What would you do if you found something that raised success from 65% to 80%? Worth looking into? The BSA found such a thing, then tested it for five year to see if it really worked; and it did. What was it....A set of very detailed program resources developed by den leaders in the Green Bay, WI area. Boys staying in their pack rose from 65% to 80% by making den & pack meeting fun and by improving advancement.
This has become a new Delivery Program for the BSA and can be found on the BSA National Web site www.scouting.org
and go to Cub Scouts. As a result our council provided a Den & Pack Meeting Resource Guidebook for every pack. Den Leaders and Cubmasters need to understand Cub Scout Advancement. Why is it important for new boys to earn their Bobcat rank in the first month? Quick recognition, quick personal accomplishment, his parent(s) had to help him. Three good reasons. Leaders need to take on line training to better understand the program, but in the meantime, check out the infomation on Cub Scout Advancement Dist web page - advancement.pdf
How to improve advancement:
1. give new boys a copy of Bobcat requirements;
2. present Tiger Cub, Wolf & Bear immediate recognition beads at Den meetings and then again
recognize the boys & their parents at the next pack meeting;
3. Include parents in all ceremonies where boys receive advancement;
4. Use large advancement charts at Den & Pack meetings for recognition;
5. Use a Pack Advancement "recognition ladder" where boys move their clothes pin up the ladder:
6. Give parents specific homework items to work wih their boys for the next meeting:
7. Take a picture and put it in the local town or school newspaper. BE PROUD of your Scouts and
parents for what they have done