Pack Forum
How to run a Pack Forum
Who goes to a Pack Forum?
The Pack Forum is a meeting of everyone in the Cub Scout Pack.
Why hold a Pack Forum?
It is a chance for us all to say how we think the Pack is doing, and what we'd like to do in the future.
What do we do at a Pack Forum?
We all listen to each other.
We all have good ideas.
How do we come up with the ideas?
One method of coming up with creative ideas is "Brainstorming".
You and your Pack can have tons of fun using this method of gathering ideas!
Here are some helpful tips:
Brainstorming
Mind Maps
BRAINSTORMING.
The environment must be right for creativity to flow - be comfortable ... maybe grab a cushion to sit on ..
Your Scouter might take the lead -- asking questions, helping with answers, showing enthusiasm, keeping the spirit going.
Accept all ideas.
Always be positive. Even if you think that an idea won't work, write it down or hear it out, it may be the case that it could be tweaked a little and then it would work!
That idea may be a stepping-stone to another idea.
Remember that there should be agreed guidelines to all ideas.
You should try to steer clear violent ideas or rude ideas.
Have a visual focus.
It really helps to have something visual to start from.
It may be a name of a character on a piece of paper in front of you on the table or a white board, or a quick drawing of a character, or a painting.
Push beyond the obvious.
We should try to push beyond ideas that might have been over-used . For example if you are dreaming up names for a "super hero bear" the first answer will usually be "Super Bear!" which is a great idea but what else could we name the bear? It's good to write down all the ideas as it shows the range of ideas that you have come up with. You may need to highlight a few that have real possibilities, or you may just want to let them individually choose which ones will work for them.
WHAT IS A MIND MAP?
Mind maps are tools that help us think and remember better. The mind map encourages creativity and flexibility! Mind maps help you think outside the box.
WHY MIND MAPS WORK
They open you up to creativity and new ways of thinking. A lot of the time we have some great ideas that are a bit random and we can't figure out how to put the ideas together in our programme. Instead of doing nothing with these ideas you could piece them together like a jigsaw ...one idea can link into another idea ... with a bit of creative thinking!
HOW TO DO A MIND MAP
Using an unlined piece of paper, jot down all ideas as they come to you, work quickly without pausing, judging or editing< The idea behind the mind map is to think creatively.
Using the unlined piece of paper, start with the central idea, in the middle. Write it down in the center, and then think up new ideas, action points and activities that relate to it and can make it happen. Let these radiate out from the central idea.
Think of the idea as the trunk of a tree and the ideas are the branches.
Maybe even draw a tree trunk around your central idea and then draw in the branches ... the branches and leaves will help to complete the idea! Try not to make lists ...
Hint:
Turn your piece of paper landscape style. This gives you the maximum amount of room to work with. Leave lots of space so you can go back and add to them. You may want to highlight something, add information or questions later on.