Cub Sout Meetings.. Are They All Chaotic???

Was this just at this one meeting? Are all meetings or most meetings this chaotic? If they were crazy at the start and end, blowing off steam, I could see that, but if they were nutty every five minutes you say, and if most meetings are this way, it's past time for other parents to offer the leaders some help here, I think. Are these leaders going to welcome that or be all huffy and offended? If the latter - I'd look for a new den, maybe.

Do the leaders have specific activities planned for each meeting? Are the activities age-appropriate (as in not too "old" or "young" for these kids but things that are achievable and engaging)? Do the leaders have ALL the needed supplies there and set up ready to go before the kids get there and go nuts? Does the meeting have any kind of official opening 'ceremony" or activity that signals to the boys, every time, consistently, that the meeting is starting right now and now is the time we drop the pre-meeting running around? Does the meeting have a clearly defined ending, another ceremony or consistent ending activity that, again, signals to the kids that now it's time they go? In short -- is there structure, and are activities good, realistic, organized and engaging? Do the leaders run out of activities and often end up with time where the kids are not doing something specific so it turns into a melee?

I totally agree with the post below saying the den needs one active, high-energy activity at the start to get the boys to burn off some energy. But the leaders MUST be able to bring the boys back, after an active time, to whatever else they're trying to do during that meeting.

I'm asking all this as a Girl Scout leader but I think the ideas apply to any group of kids, including our Cub and Boy Scout brothers.

One other thing parents of these boys need to consider -- if this den is ever going to do a field trip (fire station, police station, local park to cook out, whatever) or especially if they ever are going to go camping, you truly need a lot more adults present. I would not attempt any form of outing until the boys and leaders have had a string of successfully organized, calmer meetings that show the boys will listen to these leaders.

My son is in Tiger Scouts with 7 other boys. He an 2 other boys are very much the goofy, loud, need to be kept on a lease type boys. I often sit with the other 2 moms, an the three of us know that we need to keep on them.

One of our den leaders is a second grade teacher. She is very good at keeping the boys in check. When the boys need to be paired up or divided into groups, she knows to separate these 3 boys.

I would say that it is definitely in the nature of 1st grade boys to behave this way, and it is absolutely the responsibility of the parents and the den leaders to keep on the boys and remind them that during a den meeting, this type of behavior is unacceptable.

We're very lucky at our Den Meetings, but our Pack Meetings are anther story. The boys tend to be loud and disrespectful. They are at the meetings with their parents, so this really bothers me. The parents need to remind them that at Pack Meetings we are quiet and listen to those who are speaking/presenting. I'm actually quite shocked at the number or parents who just let their kids talk and goof off during the meeting. My son gets upset and wants to know why he has to sit still and be quiet.

My son does not have the best behavior. He doesn't come home on green everyday. But he does try and he is learning and we continue to work with him. I know I sounded very judgmental in this post. Guess it just hit a nerve.

I do think the behavior is quite normal for 1st grade boys. But I also think 1st grade boys need to be taught by their den leaders and their parents that this type of behavior is not ok at den and pack meetings.

I feel your pain!! My son is now a Bear Scout (3rd grade) and my husband just became Cubmaster. Yes, boys are kinda wacky but they need strong leaders who can keep them in line. Are the meetings structured? If there is a planned activity, the boys should be keeping to the task at hand. Of course, they might need some redirecting here and there. If the leaders don't plan ahead then it can easily lead to a free for all.

Are all of the meeting like this? Have you said something to the leaders? If not, you should. These dads are great to be volunteering their time to run the den but you as a parent have every right to speak up too.

Good luck!

My son is also a tiger cub this year and his den has 10 boys. The beginnings and ends of the meetings are out of control. They run around like crazy and they are SO loud! For the most part though, they are calm during the actual meeting. They aren't always focused and may be goofing around a little, but they generally stay seated and are pretty quiet (maybe talking, but not yelling).

As a Tiger Cub, there is supposed to be an adult present for every child. Having your own parent there helps to keep the boys controlled a little more. The leaders also need to step up though and be more disciplined.

Help them get their energy out by having a very active opening activity. Make it something where they can run around and be wild. Play dodgeball or tag or anything else that lets them run and/or throw things. Sometime in the middle, try to have another high energy activity.

After that, sit them all down and talk about respect. Tell them how important it is to respect their leaders the same way they would respect a teacher.

Our meetings have definitely gotten better over the course of the year.

Men are in charge, of course it's going to be chaotic.
The classroom is an entirely different setting.

OK, It's like this. Cub Scout Meetings cause Migranes!!!!

I have 2 boys that are now Boy Scouts, we love the Scouting program. Scouting teaches a lot of values and life skills that just aren't taught anymore. They go camping once a month and GASP no electronics are allowed :). My oldest will complete his Eagle Scout later in the month and that is a lot of work and a huge accomplishment that can never be taken from him.

When my younger son crossed over from Cub Scouts to Boy Scouts last year we went to dinner to celebrate. He thought we were celebrating for him but really Mom and Dad were celebrating that we would never have to attend another Cub Scout meeting. I'm not sure what it is but you get those boys together and they loose all sense and go crazy. We belonged to two different Packs and they were both the same way. One Pack did have a tool that they used to quite the boys that I thought was a great idea. They had an old style metal trash can, inside the lid they had painted LOUD. When the person talking took the lid of the can and showed them the sign the boys would scream and yell and get it all out, but as soon as the lid went back on the can they were to sit quietly and listen. Amazingly it worked pretty well.

Enjoy the ride!!

M.

BTW, Don't let them do paper mache' in your house, I did, I had that stuff everywhere and I thought I had done everything I could to protect my house!!!