“Explore career possibilities of the 21st century this month. Host a pack career fair, inviting several adults to share what they do for a living and how these career opportunities might change as you grow up and technology advances. Discover how having a positive attitude is essential in reaching career goals.
Den meeting plans could include field trips to learn about different occupations of interest to the boys and playing games centered on different jobs.
This would be a good month to work on any of the Cub Scout Academics and Sports belt loops and pins - let the boys vote on the one that fits best with what they want to be when they grow up.
For those future astronauts this month is a perfect time for a space derby!” [bold added]
From the official Scouting.org Program
Before television became dominant, kids tended to aspire to the careers they were exposed to in real life. But today, children develop a picture of the adult work world from what they see on television.
As the Center for Media Literacy points out in the article “When I Grow Up: Children and the Work-World of Television,” tv programming is designed to be entertainment, not a realistic look at working adults. On television, characters tend to be doctors, lawyers, or detectives, and they spend most of their work time talking and socializing with each other. When they are doing actual work, it tends to be glamorous things like arguing multi-million-dollar jury lawsuits or doing life-saving surgery.
You usually do not see the mundane aspects of most careers portrayed. How many tv lawyers do you see filling out time sheets or summarizing deposition transcripts?
And most jobs are never even shown on television. When did you last see a show about civil engineers, actuaries, school teachers, or electricians?
As adults, we can help children have a more accurate picture of the adult world of work by pointing out television’s distorted image of working adults and by highlighting the many attractive job opportunities not portrayed in prime time.
March Roundtable Notes from the Buckeye Council
Simon Kenton Council’s Buckeye District roundtable packet for March 2009 (When I Grow Up) has been posted on the SKC website.
The Buckeye District puts together a great roundtable packet each month. It has games, cooking ideas, crafts, songs, skits, ceremonies, and more. Thanks Buckeye’s!
Link (pdf)
The February 2009 Cubcast from BSA National is available (free). It has ideas for den meetings and more utilizing the March “When I Grow Up” theme.
The program also has a number of tips on leading kids in singing songs.
March 2009 Baloo
The February 2009 Baloo’s Bugle (by Commissioner Dave) is available for free download. Baloo’s Bugle is a monthly unofficial publication with games, activities, ceremonies, puzzles, crafts, and other ideas for den and pack meetings. This one covers the March “When I Grow Up” theme.
And there is also stuff about making sure that den and pack events provide a safe haven and about spring recruiting.
Click here (link) to download it in pdf format or here (link) to download it in Word format.
