Nice and fun overview.

Excellent point about how Roundtables, Pow Wows, etc., can react to these plans that leaders will have. Miss Liberty noted that now these plans reflect more of (paraphrasing) "here's a program with a purpose (advancement activities and character) that Leaders can build on by adding fun stuff", as opposed to the more difficult "here's some fun stuff to do, but you might want to come up with ideas about how to get more advancement into it".  <Yes, I know that Program Helps does have advancement stuff, but it never really gave a complete "arc" of a year's meeting plans, so the path was complicated for many (especially new) leaders..

As we've taught advancement based meeting plans in training, we've used a menu concept: the advancement stuff is the main course, but yer gonna wanna spice it up, add a complementary side dish or two, and garnish with fun. Plus salsa. More salsa please.

Thanks for the overview!

Hello rvwhalen!

On your comment that "boys might get tired of encountering theme X for third time when they are in Webelos", I believe that the guide, as written, gives you plenty of leeway to make it come alive so that nobody groans (internally or externally) that "aww, not this again" (though sometimes there are things that they liked and will instead say "cool, this again!").

For example, in the September Pack Meeting, I see that it says, when it is time for a game or games: "Cooperative Games. Use games that require teamwork and cooperation. Use the games below, or for more ideas, the Cub Scout Leader How-To Book, No. 33832, has a whole section on cooperative games."  (emphasis added)

– Then it gives some examples.

– So you could do those, or something else.  And rotate. 

–  I will be stunned if Roundtables and Baloo's Bugle, etc. are not chock full of cool things that could be in the rotation.

Note: even if an individual plan, or plan segment, of the Guide doesn't expressly use language like "or something else that works for you and the Scouts", I think that Leaders should just add that phrase every time they see something that says: "do this".

This ties into the general concept of whether rigid adherence to the Guide is mandatory (and the corollary that if it is not in the Guide then it cannot be done at a Den or Pack Meeting).  With all due respect: hogwash.  When it comes to meetings for Scouts, as long as it is done safely, ties to the program in some way, and, as to achievements, the steps/activities are done (in meeting or at home) properly, I really really hope that folks "keep it simple, make it fun", and don't obsess about whether "the Guide says you can do this" today.  Because that is mis-reading the Guide and making life harder.

Similarly, as to whether there is "enough flexibility to account for the differences in weather in the different parts of the country", I think you'll find it there.  Plus flexibility to tie to your Pack Weekend activities, or when a special guest can do a Den or Pack Meeting presentation (especially getting non-leader parents involved), and other needs for flexibility.

– That's one reason why (unlike the pilot versions of Fast Tracks) you'll see LOTS of references to changing the sequence of Den Meetings.  It's OK.

Use your resources. Keep it Simple. Make it fun!

Great, thanks.  But let's see . . . if we have cards for (1) Producers, (2) Consumers and (3) Decomposers, if they stayed with the theme, I shudder to imagine what they then used . . .  for Chips . . . . 

Oooh . . . snap.  Good catch. 

But for Wolf, I think the meeting plans work, it's just "you've earned the badge" box is misplaced, since the last "Achievement" was actually earned in Meeting 11 (possibly turned in at Meeting 12).

For Bear, yeah. depending on when you start and how your holidays figure, that could run long (you are right that for Bear they wrap it up in a combined meeting 12/13).

Solutions:

–  A catch up meeting or two.

–  I think Bear has a sequence issue where Meeting 11 has one "Do: Achievements 8a, 17b, and 17c", but each of those is "extra" based on Meetings 1-10, based on the "grid" at the front, and a quick achievement track.

–  One could pull out the "Bear Wild Card" of No. 10 (Family Fun), which is so easy to do, and drop a Bear Meeting that does an activity in that "Group".

–  For Wolves, you can shorten also by spreading out the "Making Choices" chats, by putting them in "Business Items" / Talk Time in earlier meetings. 

– Or do your B&G in March.  We're always late with our Birthday Cards anyway!

Definately the Bear sequence needs a closer look . . .