WELCOME! NEW

WELCOME! NEW WOLF, BEAR OR WEBELOS DEN LEADER B SC O U U C T D R E E N D LE A


WELCOME! NEW WOLF, BEAR OR WEBELOS DEN LEADER SC B O U U C T D R E E N D LE A

WELCOME! NEW WOLF, BEAR OR WEBELOS DEN LEADER SC B O U U C T



D R E E N D LE A

Welcome to your new adventure! Your time volunteering in Cub Scouting will be rewarding and fun, and the information here will help you get off to the right start. With the proper training, resources, and enthusiasm, you have the ability to make a positive difference in the lives of Cub Scouts. A den is a small group of youth—an ideal size is eight, but you may have more or less. The ideal den is formed with Cub Scouts of the same school grade. As a den leader of Wolves (second graders), Bears (third graders), or Webelos (fourth grade), simply use the den meeting 7. Prepare for your first meeting. Use the den meeting resources found in the Wolf, Bear, or Webelos handbooks and on resources found in the Wolf, Bear, or Webelos handbooks. scouting.org. Den meeting resources provide fun activities to do The QR codes in these handbooks direct you to the at meetings that meet requirements for Adventures. resources to plan activities for your meetings. BEFORE THE FIRST MEETING WITHIN THE FIRST MONTH

Register as a Cub Scout Leader. Fill out an adult 1. Complete all of the online training modules for Den application and attach your Youth Protection completion Leader training. Once you have done this at my.Scouting.org, certificate. (See no. 2.) This form will register you with you are considered trained and eligible to wear the Trained Scouting America and give Scouting America permission to patch, worn below the Den Leader position patch. initiate a background check for approving you as a leader. 2. Get acquainted with the families in your den. Hold a family
Complete Youth Protection training and print the orientation meeting outlining the structure of den meetings certificate of completion. Youth Protection training, and den outings, the time and location for meetings, and your found online at my.Scouting.org, will teach you Scouting den’s role during the monthly pack meetings. It may not be America’s policies for safely and appropriately interacting required, as it is in Lion (kindergarten) or Tiger (first grade) with youth. meetings, for parents to attend with their Scouts, but a wise den leader will continue to have parents participate and assist
Complete the “Before Your First Meeting” online training with den meetings and activities. modules for Den Leader training. The online training, found at my.Scouting.org, will begin building the foundation you 3. Get acquainted with the children in your den. Establish need to become an effective and successful leader. a den code of conduct so that everyone will know what you expect of them. This is a requirement for the required Bobcat
After your den leader application has been approved, Adventure. log in to Scoutbook.com as Den Leader. Use the same username and password as the my.Scouting.org account that 4. Ask your Cubmaster to help you secure a den chief. This you set up for training. Logging in to Scoutbook.com as Den den helper is a Scout from a troop, a Venturer, or a Sea Scout, Leader will give you access to the administrative tools you who will set a good example for your Cub Scouts. Give your need to run the den, including recording advancement. den chief meaningful responsibilities right away.
Become acquainted with your Cubmaster and the pack 5. Attend the monthly pack planning committee meetings committee. These volunteer leaders will see that you have held by your pack leadership. These meetings, led by the information and materials you need to prepare for and the pack committee chair, are where pack plans are made. conduct den meetings and activities.
Attend the monthly pack meeting with the members
Wear the Cub Scout leader uniform. The uniform is a of your den and their families. You’ll receive helpful method of the Scouting program. Wearing the uniform information and have your questions answered. In properly is important in setting a good example. You can this meeting, Cub Scouts may be recognized for the purchase a uniform through a local Scout shop or through Adventures they have completed since the last pack www.scoutshop.org. meeting. They may be asked to participate by performing flag ceremonies, displaying projects completed with your den, or acting out skits or run-ons.
Stay informed. Attend monthly Roundtable meetings; Assistant Cub Scout Den Leaders they might be conducted in person or virtually where you The assistant den leaders share the responsibilities of the live. There are national Cub Scout Roundtable videos at Cub Scout den leader and may assist with record keeping www.scouting.org/commissioners/roundtable-support/ such as tracking advancement or handling other details of den roundtable-planning-resources/. And tune into Scouting operation. Each den should have at least one assistant den magazine’s weekly Cub Chat Live! weekly. leader and more if needed. Don’t hesitate to ask for help. There are many people Assistant den leaders must be 21 years of age or older, who want to help you provide the finest possible Cub Scout which helps ensure that there are two registered adult leaders experience for the families in your den. As a Cub Scout leader, who are 21 years of age or older at every meeting or activity. you can also access the online Scouting magazine, which Additional assistant den leaders may be recruited to provide includes information to assist you as a leader. A good source of additional support as needed. information is www.scouting.org/programs/cub-scouts/. By the time you have completed the steps outlined here, you will be well on your way to becoming a successful den leader. THE CUB SCOUT DEN MEETING Den meetings are often twice a month, but the frequency is YOU, THE DEN LEADER up to the den leader and the families in the den. The meeting day, time, and location are set by the den leader and should be the You were selected as a den leader and approved by the same day of the week to prevent confusion. Den meetings last pack committee because of your abilities and character. By approximately one hour. Leadership responsibilities are shared by making the commitment to serve as a den leader, you have the den leader, assistant den leader, and den chief. accepted the following responsibilities: The den meeting program includes the following parts; • Plan, prepare for, and conduct den meetings with the details for each Adventure are in the den meeting resources on assistant den leader and den chief. Scouting.org/. • Attend the pack leaders’ meetings.
Before the Meeting. The den leader, assistant den leader, • Ensure Cub Scouts earn their badge of rank and continue and den chief make final preparations. in Cub Scouting.
Gathering. As Cub Scouts arrive, they join in a game or • Help train and guide the den chief in working with Cub Scouts activity with help from the assistant den leader or den chief. and see that they receive recognition for their efforts at den The den leader takes attendance and checks on completion and pack meetings. of requirements. • Provide meaningful responsibilities for the denner and 3. Opening. The den participates in a simple opening ceremony assistant denner so that they can learn responsibility and gain that includes the Scout Oath and Scout Law, plus the Pledge satisfaction from their efforts. of Allegiance.
Activities. Cub Scouts do activities related to the completion of required or elective Adventures.
Closing. The den leader gives reminders and shares a closing thought, and the den holds a brief inspirational closing ceremony.
After the Meeting. The den leader, assistant den leader, and den chief discuss plans for the next week’s meeting, while the denner leads the other Cub Scouts to put the room back in order.

THE CUB SCOUT UNIFORM WHAT DO YOU RECEIVE IN RETURN? The uniform is a method of the Cub Scouting program. It identifies youth and adults as part of a team and provides a • The opportunity to create the foundation for a strong sense of belonging to the den, the pack, and Scouting America. It lifelong bond with your child. also instills a sense of pride as the uniform is where awards and achievements are displayed. Most Cub Scout-age children love • Make new friends with families in your community. wearing their Cub Scout uniform. Uniforms should be worn to all • A monthly gathering of fun and fellowship with pack den meetings, pack meetings, and special pack activities. families, sharing their pride in their child’s accomplishments. The Cub Scout uniform for Wolves, Bears, and Webelos is the • The opportunity to meet your child’s peers and their navy blue Cub Scout uniform shirt, navy blue pants or skorts, the parents to enable your child to form healthy friendships. blue web belt, and the appropriate neckerchief, slide, and cap. • A sense of pride as you watch the Cub Scouts receive recognition for their accomplishments. Wolf—Red neckerchief, Wolf slide, navy and gold socks, and red Wolf cap. • An opportunity to share your ideas and experiences with other adults who share your interest in and concern for youth. Bear—Blue neckerchief, Bear slide, navy and gold socks, and • Watching Cub Scouts grow and mature as they strive to blue Bear cap. live up to the Scout Oath and Scout Law. Webelos—Webelos neckerchief, Webelos slide, navy and gold • The opportunity to help youth learn good citizenship socks, and Webelos cap. Webelos also have the Adventure Colors, and shape them into young adults who have strength of which is used to display their Adventure pins. character and are sensitive to the needs of others. • The satisfaction of being a member of a worldwide WHAT DO YOU INVEST IN CUB organization and pride in being publicly identified as a part of this organization by wearing the uniform, which is a SCOUTING? visible means of showing that you believe in and stand for its ideals and objectives. • One afternoon or evening each week for either a den meeting, pack meeting, or pack committee meeting. You will discover many other dividends that will enrich your life as you dedicate your time, talent, and enthusiasm to Cub Scouting. • One evening each month for the Cub Scout roundtable. • Time spent choosing and preparing for activities to All leaders bring to Cub Scouting their own talents, skills, conduct during den meetings, including gathering supplies. backgrounds, and interests. Your key to becoming an effective leader is to use your own abilities and interests, along with what • Time spent in Cub Scout leader training. you learn about Cub Scouting, to plan and conduct the best • Cost of the Cub Scout leader uniform. possible program for the families in your den. What happens in • Registration fee. the life of each child during the formative years will determine to a great extent the kind of adult they will become. What a This adds up to a small investment, compared to the tremendous opportunity and challenge for you, the den leader! dividends you will receive. And, of course, the more you invest, the more you and your Cub Scout can expect to receive in return. SCOUTING AMERICA 1325 West Walnut Hill Lane P.O. Box 152079 Irving, Texas 75015-2079 510-239 www.scouting.org 2024 Printing

Original PDF: New Wolf, Bear or Webelos Den Leader Guide.pdf