Cub Scout Den Leader
From MeritBadgeDotOrg
Wolf Rank & Electives and Bear Rank & Electives
with links to Belt Loops and Awards.
There are also Tiger Cub Den Leader and Webelos Den Leader resources.
Cub Scout Den Leader | |||||
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- See the Getting Started Guide for info about applications, den meetings, training, resources and lesson plans for each meeting.
A Cub Scout Den Leader is the adult volunteer who plans and runs Tiger, Wolf or Bear den meetings and activities, with the assistance of one or more Assistant Cub Scout Den Leaders, the Den Chief, and Denner. They coordinate the den's involvement in pack activities, and facilitate and track the den's advancement. The Cub Scout Den Leader Award is available to Cub Scout Den Leaders who complete training, tenure, and performance requirements. Webelos Den Leaders are assigned to Webelos Patrols of 4th or 5th grade boys.
Each Den should have the following key leaders:
- Cub Scout Den Leader (or Webelos Den Leader for boys in 4th or 5th grades)
- Assistant Cub Scout Den Leader
- Denner - the top youth leader of the den.
- Den Chief - a Boy Scout who assists with den meetings and pack meetings.
Contents |
Responsibilities
The Cub Scout den leader's responsibilities are to:
- Give leadership in carrying out the pack program in the den.
- Complete Cub Scout den leader Fast Start Training and position-specific Basic Leader Training. Attend monthly roundtables.
- Lead the den in its participation at Pack Meetings. Serve as den host or hostess for den family members at pack meetings.
- Work in harmony with other den and pack leaders.
- Help the Cubmaster (or assistant Cubmaster) and Pack Committee recruit new boys throughout the year.
- Help train the Den Chief and guide him in working with Cub Scouts. See that he receives recognition for his efforts at den and pack meetings.
- Attend the monthly den chief planning meeting for den leaders, assistant den leaders, and den chiefs.
- With the assistant den leader, meet with the den chief and let him help plan den meetings and den activities; allow him to serve as den activities assistant.
- Provide meaningful jobs for the denner and assistant denner so that they can learn responsibility and gain satisfaction from their efforts.
- Use Boys' Life and Scouting magazines, Cub Scout Program Helps, the boys' handbooks, and other Cub Scouting literature as sources for program ideas.
- Collect weekly den dues and turn them in to the pack treasurer at the monthly pack leaders' meetings. Keep accurate records of den dues and attendance.
- Maintain a friendly relationship with Cub Scouts; encourage them to earn advancement awards. Keep accurate advancement records and see that boys receive recognition for their achievements.
- Stimulate the Cub Scouts' imaginations on the program theme for the month and help the den prepare its stunts and exhibits for the pack meeting.
- Promote the religious emblems program.
- Help the den and pack earn the National Summertime Pack Award.
- Help establish a close working relationship with the assistant den leader and den chief, functioning as a den leadership team.
- Develop and maintain a good working relationship and open communication with den families. Use their talents to help enrich the den program. Hold den adults' meetings as often as needed to get acquainted with family members and strengthen den operation.
- Involve den fathers, uncles, and grandfathers in outings and other den activities so that boys will have additional male role models.
- See that a leader is available for all den meetings and activities. Call on the assistant den leader to fill in when necessary.
- Take part in the annual pack program planning conference and pack leaders' meetings.
- Help set a good example for the boys through behavior, attitude, and proper uniforming.
- Support the policies of the BSA.
Qualifications
Adult leaders must possess the moral, educational, and emotional qualities that the Boy Scouts of America deems necessary for positive leadership to youth. They must also:
- Abide by the Scout Oath, Scout Law, and Scouter Code of Conduct.
- Subscribe to the precepts of the Declaration of Religious Principle.
- Reside within the USA or a U.S. territory, or be a U.S. citizen residing outside the USA.
- Respect and obey the laws of the United States of America.
- Be 21 years of age or older for primary leadership positions.
- Be 18 years of age or older for assistant leadership positions.
- Complete Youth Protection training (YPT) before application is processed and renew training as required.
- Review the disclosure information related to the BSA’s background check process and complete and sign a Background Check Authorization form.
- Take leader position-specific training.
- Hold only one position within the same unit. The chartered organization representative may multiple as the committee chair or a committee member.
The adult leader application process will not be complete until Youth Protection training has been completed and a criminal background check has been obtained.
The Cub Scout Den Leader should be interested in and enjoy working with boys and able to work with adults and may be a parent or guardian of one of the boys in the den. The Cub Scout Den Leader is recommended by the Cubmaster after consultation with parents or guardians of the Webelos Scouts involved, and approved by the pack committee and chartered organization. Registered as an adult leader of the BSA.
Cub Scout Expenses
In one weekend of Popcorn sales or other Fundraising, a Cub Scout can earn enough in his Individual Account for a year of adventures!
- $23 National registration, Boys' Life magazine, and Accident Insurance.
- $20 Program Materials: Tiger, Wolf, Bear, or Webelos book, rank patch, neckerchief, and slide.
- ____ Pack Expenses: Each Scout's fair share of Pack recharter, training, fees, equipment, etc.
- ____ Advancement: Awards, Belt Loops, patches, and more.
- ____ Activities: Pinewood Derby, trips, ball games, camping, and much more.
- ____ Camping: Day Camp, Resident Camp and Family Camping.
- ____ Equipment includes Uniforms, sleeping bags, tents, etc.
Cub Scout Den Leader Resources
The Building Blocks of New Leader Training | ||||
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Youth Protection Training Prior to submitting Application | Capstone for Pack Trainers, Scoutmasters, and Chartered Org Reps | ![]() After completion a leader is Trained | ||
Before the First Meeting Taken Immediately | First 30 Days Completed as soon as possible | Position Trained Taken when familiar with position |
- Den Meeting Plans: Tiger Cub, Wolf, Bear, Webelos Program: Webelos I, Webelos II
- Leader Awards: Cub Scout Den Leader Award (Tiger/Wolf/Bear/Webelos), Scouter's Training Award (basically all adult leaders but Den Leaders), Scouter's Key (Cubmaster)
- Program Helps: Recruiting, & CubTrax Spreadsheets
- Activities: Day Camp, Resident Camp, Whittling Chip, Guide to Safe Scouting
- Key Leaders: Denner, Den Chief, Tiger Leader, Den Leader, Webelos Leader, Cubmaster
- Fundraising, Popcorn, and the importance of Individual Youth Accounts
- Nameplates - Official BSA Name plates for your uniforms.
See the Cub Scout Leader Resources for the Pack Organization Chart and much more.
![]() | Cub Scout Leader portal |
- Cub Scout Den Meeting program
- Cub Scout Record Form
- Individual Cub Scout Record
- Den Recognition Report
- Progress Record for the Cub Scout Den Leader Award
Cub Scout Resources | ||||
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New Leader Brochures: | Tiger | Wolf/Bear | Webelos | Cubmaster |
Applications & Reports: | Youth Application | Adult Leader Application | Advancement Report | Uniform |
Online Training: | New Leader | Youth Protection Training | Safe Swim Defense | Safety Afloat |
Safety Guides: | Guide to Safe Scouting | Safe Swim Defense | Safety Afloat | Climb On Safely |
Other: | Permission Slip | Local Tour Permit | National Tour Permit | Fundraising |
Medical Exam Forms: | Annual Health and Medical Record 34605 | Age-Appropriate Guidelines | More forms… |