Cub Programme Front Page
A program? Program? What's that? A program is the thing that
we spend ages preparing and then completely ignore on the
night! We normally 'publish' a programme either side of a
laminated sheet (cubs+coffee+programme = soggy mess) that
shows what we are doing for the next 3 months. Our programme
follows a set layout as regards times. We meet for two hours
and try to make sure that the Cubs get a good mix of games
and 'work'.
6:30 Flag/Inspection/Subs
6:40 Game
7:00 Work hour/drink
8:00 Game
8:25 Sixes/Notices/Flag Down/Dismiss
[this is the latest version, we used to run game, work, game,
work but a few years ago the cubs got used to working through
in one session. Done correctly this should not present a problem
and they should not notice how much 'work' they are doing.]
Next to this will be published the details for that particular
week. For example:
Home Safety
Handcraft/Artist
Flexibility and Detail
Now this is a very vague program and here
is where you need to be careful. The leaders in our
group (claim they) are experienced and we tend to either prepare
the Pack Night in detail beforehand and prepare all the work,
or make it up as we go along on the night.
Our 'program' is really just a reminder to ourselves on what
we are supposed to be doing that night. Details are discussed
and noted but are not wrote down in the program. I believe
that a program needs to be very flexible. This is where it
becomes difficult. How do you 'stick to the program' whilst
being flexible?
You have to be prepared to change at a moments notice. Perhaps
the game is unsuitable, perhaps Akela forget to bring the
spoons in for the Handcraft, perhaps Baggy couldn't print
out the maps for the competition. A million and one things
can, and will, go wrong.
Have a backup plan. Always be ready with some Scouting 'work'
that can be picked up at a moments notice. For instance...if
we have a few minutes to spare and the Cubs need to do 'some
work' as opposed to a game I might whip out our ropes and
do a 5 minute knotting session.
It would be next to impossible for someone to walk in and
take over the Pack Night by following our program. Sure it
has the times there but it doesn't tell you what to do! Only
the work is alluded to...the games to be played are not mentioned
at all!
This can be a dangerous thing. Our program only works in
our Pack because the leaders are experienced, communicate
well and get on with each other. Any problems regarding the
program or what the cubs are learning can be solved on the
spot or over a drink or two.
In other Packs it can be vital that a clear detailed program
is laid out for people to follow. This must include details
of the work and games, where they can be found (e.g. books
and page numbers), equipment needed and any special notes.
It must be idiot-proof. Any sensible adult (not even a leader)
must be able to pick up the program and run the Pack night
if needed.
Games
Games List Front Page
I tend to make a lot of the games and work up....I just create
and improvise on the day. This is difficult to do if you do
not have previous experience of the activity. How can you
make up a knotting game on the spot if you don't know any
knots? Or indeed if you have not played any sort of knotting
game before?
The games are often decided upon on the Pack Night. I used
to have a browse through some games books or on the net and
pick out 5 or so new games that we have not played before.
Some will be skills based (to help with some 'Scouting' work),
others will be just plain fun. However now I tend to have
a large list
of all the games know, like and some new ones printed out
(about 50 or so on the sheet) and I let the Sixers or the
cubs choose which game they want to play that night and cross
it off. They cannot play the same game twice without going
through the sheet so this stops all the 'football every week'
problems and they end up playing almost all the games on the
sheet anyway but they think they are getting a 'choice' each
week.
However there are times when none of these are used. You
have to be able to play it by ear on the night. If they are
getting rowdy a quiet game may help. Then again a very active
game might help them to let off steam and tire themselves
out.
I tend to mix the games between quiet and active. Many of
them introduce 'work' into the equation. E.g. some mini-pioneering,
a knot race, a challenge of some sort, a mapping relay. The
Cubs do not see this as work at all if it is handled the right
way, and if they get used to it. This means they are effectively
'working' almost all night. In fact..if presented in the right
way almost anything can be included as a 'game'.
I almost always start with an active game. The last 5 minutes
of the night it has now become popular to play a simple 'if
the ball touches you, you lose a life' game. This involves
them running around like headless chickens and me chasing
them. Very tiring but they enjoy it and it seems to help to
'quieten' them down for Grand Howl and Flag at the end.
Work
We now work in one main session. This mayl involve some general
'progressive' badgework or it will focus on an activity badge
or two. This should mean that the cubs are not only regularly
advancing their general knowledge of scouting but are also
getting to do all of the stuff that interests them.
As mentioned above the times and sessions are not absolute.
There have been nights we did little but play games. There
have also been nights when the cubs worked steadily on something
for more than an hour (because they wanted to and didn't notice
the time...not because they were forced to or it was a particularly
lengthy piece!). In addition much of the 'game' time is taken
up with Scouting work whether they realize it or not.
You have to be flexible and sensible again. Sometimes the
work will be very informal and rowdy. However...I mainly make
sure that they work quietly, sitting down and concentrating.
Don't be afraid to mix and match work, or even to 'double
up'. We often work on our safety badges (personal, home and
road)...all three at the same time. There are many overlaps
and it is sensible to do all three at around the same time.
You simply have a safety theme.
I personally try to ensure that there is always an element
of 'traditional Scouting' each night....By that I mean things
like map, compass, knots and so forth. It is important to
practice these and not to get completely sidetracked by other
items and interests. These also tend to be the skills that
need regular work or else the standard slips.
For both sessions you can run multiple bases if you have
the help. We once covered Computing, Cook and First Aid over
a 9 week period with 3 sixes rotating each week. This also
tends to keep them fresh and interested but still ensures
that they improve and work hard over a short period.
In Autumn 2005 we had 3 bases each night, for 3 nights in
a row, then switching to another 3 for the next 3 weeks. These
were map, compass, first aid, knots, carry a message, pack
a rucksack, country code, tracking signs, nature, flags, sign
language, IT badge, cooking.
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