Always have a couple of pre-planned meeting to hand for those evenings when the unexpected happens, and you cannot do what was originally planned.
Plan a combined meeting every year with your nearest Troop. Ensure that the games are cooperative, rather than competitive!
Have a quiet game ready to play before flagbreak, when the Scouts / Cubs / Beavers arrive. This keeps the tempo down, and can give a much quieter evening. ;-) Include some Patrol / Six points and watch them start arriving on time...
Pre flagbreak activity... Unscramble anagrams of knots, hitches, bends and whippings.
Pre flagbreak activity... Tip the contents of the rope box / bag out and get all the ropes rehanked. The older boys might have time to do a whipping.
Pre flagbreak activity... Identify map symbols.
Pre flagbreak activity... Fill a matchbox with as many articles as possible. The size of the box to suit the section!
Pre flagbreak activity... Find as many articles as possible to pass through a hole in a piece of card. The size of the hole to suit the section.
Pre flagbreak activity... Write an End of Meeting prayer.
Pre flagbreak activity... Build a human bridge.
Pre flagbreak activity... Clean out the section cupboard.
Try to include a new game at least once a month.
Have an occasional GAMES ONLY meeting...
Why not let each Patrol take it in turns to run a Troop Meeting night once a month. Give the Scouters a night off and let the Scouts do everything from Flag Break to final Prayers.[Del Reynolds]
Ever thought of using the daily newspaper as a resource means. Use your imagination as you read through it and you can find enough material in one edition to last for a months Troop activities.[Del Reynolds]
Cut puzzles, crosswords,quizes out of Scouting (or other suitable mags). Stick on a piece of card (sticking answer on the back). Cover with clear sticky plastic and keep a selection in a plastic zip bag with some felt pens.
The puzzles can be used over and over again and wiped clean with a damp cloth.Probably more suitable for Cub age.
[Marilyn McLaughlin]
Return to Hints and Tips Page.
