Theme for November 2006: Cubs in Shining Armor (( Webelos Activity Badges: Craftsman, Readyman

Preopening '(1530 minutes) Display. Feature the Pack Record Book as the highlighted book of the month. Use a completed Pack Record Book so participants can see how it was filled in. Display an assortment of theme- related projects for Tiger Cubs, Wolf Cub Scouts, and Bear Cub Scouts. Display assorted Webelos Scout projects that can be used for the Craftsman and Readyman activity badges.

Registration. Register arriving Cub Scouters. Give first-timers a special name tag that is used year-round so they are easily recognized. Name tags for other participants may be shaped like a knight's shield. Distribute roundtable evaluation forms to be turned in at the end of the evening.

Activity. Direct participants to a table where they will make Coat of Arms Neckerchief Slides (page 31).

Opening Ceremony (3 minutes) Recruit participants to be the Cub Scouts and have roundtable staff members act as knights to conduct A Shining Meeting opening ceremony (page 31). For extra fun, have the staff dressed in costume.

Prayer (1 minute) The roundtable commissioner reads A Knight's Prayer (page 3 1).

Welcome and Introductions (4 minutes) The roundtable commissioner welcomes everyone and asks new leaders and roundtable first-timers to stand and be recog- nized. The commissioner then reads the introduction (below); roundtable staff members read the purposes of Cub Scouting and the core value for this months theme.

Order of (name of district) is no a time for honor, sportsmanship, when work is done, merriment at t The highlight this month will be the knighting of our new knights. The king will give a special charge to his loyal sub- jects. There is much to do, much to learn, in the kingdo

STAFF MEMBERS: Some of the purposes of Cub Scoutin developed through this months theme include

Spiritual growth. Boys will see how the knights accom plished much because of their faith in a Supreme Being.

Character development. Cub Scouts will learn about tb Knightk Code and see how h g h t s treated ea& other fair1

Sportsmanship and fitness. Tournament games give boys an opportunity to practice sportsmanship and fitness.

The core value to be highlighted this month is

Cooperation. Through den and pack activities, Cub Scouts will learn that knights were able to accomplish goals by worlang together.

Icebreaker and Cheer (2 minutes) Teach the group the Cheer for the Blue and Gold Knights (page 31) and then have everyone practice it.

Song (3 minutes) A roundtable staff member leads participants in singing "The Kings of Old Had Knights in Shining Armorn (page 31).

Theme-Related and Outdoor- Related Activity (15 minutes) Physical Fitness at the Royal Tournament of Games. This month's theme lends itself to an outdoor event. Conduct a brainstorming session on events a pack might include in a Renaissance Fair or the Royal Tournament of Games of Pack No. #. This event could be held outdoors, weather permitting, or easily adapted to a school gymnasium. The Cub Scout Leader How-lb Book is an excellent resource; discuss other possible resources.

Consider staging physical fitness challenges at the fair. Point out how Tiger Cubs could work on Achievement 5 (Go Outside) and Electives 22 and 35. Wolf Cub Scouts could work on Requirement 1 (Feats of Skill). Bear Cub Scouts could work on Requirements 15 (Games, Games, Games) and 16 (Building Muscles). Webelos Scouts could start on the Athlete and Fitness activity badges. All Cub Scouts could work on many of the belt loops from the Cub Scouts Academics and Sports program, such as Badminton, Bowling, Chess, Gymnastics, and Golf.

Craft areas can provide opportunities for boys to make medi- eval costumes that will fulfill requirements for some electives.

Cub Scouts get hungry when there are lots of activities, so plan a food booth of "medieval food," to be eaten medieval style. The pack might serve chlcken or turkey legs, potatoes on a stick, ears of corn, or fresh fruit.

Demonstration (8 minutes) Teeterboard Jousting. Before the meeting, construct teeter- boards using plans found in the Cub Scout Leader How-To Book. Have two staff members demonstrate how to joust, and then ask for volunteers from the audience to try (page 32). A cheer for the volunteers after they are done would be great.

Tkaining Highlight (8 minutes) Blue and Gold Banquet. Have staff members present this topic dressed in Hawaiian shirts or costume to promote the February theme, "Aloha, Cub Scouts!" Using the Cub Scout Leader Book and the Cub Scout Leader How-To Book as resources, lead a discussion on planning a blue and gold banquet. Explain the purpose of the blue and gold banquet; stress that it is a family event. Show an example oT a backdated calendar to help ensure that all preparations are completed on time. Point out that decorations should be boy-made-placemats, place cards, invi- tations, centerpieces, etc. Discuss ideas for food-covered dish, bring your own, or catered. Emphasize boy-led entertainment, skits, songs, and cheers along with ceremonies and recognition. Mention special people to invite such as the chartered orga- nization representative, unit commissioner, district executive, district commissioner, etc.

After the training highlight, separate into groups.

WATCH-DEMONSTRATE

DEMONSTRATE-PRACTICE I TTger Cub and Cub Scout Den Leaders Gathering Activities. Lead a discussion on different types of gathering activities and why they are used. Remind everyone that these activities should be simple to learn, fun, and easy to join in at any time. A den chief or the denner can lead the gathering activities. Sometimes a project not completed at the last meeting can be finished at this time. Other ideas could include puzzles, board games, word search and activity pages from Boys' Life magazines, etc.

Activity. Play Sword Balance Relay (page 32).

Webelos Den Leaders Activity Badge Counselors. Discuss the role of activity badge counselors. Explain that using counselors for the activity badg- es is a transition for the boys to using merit badge counselors when they join a Scout troop. Point out that the activity badge counselor attends the den meeting; the boys do not do activity badges on their own. Brainstorm for ideas on who would be good counselors for the badges: a shop teacher for Craftsman and a Red Cross instructor for Readyman, perhaps. Suggest that Webelos den leaders find out the occupations and hobbies of the den parents, then recruit them as activity badge counselors. Other pack parents might be identified through use of the Family Talent Survey Activity Badges. Briefly review the requirements for' the Craftsman and Readyman activity badges. Suggest that the Webelos den could be actively involved in planning the pack's tournament of games by having them build the teeterboards and make the jousting poles. Activity. Demonstrate the use of equipment to make Balsa Wood Snakes (page 32). Allow participants to work in groups to prac- tice using the equipment. Have a finished product on hand.

Cubmasters Outdoor Winter Activities. Solicit ideas from the group for outdoor winter activities in your area. Ideas could include annual winter events like snow festivals, ice skating or fishing, a snowman-building contest, skiing, sledding, snow tubing, hik- ing, and stargazing. In warmer climates, packs might visit light shows at holiday events, go to the zoo to see animals in winter, take feny or boat rides, visit a living history center with indoor and outdoor events, or walk on the beach. Bring fliers or ads from past events in your area to show the Cubmasters. Discuss weather considerations, temperatures, safety criteria, and the proper clothing for outdoor winter events.

Activity. Cut corrugated cardboard or poster board into the shape of a shield. Have each Cubmaster add symbols promot- ing his or her pack's outdoor winter activities. The picture can be hand-drawn, cut from magazines, or printed from comput- ers. This prop could be used during the announcement period of November pack meetings.

Pack Leaders Pack Budget and Money-Earning Projects. Discuss how packs determine their dues and how they spend their funds. Ask which packs have formal budgets, and then steer the dis- cussion to the Pack Finance chapter in the Cub Scout Leader Book. Distribute copies of the Unit Money-Earning Application and review it with the group. Discuss appropriate pack money- earning projects. Emphasize that a den cannot hold a money- earning project; these projects are approved only for packs.

Activity. Make Tournament Banners to display at the various stations of the Tournament of Games. Each banner should be symbolic of the station (page 32).

After 35 minutes, send your group back to the main meet- ing area.

Announcements (5 minutes) Make cutouts of medieval trumpets; post on a felt board or bul- letin board. Each trumpet should have a ribbon hanging from it, on which announcements are written. A roundtable staff member plays the town crier and calls forward the chairman or committee member for the went by calling out "Hear ye, hear ye!"

Closing Ceremony (3 minutes) Conduct the Charging of the Knights closing ceremony (page 32). Recruit participants to be the den leaders, the Cub Scouts, and their families.

AFTER THE MEETING

Refreshments and Fellowship Serve low-fat cinnamon biscuits with hot tea or freshly squeezed fruit juice. Knights also enjoy fresh fruit, apples, and various kinds of grapes.

Staff Meeting Review any evaluations that were turned in tonight. Discuss tonight's pmgmn and plan for next month's roundtable, "Cub Scout Stars."

November 2006 Theme: Cubs in Shining Armor

Preopening Activity: Coat of Arms Neckerchief Slides Materials: 1-inch pieces of W- inch-diameter PVC pipe, craft foam, glue, fine-tip markers

Draw (or trace from a tem- plate) the shape of a shield onto a piece of craft foam. Using markers, have each boy draw on the shield one or two symbols that represent h~ life. Glue PVC ring to the back.

Opening Ceremony: A Shining

KNIGHT 7: Chivalry requires that youth be trained to perform the most laborious and humble offices with cheerfulness and grace, and do good unto others.

CUB SCOUT 7: Just like Cub Scouts!

Prayer: A Knight's Prayer "My Lord, I am ready on this new day to go seeking adventure on the high road. I will serve you faithfully, bravely, and joy- fully, and ask for your daily blessing. Amen."

Cheer for the Blue and Gold Knights Divide the audience into two parts. One cheers for the blue knight, one for the gold knight.

- - - - - - - -

Hail to the blue knight! Hail to the gold knight!

Blue knight! Gold knight!

Blue knight! Gold knight!

ALL: They do their best, just like you! (Point to each other)

Song: "The Kings of Old Had Knights in Shining Armor" Tune: "She'll Be Coming 'Round the Mountainn

The kings of old had knights in shining armor (clink, clink), The kings of old had knights in shining armor (clink, clink),

Meeting oh, the kings of old had knights, Yes, the kings of old had knights,

Personnel: Half the den will dress as knights, half will be Cub Oh, rhc ldngr of old had hghts in s-g armor (clink, clink). Scouts. Some boys may recite more than one line.

Props: Knights hold scrolls on which their parts are written.

Setup: Flags are posted in the front. The knights enter from one side, Cub Scouts from the other.

CUB SCOUT 1: Hey, who are you? - - - - - - - - - -

KNIGHT 1: We are knights in shining armor from days of yore. Who are you? CUB SCOUT 2: We are Cub Scouts. We have to practice the Cub Scout Promise.

KNIGHT 2: We are practicing the Knight's Code of Chivalry

KNIGHT 3: Be always ready with your armor on, except when you are taking your rest at night. At whatever you are working, try to win honor and a name for honesty CUB SCOUT 3: I promise to do my best . . . KNIGHT 4: Be prepared to fight in the defense of your counny.

CUB SCOUT 4: To do my duty to God and my country . . .

KNIGHT 5: Defend the poor and help them that cannot defend themselves. Do nothing to hurt or offend anyone.

'- CUB SCOUT 5: To help other people . . . KNIGHT 6: Never break your promise.

CUB SCOUT 6: And obey the Law of the Pack.

They did their best to rescue fair young maidens (save me!), They did their best to rescue fair young maidens (save me!), Oh, they did their best to rescue, Yes, they did their best to rescue, ~ * ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ . ~ clink, clink).

Other verses: They worked together to slay the big bad dragon (fire, jre) . . . They fought with strength and honor for their Lord (clang, clang) . . . The knights of old were loyal to their country (sa-lute) . . . The knights of old had horses m n g and sturdy (whoa, back) . . .

Advancement Ceremony: Knighting of the Webelos Materials: For each Webelos Scout, a knight's shield made from poster board with the Webelos emblem painted on the front and a hand strap glued to the back so the boy can slip his hand through; a sword for the King (the Cubmaster).

Personnel: Court announcer, King (Cubmaster), Cub Scouts COURT ANNOUNCER: Hear you! Hear you! Hear you! The Royal Court of Kmg (Cubmasterk name) is now in session for the purpose