families Change and Grow Activity: Draw a Picture MY FAMILY IS SPECIAL ACTIVITY Each activity reinforces one of the core values of Scouting My Family is Special reinforces Caring One of the pages from the Lion Cubs Activity Book talks about families. Youth are asked how many people are in their family? They can draw a picture of their family showing how they care for each other. An at-home activity suggestion is to create a family mural. Read-together suggestions include “My Monster Momma Loves Me” 5-year old Developmental Information includes: Five year olds have a strong desire to please parents and other adults Beware – children this age imitate speech, slang and exaggerations.

We Are Special Reinforces Core Value: Respect Theme: Alike and Different Activity: Colored Dots Alike and Different: We Are Special – Sample Curriculum from Adult Guide: Treat each group differently based on colored dots on activity sheets Red and Green get a drink, may use the restroom, and wash up for a snack Blue gets a drink only. Yellow stays at their place. Blue gets popcorn and juice Red and Green get peanut butter and graham crackers with juice Lead a discussion about how some people are given advantages based only on skin color. Ask the Scouts if this game was fair or not and why. Assist the Scouts in coming up with ideas for making the game fair.

Recruitment Materials Lion Cub Recruitment Materials can be found in the Fall Youth Recruitment Crate. Contact your District Membership Chair, FYR Coordinator or District Executive to ensure a crate is available for your recruitment event. Lion Cub program information has been added to all Fall Recruitment materials. Grades K through 5 use the same recruitment supplies. Welcome Sign Registration Table Sign Attendance Roster Den Roster Kindergarten Table Sign Cub Activity Welcome Booklets (now include Lion Cubs) Youth Applications Report Envelope

Lion Cub Recruitment Promote directly to kindergarten boys at your school at the same time you flier 1st-5th grade boys. Hold a Fall Youth Recruitment Event Register kindergartners on night of your Roundup with 1st-5th graders; Hold separate breakout conducted by Pack Lion Cub Coordinator. Lion Cub Recruitment Promote directly to kindergarten boys at your school at the same time you flier 1st-5th grade boys. Hold a Fall Youth Recruitment Event. Register kindergartners on night of your Roundup with 1st-5th graders; Hold separate breakout conducted by Pack Lion Cub Coordinator.

Registration Procedure Register Pack Lion Cub Coordinator as a Den Leader on adult application Register Lion and Adult Partner on Youth Application. Write “Lion Cubs” at top Registration fee is $20.00 per Scout/ Adult Partner pair and includes Lion Cub Adventure Guide and Adult Guide Will be listed as pairs on separate sheet rather than on pack roster Registration Procedure Lion Cub Coordinator Register as a Den Leader on adult application (May also be registered in another pack position) Lion Cubs and their Adult Partners Register youth and Adult Partner on BSA Youth Application. Write “Lion Cubs” at top of application. Fees: Registration fee is $20.00 per Scout/ Adult Partner pair and includes Lion Cub Adventure Guide and Adult Guide Registration Will not appear on unit roster Will be listed as pairs on separate sheet rather than on pack roster

Q & A See “Frequently Asked Questions” document

Contacts Your District Lion Cub Coordinator Your District Membership Chair Your District Executive Questions or Concerns – Contact: Your District Lion Cub Coordinator Your District Membership Chair Your District Executive

Thank You! Thank you for your interest in the Lion Cub program. We hope you have a “Roarin’ Good Time”