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Den Leader Training

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Objectives

• To discuss the purposes of the program• To learn what a den leader does• To plan and conduct a den meeting• To plan a field trip (Go See It for Tiger

Cubs)• To learn about advancement and

record keeping• To discuss behavior issues• To have fun

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Purpose of the Program

• Beginning and continuing steps in Cub Scouting

• Age-based activities• Family-centered activities• Den-centered leadership• Introduction to and developing with the

fun of Scouting• Higher level of self-reliance

(for Webelos Scouts)• Getting ready for Boy Scouts

(for Webelos Scouts)

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The Den Leader

• Gives leadership to den program planning• Works with adult partners (Tiger Cubs) or

an assistant and den chief• Helps or makes sure that the boys

advance• Maintains den records• Works with other pack leaders• Participates in pack program planning• Attends monthly roundtables• Approves advancement (Webelos)

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The Assistant Den Leader

• Provides support to the den leader• Serves as a backup leader• Attends pack meetings• Assists in program planning

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Leadership Skills

• Shared leadership• Teamwork• Cooperation• Communication• Working with boys• Attitude• Setting the example

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Uniforming

• Sense of belonging• Attention• Identification with Scouting• Webelos Scouts

may wear the blueor tan uniform.

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Summary

• Grade-based and progressive• Adult partners are the key.• Leaders support it.• Leaders set uniforming example.• Adults assist as activity badge

counselors (Webelos).

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Planning for the Pack and Den• Annual program planning conference• Monthly pack leaders’ meeting• Den meeting planning and preparation• Plan in small segments to be successful.

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Nine Elements of Planning

1. Objective 2. Fun 3. Variety 4. Action 5. Boy Appeal 6. Family Appeal 7. Achievement 8. Resources 9. Flexibility

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Program Planning Steps

1. Annual pack program planning conference

2. Monthly pack leaders’ planning meetings

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Annual Pack Program Planning Conference

• Led by the pack chair.• Supported by the pack committee

and Cubmaster.• Den leaders and interested parents

attend and participate.

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Monthly Pack Planning Meeting• Led by the pack chair.• Supported by the pack committee

and Cubmaster.• Den leaders and interested parents attend

and participate.• Follows a regular order:

– Part 1: Evaluating the previous month– Part 2: Finalizing the current month– Part 3: Planning ahead– Part 4: Unit Leadership Enhancements– Part 5: Social time and fellowship

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The Scouting Month

• Two or more den meetings with leaders and/or adult partners

• One outing, activity, or camping experience (or Go See It for Tiger Cubs)

• Participation in the pack meeting

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Den & Pack Meeting Resource Guide

• Most important resource for den leaders• One-stop shop for planning den

meetings• Introduction to Cub Scouting and

den leader responsibilities• Den meeting plans for all ranks• Pack meeting plans• References and resources

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Using the Den Plans• Two types of den meeting plans

are provided.• A school year’s worth of plans:

– Focused on path to advancement.– Should be followed in order.– Assumes a September start and May transition

with continued summer activities.– Assumes two den meetings are held per month.

• Additional for dens needing more meetings:– Used in any order.– Focused on electives.

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Den Meetings

• Before the Meeting• Gathering• Opening• Business Items• Activities• Closing• After the Meeting

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Before the Meeting

• Review and make final preparations.– Consult the Den & Pack Meeting Resource

Guide.– Review materials and preparation needed

early and often.

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Gathering

• Have something for them to do:– Game– Puzzle– Magic– Outdoor activity– Supervision is important!

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Opening

• Opening ceremony of some type:– Flag ceremony (always)– Cub Scout motto– Song– Den yell– Prayer

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Business Items

• Character Connection for monthly Core Values

• Pack meeting preparation• Prepare for special den activities• Verify home assignment completion

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Activities

• Advancement and electives• Defined in the Den & Pack Meeting

Resource Guide.

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Closing

• Awards and recognition• Reminders (upcoming events and

home assignments)• Den leader’s minute• Brief closing ceremony• Cleanup

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After the Meeting

• Review this meeting.• Plan/review the next meeting.• Clean up.• Relax.

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Great Den Meetings . . .

• Are planned well in advance• Operate with shared leadership• Use the boys’ handbooks and Den &

Pack Meeting Resource Guide as the primary guides

• Follow the den meeting plans from the Den & Pack Meeting Resource Guide

• Anticipate any behavior problems• Are FUN!

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The Wolf and Bear Den

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Let’s Plan a Wolf and Bear Den Meeting

• Be guided by the Den & Pack Meeting Resource Guide.

• Cover all parts of the meeting.• Focus on how the advancement

activities will be handled.• Are no more than one hour long.

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Cub Scouts Are Boys

• Second- and third-grader (ages 8 and 9) behavior.

• Boys are inquisitive and growing.• Some are new in Cub Scouting and

some were Tiger Cubs.• Parent involvement is essential.• Follow the code of conduct in meetings

and other locations.• Teach individual responsibility.

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Cub Scout Advancement

• Standard is to “Do your best.”• Encouragement and recognition of

achievement are key.• Activities are age-appropriate.• Adult partners acknowledge completion

of home-based advancement activities.• Den leaders verify completion of all

advancement activities.

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Cub Scout Advancement

• Bobcat rank• Wolf and Bear achievements• Wolf and Bear electives

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Wolf Badge

• Second grade• Parent Guide• Wolf Trail: 12 achievements• Electives

– 23 different areas– 10 electives = Gold Arrow Point– Each 10 additional electives = Silver

Arrow Point

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Bear Badge

• Third grade• Parent Guide• Bear Trail: 12 of 24 achievements

(from four categories)• Electives

– 25 different areas– 10 electives = Gold Arrow Point– Each 10 additional electives = Silver

Arrow Point– Achievements may be used for electives

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Achievement Recognition

• Immediate– Progress Toward Ranks emblem– Three achievements =

one yellow (Wolf) or red (Bear) bead

• Wolf or Bear badge is awarded at pack meeting

• Cub Scout Academics and Sports belt loops and pins

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The Field Trip

• A monthly field trip• Opportunity for boys to discover new

things• Will be related to handbook

advancement or the monthly Core Value

• In the immediate locale• Remember the age group (8- to 9-year-

olds)• Have fun!

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Planning Wolf and Bear Cub Scout Field Trips• Prior planning is a must.• Share the planning and execution.• Involve your field trip location contact.• Use a Tour Planning Checklist

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Record Keeping

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Other Cub Scout Activities

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The Denner and Assistant Denner

• Boy leadership• Help the den leader• May lead activities• Rotate jobs• Teaches responsibility

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The Den Chief

• Boy Scout or Venturer leadership position

• Older boy influence• Helps the den leader• Leads activities• Positive attitude• Leads by example

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Six Great Cub Scout Den Leader Secrets

• Adults are encouraged to come to all meetings.

• Boys need a fast-moving program.• Alternate energetic activities with quiet

ones.• “Hands-on” activities are better than

lectures.• Boys will learn self-control when

given guidelines.• Codes of conduct work when used

consistently.

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Cub Scout Den Leader Recognition

• Tenure– Complete one year as a registered

Cub Scout den leader.

• Training– Complete Cub Scout Den Leader Fast Start

training, Youth Protection training, Cub Scout Den Leader Position-Specific Training, and This Is Scouting.

– Attend one pow wow or University of Scouting, or at least four roundtables.

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Review and Questions

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Congratulations!