Den Leader Guide

Responsibilities

Cub Scout den leaders work directly with Cub Scouts and their parents/guardians to execute the Cub Scouting program in the den. Cub Scout dens are gender-specific and are either all boys or all girls. Dens may have a den leader and assistant den leader or two co-den leaders. When serving female youth, there must be at least one female registered adult leader present for all den meetings and activities. Qualifications: Is at least 21 years old, and should be an experienced leader and is usually a parent or guardian of a child in the den. Recommended by the Cubmaster after consultation with the parents and guardians of the Cub Scouts involved, and approved by the pack committee and chartered organization. Registered as an adult leader of BSA and current with Youth Protection training. Responsibilities: Work directly with other den and pack leaders to ensure that the den is an active and successful part of the pack. Plan, prepare for, and conduct den meetings with the assistant den leader and den chief (if Wolf, Bear, or Webelos den leaders) or adult partners (if Lion or Tiger den leaders). Attend the pack leaders’ meetings. Lead the den at the monthly pack activity. Ensure the transition of Cub Scouts to a den of the next rank (or to a troop if Webelos/Arrow of Light Scouts) at the end of the year. Lion and Tiger den leaders should do the following. Coordinate shared leadership among the adult partners in the den. Ensure that each child and their adult partner have the opportunity to be the host team, planning and executing the den activities, rotating responsibilities monthly. Cub Scout den leaders should keep in mind these responsibilities. Ensure that their den chief attends den chief training, and guide them in working with Cub Scouts. See that they receive recognition for their efforts at den and pack meetings. Provide meaningful responsibilities for the denner and assistant denner so that they can learn responsibility and gain satisfaction from their efforts. The Webelos den leader should remember these responsibilities. Ensure that their den chief attends den chief training, and guide them in leading Webelos Scouts. Attend Den Chief Training with them, and see that the den chief’s efforts receive recognition at den and pack meetings. Provide worthwhile tasks for a Webelos Scout serving as denner so that they can assume some responsibility and gain satisfaction from their efforts. Along with the Scoutmaster and assistant Scoutmaster, plan and conduct meaningful joint activities. Plan and carry out overnight campouts and other outdoor activities.

Assistant Cub Scout Den Leaders The assistant Cub Scout den leader shares the responsibilities of the Cub Scout den leader and may be called upon to serve as a family contact or record keeper, or to handle other details of den operation. Each den should have at least one assistant den leader, and more if needed. Qualifications: Is at least 18 years old, and is recommended by the Cubmaster after consultation with the den leader, parents, and guardians of the Cub Scouts involved, and approved by the pack committee and chartered organization. Is registered as an adult leader of the BSA and current with Youth Protection training.

Advancement

The den leader has the following responsibilities related to advancement.

Work on advancement requirements in den meetings using the handbook and den leader guide for the appropriate rank. Plan meetings that support the advancement program. Other parents with specific skills, the den chief, or local troop leaders can help. Help parents and adult partners understand the advancement plan and their role in promoting advancement. Make sure returning parents understand how the advancement plan changes at each age level. Keep accurate records of requirements that Cub Scouts complete. Promptly provide the pack leadership with the advancement records so Scouts can be recognized at the next pack meeting. The use of Scoutbook and the Scouting mobile app provides the easiest way to keep leaders and parents up to date on advancement. With advancement being completed in the den meeting, a Scout’s absence should be the only reason for failure to advance. Work with the Scout and their family to complete activities missed due to absence. Provide reinforcement for and recognition of advancement at den meetings. These can include advancement charts, den doodles, and immediate recognition items. Make sure that impressive advancement ceremonies and graduation ceremonies are conducted at the pack meeting. For the Arrow of Light rank, involve the Scoutmaster and the troop’s youth leaders.

Resources

Den Leader Resources on scouting.org Bobcat Resources Den Leader Tips & Tricks Videos Cub Scout Leader Guide sections: “The Lion, Tiger, Wolf, Bear, and Webelos Scouting Programs” “How Leaders Can Help Den Chiefs” Age Appropriate Guidelines for Scouting Activities Guide to Safe Scouting

Specific Den Resources

Note that some of these resources tend to get updated periodically and so the links to them may be out of date. Searching for the resource on Google or on Scouting.org will likely get you to the latest resource if the link here fails.

Lions (Kindergarten)

Lion Den Leader Resources on scouting.org Cub Scout Lion Handbook & Adult Partner Guide New Lion or Tiger Den Leader Guide (backup) Lion Adventures

Tigers (1st Grade)

Tiger Den Leader Resources on scouting.org Cub Scout Tiger Handbook & Adult Partner Guide New Lion or Tiger Den Leader Guide (backup) Tiger Adventures

Wolf (2nd Grade)

Wolf Den Leader Resources Cub Scout Wolf Handbook New Wolf, Bear or Webelos Den Leader Guide (backup) Wolf Adventures

Bear (3rd Grade)

Bear Den Leader Resources Cub Scout Bear Handbook New Wolf, Bear or Webelos Den Leader Guide (backup) Bear Adventures

Webelos (4th Grade)

Webelos Den Leader Resources Cub Scout Webelos Handbook New Wolf, Bear or Webelos Den Leader Guide (backup) Webelos Adventures

Arrow of Light (5th Grade)

Arrow of Light Den Leader Resources Cub Scout Arrow of Light Handbook New Webelos Den Leader Guide (backup) Arrow of Light Adventures