DEN DOINGS
◆Most of the following Den suggestions come from material developed by Mr. and Mrs. Robert Starr of Corning, New York. The material was used as a part of their “Fun With Music” Theme.
Pre-Opening.Play some spirited patriotic records and marches on a phonograph. Feature a march such as the “Marine Hymn,” and each Den can make up its own words. This project can extend through all four Den meetings.
For music during the pre-opening Mrs. Starr recommends Decca Album number 50, “Patriotic Songs For Children.”
Opening.Use phonograph or piano to accompany the boys in the “Star Spangled Banner.”
Business Items.Leaders explain Music and Minstrels theme and discuss Den’s part in minstrel show. This need not be finally determined until next Den Meeting.
Activities.Pin pictures of musical instruments on boys’ backs. They ask questions of each other which can be answered “yes” or “no” until each discovers the name of the instrument he wears.
Practice the song the Pack has chosen for chorus of minstrel show. Also practice any other general songs to be used in the show.
Closing.Sing again the closing chorus for the minstrel show.
Pre-Opening.Tell the story of some special music or composer such as Stephen Foster.
Opening.Sing one of the choruses to be used in the Pack minstrel show.
Business Items.Den Mother leads Den in discussion to decide what the Den will do at the Pack minstrel show.
Activities.Spend some time working as a group on words for the song chosen at the first meeting. Try some musical charades. Each Cub Scout acts out the title of a song while others guess its name. After the name is guessed the Cub leads his Den in the song. Rehearse Den’s part in minstrel show.
Closing.Teach the Cub Scouts an old time spiritual such as “Swing Low Sweet Chariot” and “Joshua Fit the Battle of Jericho.” TheFireside Book of Songs, published by Simon & Schuster, will give Den Mothers lots of ideas.
Pre-Opening.Pick a simple radio theme song such as the “Duz” song and let each boy write his own words for the music. Here is what one Cub Scout in Mr. Starr’s Pack composed:
CUB CUBCubs can do most anythingCubs can stand the test you see.When you ask them why this is,They say we’ll try anything.
CUB CUBCubs can do most anythingCubs can stand the test you see.When you ask them why this is,They say we’ll try anything.
CUB CUB
CUB CUB
Cubs can do most anythingCubs can stand the test you see.When you ask them why this is,They say we’ll try anything.
Cubs can do most anything
Cubs can stand the test you see.
When you ask them why this is,
They say we’ll try anything.
Opening.All teach their songs to the Den.
Business Items.Den Mother and Den Chief check up on costumes, properties, etc., for Pack minstrel show.
Activities.Musical Guessing Game. One Cub Scout sings a song silently in front of the Den while others try to read his lips. As each Cub Scout guesses the song, he joins the first boy and sings the song silently with him. When everyone has guessed the song, the Den sings it aloud. Play another game of your own choice unrelated to the musical theme. Rehearse the Den’s part for the minstrel show. It should be really polished this time. Also rehearse the choruses which are to be sung by the entire cast.
Closing.Sing a quiet song such as “Now the Day Is Over.”
Pre-Opening.Hold a dress rehearsal for the minstrel show. During the pre-opening, Cub Scouts put on their minstrel show costumes. Blackface is not necessary for the rehearsal.
Opening.Rather than follow through with the formal Den meeting, use time to rehearse the Den’s acts for the minstrel show. Teach Cub Scouts some rounds. Mr. and Mrs. Starr recommend theBlue Bookpublished by Hall & McCreary Co. Good rounds are: “Scotland’s Burning,” “Sweetly Sings the Donkey,” “Row Row Row Your Boat,” “Three Blind Mice” and “Are You Sleeping?”
Closing.Rehearse the Den song which was composed by the boys at the first Den Meeting.