AMERICAN CUB SCOUT DEN IN PERU
By Mrs. A. R. Merz
La Oroya, Peru
◆ “Gee, mother, all the Cubs are wearing their new uniforms to school and there’s four—let me see, how many Cubs are there now? I guess five, Cub caps in a row in the cloakroom, and now the two Scout caps, and, gee, they look nice!”
It was Boy Scout Week and the five Cub Scouts and two Boy Scouts, whose uniform accessories had just arrived from BSA Headquarters in New York were 100% thrilled at the privilege of wearing their new gear every day to school. The boys are members of Den One and Patrol One, the only officially registered Scout groups in the Sierra of Peru, and doubtless the highest in all the world—for the altitude where we live is 12,500 feet.
On January 7, 1947, the parents of the only four boys then eligible to join any Scout group met and decided that even with so few it would be worth everyone’s effort to start a Cub Den. We were all members of the small mining camp (about 50 “gringo” families) of the extensive Cerro de Pasco Copper Corporation called La Oroya.
Since then, four new boys of Cub Scout age have come to camp and been admitted, and four of the original five have attained their twelfth birthdays and are now enjoying their first meetings as a Boy Scout Neighborhood Patrol. Without exception, the younger boys are all looking forward to their ninth birthdays so that they may join the envied group of Cub Scouts.
Our first month was dedicated to getting acquainted with Scouting literature, its history and intent, and fixing up the gravel-floored garage loaned to us as meeting place by the Cubmaster. We borrowed the unused school workbench, decorated walls with Cub Scout plaques, American and Den Flags, and the framed Den Charter. With the help of local men, often not themselves fathers of Cub Scouts, we made many things of wood, tin, and copper during the year. But the regular meetings are held at the Den Mother’s home, or at the homes of all the boys in rotation when the Den Mother is out of town.
Our theme for the second month was “Books,” when we learned how to care for books and specialized in the Reading Achievement. Now the company-sponsored Inca Club has a children’s book-shelf for the first time in its thirty years.
During April and May we made musical instruments and practiced using them—I can hardly say playing them—for a minstrel act that was part of a five-part program we gave at the end of the school term in June.
In July we had our first “Pack” meeting—the same few boys, but with their parents and the general manager and his wife as guests. Each boy personally prepared one dish to be served, and each mother another, so we had a generous banquet that night in the Golf club.
In December, with “Service” as our theme, we collected odds and ends of broken or non-used toys and outgrown clothing. By mid-month the garage was overflowing, and with the mothers we managed to get the hopeless looking pile reduced to gifts in acceptable condition to distribute to the poverty-stricken Indian children of Old Oroya.
Now, even as you, we are planning a minstrel show.
Music Minstrels
THEME for JANUARY
Pack 370, Portage, Wisconsin and Pack 7, Tulsa, Oklahoma.
◆ This month there will be musical games, new Cub Scout songs to sing, and a minstrel show planned and put on. It’s going to be a big month, and the following ideas will help make it so.
Naturally, we can’t tell you which type of music is most typical in your section. That is something Pack and Den leaders will discover during December in preparation for the January theme. School music teachers can help, as well as most libraries. Each Den can choose a song and do it in costume for the minstrel show.
Of course, the boys of the Southwest will be singing cowboy songs such as “Home On the Range,” “Headin’ For the Last Round-Up,” “Cowboy’s Lament,” The boys of New England may choose to sing sea-farin’ chanteys, such as “Blow the Man Down,” or “Reuben Ranzo.” (A laughable stunt would be to have a Cub Scout on stage going through singing motions while a hidden “basso profundo” sings “Rocked In the Cradle of the Deep.”) Boys of the South will probably sing southern ballads and spirituals.
HOMEMADE MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS
You will find this a most popular field with Cub Scouts. They can actually make instruments that will have musical tones as well as being comedy take-offs of actual instruments. You will find a page of ideas for homemade musical instruments on page [17] of this issue of Scouting.
Naturally, it’s a lot more fun to make these instruments if the boys know they are going to use them in your Pack meeting or minstrel show.
Perhaps each Den will have its own “kitchen cabinet” type of band. All Dens can practice the same songs, then come together at the Pack meeting in one big band and play them together.
Another interesting field is to make rhythm instruments which boys play to the tune of a phonograph record. Rhythm instruments include pot cover cymbals, rattles, blocks of wood, and tin cans.
CUB SCOUT MUSICIANS
Perhaps there is a boy in your Den who does most things poorly but plays or sings well. This is the month he can shine. Encourage boys with musical instruments to practice their best numbers and play or sing solos for the minstrel.
You will probably find several boys in your Den, and surely a number in your Pack, who will be interested in writing Den or Pack words to old time songs. Occasionally we even find a boy or two who can compose simple music and words so that a Den can have an entirely original song.
GROUP AND FAMILY SINGS
Why not suggest that each Den Mother invite boys and parents of her Den into her home on a Sunday afternoon. They could sing old time songs together, and boys who play instruments can put on an informal recital for parents. Perhaps there will be a dad or mother who can sing a solo.
In addition to Den sings, families will enjoy singing together occasionally. None of these things will happen—Den Mothers won’t think to ask the parents over, and boys won’t be asked to play their instruments—unless you push the idea.
JANUARY PACK MEETING TIPS
The Cubmaster or member of the Pack Committee can give a short talk on the importance of parents looking for opportunities to recognize their sons for having done projects found in the Achievement Program. Many times boys will complete projects without realizing they are meeting a requirement for an Achievement. For example, a boy may make a boat just because he is going to a lake and would like to have one to sail. Unless his parents point out that he has met the requirements for the Model Boats Elective, he may never receive credit for it.
Opportunity should be given for parents to ask questions on the Achievement Program. The Cubmaster should also cover current items, such as condition of the Pack Thrift Plan, attendance, etc.
JOINT MEETING.
You will find minstrel show tips on page 16, but here are a few suggestions on how your meeting may be adapted to the minstrel show idea:
If there are badges to award, award them immediately after the separate meeting, so you will not cut into minstrel show time. Before the show explain to the boys the program for the month ahead, and interest them in the Blue and Gold party.
Skip a formal closing this month. Close your Pack meeting with the grand finale of the minstrels. Make all announcements before the show begins. On page 16 you will find some ideas on preparing and staging your minstrel show. Here we are concerned mostly with the regular Pack meeting outline.
Pre-Opening.
During the pre-opening, boys remain in uniforms rather than wear minstrel costumes. Save the costumes as a surprise. Each Den should have a table available for exhibits developed during the month, especially homemade instruments, music scrapbooks, Cub Scout-composed music, etc.
Separate Meetings.
During this period Den leaders, with the help of others if necessary, should help the boys get ready for the minstrel show. It will not be difficult in the time allowed, because in most minstrels only end men wear blackface. Leaders should also make sure the boys know their songs, jokes, and stories. Just before opening the joint meeting, the boys should be lined up ready to begin the minstrel.
While the boys are busy reading for the minstrel, the Cubmaster meets with all parents. Since the January Pack Leaders’ meeting will probably take place before the January Pack meeting, plans will probably be well established for the Blue and Gold party in February.
The Cubmaster should explain Blue and Gold plans to parents, doing his best to build their enthusiasm for making it the high spot of the entire year. He should explain the way in which food will be handled, announce the names of those who will serve on committees, etc.
You’ll find specific helps for planning and producing your minstrel show, as follows: PROGRAMS (“Gentlemen, Be Seated”) page [16]; Homemade MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS page [17], and DEN REHEARSALS (“Den Doings”) page [19].
GENTLEMEN
Be Seated
Minstrel Program of Pack 18, Prospect Park, Pa.
Tips For Your Pack Minstrels
◆ Program and Publicity: Plan an attractive mimeographed announcement for your show, and deliver it to parents in advance.
Costumes: Almost anything goes. In some minstrels all actors are blackface. This appeals to boys, although it presents problems for the make-up crew. Blackface make-up may be bought at most drug stores. Burnt cork is an old favorite. In many minstrel shows the cast remains in white-face with simple costumes, while the end men wear bright, comic costumes and blackfaces. Either way is good, so take your choice.... It’s a good idea to have all boys except the end men dressed alike. If they are to be blackfaced, have each bring a black sock which can be pulled tight over the head to hide the hair. A white shirt with a black tie (cloth or paper), black trousers and socks, and dark shoes complete the costume. It also adds a nice effect if every boy can wear white gloves. Even white canvas work gloves will serve nicely.
Stage Setting: If you have a fairly good-sized stage, try to arrange chairs or benches on different levels so that all performers can be seen. Decorate the back of the stage with large paper musical notes pasted on a background of paper, and perhaps a sign reading “Welcome.”... Footlights and spotlights help the show but are not necessary for success. You can buy spot bulbs at hardware stores.... Even without a stage, you can arrange your chairs or benches on different levels so that you have the effect of a stage.
Program: Plan your program so you don’t need the entire Pack at rehearsals. Features which will be participated in by the entire cast (for example, opening and closing chorus), can be rehearsed by each Den, then sung together at the show. Here are some good numbers for your opening chorus: “Dixie,” “Minstrel Days,” “We’re Here For Fun” (see page 6, Cub Scout Song Book), “Hello, Hello, Hello,” “When You Wore A Tulip,” “Down South,” etc.... Each Den can prepare whatever acts time will allow, and ought to supply at least two solos, either vocal or instrumental. Solos can be alternated with the Den stunts. The stunts can include such items as homemade orchestras, Den chorus, Den tap dance, Den skits, etc.... Much of the success depends upon the end men. Two or four sit on each side of the front line and pass jokes and stories back and forth with the interlocutor. The interlocutor can be either an adult or boy, and it is his job to keep the show running smoothly and to prompt those who forget their cues. Most libraries have several books on minstrel shows, and you will find some good stories in them. Give them a local twist and they will seem funnier.
Remember: Your minstrel show can succeed without rehearsals of the entire cast if you plan carefully. It won’t be quite so polished as a professional minstrel show might be, but your parents and guests will enjoy it all the same, and will appreciate the fact that you did not require the boys to go out for special rehearsals.
MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS
UNICORD
A cigar box and four-foot stick, an “E” string, an old fiddle bow and a few nails will make it.
Be sure to remove paper from cigar box so it will sound. Make a bow out of stick and horse hair with resin on it, or borrow an old fiddle bow.
Slide flat metal bar up and down string to make different notes.
MUSICAL CANS
Four 2-qt., four 1-qt. and four 1-pt. cans with different amounts of water to make a musical scale.
The more water and the larger the can the lower the note. The less water and the smaller the can, the higher the note.
Put three pieces of sliced cork on the bottom of each can to lift it above table top. Strike with cork hammer.
MARIMBA STICKS OR SLATS
Dry California Redwood or poplar slats are good. The longer or thicker they are, the lower the note or pitch. The shorter or thinner they are, the higher the note or pitch.
Cut shorter or thin down the slats until you have a musical scale.
Lay tuned slats across a cardboard box.
Sprinkle sawdust on them.
Strike lightly and rapidly in center. The sawdust will gather in two places. These are the spots where there is practically no vibration. Drive your nails through these spots in attaching to ropes.
Hold rope by loop and strike slats with hammer made from a stick and a spool padded with cloth.
BAMBOO PAN PIPES Bamboo tubes with diameter from ⅜ in. to ¼ in. 1st tube about 7 in. long.
Leave joint at bottom to close it. Grind and cut bamboo tubes shorter and shorter until you get the right note when blown.
Another way: Test tubes bound together and partly filled with clay will give different depths and different notes of the scale.
I was a Den Dad
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!!!
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.” The Fireside 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 CUB
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 the Blue Book published 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.
CUB SCOUT
TREASURE CHEST
◆ MAGIC KIT AND PUZZLE KIT
The Supply Service of the Boy Scouts of America has brought out two new kits which we think will be very popular with Cub Scouts. One of these kits is a new Cub Scout Magic Box. It’s filled with material to perform tricks suitable for boys of Cub Scout age.
The kit is packed in an attractive Cub Scout box. You can get the Magic Kit through your Boy Scout dealer. If he doesn’t have it in stock, your Boy Scout office will order it for you. (Catalog No. 1888, priced at $2.)
Cub Scouts will also find the Cub Scout Puzzle Box interesting. The box is filled with the sort of tricks boys can try on their dads. The Puzzle Kit may also be purchased through your Boy Scout dealer or ordered through the Boy Scout Office. (Catalog No. 1887, price $2.)
Both of these Kits would make wonderful Christmas gifts for Cub Scouts.
GOT A GAME?
A lot of digging goes on before the Cub Scouting section of Scouting Magazine reaches you each month. We do our best to make available to you information which will help you in the planning of your Pack programs. Naturally we cannot give you enough to make it unnecessary for you to do some thinking too. Our purpose is to give you just enough information to stimulate your own thinking and planning.
One of the areas where we need some help is that of games. We can keep passing games along to you, but we would like to be able to give you games which other Cub Scout leaders have successfully used in their Dens and Packs. The only way we can do that is for you to send us the favorite games of your Den.
Would it help you if we were to start a Favorite Games Department? Perhaps we could print two or three favorite games each month. You would know that they were games which had been successfully used in Cub Scouting in some section of the country.
Would you like such a favorite games column in your Scouting Magazine? If so, send us your favorite game, and we will consider it your vote in favor of the Department. Tell us just enough about your game so that we can understand it. You need not worry about making it polished writing. We’ll edit it. If the game you send us has not been used in our literature, and if it’s the type of game we can use, then we will publish it and give you credit for sending it.
Got a game?
CUBS OF REGION FOUR
(Tune: The Marine Corps Hymn)
From the shores of blue Lake Erie
To the hills of Kentuckee,
You will see our banner flying,
O’er this great land of the free.
(Chorus)
We’re the Wolf Cubs, Bear Cubs, Lion Cubs
And Akela we adore.
You will always find us on the job,
We’re the Cubs of Region Four.
We work and play, we laugh and sing,
We always do our best.
We give good will whene’er we can,
For Cubs can stand the test.
(Repeat Chorus)
Our uniform is blue and gold
Our shoes are shining bright.
Our health is good, our spirit’s high,
And everything’s all right.
(Repeat Chorus)