Cub Scout Leader Guide: Pack Meetings

The monthly pack meeting brings together leaders, Scouts from every den and their families to showcase everything the Scouts have learned and done in their individual den meetings. The pack meeting gives the Scouts a larger experience beyond their own den, and helps them to connect their individual activities to the entire Cub Scouting program.

Planning Pack Meetings
While the Cubmaster is responsible for leading the pack meeting, he or she plans and conducts it with the help of other leaders. Every den shares the responsibility by doing its assigned parts. The challenge is to conduct a brisk, fast-moving meeting that will hold the interest of Scouts and family members. The secret to a good pack meeting is planning carefully to include a balance of seriousness and fun, the involvement of many people, and a lively pace.

There are no hard-and-fast rules for planning and conducting pack meetings. Each meeting must be planned individually, keeping in mind the business items to be covered, the ceremonies to be held, and what is necessary for balance in the way of games, songs, and other fun. Some elements of a successful pack meeting are:

• A detailed, well-planned, written program is conducted without delays.
• All equipment and materials are on hand before the meeting begins.
• The meeting place is safe, clean, and large enough.
• A good seating arrangement is provided.
• The meeting is no longer than an hour while opening and closing on time. Announcements and speeches are not too long.
• The meeting is planned so that every den participates in some way.
• Impressive recognition, advancement, and graduation ceremonies are held.

Suggested Pack Meeting Formats

Before the meeting
Adult leaders in the pack gather to be sure the meeting place is prepared; the room is set up, exhibits and displays are prepared, equipment is ready. Hold a gathering that provides interesting things for Scouts and families to do while waiting for everyone else to arrive.

Opening

A brief ceremony marks the beginning of the meeting. Opening pack ceremonies often consist of a flag presentation, a brief prayer, or a song.

Skit / Song

The program section of the meeting may include presentations and performances by the dens that demonstrate things the Scouts learned during the month, activities that involve the entire audience, or a featured event.

Recognition

An important part of the pack meeting is formal recognition given to the Cub Scouts who have earned badges, belt loops, Webelos pins, or other awards, and the leaders who have earned training awards, religious emblems, or other community awards.

Closing

The closing begins with announcements about special events, coming activities, and the date of the next pack meeting, followed by a closing ceremony.

After the Meeting

After the pack meeting, many packs provide refreshments for an informal fellowship session, and the leaders and Scouts help to put the meeting space back in order.

Ceremony Suggestions
Simple ceremonies open and close pack meetings and mark important events or accomplishments in the lives of the Scouts and families. These are some typical kinds of pack ceremonies:

Flag ceremonies teach Scouts how to handle and display the American flag.

Induction ceremonies welcome new Scouts and their families into the pack.

Advancement ceremonies celebrate the completion of requirements for Lion, Bobcat, Tiger, Wolf, Bear, Webelos ranks and the Arrow of Light Award.

Closing ceremonies bring the meeting to a close and send everyone home with inspirational ideas
to remember.

• The meeting is planned so that every den participates in some way.
• Impressive recognition, advancement, and graduation ceremonies are held.