Overview

The den meeting is where Cub Scouting happens week to week. A good den meeting is engaging, structured, and helps Scouts work toward their badge of rank. Meetings typically last about one hour.

Meeting Frequency

  • Lions: Once a month
  • Tigers: Typically twice a month
  • Wolves, Bears, Webelos, Arrow of Light: Typically twice a month (frequency is up to the den leader and families)

Set a consistent day of the week and time — this prevents confusion and helps families plan.

Standard Den Meeting Structure

For Wolf, Bear, Webelos, and Arrow of Light

  1. Before the Meeting — Den leader, assistant den leader, and den chief make final preparations
  2. Gathering — Scouts arrive and join a game or activity with help from the assistant den leader or den chief; den leader takes attendance and checks requirement completion
  3. Opening — Simple opening ceremony including Scout Oath, Scout Law, and Pledge of Allegiance
  4. Activities — Scouts complete activities related to the current Adventure’s requirements
  5. Closing — Den leader gives reminders and shares a closing thought; brief inspirational closing ceremony; denner leads Scouts to put the room back in order
  6. After the Meeting — Den leader, assistant, and den chief discuss plans for next meeting

For Lions and Tigers (Shared Leadership Model)

Each month, a different family serves as the host team and takes a turn planning and running the den meeting activities. The den leader supports and coordinates, but does not do all the work alone.

  1. Gathering — Host adult partner helps with activity as Scouts arrive; den leader and assistant collect dues, take attendance, check requirements
  2. Opening — Song, yell, pledge, or uniform inspection
  3. Talk Time — Discuss den activities, plans, and announcements
  4. Activities — Cub Scouts complete activities for the current adventure (host family leads)
  5. Closing — Den leader gives reminders and closing thought; host adult partner helps Scouts restore the room

Meeting Planning

Use Scoutbook to access meeting plans for your rank. Scoutbook (at Scoutbook.com or the Scouting app) provides step-by-step instructions for each adventure and meeting. Log in with your my.Scouting.org credentials.

Tips for meeting preparation:

  • Review the adventure requirements ahead of time
  • Gather all supplies and materials before Scouts arrive
  • Prepare a simple gathering activity so early arrivals have something to do
  • Have the den chief help set up and assist during activities

Scoutbook Access

After your adult application is approved, log in to Scoutbook.com as Den Leader:

  • Use the same username/password as my.Scouting.org
  • You’ll see your den’s Scouts and can access meeting plans and record advancement
  • Mark requirements as completed promptly after each meeting — don’t wait

Resources

  • advancement.md — how to track and report advancement
  • Scoutbook.com — meeting plans for your rank
  • docs/Training/Positions/Den Leader/New Lion or Tiger Den Leader Guide.md
  • docs/Training/Positions/Den Leader/New Wolf, Bear or Webelos Den Leader Guide.md
  • docs/Training/Positions/Den Leader/New Arrow of Light Den Leader Guide.md
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