May 2010 Cubcast (Hoop-De-Doo!/ScoutParents)

May 9, 2010 5:48 am

The May 2010 Cubcast is now available at the BSA National website.

Cubcast is a monthly audio program for Cub Scouters from BSA National. (If your computer has speakers, you can probably listen by just clicking the links below.)

Part 1 has ideas for den meetings and more utilizing the June “Hoop-De-Doo!” theme.

Part 2 has a helpful information about the ScoutParents program.

Leave a Comment » | CUB SCOUTS, Games, Hoop-De-Doo!, ScoutParents | Permalink
Posted by Mike Newman

Parent Information Guide

July 8, 2009 5:35 am

parent-info-guide

BSA has released a new “Cub Scout Information Guide” (520-259).  The purpose of the Guide is to give new Cub Scout families an overview of how the Cub Scouting program works and what their role in it is.

This 8-page pamphlet is available online at the BSA website.

Link (pdf)

Leave a Comment » | CUB SCOUTS, ScoutParents | Permalink
Posted by Mike Newman

May 2009 Cubcast (A Camping We Will Go Theme/ScoutParents)

May 13, 2009 5:44 am

camping-flickr-104294410_4adb2fcc6f

The May 2009 Cubcast from BSA National is available (free).  Part 1 has ideas for den meetings and more utilizing the June “A Camping We Will Go” theme.

Part 2 has information on the ScoutParents program.

Part 1

Part 2 [Photo: Flickr/Retro Traveler]

Leave a Comment » | A Camping We Will Go, Camping, CUB SCOUTS, ScoutParents | Permalink
Posted by Mike Newman

ScoutParents Overview

February 11, 2009 5:27 am

scoutparents-plan

The relaunched ScoutParents website has some helpful  summaries of the ScoutParents program effective September 1, 2008.

Here is some information about ScoutParents from the National ScoutParents Initiative Launch Plan and the National Parent Initiative Launch Plan PowerPoint which can be downloaded via the links below.

The goal of ScoutParents is to improve scout recruitment and retention by getting more parents involved and committed to the success of their son’s scouting journey.

scoutparents-leader-patch

  • All units (including packs) are encouraged to appoint at least one ScoutParents unit coordinator.  (See patch above.)
  • The ScoutParents unit coordinator is a registered adult leader and a member of the unit committee.
  • The ScoutParents unit coordinator recruits parents to do at least one task annually to help the unit, conducts scouting orientations for new scout families, and keeps parents informed about the activities of the unit.
  • A parent who is at least 21 and is willing to commit to help the success of their son’s unit can register as an official ScoutParent.
  • To become an official ScoutParent, the adult may check the “I commit to be an active ScoutParent” box on the youth application.
  • Current parents may become ScoutParents by filling out an adult leader application. No registration fee is required to be a ScoutParent.

npi-powerpoint

National ScoutParents Initiative Launch Plan [Word]

National Parent Initiative Launch Plan PowerPoint


Leave a Comment » | CUB SCOUTS, Retention, ScoutParents | Permalink
Posted by Mike Newman

ScoutParents Website Relaunch

February 9, 2009 5:17 am

sp-web

The ScoutParents.org website was recently relaunched.

Although the new website is less colorful than its predecessor, the site is now better organized and easier to navigate.

Link [Via Scoutingnews.org]

Leave a Comment » | CUB SCOUTS, ScoutParents | Permalink
Posted by Mike Newman

Parents Attending Den Meetings

February 3, 2009 5:32 am

scoutparents-med

Under the traditional Cub Scout program, non-leader parents (other than Tiger partners) were not encouraged to attend den meetings although they were permitted to do so if they asked to.

Today, however, there may be a trend toward encouraging helpful parental presence at all Cub Scout meetings and events.

Under “National Parent Initiative” on the adult leader application (28-501F), it says that parents of each child are encouraged to:

  1. Participate with them.
  2. Go to and observe their meetings.
  3. Be part of their unit’s program—both weekly meetings and outings.

On the ScoutParents website is this quote from ScoutParents founder Gerald I. Lawhorn: “Scouts of ‘drop off’ parents generally drop out!”

Although there are many good reasons for the traditional policy of non-leader Cub Scout parents not attending den meetings, most Cub Scout leaders that I know recommend encouraging those parents who can to stay. Parents who stay for den meetings are more likely to understand the value of Cub Scouting.  This improves a Cub Scout’s chances of continued success in scouting.

Leave a Comment » | CUB SCOUTS, Den Meetings, ScoutParents | Permalink
Posted by Mike Newman

September 2008 Scouting Magazine

September 17, 2008 5:31 am

The September 2008 issue of Scouting Magazine is now available at the magazine website. Link

This issue has articles of interest to Cub Scouters on the following subjects:

  • Centennial Boy Scout Uniform. Link
  • The new ScoutParents program. Link
  • How to get boys interested in reading. Link

Leave a Comment » | Adventures in Books, Centennial Uniform, CUB SCOUTS, Magazines, Reading, ScoutParents | Permalink
Posted by Mike Newman

ScoutParents

September 16, 2008 5:20 am

ScoutParents is a new program from BSA National for Cub Scout packs and Boy Scout troops with the goal of increasing the number of parent volunteers and developing more parental enthusiasm and support for Scouting. “Scouting makes great parents, too!” is the ScoutParents slogan.

Greater parental participation in and support of Scouting tends to result in better scout retention and more successful scout recruiting.

The ScoutParents website has a helpful introduction for parents about Scouting and its benefits.  For volunteers and professionals, the site also has information about the ScoutParents program. Link

The new BSA applications now incorporate the ScoutParents program as well.  The new BSA youth application (28-406C) permits parents to indicate “I commit to be an active ScoutParent.”  The new BSA adult leader application (28-501F) includes “ScoutParent unit coordinator” as one of the listed unit positions.

I think providing helpful information for parents about Scouting and its benefits is a great idea, as is the goal of encouraging more parental involvement in Scouting.

Leave a Comment » | CUB SCOUTS, Recruiting, Retention, ScoutParents | Permalink
Posted by Mike Newman

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