For Leaders

Leader Information

Basic Den Leader Duties

The BSA publishes a short pamphlet for new den leaders called, “So You’re a New Den Leader.” If you read it and do what it says, you’ll be off to a great start!

Here are the most critical things a den leader must do:

  1. Register as a new leader by filling out the adult application. Submit your application in any of the following ways:
    1. Give it to the Cubmaster or Committee Chair.
    2. Leave your application with the receptionist at Friendswood United Methodist Church, located at 110 N. Friendswood Drive, Friendswood, TX (call 281-482-7535) if you need help finding where to go on the church campus).
    3. Mail your application package addressed as follows:Cub Scout Pack 442
      c/o Friendswood United Methodist Church
      110 N. Friendswood Drive
      Friendswood, TX 77546
  2. Join Pack 442′s Leader email list.
  3. Create an account on my.scouting.org (Be warned: the BSA websites are confusing to navigate!) Be sure to link your account to your BSA number so you get credit for your training.
  4. Obtain a Youth Protection Training (YPT) certificate.
  5. Complete leader position-specific training on my.scouting.org.
  6. Prepare a den-meeting schedule for the full year targeted at covering all requirements for your scouts to achieve their rank.
  7. Ensure you obtain complete copies of each scout’s Annual Health and Medical Form.
  8. Ensure you obtain a copy of each scout’s proof of medical insurance.
  9. Ensure each scout’s parents or adult partners have current YPT training.
  10. Communicate you planned calendar to your scouts’ parents or adult partners.
  11. Stay in communication with the members of your den, through their parent’s or adult partners.
  12. Collect dues.
  13. Use Scoutbook to track your scouts’ progress. Keep this current!
  14. Attend the pack planning meeting held on the first Thursday of each month.

Most of the scouting experience occurs at the den level, so the leader of a den arguably has the single greatest impact on a den’s success. The key to it is organization. If you organize properly up front at the beginning of the year, and stay current, the program can almost take care of itself. Here are a few tips:

  1. Prepare. Meetings go better for everyone if you’re prepared. For each den meeting, the BSA has a suggested meeting agenda which takes much of the work out of den meetings. Use it.
  2. Require parents to be involved. Communicate that it is expected that each scout’s parents or adult partners will help lead some of the den meetings. Have a roster present at the first den meeting where they can sign up to cover den meetings for a specific topic at a specific meeting or series of meetings. If you do this, you will off-load a significant portion of each meeting’s responsibilities to another adult, thus freeing you for administrative activities and staying organized.
  3. Take roll. Have scouts sign in at each meeting. Date each sign-in sheet and note the activities covered. Keep these.
  4. Keep Scoutbook up-to-date. Learn how to use Scoutbook (ask another leader for a demo) and keep each scout’s achievements up-to-date. This is best done after each den meeting. If you don’t keep this current, then your scouts may not get the recognition they deserve.
  5. Communicate with parents and adult partners. Each week, about 24 hours before a scheduled den meeting, send an email reminder about the upcoming meeting. Keep it short and to-the-point. A bullet-point format can be effective and efficient. Use bold-faced headings so people can quickly determine whether they need to read the rest of the bullet point. Try to save all communications so they can go in this one weekly email, thus preventing your emails from being considered SPAM.
  6. Wear your leader uniform. This sets a good example for the boys. The Clear Lake Scout Shop is located at 1300 Bay Area Blvd, Suite 101, Houston, TX 77059. It’s open Mon.-Wed. 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM; Thur. 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM; Fri. 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM; and Sat. 10:00AM – 3:00 PM. (Closed Sunday).  The Scout Shop will know what you need for your position. All you’ll need to do is tell them you’re with Pack 442.
  7. Encourage your scouts to wear uniforms. Uniforms are a big part of scouting. Although not technically required, encourage your scouts to wear uniforms, and to wear them properly.

Resources for Cub Scout Ranks

The following links come from the Boy Scout Trail web site. This site contains a wealth of useful information for Den Leaders.

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