Resources

Where can leaders obtain the materials that are needed for den and pack activities? Who can help provide these materials? How do leaders use what has been obtained? Resources are everywhere! The creative use of resources can strengthen the Cub Scout Program in the den and pack.

The Boy Scouts of America publishes a wide variety of material to help the leaders plan the Cub Scout program. Resources are the answer to the cry of "help" from leaders. Page 161 of the Cub Scout Leaders Book is a good place to start.

Each leader should establish his or her own resource list or file. It is a good idea to write things down, keep them in a specific place in an orderly fashion. One means of keeping resources well organized is 3 x 5 cards filed in a recipe-type box. Individual leaders may make their own files or the pack committee may make a large, combined file to be available to all leaders and committee members. The den leader coach needs a well-organized resource file to help the den leaders plan and execute the program.

In dealing with specific resources it is more manageable to split them into categories... people, places, and things. These categories do overlap but a pack or individual resource file should contain some information on most of the following suggestions:

Sources Of Material And Equipment

1. DONATIONS OF MATERIALS:

a. Parents, grandparents, other relatives, neighbors, friends of Scouting (these are responsive resources).

b. Local businesses.

2. SCOUT SERVICE CENTER:

a. Literature

b. Insignia

c. Badges of office

d. Special recognitions

-Woolaroc Walk Patch, Zoo Train Patch, etc.

-National Summertime Pack Award, Honor Unit Award, Training Awards

-Recognition plaques, trophies, certificates, etc.

3. LOCAL SCOUT DISTRIBUTOR:

a. Literature

b. Insignia

c. Uniforms

d. Equipment

4. BOY SCOUT TROOP:

a. Loan of equipment and props for special recognition ceremonies.

b. Loan of camping equipment for Webelos outings.

5. OTHER SOURCES:

a. Local craft stores.

b. Army/Navy Surplus stores.

c. Garage sales.

d. Catalogs

e. Close-out sales.

Sources Of Program Information And Ideas -

• All Boy Scout literature
• Roundtables
• Pow Wows
• District/Council Committees
• Professional Scouters
• Commissioner staff
• Council Newsletter (Smoke Signals)
• Philmont Training Conferences
• Den Leader Coach
• Leaders from other packs
• Workshops (including out of Scouting)
• Libraries

Sources Of Support -

FAMILIES:

PACK LEADERS:

a. Transportation

a. Past experience

b. Telephoning

b. Assistance/planning

c. Refreshment/parties

c. Special talents/skills

d. Instruction

d. Help in recruiting

e. Leadership of activities

e. Leadership of activities

COMMISSIONERS' STAFF:

BOY SCOUT TROOP:

a. Uniform inspections

a. Leadership assistance on Webelos campouts

b. Charter renewal

b. Den Chiefs

c. Program assistance

c. Webelos graduation

d. Special recognition ceremonies

e. Other special recognition ceremonies

f. Help on recruiting

SCOUT SERVICE CENTER:

CHARTERED ORGANIZATION:

a. Information

a. Assistance from chartered partners

b. Professional assistance

b. Charter renewal

c. Camping facilities

c. Participation in pack activities

d. Training schedules

d. Facilities/Information

e. Material/equipment

DISTRICT COMMITTEE:

ARMED SERVICES:

a. Basic leader training

a. Uniform inspections

b. Information

b. Instruction/flag courtesy

c. Special assistance

c. Guided tours (National Guards)

d. Leadership for special events

e. Monthly Roundtables

f. Rally training/recruiting

Sources Of Financial Support For Packs

a. Pack Budget (den dues)

b. Pack money-raising projects (require council approval)

c. Scout-O-Rama ticket sales

Good luck in building your resource library!!!