Getting Cub Scouts to be Serious

The current question at Scouting Magazine’s Front Line Stuff Getting Cub Scouts to be Serious I am a den chief, and my father is a den leader.

I play games with the Cub Scouts and try to have fun, but when it’s time to be serious, they just want to keep fooling around. How can I get them to listen when it’s time? Den Chief W.M.

Congratulations to W.M. for serving as a Den Chief! Cub-aged boys are still learning how to shift gears from fun and games to more serious pursuits.

Whether it is a ceremony or some important point of instruction all Cub Scout Leaders take on the challenge of directing the tremendous energy and excitement of their Cub Scouts. Ask the Cubs to help you set a consistent plan for Den meetings. Ask them what they consider to be enough time for the different parts of the meeting and how they think they should act for each one. If they have some investment in making these decisions they will be much more likely to adopt the proper frame of mind for the different aspects of a Den meeting.