Mississippi Valley Council Lion Program The Lion Pilot

Mississippi Valley Council Lion Program The Lion Pilot The Boy Scouts of America’s pilot program for kindergarten-age boys

The Lion Pilot • Created by the Boy Scouts of America to address the needs of kindergarten-age boys • Designed as an introduction to Cub Scouting • Should be implemented as the curriculum is written to ensure the validity of the pilot

Overview The Lion pilot program offers kindergarten-age boys and their adult partners an experience that includes: • Fun while achieving Scouting’s desired outcomes • Active and fast-paced excitement • Hands-on exploration • Values-based and relevant content • Focused time together as a family

Scouting Is… Scouting is designed to provide a fun adventure for boys that helps them “Be Prepared” for their future. Scouting will: • Build character • • Foster citizenship Develop personal fitness Develop leadership skills Participate in outdoor activities But the kids just want to have fun… Of course they do! Lions will be too caught up in fun to realize how much they’re growing.

Pilot Development • Program materials were developed based on the input and experience of early pilot councils, then further enhanced by the National Council • The team included experts in child development, curriculum design, and education, working in conjunction with the Boy Scouts of America • Many of the developers also worked on the new Cub Scouting curriculum and are active Scouting volunteers

Getting Started • Recruit Lion youth and leaders for fall 2016. • Adult partners complete the youth application and submit fees to the pack. • Lion guides complete the adult application and submit fees to the pack. • Lion guides complete the required Youth Protection training is available free online at www. scouting. org/training/youthprotection. aspx. Although Youth Protection training is required only for Lion guides, it is suggested that all adult partners complete the training.

National Basic Structure • Dens of six to eight boys, plus adult partners • Two den meetings per month – Den meeting • Usually lasts about 45 minutes – Outing • Field trips with the entire family • Participation in two to three pack meetings • Participation in Pack Activities

Alternative Meeting Schedules The average size of our Packs are significantly smaller than the average BSA Pack. Consulting with many leaders, we realize that the National Basic Structure may be a challenge to implement, therefore alternative meeting schedule may need to be implemented. Please follow the intent of the program. If you need to implement an alternative, make sure to include that in any evaluations.

Alternative Meeting Schedule Example Basics • Don’t overload – 2 times a month • Keep the boys active by having a field trip each month. This could include pack activities like family camping or pack picnic. • Lion Cub families are a part of your Pack, not a separate group. Make sure to include them with Lion appropriate activities.

Shared Leadership Lion guide (preferably an experienced leader) • Oversees the den • Communicates with participating families • Mentors adult partners as they lead den meetings and outings during the year • Integrates with the pack and pack leadership • Help families agree to a meeting location and time. • Have each adult partner sign up for a turn leading a den meeting and outing.

Shared Leadership, continued Adult partner • Participates with Lion in all meetings and outings • Takes turns leading a den meeting and outing, which is important for several reasons: 1) It shows you leading, and your son will be proud of you. 2) Leadership is easier when everyone takes a small part. 3) It’s fun to be a part of contributing to the den’s success.

Adventure Book and Uniform • Program materials kit, $9. 99 retail – Lion Parent and Leader Guidebook – Lion Adventure Book – Stickers • The uniform is a Lion t-shirt and an optional cap T-shirt, $9. 99; optional cap, $12. 99 retail • Adults are encouraged to wear a Cub Scout activity shirt or Mississippi Valley will have adult T-Shirts available also.

Adventures Required Adventures Elective Adventures Lion’s Honor* Fun on the Run! Animal Kingdom Mountain Lion King of the Jungle I’ll Do It Myself Pick My Path Gizmos and Gadgets On Your Mark Build It Up, Knock It Down Rumble in the Jungle *First meeting Ready, Set, Grow • The Lion badge is earned by completing all five required adventures • The timing for completing adventures is at the discretion of the den

Leading a Den Meeting Everything you need to lead the den meeting or outing is in the Lion Parent and Leader Guidebook. • • Preparation Gathering Opening Talk time Activities Closing After the meeting We’ve made it easy—it’s all here! Just follow this guide and you’ll be fine.

Take a Look Inside the Guidebook Everything you need is here.

Remember Your Audience… • Kindergartners bring many great attributes to your den. They are eager to learn, with high energy and very short attention spans. It’s a time of wonder and curiosity. • In your den meetings and outings, remember that kindergartners haven’t yet mastered sitting still for long periods. • To help Lions focus for success, have active time ready to go at a moment’s notice. Have them do jumping jacks or stretches with their arms reaching up to the ceiling. • If they are having a hard time listening or engaging, STOP what you are doing and try one of these to get back on track. o Try some fun or active elements between talk time and activities. Activity will help Lions refocus their energy and be ready to listen and participate. o Be creative, ask them questions, and have fun!

Recognition • Lions are recognized for each completed adventure with a sticker for their Lion Adventure Book. – No advancement report is required. – Stickers come with each Lion program kit. – Award stickers immediately. • Adventures are completed during the den meetings and outings. • The Lion badge is earned by completing five required adventures.

Adventure Stickers Located inside your Lion program kit as shown here: 18

Participation • Lions participation should be our best sales pitch for Wolves. FUN, ACTIVE, and keep them wanting more! • Focus their attendance on special or fun meetings • Maintain age-appropriate expectations around meeting length, start/end times, and the typical attention span of kindergarten-age boys • Lion dens are a part of the pack, at an introductory level – Lion dens gain exposure to the world of Cub Scouting – It is not appropriate for Lion dens to participate in overnight den camping, shooting sports, other activities geared toward older boys, or fundraising (unless it helps to directly offset fees/dues which allows their family access for participation)

Pack Participation • Once each month, all dens in a pack get together for a pack meeting led by the Cubmaster. • Lions are a part of the pack, but you need to adapt participation to be at an introductory level for K’s. – Match-box derby instead of Pinewood Derby (Lions should not be building a Pinewood Derby car. ) – Model Rockets – have the Lions do bottle rockets. – Family Picnic – have age appropriate games and create a schedule where Lion families could plan to shorten the day. – Family Camping – give Lion families an option for day only participation.

Council and Camp Participation • Cub Scout Adventure Camp (3 day summer camp) – Lions start in the fall and graduate to Tigers on June 1 st. Tigers may attend CSAC, therefore a Lion who joins in September (ie 2016) may go to CSAC the following Summer (ie 2017). • Council and District Activities - (eg Cubanopolis, Yukon) Lions will be allowed to participate in most Council and District Activities. This includes overnight activities as long as the activity allows family camping. Adjustments to make program age appropriate may be made and any restrictions to participation will be denoted in registration information.

Inappropriate Activities • Use of wood cutting tools including making Pinewood Derby cars. • Shooting Sports – BB guns, archery, sling shots, etc • Den Camping (Note - only Council-Organized Family Camping or Pack Overnighters as defined in Guide to Safe Scouting are approved for Lions. ) • Several Activities with mixed ages (K-5), Pack Leaderhip discretion.

Training • Youth Protection training – Required for Lion guides – Available free online at www. scouting. org/training/youthprotection Although Youth Protection training is required only for Lion guides, it is suggested that all adult partners complete the training. • Lion Guide and Parent Orientation video (2 minutes) – Required for both Lion guides and adult partners • Lion Guide and Parent Orientation slide presentation – – Mississippi Valley Council will present at Roundtable May be presented by Cub Master Required for Lion guides Recommended and encouraged for each adult partner • Position-specific and Fast Start training – Not required

Parent Perspective • Be a hero to your son… • Get to know your son’s friends and their families • Participate with your son • Build memories for a lifetime • Take responsibility for leading one adventure and/or outing for the Den An adult partner is required at all Lion den meetings, outings, and events 24

Lion Registration • The standard $24 BSA national registration fee applies. 100% of this fee is sent to BSA national, which mainly covers liability insurance for our members. • Use standard BSA youth/adult applications – Each youth requires an adult partner • Units may charge additional dues to cover costs of program supplies and recognition • Units may charge activity fees

Parent/Leader Resources Den meeting and outing plans Program overview “Lion Guide and Parent Orientation” (video and Power. Point)

Online Resource BSA Lion web page: www. scouting. org/lion Council Lion web page: available by August 15 One-stop shop for parent and leader resources • FAQs • Program overview • Lion Guide and Parent Orientation video • Lion Guide and Parent Orientation slide presentation • Recruiting materials—fliers, promotional video, photos, etc. Need help? Call our local service centers and ask for your District Executive. They will coordinate help from Volunteer leaders focused on the launch of this program - Commissioners, Membership Committee, Training Committee.

Pilot Evaluation • The pilot program will be assessed and evaluated throughout the year. • Feedback will be requested from: – – Parents Lion guides Cubmasters Councils • For the pilot to be valid, it is important to deliver the curriculum and program as written. If you have any variations make sure to denote them in your comments.

Lion vs. Tiger LION TIGER ADULTS: Adult partners required LEADERSHIP: Shared leadership RECOGNITION: Stickers and Lion badge Adventure loops and Tiger badge UNIFORM: T-shirt and optional cap Cub Scout field uniform FIRST BADGE: Lion Bobcat CAMPING: Family camping with pack / No den camping FUN: ACTIVE and HANDS-ON!

National Lion Pilot The Boy Scouts of America’s pilot program for kindergarten-age boys In the Mississippi Valley Council 217 -224 -0204 or 319 -754 -8413 mvc@scouting. org