This page was designed to be a general introduction for new Den Leaders and volunteers. Please read the appropriate Cub Scout Handbook for your Den as soon as possible. This may sound obvious, but there's lots of information in these handbooks, which will serve as a guide as you plan your Den's year of Scouting.  Be sure to attend the appropriate training classes as indicated on the Leader Training page. Attending the Three Fires Council (TFC) Academy is a great way to network with other leaders, get inspired, and gain lots of ideas to help you deliver a quality program for your Den.

Pack 24 Website

Use the website!  It is a wonderful tool for you and for Pack families. The site offers the latest information on leader training, family outings, pack meetings, roster of Pack 24 Leaders, etc. There are also links to our Council and District websites. 

As a leader, you can request changes or updates to anything on the website! Just contact our Webmaster (Marisa Walz) for help getting started.

Parent/Leader Meetings

It is very important that at least one leader from each Den attend these meetings to be a part of planning and decision-making and for the distribution of information. These meetings are conducted by the Committee Chairperson. Please refer to the Calendar for the schedule of these monthly meetings.

Pack meetings

A schedule will be distributed so you’ll know when it’s your Den's turn to perform the flag ceremony at one of the monthly Pack meetings. Generally, the older scouts' dens perform the ceremony toward the beginning of the year, with the youngest dens turn coming at the end of the year. For example, the Webelos II Scouts will perform the ceremony at the September Pack meeting.

Please remind your Den to wear their complete uniform and arrive on time to all meetings so they may receive a raffle ticket for a small prize. Also, help to see that scouts (and their families) are attentive at these meetings.

Family Outings

Please stress the importance of RSVP-ing on time to the families in your Den. Families should check in with the Outings Coordinator upon arrival at each event so that a patch/segment can be given to the scout for attendance at the outing.

Awards

Please be sure you know when your Den is scheduled to receive an award. If you are not sure, ask!  It is the Den Leader's responsibility to “do their best” to ensure that the scouts in their Den are prepared for and have met the requirements to earn advancement awards at the appropriate Pack meetings.

Also very important: Den Leaders are responsible for ordering awards from the Advancement Chairperson in advance so they will be available at the appropriate Pack meeting. An alternative is to purchase these items from a Scout shop on your own (submit receipts for reimbursement by the Pack) and be sure the Cubmaster has the awards prior to the Pack meeting.

Any scout 1st grade or older should review the requirements for the Bobcat award. Tiger Den Leaders should review the requirements with the scouts. Older scouts who join in 2nd/3rd/4th/5th grade should be encouraged to review the requirements individually and will also participate in the Bobcat award ceremony.   The Bobcat award recognizes a scout who has joined the program and knows the basics of Cub Scouting. Further details are in the scout handbooks.

Schedule of Awards Given at Pack Meetings 

January:  Webelos II receive their pins earned in the Fall, their Arrow of Light and cross over to Scouts BSA (formerly "Boy Scouts"). Bobcat Awards given to all Tigers (see note above), and all other scouts new to Cub Scouts. 

May: All Scouts receive their Advancement Awards (i.e., rank advancement awards) in May after they have completed the necessary requirements.

Hiking awards are presented throughout the year as they are earned by individual scouts.  The Hiking Coordinator will track miles and submit a list of scouts who have earned new awards each month.

Patches

Segments (small patches sewn in a circle on the back of the red brag vest) are typically ordered by the Advancement Chairperson and distributed at Pack meetings and events as immediate recognition for completing a Den requirement or attending a special outing. Alternatively, Den Leaders whose scouts earn patches outside the Pack events, can purchase segments at a scout store and submit receipts to the Pack Treasurer for reimbursement.

E2000 glue (Beware! It is very permanent!) is available at craft stores for attaching segments and other patches to brag vests. Badge Magic (a peel-and-stick adhesive) is available online and at scout stores and is also a handy alternative to sewing.

Den Meetings

Den meetings are typically held once or twice a month; time and place are determined by Den Leaders.  Dens may also decide to do “Go See It” outings in place of or in addition to Den meetings. Dens can meet in homes or other locations (i.e., church, school, library). Many leaders feel scouts behave better when not in someone’s home! Meetings usually last an hour, sometimes longer if a special project requires more time. Many organizations near Elmhurst may offer programs designed specifically for Cub Scouts. Dens are encouraged to take advantage of these programs. Check the websites of museums, nature centers, libraries, and other locations for information. Many organizations have a "Scout/Group" section on their websites. If a fee is charged for the program, Den Leaders can pay the fee and request reimbursement or ask the Treasurer to issue a check for payment. The total amount spent on all Den activities should stay within the Den budget for the year (consult the Pack Treasurer for the current year's Den budget).

We recommend including all parents at the first Den meeting to go over details such as snack sign up and to assign a few achievements to be worked on at home over the year. Parents can volunteer to assist at Den meetings; however, in accordance with BSA Youth Protection guidelines, two adults need to be present with the scouts at all times, at least one of whom has been trained in BSA Youth Protection.

Leaders can assign the scouts to take turn being the “Denner.”  A Denner is a scout with special responsibilities such as bringing the snack, leading the opening and closing ceremonies, etc. A special Denner cord can be purchased through one of the scout shops and is worn over the scout’s left shoulder.

Dens can request a “Den Chief,” an older Scouts BSA member who has received special training to help run games, lead songs, and assist the den as needed.  This role helps the Den Chief to advance in Boy Scouts and provides the younger scouts with a role model to encourage them to continue onto Scouts BSA. 

It is helpful to provide positive reinforcement for attending meetings, demonstrating good behavior, wearing of uniforms, etc. at den meetings. One method is to give out colored beads to string on a leather lanyard that can be worn as part of their uniform.

Some leaders also choose to purchase items such as books and numeral patches for their entire den and have parents reimburse them; it helps to ensure everyone has what they need. 

Uniforms

Leaders need to purchase a khaki uniform shirt (can be yellow for women).

Den Budget/Reimbursement

Pack 24 budgets for a specific amount to be spent by Den Leaders each year. The amount may change over time depending on the overall Pack budget. If you don't know the budget, ask the Cubmaster or Treasurer for the latest information. These funds can be used to pay for outings and supplies. Some leaders choose to ask parents to contribute an additional fee for a special project or outing. For example, some Dens may like to have an end of year pizza party where families help contribute to the cost of the pizza.  

Reimbursement requests should be submitted to the Pack 24 Treasurer, with any receipts. Please turn in your requests/receipts in a timely manner!

General Tips/Miscellaneous

It helps to get together with your co-leader(s) ASAP and come up with a game plan for the entire year. Many leaders like to take turns planning meetings to accomplish particular achievements. 

Make a trip to a scout store to see what’s available and get a few ideas!

The rank-specific handbook for each Cub Scout rank contains all the information needed to plan Den meetings. However, the BSA also publishes official leader guidebooks, which some leaders find helpful and are available for purchase from Scout stores. Various online resources are also available, many of them at no cost.  

Seek out previous leaders for help and support! Cub Scout leaders are very nice people who are happy to help each other! We hope you enjoy your experience!