CUB SCOUT INTEREST TOPICS – PROGRAM PLANNING
MARCH 2015
1
MARCH 2015
Dear Roundtable Commissioner and Staff:
This Program Planning session is intended to replace the current March Cub Scout Interest Topic in
the Cub Scout Roundtable Planning Guide (2014 – 2015).
With the launch of the new Cub Scout advancement program in June 2015, it was recognized that the
current three sessions on the new program may not be enough to prepare all leaders for the launch of
the new program.
The new updates will be emailed to you the first week of each month and then be available at
www.scouting.org/programupdates during the final week of each month.
What’s Next:
April New Pack Meeting Plans
May Aquatic Adventures
June Campfire Programs
July
Resources for Packs and Den Leaders
TOPIC: Program Planning
Participants will learn the following:
 Planning your den meetings.
 All the FUN we know in the Cub Scouting program is still there
 How the new adventures fit into your annual program planning meeting and annual program
 How to use the adventure analysis worksheet to help plan your annual program
Presentation Method
The topic is ideally presented as an onboarding session on the upcoming changes in the Cub Scout
program. In planning the presentation, you should review the latest materials posted at
http://www.scouting.org/programupdates, which include PowerPoint presentations and handouts
published by the National office. Below is a discussion outline that should also be of help in your
planning. For this supplemental training on program planning, you should review and refer the leaders
to the tools available to them at
http://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/CubScouts/Leaders/ProgramPlanning.aspx
Overview
Den Leader
Program
Planning
On June 1, 2015, the new Cub Scout program will be in effect. This will be the most
significant change in the Cub Scout program since the introduction of the current
Webelos program in 1967. Over the next six months, roundtable sessions will be
presented to help all Cub Scout leaders prepare for the launch of the new program
materials.
PLANNING YOUR DEN MEETINGS
As you plan your den’s program for the year with the new program effective June 1, 2015,
there are a few important points to consider.
CUB SCOUT INTEREST TOPICS – PROGRAM PLANNING
MARCH 2015





2
Coordinating your planning. Some of the adventures require coordination with
other dens. A pack meeting is an ideal place to do this. However your dens and
pack wish to do this, work together with the other leaders in your pack to build
this into your annual program. Identify the adventures that could be supported by
your district and council or perhaps a multi-pack event and determine the
coordination needed.
Audience for requirements. Many of the adventure requirements state that a
Scout should demonstrate a new skill or share something they have learned with
other boys during a den meeting. While we recognize that the best approach is to
carry out sharing tasks in a den setting, it may be necessary to allow Cub Scouts
to share what they have learned while working on Cub Scout advancement
requirements in other settings, such as in front of their family.
Requirements. When planning, keep in mind that each rank contains seven
adventures that must be completed for the Scout to earn his rank badge. While
your planning will focus on those adventures for rank, fulfilling a year round plan
with elective adventures as well will provide the Scout a quality annual program.
Read through the adventures requirements posted online scouting.org/program
updates. Once the new youth handbooks and new den leader guides have been
released May 2015, review the youth handbook content and den meeting plans
for each adventure. Give some thought to which adventures will work the best for
your location and climate. There is no required order in which the adventures
must be completed. Write in the adventures you will use and the corresponding
month that will work best. It is important to seek input from the Cub Scouts in the
den to find out which adventures they would like to explore with the members of
the den.
Recognition. Completion of adventures should be recognized when completed –
in the den or pack according to your unit’s custom. Each adventure has a insignia
CUB SCOUT INTEREST TOPICS – PROGRAM PLANNING
MARCH 2015

3
device (adventure loop or pin) and pocket certificate to support it). Once a boy
has completed the full requirements for his rank the badge of rank can be
awarded at any time within the boy’s rank year by age or grade. Once a boy has
moved (graduated) to his next level den HE MAY NOT EARN THE RANK OF HIS
PREVIOUS DEN LEVEL.
o Note that boys in LDS units may meet the requirements for Webelos and
Arrow of Light simultaneously. This is a consideration only for LDSsponsored units.
Preparing to lead the adventures. As you plan your meetings, pay special
attention to the “Den Leader Notes” section at the start of the adventure as well
as the “After the Meeting” sections of den meeting plans for preparation and
materials needed for the next meeting.
EXAMPLE OF DEN MEETING NOTES FOR TIGER BACKYARD JUNGLE ADVENTURE
NOTEEN
LE
Annual
Unit
Program
Planning
ANNUAL UNIT PROGRAM PLANNING
 All of the FUN of Cub Scouting is still there in the new Cub Scout program!
Continue to plan the events your pack traditionally holds such as the Blue and
Gold Banquet, Pinewood Derby, Rain gutter Regattas, Kite Derby, Scout Sunday
services, Summertime Pack Award activities and attending the Cub camping
opportunities of Day Camp and Cub Resident Camp.
 Pack program events can be built around many of the adventure requirement
fun. A STEM pack event for example can support many of the STEM oriented
adventures in each rank. A Pack Aquatics day coordinated with a local swim
facility can help support the aquatic adventures for all ranks.
 Each rank contains adventures that support the pack holding a campfire and a
Pack family campout. Some chartered organizations request that their scouts not
camp overnight. The adventure requirements honor that request by supporting
outdoor activities without camping overnight. The new adventures enhance
learning outdoor skills. We encourage your pack to get the Scouts outdoors.
 Using the CUB SCOUT ADVENTURE ANALYSIS WORKSHEET may provide a helpful
tool for your unit as you plan your program year. As Den Leaders plan the
adventure work for their dens, this worksheet can help you build your annual
pack program. By analyzing what impact to finances, manpower, and pack
meetings the adventures will have, your unit will have a good idea of the support
needed to help the den leaders. [SEE SAMPLE ON FINAL PAGE OF THIS
DOCUMENT – REPRODUCE AND SHARE WITH PARTICIPANTS]
CUB SCOUT INTEREST TOPICS – PROGRAM PLANNING
MARCH 2015
Resources
4
The following resources are important tools for your program planning. They have been
updated to reflect the changes that will come with the new Cub Scout program. These
update resources will be available May 1, 2015.
• Cub Scout Den Leader Guides
• Cub Scout Youth Handbooks
• Cub Scout Leader Book
• How-To Book
• Ceremonies for Dens and Pack
The additional resources listed below can add character and context to your program
planning.
• Cub Scout Songbook
• Group Meeting Sparklers
Check with your pack members for these resources. Many packs have pack libraries as
well for sharing among their pack leadership.
For additional planning tools and resources go to:
http://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/CubScouts/Leaders/ProgramPlanning.aspx
CUB SCOUT INTEREST TOPICS – PROGRAM PLANNING
MARCH 2015
5
Upcoming



Closing
Next month, be sure to come back for an overview of the new pack meeting plans. These
plans feature new themes with each month referencing one point of the Scout Law.
“What’s New” Training Module on E-Learning (by end of March 2015)
Updated Cub Scout Position-Specific Training on E-Learning (by end of March 2015)
2015-2016/2016-2017 NEW Pack meeting plans uploaded on scouting.org (April 1)
For ongoing updates, visit http://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/programupdates.aspx
for regular program updates and links to program materials and training opportunities.
Next Month
New Pack Meeting Plans
Roundtable Cub Scout Topic Updates March – July 2015
April
New Pack Meeting Plans
May
Aquatic Adventures
June
Campfire Programs
July
Resources for Packs and Den Leaders
CUB SCOUT INTEREST TOPICS – PROGRAM PLANNING
MARCH 2015
6
CUB SCOUT ANALYSIS ADVENTURE WORKSHEET
HOW TO USE THIS FORM: This form is to help identify resources needed to carry out Cub Scout adventures. Use the
requirements for the adventure and the Den Leader Guide as references. Review the requirements and the implementation
notes in the Den Leader Guide to determine what is needed to carry out the adventure. Use each of the spaces in the
worksheet to identify needs to carry out the adventure and the impact on the pack or den. Not all spaces will be filled out. Use
your findings to determine what is needed to implement the adventure and the resources needed to carry out the adventure.
EXAMPLE: In the Grin and Bear it adventure, boys in the Bear can complete part of their adventure by teaching younger boys in
the pack how to play games. In that adventure, boys also create awards to present to the adults that helped carry out the
games. That adventure has an impact on the pack meeting, so documenting it with this form will help the pack leadership plan
for a successful program.
Name of Adventure
Rank
Adventure Highlight
DEN
Financial Impact
Manpower Impact
Planning Impact
Pack Meeting Impact
Other Concerns
PACK
DISTRICT/COUNCIL
CUB SCOUT INTEREST TOPICS – PROGRAM PLANNING
MARCH 2015
7