On the den calendar include leader assignments so that all of the leaders in your den know which weeks they are responsible for. Give a copy of the den calendar to all of the parents in your den and to the Cubmaster and Pack Committee Chair.
(It's always possible to change the plan later if it's really appropriate to do so, but you'll find that having the plan as a guide will make things go so much smoother in your den. All of the leaders will know well in advance what they need to prepare for and all of the parents will know what they can help their scout make up if he misses a meeting because of illness, vacation, or sports. If you do make changes to the plan, be sure to communicate the changes to everyone, preferablly in writing.)
As Scout arrive, pair them up and invite them to play Dots and Boxes. The rules are printed on each page.
Your first flag ceremony should be simple. Place the flag in a stand (or have a Scout hold it) and have everyone stand and say the Pledge of Allegiance.
Each person gets 5 cards or 5 M&M's or 5 whatever. You go around the circle and each person tells something they have never done. If you have done it, you must throw one of your cards into the middle. The last person holding a card wins. For example, I could say, "I have never had a ride on a horse." Everyone who has ridden a horse must throw in a card.
One of the first thigns that everyone in your den should do is finish the requirements for the Bobcat rank. The requirements are listed in the Bobcat Trail section of the Wolf and Bear books. Some of the scouts may have already completed their Bobcat rank if they were in scouts the previous year, however some may have just joined. Explain the 8 requirements and encourage the boys to work on them at home (especially the Child Protection exercises!)
Discuss what the U.S. flag represents and how it should be respected and displayed. Have one or more den flag ceremonies. Practice folding the flag. For additional information about the flag, use the resource on this CD called I Wish Someone Had Told Me About Flag Etiquette
(When you have completed this activity and the scouts feel comfortable performing a flag ceremony - contact the Cubmaster and volunteer your den to do the opening at an upcoming Pack meeting!)
Discuss skits with the scouts and how they add 'sparkle' to Pack meetings. Select a skit from the skit resources available on this CD (or from an Internet source) and have the scouts practice the skit a few times.
(When the scouts are comfortable performing the skit, contact the Cubmaster and volunteer your den to perform the skit at an upcoming Pack meeting!)
Visit your local Scout Shop, Michael's, or A.C Moore crafts store and select a simple leathercraft project such as a bookmark or keychain fob. (Simple projects like these can often be purchased at very low prices, e.g., 3 for $5. Your Pack may make money available for den projects or allow you to spend the dues money that you collect for projects like this.)
Have the scouts decorate the leathercraft project by dampening the leather and stamping designs. For more information on leatherworking, see I Wish Someone Had Told Me About Leatherworking on this CD.
The native storytellers of the Northwest Coast use masks of wood painted with curvy designs. Have your scouts make their own storytelling masks and then tell a story.
Materials: 7-inch white paper plates, wooden tongue depressors, hot glue gun, hole punch, scissors, crayons or markers.
Cut a 2-inch slit on each side of the plate. Punch or cut two eye holes. Glue the tongue depressor to the bottom inside of the plate to act as a handle. Turn the plate over and draw a face (appropriate for the story to be told). Close the slits by overlapping the edges and gluing them together.
Hold the mask in front of your face using the handle. Ask each scout to tell a very short story that goes along with the mask.
Note that this activity is a good lead-in to Bear Achievement 4.
Say the Law of the Pack in repeat-after-me fashion.