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Supporting Den Leaders

Cubmaster: Supporting Den Leaders

Section titled “Cubmaster: Supporting Den Leaders”

Overview

Section titled “Overview”

Den leaders are the backbone of the Cub Scout program — they work directly with Scouts week to week. The Cubmaster’s role is to ensure every den has a capable, trained den leader and that den leaders have the support they need to succeed.

Den Leader Meeting

Section titled “Den Leader Meeting”

The Cubmaster (often delegated to the Assistant Cubmaster) organizes and conducts monthly den leader meetings. These meetings:

  • Coordinate pack meeting participation (which den does flag ceremony, skits, etc.)
  • Review upcoming events and how dens should prepare
  • Share training updates and program resources
  • Provide a forum for den leaders to raise issues and get help
  • Ensure consistency across dens

Cadence: Monthly, typically before or after the committee meeting.

Supporting New Den Leaders

Section titled “Supporting New Den Leaders”

When a new den leader joins, the Cubmaster should:

  1. Introduce them to the Committee Chair and other leaders
  2. Ensure they have completed YPT and den leader position-specific training
  3. Walk them through Scoutbook — this is how advancement is tracked
  4. Connect them with an experienced den leader as a peer mentor
  5. Provide a copy of the rank-specific den leader guide (see den-leader/ranks/)
  6. Ensure they understand the shared leadership model (Lions and Tigers)

Training Expectations

Section titled “Training Expectations”

The Cubmaster is responsible for ensuring all den leaders are trained. Specifically:

  • Required: Youth Protection Training (YPT) — every 2 years
  • Required: Den Leader Position-Specific Training (CS19) — online at my.Scouting.org
  • Recommended: BALOO (for any den or pack camping)
  • Encouraged: Attendance at monthly district Roundtable

Track training status via my.Scouting.org under the pack’s leader roster.

Den Chiefs

Section titled “Den Chiefs”

Den chiefs are older Scouts (ideally First Class or above) from a Scouts BSA troop who assist den leaders as role models, activity helpers, and friends to the Cub Scouts.

Cubmaster responsibilities for den chiefs:

  • Request den chiefs from local troop Scoutmasters (typically Troop 75)
  • Ensure each den chief completes Den Chief Training (ideally with their den leader)
  • Recognize den chiefs at pack meetings
  • Work with the Assistant Cubmaster to coordinate den chief planning meetings

See den-chief for the full den chief role guide.

Filling Leadership Gaps

Section titled “Filling Leadership Gaps”

If a den lacks a den leader:

  1. Identify a parent in the den willing to step up (Cubmaster and Committee Chair work together)
  2. Use the Selecting Cub Scout Leadership Guide (see docs/Training/Positions/Committee Chair/Selecting Cub Scout Leadership Guide.md)
  3. Ensure the Cubmaster or Assistant Cubmaster provides interim support to the den

Dens by Rank

Section titled “Dens by Rank”
RankGrade
LionsKindergarten
Tigers1st Grade
Wolves2nd Grade
Bears3rd Grade
Webelos4th Grade
Arrow of Light5th Grade

Resources

Section titled “Resources”
  • den-leader — full den leader role guide
  • docs/Training/Positions/Den Leader/Den Leader Guide.md
  • docs/Training/Positions/Committee Chair/Selecting Cub Scout Leadership Guide.md

Used In

Section titled “Used In”
Resource Used InType
CubmasterRole
Assistant CubmasterRole
Den LeaderRole