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and resources for a pack meeting take priority over planning and
conducting den meetings.
Planning and preparation are the key to any successful Scouting
activity. The pack committee plans the year of pack meetings in July or
August to be ready for the entire upcoming year and to schedule
special guests and presenters. If not, the program planning for pack
meetings should occur at minimum several months in advance in order
to procure any presenters and any materials needed.
Preparation for a pack meeting begins at the pack committee meeting.
Some of the preparation for the pack meeting may be handled by the
Pack Committee Chair or other members of the Pack Committee.
Each den leader ensures each Cub Scout’s record in Scoutbook is up to
date or provides a den advancement report, allowing adequate time
for the pack advancement chair to obtain and prepare the badges and
recognitions, along with the pocket cards, prior to the pack meeting.
Make arrangements for use of the place where your pack will meet.
Make certain it is large enough to accommodate all of the Cub Scouts in
your pack and their family members. Typically, these arrangements are
made at the beginning of the program year for the full year. If you have
a challenge with your meeting location, your chartered organization is
there to help identify and secure an appropriate meeting space.
Arrange for a sound system, if one will be needed. Arrange for any
program materials or other resources that will be needed well in
advance. Be prepared to make adjustments and have a plan B and a
plan C if your original plans do not work out. The pack advancement
chair is responsible for bringing all badges, awards, and pocket cards to
the pack meeting; these should be filled out and organized for easy
presentation.
Communicate with the parents and guardians of the Cub Scouts in your
pack regarding the date, time, and location of every meeting. You may
use several ways to communicate including text messages, email,
phone calls, social media, or the pack’s website. The best method is
one that works for all the families, but several methods may still need
to be used simultaneously.
It’s a good idea to distribute a pack calendar for the full program year
at the beginning of the school year. It’s also helpful to have den leaders
remind the families in their den about each pack meeting as the date