Sample Beaver Meeting

Jewish Scouts is project of Tzivos Hashem Canada and a division of Scouts Canada

Sample of Beaver Meeting Schedule

Activity

Time

Description

Gathering Activity

Min.

This is a pre-meeting activity. Beavers join in as they arrive for the meeting until everyone is present. Beavers love to play together, and gathering is like a warm-up exercise. A brief quiet game or action songs is used as a gathering activity so that you can catch the children’s attention and bring them together in one place. At this time a head count is conducted.

Opening Ceremony

Min.

The opening Tail Slap is conducted by any invested leader at the beginning of every meeting. All other leaders and Keeo join the Beavers in the ceremony. To an outsider, the Tail Slap may not mean much but it gives Beavers an opportunity to let off steam in a controlled manner. They take it most seriously and enter into it with their whole heart and lungs. It's a way for them to express their joy in being alive and their enjoyment of being Beavers. It is also a tangible start to the meeting's activities. All Kits and Eager Beavers take part in the opening ceremony. To start the ceremony, a leader stands in the middle of the pond next to Big Brown Beaver and calls, "River Banks." At this command, the Beavers form two wavy lines (river formation), one line on each side of the hall, and face inward, holding hands. The leader then calls out, "Build the dam." At this command, the Beavers go into dam formation by closing the ends of each bank to make a dam across the river which encloses Big Brown Beaver and the leader in the middle.

Game

Min.

Help Beavers to burn off their restless energy with a physically active game. Games may be chosen based on the group theme for the week or the month.

Theme Activity / craft etc.

Min.

Themes for the group are chosen based on the time, season and/or Jewish calendar. For example, we might use Outer Space as the focus for a series of meetings which includes films, stories, crafts, special guests, a play, space puppets, outdoor games and songs. (These various activities are done throughout the month. One week can be a craft and the other week a puppet show etc.) In this way, we can give the Beavers new educational information while you allow them to immerse their imaginations in a space environment. Similarly, themes based on season, occupations, historical times, safety or the community can become vibrant and exciting. Theme’s provide direction and a framework upon which we build an exciting well-rounded program.

Snack/ Story

Min.

Stories fire a Beaver's imagination, kindle the emotions, bring the past to life and open up the future. They entertain and sustain interest and help children identify and understand the important ideals of honesty, loyalty, friendship, kindness and sharing. At storytelling time, leaders and Beavers develop a special feeling and relationship. Part of the fun of storytelling is involving the Beavers in the process. You can do this with action rhymes, finger plays or stories which ask Beavers to add sound effects or join the refrain.

Spiritual

fellowship

Say a prayer before eating snack or teach a prayer relating to a Jewish idea or holidays or give a short talk to support the spiritual emphasis. We might reflect on the common experiences of the colony such as friendships, cooperation, fun together, appreciation for special programs, natural gifts or current religious festivals.

Closing Ceremony

Min

An invested leader will conduct this ceremony and all other leaders join the Beavers during the ceremony. The ceremony marks the conclusion of every meeting and all Kits and Eager Beavers take part. As in the opening ceremony, the closing ceremony begins with the leader standing in the centre of the hall next to Big Brown Beaver and calling out, "River banks," followed by "Build the dam," so that the Beavers end in dam formation. The leader then calls out, "Lodge" and at this command, all slowly sink to the floor into the Beaver position (seated cross-legged). As the Beavers go down, they say the sleepy sound, "Sh, sh, sh, sh, sh, sh," until all Beavers are sitting cross-legged on the floor. The leader then claps his hands once and all "sh-ing" ceases. Softly, Beavers call out, "Sleeping, Sleeping, Sleeping." The leader raises an arm above the head and Beavers follow the action. With the palms of their hands, both leader and Beavers make one resounding slap on the floor in front of themselves. The leader calls out, "Good night and busy building tomorrow." The Beavers reply, "Good Night.