Activity Girls

Sally,

My opinion on the reason the Church suggests Activity Days be held twice per month is so the leaders don’t burn themselves out. Children of that age, especially more than two at a time, are so full of energy that they quickly drain that of adults.

Having said that, the Church website states: “Activity days are usually held twice a month on days other than Sunday.” Note the term usually. If you want to meet weekly, I don’t imagine it would be a problem but, of course, go to your ward/branch Primary leadership for direction.

I don’t see the difference in when the Scouts meet as compared with the girls as an issue of gender bias. In the parts of the world where Cub and Boy Scouts are not available, boys and girls join together for Activity Days. In my own ward in the heard of Mormon Utah we nearly went to a combined Activity Day program because the Scout Program wasn’t being utilized. But, instead, the bishopric decided to revive it (whew!).

I have served as a Wolf and Bear leader – we met on a weekly basis – and am now serving as the Activity Days leader – we meet every other week. I am much better prepared for activities that are every two weeks; it seemed that I was only getting behind with the Cubs because we met so often (ironic, huh?). I do meet for longer periods of time with the girls than I did with the boys (1-1/2 to 2 hours as compared with 1 hour); I wish I would have been more creative with the dates/times when I was in Cubs.

I also have made our Activity Days awards nights quarterly rather than monthly, as Pack Meetings are. This allows for more preparation, greater participation and, I think, a more enjoyable event.

Best of luck!

Jami

In our ward, the activity day girls have met weekly (because it was easier for parents with kids in Mutual and Scouts to drop off the AD girls, too), but it proved too hard for the leaders. Now they meet bi-weekly again.

I think Cub Scouts probably meets weekly because they have a set manual and list of stuff to do (most of which makes for lessons that require very little preparation). Activity days seems to be a lot less structured, and more is required of the teachers to come up with lessons, imo.

Try our activities section here:
http://www.mormonshare.com/taxonomy/term/144/lds_activity

If the needs in your area are special, you should speak with your Bishop and Primary President about how to address those needs. The handbook now states that Activity Days is not to be held more than twice per month, however, you might hold “Primary Activities” for girls 8-11 more frequently. :)

Ultimately, parents need to be involved, or your efforts may be in vain. Brainstorm ideas on how to involve parents. Do they know what their children are talking about on Facebook? Are they monitoring cell phone use? Do you need a ward activity on internet safety? Do parents understand “My Gospel Standards” and are seeking for ways to teach them to their children?

You might even consider a meeting with parents, the Primary Presidency, and Bishop to address these concerns and identify any problems. Those things that you may feel are the biggest problems may not be what the Bishop or parents feel are most important to tackle.