Planning Pack Events Prepared by Jim Graney Taughannock District Committee Chair 607-347-4302, jgraney@twcny.rr.com 3/26/11

Benefits to a strong unit program plan A stronger program for youth More parental involvement More youth going to camp More funding with less fundraising Eliminate out of pocket expense for parents Delivers on the high expectations of the Scouting program

What is Unit Program Planning An annual process where a unit invites all families to have input in the program and activities of the unit The process of selecting great activities, developing a unit calendar and a unit budget

Introduction to Program Planning Materials Complete process in one easy to use format – brainstorming, activity selection, calendar and budget With minimum prep process should be complete in 1 – 1.5 hours

What to do Before the Meeting Packs invite all of your Scouting parents, Troops and Crews invite all youth –even the ones you have not seen in awhile Put in the basic data; set meeting dates number of current Scouts Line up adequate space and equipment

What to do at the meeting Brainstorm – come up with the 14 – 16 best activities that your Scouts and families would like to do Calendar – put the top 12 of those into each month on your calendar Budget – go back to the brainstorming page and input the estimated cost into the activity section of the budget worksheet

Introduction to Program Planning Spreadsheet (Spend a little time going through each page of the program planning spreadsheet which is also available on your CD-Rom)

Introduction to Program Planning Spreadsheet

Program Planning Spreadsheet

Introduction to Program Planning Spreadsheet

What to do after the meeting Communicate the plan to all families, when everyone knows what is going on they are more likely to be active. When they have a sales goal they are more likely to hit it. Use the calendar as a promotional piece to attract both youth and new leaders into Scouting. Invite parents to coordinate one of the monthly activities, start with small successes. Use the administration tools to help your unit run more smoothly throughout the year.

What should I do as a Unit Leader? Look at the program planning packet Plan a program planning meeting Notify all of your families and invite them with a reasonable amount of time to attend Host an organized planning meeting Notify all your families of the results of your planning meeting

Updates from past years Pack and Den Meeting Plans (replaces Fast Tracks and Program Helps)

More on Cub Scouts 2010! It is THE national model for delivering Cub Scouts Delivery Method: Most youth advancement is now done during the den meetings. Den Leaders are given lesson plans for their meetings. Den meetings occur twice a month. Boys earn achievements regularly and complete rank advancements annually. Monthly focus follows Cub Scouting’s 12 core values. Benefits of Cub Scouts 2010 Easier to recruit and keep leaders Easy-to-use, effective program Each boy advances in rank each year Improved communication among parents and leaders Improved youth meeting attendance Youth stay in program longer and receive more benefits from Scouting

What’s Not changing Foundational elements of the Cub Scouting program (purpose, methods, core values, etc.) Youth handbooks, achievement activities or advancement requirements Pack meeting structure (7 steps) Importance of trainings and monthly leaders meetings (Roundtables)

So, What’s in it for Cub Scouts?