I am not a den leader.. ( in 2016 I became a den leader. LOL) .but I do try to help ours out.
So for last week's meeting, I planned it and filled the whole hour with stuff to do.
I gave the boys assignments of researching their heritage. I bought a trifold poster for my son to write and glue all his info. Much more organized and easier to read off a board than a phone. And good practice for the years to come.
Anyway, they were given 6 things to do before they came to the meeting.
1. Bring in and share 5 things orange
2. Share a story or bring in something to tell about your heritage
3. Interview a grandparent ( I made my son interview both grandmothers)
4. How did you get your name and what does it mean
5. Where did your family come from
6. Bring in a snack that represents your heritage
I made my son type his grandmother's responses... I made him write about family traditions on the board. I made him learn to research his name. I made him do most of it while I sat there and helped.
Then at the meeting we brought soft pretzels, german kinder chocolate, and German cookies. The cookies were the biggest hit but we Had to bring something healthier because that's what the book said.
Our boys were so bored during each others presentation. . We had to keep telling them to pay attention.
Then after that, I had them make a den sheild together. Neither of them wanted to. But I made it easy and what I thought was fun.
Then I had them make Derby neckerchefs. I premade everything for easy assembly.. apparently too easy. My son loved it and wore it as a ring. The other boy just looked at me like I was dumb. But the boys got a lot done towards achievements. And they were busy the WHOLE hour. That's success in my book. ( My son wears that Derby Neckerchief slide at every Pinewood Derby!)
Next week they have more homework. They have to show loyalty at school for a whole week. I already wrote my son's teacher about that. They also have to find a task to do at home. My son's task is cleaning the table for dinner every night. And they have to build a castle out of recycled material to display at next week's pack meeting.
But with limited den meetings, I suggest packing as much as possible into each meeting. Especially the "share with your den" ones...lol
