Arrow of Light Duty to God Den Meeting Plan

This Duty to God den meeting plan is designed to help Arrow of Light Scouts complete their Duty to God Adventure in a meaningful and engaging way. It blends discussions, hands-on activities, and a little bit of fun to make the experience enjoyable while teaching important lessons. The den meeting focuses on helping Scouts connect their family’s faith traditions to the values of Scouting and see how these values play out in their everyday lives.

Scouts will explore what “Duty to God” means to them, both personally and in their families. They’ll have a chance to meet with a community leader who provides support to people in need, giving them a real-world example of how faith and service come together. These activities help Scouts grow in their understanding of respect, kindness, and service to others.

The Duty to God den meeting also includes time for reflection, creativity, and even a snack break. It wraps up with a closing that ties everything together, focusing on the Scout Law and how Scouts can live out their values every day. This plan keeps the timeline simple and manageable, making it easy for leaders to guide their Scouts through a fun and meaningful hour.

Total Time: 60 minutes

Gathering Activity: Values Word Search (5 minutes)
As Scouts arrive, provide a Scout Oath puzzle. Some of the letters are filled in and they have to provide the others. One of the phrases in the Scout Oath is “To do my duty to God and my country” so this fits in with the overall theme of the den meeting.

Family Faith and Scout Values (15 minutes)
Lead a discussion on family faith traditions and how they connect to the Scout Law. Scouts choose a value from their family’s faith and explain how it is demonstrated in their home. Then, have them draw a picture or write a short description of how their family practices this value.

Connecting with Community Helpers (20 minutes)
Introduce a guest speaker from a faith-based organization. The speaker shares how they assist people in crisis and how Scouts can help their community.

Living Your Duty to God Every Day (10 minutes)
Facilitate a discussion about what “Duty to God” means to the Scouts. Each Scout shares one way they practice this in daily life.

Snack Time (5 minutes)
Provide a simple snack, such as cookies or fruit, while encouraging Scouts to reflect on the value of gratitude. Discuss how their actions can show appreciation for others.

Closing Ceremony (5 minutes)
Gather Scouts in a circle to review the day’s activities and highlight the importance of reverence. Tie the den meeting’s lessons to the Scout Law. End with a reflection encouraging Scouts to live their faith and values daily. Recite the Scout Law together as a group to conclude.

Here is a list of everything you’ll need for this den meeting, along with tasks to complete before the den meeting. Some things can be done ahead of time, and others may require help from parents.

Materials to Prepare

• Printed Scout Oath puzzles (one for each Scout)
• Pencils for the gathering activity
• Blank paper for drawing or writing during the family faith activity
• Markers, crayons, or colored pencils
• Printed worksheets for “Living Your Duty to God” activity (if used)
• Snacks (cookies, fruit, or another simple option)
• Napkins for snack time

Things to Arrange Before the Den Meeting

• Invite a guest speaker from a local faith-based organization. Confirm their availability and explain the activity. Let them know they’ll speak for about 10 minutes and answer questions from Scouts.
• Print and prepare the Scout Oath puzzles and worksheets ahead of time.
• Gather all supplies for drawing and writing.
• Purchase or prepare snacks.

Parent Help Requests

• Ask one or two parents to help serve snacks during the den meeting.
• If you need supplies like markers, stickers, or extra paper, ask parents to bring some.
• Ask the parents to talk to their Scouts before the den meeting about family faith traditions to help them prepare for the discussion.

Having these materials and plans ready will make the den meeting run smoothly. With a little preparation, you’ll be set to lead a meaningful and fun activity for the Scouts.

Start your den meeting with a simple and fun gathering activity: a Scout Oath puzzle. This is a great way to settle the Scouts as they arrive and get them thinking about the den meeting’s theme. The puzzle has parts of the Scout Oath filled in, and the Scouts need to complete the missing letters. One of the key phrases in the Oath is “To do my duty to God and my country,” which ties perfectly into our discussion of Duty to God.

This activity should take about 5 minutes. Hand out the puzzles and pencils as the Scouts come in. Let them work at their own pace while they wait for everyone to arrive. Some Scouts might finish quickly, while others might take a little longer. If a Scout gets stuck, encourage them to ask a friend for help. It’s a nice way to start with teamwork.

Once everyone has finished, take a minute to review the answers together. Talk briefly about what “duty to God” means in the Oath. This will help set the stage for the rest of the den meeting. It’s a simple, low-pressure way to start things off and get everyone ready to focus.

Exploring Family Faith and Values

This activity gives Scouts a chance to connect their family’s faith traditions to the values of Scouting. It’s a simple discussion and creative activity that helps them think about how the values they learn at home match up with the Scout Law. Plan for about 15 minutes for this part of the den meeting.

Start by gathering the Scouts together and asking them to think about something their family believes or practices that is important to them. Explain that this can be a tradition, a lesson they’ve been taught, or a way their family shows kindness or respect. You can share an example from your own family to get them started. For instance, you might say, “In my family, we talk about being honest and truthful. That connects to being trustworthy in the Scout Law.”

Once they’ve had a moment to think, ask each Scout to share one value their family believes in and how they see it in action at home. For example, a Scout might say their family values kindness because they always help each other. Keep the discussion simple and positive. Some Scouts might feel shy, so it’s okay to let them pass if they aren’t ready to share.

After the discussion, hand out paper and markers or crayons. Ask the Scouts to draw a picture or write a few sentences about how their family practices the value they shared. For example, if they talked about kindness, they might draw a picture of their family helping a neighbor. This gives them a chance to reflect and express what they’ve learned in a creative way.

When everyone is finished, gather their drawings or writings and take a minute to talk about how these values connect to the Scout Law. Point out that values like kindness, helpfulness, and trustworthiness are part of being a Scout and a good family member. This is a great way to help Scouts see how their family and Scouting values work together.

Meeting a Community Helper

This activity helps Scouts see how faith-based organizations serve the community and assist people in need. It’s also a great way for them to learn about how they can help too. Plan for about 20 minutes for this part of the den meeting.

Before the den meeting, invite a guest speaker from a local faith-based organization. This could be someone from a food bank, a homeless shelter, or a group that supports families in crisis. Make sure the speaker knows they’ll be talking to Scouts and should keep their presentation simple and engaging. Let them know you’d like them to explain who they help, how they help, and why their work is important.

When the speaker arrives, introduce them to the Scouts and explain why they’re visiting. You could say, “Today, we’re meeting someone who works to help others in our community. They’re going to tell us about the important work they do and how we can make a difference too.” Ask the Scouts to listen carefully and think of one question they might like to ask.

After the speaker finishes, give the Scouts a chance to ask questions. This helps them connect with the speaker and learn more about how the organization serves others. Encourage them to ask questions like, “How can kids help your organization?” or “What do you enjoy most about helping others?”

To wrap up, thank the guest speaker for coming and let the Scouts know that their work is an example of living the Scout Law, especially being helpful and kind. This activity helps Scouts see how they can take the values they’re learning and apply them to their own communities. It’s a simple but powerful way to teach them about service and compassion.

Living “Duty to God” Every Day

This part of the den meeting gives Scouts a chance to think about what “Duty to God” means to them personally. It helps them understand how they can live out this duty in small but meaningful ways. Plan for about 10 minutes for this activity.

Start by gathering the Scouts together and asking them, “What does ‘Duty to God’ mean to you?” Some might talk about their family’s faith traditions, while others might share how they try to be kind or helpful. Let them know that there are no wrong answers. Duty to God is something personal, and everyone may think about it a little differently.

After a few Scouts share their thoughts, guide the conversation to daily actions. Ask them to think of one thing they do that shows their “Duty to God.” You can give examples, like helping a sibling, praying, or showing respect to others. If a Scout needs help, encourage them to think of a time they helped someone or stood up for what was right.

Once everyone has shared, point out that these actions show how they live their values every day. Explain that “Duty to God” isn’t just about what they believe but how they act. When they are kind, honest, or helpful, they are showing their faith and living by the Scout Law.

This discussion doesn’t take long, but it helps Scouts make a personal connection to the idea of “Duty to God.” It shows them that their everyday choices reflect their values and that small actions can make a big difference. This is a simple but powerful way to wrap up the adventure requirements.

Snack time is a nice way to give the Scouts a short break while teaching them about gratitude. It only takes about 5 minutes but can have a lasting impact. Choose a simple snack like cookies, fruit, or something easy to serve and clean up.

When it’s time for the snack, gather the Scouts and let them know you’ll also talk about saying thank you and showing appreciation. You might say, “As we enjoy this snack, let’s think about all the people who helped make it possible. Someone grew the food, someone prepared it, and someone brought it here for us to enjoy.”

As they eat, ask a few questions to get them thinking. For example, “How can we show gratitude to the people who help us every day?” or “Can you think of a time when someone thanked you and how it made you feel?” Let the Scouts share their ideas while they snack. Keep it light and positive.

Remind the Scouts that showing gratitude isn’t just about saying thank you. It’s also about doing kind things for others, like helping at home or writing a thank-you note. This ties into the Scout Law points of being courteous and kind. Snack time becomes more than just a break—it’s a chance for them to think about how they can be thoughtful and appreciative in their daily lives.

The closing ceremony is an important way to wrap up the Duty to God den meeting. It gives the Scouts a chance to reflect on what they learned and connect it to the Scout Law. This part of the den meeting should take about 5 minutes. Gather the Scouts in a circle so everyone feels included.

Start by reviewing the activities of the day. You could say, “Today, we talked about family values, learned from a community helper, and thought about how we can live out our Duty to God every day. Each of you shared wonderful ideas and showed how you are growing as Scouts.” Keep the summary simple and focused on the positive.

Next, talk about the importance of reverence. Explain that being reverent means showing respect for your own faith and for the beliefs of others. Say something like, “Reverence isn’t just about believing—it’s about living in a way that honors your faith and values. It’s also about being kind and respectful to people with different beliefs.”

For the reflection, share this thought: “When we live our values, we make the world a better place. Every time you show kindness, help someone in need, or stand up for what’s right, you are practicing reverence. Let’s all try to find small ways each day to live out what we believe.”

To close, have the Scouts recite the Scout Law together. This reminds them of the values they commit to as Scouts. Thank them for their participation, and let them know you’re proud of their efforts. This ending leaves everyone with a sense of purpose and a clear connection to the lessons of the den meeting.

Arrow of Light Duty to God Adventure

The Arrow of Light Duty to God Adventure helps Scouts explore their beliefs and understand how their faith connects to the values of Scouting. It focuses on respect, kindness, and service to others. Scouts talk with their families about their faith traditions and how those traditions reflect the Scout Law. They learn how values like honesty, kindness, and reverence guide their daily actions.

Scouts also meet with a community helper from a faith-based organization to learn about helping others. This shows them how faith and service can make a difference in the lives of people in need. By completing this adventure, Scouts grow in their understanding of reverence and build a strong foundation of faith and values to carry with them in their lives.

See more resources for the Arrow of Light Duty to God adventure here and here.

What if a Scout doesn’t feel comfortable sharing about their family’s faith?

That’s okay. Let them know it’s fine to listen instead. They can still draw or write about a value that’s important to them, even if it isn’t related to a specific faith tradition. The goal is to help them connect their values to the Scout Law.

What if I can’t find a guest speaker for the den meeting?

If a guest speaker isn’t available, consider visiting a local faith-based organization ahead of time to learn about their work. Then, share what you learned with the Scouts. You could also watch a short video or read a story about an organization that helps people in crisis.

Do the snacks need to fit the theme of the den meeting?

No, the snacks don’t have to fit the theme. A simple snack like cookies, fruit, or crackers works fine. The focus during snack time is on discussing gratitude and tying it to the meeting’s lessons.

What if the Scouts finish an activity quickly?

Have some backup discussion questions ready. For example, you could ask, “How can you show kindness to someone who is having a hard day?” or “What is one way you can be helpful at home this week?” These questions can fill the time while keeping Scouts engaged.

Can the den meeting be done outside?

Yes, but be mindful of the supplies you’ll need and the weather. Activities like drawing and writing might be harder to manage outdoors. If you plan to meet outside, choose a quiet space where the Scouts can focus.

How should I prepare the Scouts for the guest speaker?

Before the speaker begins, let the Scouts know what the speaker will talk about and remind them to listen respectfully. Encourage them to think of a question to ask. Examples include “What inspired you to help others?” or “What can kids do to make a difference?”

What if a Scout has dietary restrictions for the snack?

Check with parents ahead of time to find out about any allergies or restrictions. Provide a simple alternative if needed, like fruit or a snack bar.

How can I involve parents in this Duty to God den meeting?

You can ask parents to talk with their Scout about family values and faith traditions before the meeting. During the meeting, they can help with serving snacks or assisting Scouts during the creative activities.

This Duty to God den meeting plan is a simple way to guide Arrow of Light Scouts through their Duty to God Adventure. It combines thoughtful discussions, creative activities, and real-world learning to help Scouts connect their family values with the principles of Scouting. By focusing on kindness, service, and faith, this meeting helps Scouts grow as individuals and as members of their community.

Remember, the goal is to make this den meeting meaningful and fun. The activities aren’t about perfect answers or fancy projects—they’re about helping Scouts think about what they believe and how they can live those beliefs every day. Even the snack and the closing ceremony tie into these ideas, making the whole meeting flow together.

As a den leader, you’re setting the tone for how Scouts approach big ideas like faith, values, and service. You’re showing them how to live the Scout Law in ways that make sense in their everyday lives. That’s a big deal, and it’s something they’ll carry with them long after the den meeting ends.

Have fun with this plan, and don’t stress about every detail. The most important thing is helping Scouts explore what “Duty to God” means in a way that’s personal and meaningful for them. You’ve got this!