I was a Den Dad
By Harold GiffordLos Angeles, Calif.
By Harold GiffordLos Angeles, Calif.
By Harold GiffordLos Angeles, Calif.
By Harold Gifford
Los Angeles, Calif.
◆Someone asked for volunteers to take over a Den one night at our Pack 58 meeting. Bewildered and afraid, my wife said she would try. After all, there were just six youngsters from around our block and they were all nine years old and anxious to get a start in Cub Scouting. The man in charge of the Pack meeting said it would be nice if one of the dads would act as Den Dad, so having three boys of my own, out went my neck and there I was ... Den Dad of Den 5, Pack 58.
The boys learned the Cub Scout Law and Promise, and they also learned that discipline was the first word in the language. In due time this became a part of their regular activities. They learned fast, because when they were obedient they were rewarded with special trips or treats. And because one fellow’s misbehavior penalized all the others, they learned by living that the “buddy system” really works.
Our Den meetings always came first. The program was planned so that each boy could advance within the six month period, and the achievements were geared into the program so that what we did as fun also resulted in advancement. And we didn’t have any spoiled boys at 11½ either, because our program helped them grow into Scouting.
Our Denners were elected by democratic vote, with ability, interest, and progress as the prerequisites. Believe me, it worked, and we never had any real problem with our Denners ... either before, during, or after they took office.
Yes, our Den had its problems. I remember one boy who just couldn’t read. His athletic ability was nil but you should have seen his beautiful art work. Another boy was a bully, but one day one of the little fellows, who had practiced diligently for weeks, used a swell one-two punch during a Den parents’ meeting show, and the bully never gave us any trouble again. In fact, he became one of the fairest, squarest shooters in the Den. Any personal problem of any of our boys was handled secretly by the Den Mother, and many a mother called to express her grateful thanks for help in home problems involving her son.
We were pretty regular in our recognition for handicrafts and attendance at the monthly Pack meeting, and our skits and stunts were mighty good. The highest honor ever given any of us was when we were invited to present our puppets at the Council Cubbers Pow Wow. One of the mothers of the Den made puppets as her hobby, and after a while every boy in the Den was in the act in the many stories we told with these little acting dolls.
Every one of our boys was taught to mend his clothes and do simple cooking. He learned a lot of handicrafts, but most of all he learned to be clean in every sense, and to be courteous and friendly.
All of this happened during the war years ... at a time when most folks were singing the blues that we couldn’t get leaders ... that we were too busy to worry about the little fellows ... that we had a war to win and nothing else counted.
All true stories must come to an end. But my wife and I had our real thank-you as Den Mother and Den Dad when twelve of our thirteen Cub Scouts graduated with Webelos Honors into Scouting, and even the thirteenth, the lad who couldn’t learn to read, graduated too, though without the added honor of the Arrow of Light on his uniform. The last time we checked, ten of our boys were still in Scouting, and four of them will come up for their Eagle Rank together at the next Court of Honor.
Of course, as Den Dad I did a behind-the-scenes job, but I worked closely with the Den Mother even though I couldn’t often attend the afternoon Den meetings.
Yessir, I was a Den Dad. All three of my boys are in Scouting, one an Eagle Scout with Palms, one a Star Scout, and the third a Wolf Cub Scout heading for Bear. My wife? She is still a Scout widow as I continue to be active in our District, but she shares with me the thrill of seeing her boys receive honor after honor in the best boy program on earth ... Scouting.
Mister, if YOU want to enjoy life a little more ... be a Den Dad. It’s fun!!!