PACK 300 PACK MEETING PLANNING

Pack Meeting Date: / 9/16/2008
Pack Meeting Chair: / Webelos 2
Theme: / Pirates and Sailing-Raingutter Regatta

Preparing for the Meeting:

1. / Finalize agenda (this worksheet) / Brad G. & Jerry C.
2. / Finalize packets for New and Returning Scouts / Committee
3. / Cover meeting agenda with Pack Meeting Chair(Jenny P. and Pat E.) / Jerry C.
4. / Assign Supplies for Boat-making and awards / Jerry C.
Foam Insulation-Dan Bartho / Prizes-Chris Thurin
Skewers & Paper Sails-Arlen Malecha / Skewers-Arlen Malecha
Tape & Markers-Jerry Chrisman & Kopas / Sails-Jamie Sveda
Box Cutters/Knives-Pat Edwards
5. / Assign adult volunteers to cut-out boat designs –Kopas and Edwards / Jerry C.
6. / Assign adult volunteers for Registration & Welcome / Jerry C.

Before The Meeting:

1. / Setup meeting room (see diagram) / Jerry C.
2. / Raingutter setup / Peter S. & Brad G.
3. / Setup Registration table and Welcome sign / Jerry C.
4. / Setup brackets system for tracking Raingutter Regatta / Jerry C.

Gathering:

Opening:

1. / Welcome and Opening Statements / Jerry C.
2. / Advance the Colors – Webelos 2 (both groups) / Jerry C.
3. / Pledge of Allegiance / Jerry C.
4. / Cub Scout Promise / Brad G.
5. / Meeting Rules (housekeeping, respectful behavior, Akela) / Brad G.
6. / Introduce Pack Leadership / Jerry C.
7. / Meeting agenda overview / Brad G.

Program:

1. / Pirate Song / Jerry C.
2. / Pirate Jokes / Brad G.
3. / Raingutter Regatta
-Finish building
-Begin races / Brad G. & Jerry C.
3. / New Cub Families Orientation / Jamie S.and Chris T.

Recognition:

1. / Raingutter Regatta awards / Brad G. & Jerry C.

Closing:

1. / Popcorn News / Jerry C.
2. / Next Pack Meeting information / Jerry C.
3. / Retire the Colors / Jerry C.
4. / “Cub Scouts Rock” Cheer / Brad G.
5. / Pirate Snacks
-Bleeding Grog (fruit punch)
-Vermin of the Sea (Goldfish snacks)
-Pirate Swords (carrots and cucumbers) / Jessica C.& Team

After:

1. / Cleanup and restore original state of meeting room / All
2. / Schedule meetings with new leaders / Jerry C.

Lessons Learned

  • We had one injury during the meeting. A second grader wanted to modify his boat and grabbed a utility knife that was laying on a table and cut his finger. There should be no more than two sharp objects during the meeting and they need to be tightly guarded by an adult. Preferably in their pocket or closed container that is never left unattended.
  • Coordinate more volunteers to assist with setting up the meeting. The first meeting has a lot going on everyone is needed for setup and tear-down. Assign adults to decorating, welcome table and flyers, snacks, regatta setup, boat cutting (before meeting) and prizes.
  • The boat building as part of the Gathering activity worked good to keep the meeting moving although the boats did not arrive until 20 minutes after the start of the meeting.
  • Have instructions on how to construct your boat if using sheets of insulation. The older boys dominated the competition because they knew how to build the boats. There are plenty of tips on the web that are applicable to Pack 300’s “make-your-own”.
  • The idea was to have the Webelos2 help the younger boys but that did not happen because they were “rehearsing” for the flag ceremony. Most boys were done with their boats by the time the opening ceremonies were over. Then the Webelos2 had to hurry to finish their boats.
  • Some moderate decorations would have been nice to have. Again, this would be a few volunteers to handle before the meeting.
  • Sign in sheets are a good idea if everyone signs in. Name tags were only useful for knowing the names of the new Scouts. Unclear as to whether they benefited the boys getting to know the current Scouts or leadership. Have a spot for phone number and email on the sign in sheet and make sure everyone signs in.
  • It made it easier to prep snacks and setup by dropping off the equipment and resources at the meeting location ahead of time (the night before).
  • Pack 300 should procure a sturdy tarp and bucket of tools for Regatta and Pinewood derby.
  • I (Jerry Chrisman-Cubmaster) did not get to greet all the new parents. I did interact with all the boys throughout the meeting but only made contact with a few parents. As part of the meeting we should do a “stand up and introduce yourself” segment to highlight and assist with making the new people feel welcome.
  • For the brackets we wrote each boy’s name on a piece of paper and taped to the wall in their own age group. It was a single elimination due to time constraints so losers only had the chance to race once. The brackets were easily visible and worked well if someone moved the sheets of paper as the boys advanced. Next time only use half sheets so we can stack them vertically.
  • The Raingutter Regatta is a fun time for the boys. It may be more fun if they had time to work on their boats. The approved BSA kit looks better but the challenge becomes how to get the kits in the hands of the boys before the meeting if it is the first meeting of the year and you don’t know who is going to attend. The Raingutter Regatta could be held in November or March/April? The other option is to have the kits available and provide fast drying paint at the meeting. The current advantage to the foam insulation is reduced cost over the BSA kits.
  • Have all the leadership dress up in pirate costumes.
  • Make contact with all new parents and setup a planning meeting with the Tigers ASAP after the meeting.
  • Send out a big THANK YOU email and list the Reagtta winners.
  • Call new parents a day after the meeting and thank them for attending the meeting.
  • According to the setup diagram we were supposed to have chairs at the tables. We did not do that and it caused a seating shortage when the meeting did get underway. At least have seating for the parents.
  • Cover the appropriate behavior at the very beginning and make sure that the parents are responsible for their children.
  • Have the new parent orientation scheduled ½ hour earlier than the actual meeting so they can get their information and still enjoy the races. The new boys could also make and test their boats during this time before the experienced Scouts arrive.
  • Start the Webelos first in the racing so the younger boys can see how the boats are made and how they are supposed to blow across the boat.
  • Provide a “How to Build a Boat” hand-out and/or make sure an adult or Webelo2 Scout is assigned a few boys to assist.

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Cub Scout Pack 300 Pack Meeting Planning