Bear Standing Tall Den Meeting Plan

Personal safety is important for everyone, especially young Cub Scouts. The Bear Standing Tall adventure helps them learn how to stay safe in different situations. They will explore safety at home, online, and during activities. Learning these skills now will help them make smart choices as they grow.

This Bear Standing Tall den meeting plan is designed to be both fun and educational. Scouts will take part in hands-on activities, group discussions, and a high-energy relay race. They will also enjoy a snack while learning about kitchen safety. The goal is to keep them engaged while reinforcing important safety lessons.

The activities in this plan encourage Scouts to think about their own safety and the safety of others. They will learn when to speak up, how to protect themselves, and why safety rules matter. These lessons help build confidence and awareness.

Good planning will help this den meeting run smoothly. The activities are designed to be easy to set up and lead. Parents may need to help with a few materials and discussions at home. With a little preparation, this Bear Standing Tall den meeting will be a great way to teach important safety skills in a way that Cubs will remember.

Total Time: 90 Minutes

Gathering Activity: Personal Space Bubble Worksheet (10 minutes)
As the Cubs arrive, they complete the Personal Space Bubble worksheet. This helps them understand different levels of personal space (intimate, personal, social, and public). Discuss their answers briefly as a group.

Protect Yourself Rules Video & Discussion (20 minutes)
With permission from parents, play the Bear-level Protect Yourself Rules video. Afterward, ask the Cubs what they learned. Discuss key safety points like recognizing unsafe situations and setting personal boundaries.

Safety Gear Relay Race (20 minutes)
Set up different stations with safety gear (helmets, goggles, gloves, etc.). Cubs take turns running to a station, putting on the gear correctly, and racing back. Before the race, explain how each item protects them. Afterward, discuss when and why they should use safety gear.

Family Digital Device Policy Discussion (15 minutes)
Talk about digital safety and why families should have rules for using tablets, phones, and computers. Hand out a take-home worksheet for Cubs to complete with their families, setting basic digital safety rules.

Snack Time: Kitchen Safety & Cookie Decorating (15 minutes)
Use this time to talk about kitchen safety while making a simple snack. If possible, provide sugar cookies and let Cubs decorate them while discussing the importance of washing hands, using oven mitts, and handling food safely.

Closing & Scout Law Connection (10 minutes)
Wrap up the den meeting by reviewing what was learned. Connect personal safety to points of the Scout Law, like being brave (speaking up in unsafe situations), trustworthy (following safety rules), and obedient (listening to parents and leaders about safety). Encourage Cubs to practice what they learned at home.

Materials Needed

Personal Space Bubble Activity

• Printed Personal Space Bubble worksheets (one per Cub Scout)
• Pencils and colored pencils

Protect Yourself Rules Video

• Computer, tablet, or TV with internet access
• Speakers or headphones if needed
• Coloring sheets and crayons for Cubs who do not have permission to watch

Safety Gear Relay Race

• Helmets (bike, skateboard, or sports helmet)
• Safety goggles or sunglasses
• Work gloves or gardening gloves
• Knee pads or elbow pads
• Sturdy shoes (hiking boots or sneakers)
• Four tables or chairs to set up the stations

Family Digital Device Policy

• Printed worksheets (one per Cub Scout)
• Pencils

Snack Time

• Sugar cookies (store-bought or homemade)
• Icing and sprinkles
• Paper plates and napkins
• Handwashing station or hand sanitizer

Closing

• Copies of the Scout Oath and Law if needed

Things to Do Before the Den Meeting

• Print all worksheets and gather all materials.
• Get permission from parents for Cubs to watch the Protect Yourself Rules video. If any do not have permission, prepare a simple coloring activity as an alternative.
• Set up tables or stations for the relay race.
• Arrange for a way to play the Protect Yourself Rules video, such as a laptop or tablet with an internet connection. Test it before the den meeting to avoid technical issues.
• Have cookies, icing, and sprinkles ready for the snack activity. If baking cookies beforehand, allow enough time for them to cool before the den meeting.

Things to Ask Parents to Provide or Help With

• Send home a permission slip or email asking if their Cub Scout is allowed to watch the Protect Yourself Rules video.
• Ask parents to help provide safety gear for the relay race if needed, such as extra helmets or knee pads.
• If possible, ask a parent to bring cookies or decorating supplies for the snack.
• Encourage parents to help their Cub complete the Family Digital Device Policy worksheet at home.

Being prepared will make the Bear Standing Tall den meeting run more smoothly and keep the Cubs engaged in learning about personal safety.

As Cub Scouts arrive, give each one a personal space bubble worksheet. This worksheet has four circles labeled intimate, personal, social, and public. Explain that personal space is the area around a person that makes them feel comfortable and safe. Everyone has a different idea of personal space, and that is okay.

Ask them to think about people in their lives and decide where they fit. Parents and siblings might be in their intimate space. Friends might be in their personal space. Classmates and neighbors could go in the social space. Strangers belong in the public space. They can write names or draw pictures in each circle.

After a few minutes, ask if anyone wants to share their worksheet. Remind them that everyone’s answers will be different, and that is okay. Talk about how knowing personal space helps people feel safe. Discuss why it is important to respect other people’s space as well.

This is a simple activity to get them thinking about safety before starting the main part of the den meeting. It also gives them something to do while waiting for everyone to arrive. If some Cub Scouts finish early, they can color their worksheet while waiting for others.

Watching and Discussing the Protect Yourself Rules Video

Make sure all parents have given permission for their Cub to watch the Protect Yourself Rules video. If any Cub Scouts do not have permission, have a quiet activity ready for them to do while the others watch. It is important to respect parents’ decisions about what their child watches.

Before starting the video, tell the Cub Scouts to pay attention to the safety tips. Let them know there will be a short discussion afterward. Play the video, which is about 14 minutes long. Stay in the room while they watch to make sure they are paying attention and not getting distracted.

After the video, ask what they learned. Guide the discussion with simple questions like:

• What was one thing you learned about staying safe?
• Why is it important to tell a trusted adult if something feels wrong?
• How can we protect ourselves when we are online?

Let each Cub share if they want to. If they are quiet, share a few key points from the video and ask if they agree. This helps reinforce the safety messages. If time allows, give a few real-life examples and ask what they would do in those situations.

Safety Gear Relay Race

Set up stations with different types of safety gear. Include helmets, goggles, gloves, knee pads, and sturdy shoes. Each station should have one type of safety gear. Arrange the stations in a straight line or in a circle, depending on the space available.

Set up four stations with safety gear:

Station 1: Head Protection

• Helmets (bike, skateboard, sports)
• Sun hats

Station 2: Eye and Face Protection

• Safety goggles or sunglasses
• Face shields

Station 3: Hand and Foot Protection

• Work gloves or gardening gloves
• Sturdy shoes (hiking boots or sneakers)

Station 4: Joint Protection

• Knee pads and elbow pads

Running the relay race:

1. Divide the Cub Scouts into teams of 3-4.
2. Line up teams on one side of the room.
3. One at a time, a Cub runs to the first station, puts on the gear, then runs back.
4. The next Cub takes a turn at the same station. Once all have finished, move to the next station.
5. Continue until all stations are complete.

After the relay, gather the Cub Scouts and talk about when and why each piece of gear is important. Ask questions like:

• When should you wear a helmet?
• Why do we wear gloves when working with tools?
• What kind of shoes help protect your feet?

This activity helps Cub Scouts learn about safety gear in an active and memorable way. Moving around keeps them engaged, and the hands-on experience helps them remember what they learned. If time allows, let them try on different types of gear again and talk about times they have used safety gear before.

Family Digital Device Policy

Talk with the Cub Scouts about using digital devices safely. Ask if they use tablets, computers, or phones at home. Guide the discussion with questions like:

• What are some rules you already have for using devices?
• Why do we need rules for using the internet?
• What should you do if you see something online that makes you feel uncomfortable?

Explain that each family has different rules, but all families should have some basic safety rules for using digital devices. These rules help keep everyone safe and make sure devices are used responsibly. Talk about simple rules like asking a parent before downloading an app, not sharing personal information online, and taking breaks from screens.

After the discussion, hand out a take-home worksheet. This worksheet will help families create their own digital safety rules. Encourage Cub Scouts to talk with their parents about setting clear rules for screen time, sharing personal information, and what to do if something online feels wrong. They can fill out the worksheet together at home.

Reassure them that digital devices can be fun and useful when used safely. Remind them that if they ever feel unsure about something online, they should talk to a trusted adult. If time allows, ask if anyone has a story about a time they made a smart decision while using a device.

Provide sugar cookies and simple decorations like icing and sprinkles. Before decorating, talk about kitchen safety. Ask questions like:

• Why is washing your hands important before handling food?
• What should you do if you need to use the oven or stove?
• Why do we use oven mitts when handling hot food?

Demonstrate how to wash hands properly before handling food. If possible, have the Cub Scouts wash their hands before decorating their cookies. Explain that germs can spread easily, so clean hands help keep food safe to eat. If there are any food allergies, provide an alternative snack.

Let the Cub Scouts decorate their cookies while discussing these ideas. This keeps the activity fun while reinforcing safety lessons. If some finish early, they can help clean up or talk about their favorite kitchen safety tips.

After they finish decorating, let them enjoy their snack. Use this time to encourage casual conversation. Ask them about their favorite foods to cook or if they have helped in the kitchen before. Keep the discussion light and fun while making sure they remember the safety rules.

Review what was learned during the den meeting. Talk about how personal safety connects to the Scout Law. Being brave means speaking up in unsafe situations. Being trustworthy means following safety rules. Being obedient means listening to parents and leaders when they teach safety skills.

Ask the Cub Scouts to share one thing they learned today. Encourage them to think about how they can use these safety lessons in their everyday lives. If some are shy, offer examples like wearing a helmet when riding a bike or telling a trusted adult if something feels wrong.

Thank them for participating in the activities. Let them know that staying safe helps them enjoy fun activities with confidence. Remind them to complete the digital device worksheet with their families before the next den meeting.

End with a simple closing, such as a Cub Scout sign and the Scout Oath or Law. If time allows, do a quick reflection by asking Cubs to think about one way they can stay safe this week. Then dismiss the den meeting and let parents know what was covered.

Bear Standing Tall Adventure

The Bear Standing Tall adventure teaches Cub Scouts about personal safety. They learn how to recognize unsafe situations and how to protect themselves. The adventure covers both physical safety and digital safety. Cubs will complete activities that help them understand personal space, safety rules, and the importance of setting boundaries.

Scouts will also learn about safety gear and when to use it. They will identify protective equipment for different parts of the body and practice using it. Another important part of this adventure is creating a family digital device policy. This helps Scouts understand how to use technology safely.

See more resources for the Bear Standing Tall adventure here.

How do I get permission for the Protect Yourself Rules video?

Send a note or email to parents before the meeting. Explain that the video teaches important safety lessons. Let them know their child will not have to watch if they do not want to. Have a simple coloring activity ready for any Cubs who do not have permission to watch.

What if a Cub Scout does not want to share their Personal Space Bubble worksheet?

That is okay. Personal space is different for everyone. Let them decide if they want to share. If they do not want to, just remind them that understanding personal space helps keep everyone safe.

What if we do not have enough safety gear for the relay race?

Ask parents ahead of time if they can bring extra helmets, gloves, or knee pads. If you still do not have enough, change the game so that Cubs pass the gear to the next person instead of putting it on themselves.

Can I skip the snack if we do not have time?

Yes, but try to fit in a short discussion about kitchen safety. If you cannot provide a snack, you can still talk about washing hands, using oven mitts, and handling food safely.

What if a Cub Scout finishes an activity early?

Have extra coloring sheets or ask them to help clean up. You can also ask them questions about what they learned or have them help another Cub who needs more time.

How can I make sure Cub Scouts remember what they learned?

Keep the discussions short and simple. Ask them to share one thing they learned at the end of the den meeting. Encourage them to talk with their families about safety at home.

What should I tell parents after the Bear Standing Tall den meeting?

Let parents know what the Cubs learned. Remind them to complete the digital device policy worksheet with their child. If you noticed a Cub had questions about safety, encourage the parent to discuss it with them at home.

This Bear Standing Tall den meeting helps Bear Cub Scouts learn important safety skills in a fun way. They practice setting personal boundaries, learn about safety gear, and talk about staying safe online. These lessons will help them feel more confident in different situations. When Cubs know how to protect themselves, they can enjoy activities without worry.

The activities in this den meeting keep Scouts moving, thinking, and engaged. The relay race teaches safety gear in an active way. The video and discussions help them understand personal safety. The snack adds a fun way to talk about kitchen safety. Keeping Cubs interested makes learning easier and more memorable.

Safety is an important part of Scouting. It helps Scouts enjoy adventures while avoiding danger. Teaching these skills now gives them the knowledge they need as they grow. By practicing safety at home, at meetings, and during activities, they build good habits for life.

Ending the den meeting with a Scout Law discussion ties everything together. It reminds Cubs that safety is part of being a good Scout. Encouraging them to practice these lessons at home helps them take responsibility for their own safety. With a little planning, this Bear Standing Tall den meeting will be a fun and meaningful experience for everyone.