New Den Leader
Survival Guide

 

So, you're the new Den Leader !!!
Do you think you're in over your head ?

Wondering what to do and how to do it ?
These suggestions may help !

 

 

 

Training

  • Watch the Fast Start Video. This will give you the general idea.
  • Attend Basic Training as soon as practical. It takes about half a day and will answer many of your questions.
  • Youth Protection Training is required for all leaders. Basic Training includes this course.
  • Go to Roundtable. It will give you an entire month of theme-based meeting ideas. It's on the second Thursday of each month.
  • Ask one of the more experienced leaders for suggestions. Attend one of their den meetings.
  • Try the on-line Leadership Skills Taught in Wood Badge Training.

Books - Absolute Necessities

  • Cub Scout Leader Book - Everything about everything.
  • Cub Scout Handbook - Available for Wolf, Bear, and Webelos
  • Cub Scout Leader How-To Book - Full of crafts, skits, games, etc.
  • Program Helps - Monthly thematic ideas
  • Webelos Den Activities - for Webelos leaders

Books - Nice to have

  • Meeting Sparklers
  • Cub Scout Songbook
  • Cub Scout Magic
  • Guide to Safe Scouting
  • Insignia Guide
  • Staging Den & Pack Ceremonies
  • Cub Scout Sports & Academics Leaders Guide
  • Individual Sports and Academic Books (lots of them)

Forms and Lists

  • Cub Scout Den Record and Attendance - for tracking the den's progress
  • Individual Cub Scout Record - for tracking each scouts attendance and advancement
  • Den Newsletter - to keep parents informed and involved
  • Den phone list
  • Parent volunteer list - each parent signs up for a job. Phone coordinator, refreshment coordinator, setup and cleanup, pinewood derby committee, pack committee, etc. Delegate!

Parent involvement

  • This is a must. Some things can be done at den meetings or outings, but many must be done at home.

Advancement

  • Wolf Badge - have parents sign when the scout completes an activity. Also, have parents fill in wolf trail in the back of the book. This will save you time at your den meetings. When you record the item, cross it out in the wolf trail section. When all achievements are complete, the scout receives his wolf badge.
  • Arrow Points - same as the wolf trail. A scout receives a gold arrow point for the first 10 items completed (not whole electives). A silver arrow point is awarded for each additional 10 items. Items may be done more than once for credit. Electives may be worked on concurrently with the wolf trail, however, no arrow points may be awarded until the wolf badge is earned.
  • Immediate Recognition
    • Den Doodle - examples of these are in the How-To Leaders Book. They are basically totems with strings dangling to which small blocks, spools, or something similar are attached. For each item completed, the scout attaches a block. This allows the boy to see his progress.
    • Cub Scout & Webelos Advancement Charts - these are available from the scout shop. They're self-explanatory. For each completed achievement, a date is entered. The chart tracks Bobcat, Wolf, Bear & Webelos scouts.
    • Progress Towards Ranks - Provided by the pack. This is a temporary badge worn on the right pocket. When 3 achievements are completed, the badge and a bead are awarded (yellow for wolf and red for bear). For each additional 3 completed achievements, another bead is awarded. When the 4th bead is awarded, the scout has earned Wolf/Bear rank.

Miscellaneous

  • Good conduct candle - get a 10-12 hour candle. Light it at the beginning of your meeting. Blow it out if the boys misbehave. When the candle is gone, have a pizza party or something similar. Works great.
  • Two deep leadership - You must always have at least two leaders. This protects you from potential accusations. Also, never talk one on one with a boy in private. Pull him over to a corner, but in plain sight of others.
  • Pocketknives - scouts may not carry knives until they have earned their whittlin' chip (Bear achievement). Also, If an activity or meeting is held in a public school, remember that knives are considered weapons and are prohibited.
  • National Den Award - for a great den program, try to do all the requirements of the National Den Award (Cub Scout Leader Book).
  • Tour permits - file a permit for every trip over 50 miles, out of council or that envolves an overnight stay. This provides BSA insurance coverage.
  • Camping - only family camping is permitted for tigers, wolves, and bears. Webelos may overnight camp with some restrictions. See the Leader book.
  • Den Yell - every den needs a yell. E. g., "1-2-3-4, tigers, tigers, hear us roar!"
  • Den Flag - not required, but the boys like it. It also gives a rallying point at pack meetings and other events.
  • Sports and Academics - This is a separate and optional program. Scouts earn belt loops, pins, and letters for participation in den, pack, community, or family events. Each sport or academic program has its on book. There are about 8 academic categories and 20 sports categories. Examples are science, music, art, baseball, soccer, archery, and fishing. Books are available from your pack library or the scout shop. A leader's guide is also available.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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