My assistant den leader came up with this idea for starting off each den meeting and I think it's a great one.
We always start our den meeting around my kitchen table. We recite the Scout Promise and the Law of the Pack. Then we sit down and go around the table. Each scout brings a quarter with him. (I always have extras just in case anyone forgets) We have a container-called the Good Deeds Jar- that gets passed around. When the jar is in front of you, you tell the den one good deed you've done since the last meeting and put your quarter in the jar.
Examples of good deeds may include picking up litter, helping a sibling or parent with a chore, helping at school, etc... At the end of the year, the parents match the amount that the Scouts have collected in the jar. Then the Scouts vote on a charity they'd like the money to go to. We have only done this for two years. The first years the scouts wanted to donate to our church's vacation Bible school which was low on funds and the second year they donated to the Humane Society.
I started with a large apple sauce jar, some Modge Podge, paint brush, red spray paint, Scout magazines and scissors.
I had planned on use general scout images but the I found the mini images in the magazine of 100 Boy's Life covers.
I first spray painted the apple sauce lid red and while that was drying I cut out all the pictures.
Paint a small section of the jar with Modge Podge and then stick on a few of your pictures. Seal it by painting over top of the image with more Modge Podge. Continue until completely covered or until it looks however you want.
You can use any kind of container. I just made this one for my younger son's den so that they can start in this tradition.
This activity instills such pride in the boys. Whenever I ask them who wants to go first from week to week, all of their hands shoot up.
Thanks for visiting Scout Mom!