Pack Organization
The Pack
The Pack is a group made up of several dens.
The Pack includes not only the boys in those dens, but also their
families, and their leaders. The Packs meets once a month with
Cub Scouts, leaders, parents and other family members attending.
The Pack meeting is the climax of the month's den meetings and
activities. It gives the dens something to look forward to and
work toward. This is a chance to recognize the boys, their
parents, and their leaders.
In addition to its regular meetings, the Pack sponsors certain
special projects. These include community projects (e.g., a
Thanksgiving Food Drive for the needy), outdoor activities (e.g.,
field trips, family campouts, etc.), fund raising activities, and
fun competitions (e.g., Pinewood car Derby).
The Cubmaster is an adult volunteer
who serves as master of ceremonies at all Pack meetings and leads
Pack activities of all kinds. Pack
leadership positions may be held by women or men.
The Pack Committee is a group of
adult volunteers who plan the Pack program and individual
activities as well as managing such things as record keeping,
finance, leadership recruitment, and registration. The Pack
Committee meets monthly and meetings are open to any interested
parent.
Want to learn more about the pack leadership & committee? Click here
Cubmaster
The Cubmaster, who is sometimes refered to as the unit leader, is up front. Most parents think they run the show all by themselves. Now you know different. So what does a Cubmaster do? Plenty!
Qualifications:
Be a US citizen at least 21 years of age, of good moral character and interested in working with boys. Need not be an expert in all Cub Scout activities but should be a leader who is able to deal with adults as well as boys. Should be able to delegate responsibilities; set a good example by behavior, attitude, and uniform; and believe in the values and principles of Cub Scouting. Preferably a member of the chartered organization. Recruited and appointed by the pack committee with the approval of the chartered organization, and registered as an adult leader of the BSA.
Responsibilities:
- Conduct a pack program according to the policies of the Boy Scouts of America.
- Complete Cubmaster Fast Start Training and Cub Scout Leader Basic Training. Attend monthly roundtables.
- Plan and help carry out Cub Scout program in the pack. This includes leading the monthly pack meeting, with the help of other leaders.
- Know about and use literature of the program, including Boys' Life and Scouting magazines and Cub Scout and Webelos Scout Program Helps.
- See that the Pack program, leaders, and Cub Scouts reflect positively the interests and objectives of the chartered organization and the Boy Scouts of America.
- Work with the pack committee on (1) program ideas, (2) selecting and recruiting adult leaders, and (3) establishing a budget plan.
- Guide and support den leaders. See that they receive the required training for their position.
- Recruit den leader coaches as needed.
- Help organize Webelos den(s) and encourage graduation into a Boy Scout troop.
- Help establish and maintain a good relationship with Boy Scout troops.
- Maintain good relationships with parents. Seek their support and include them in activities. Involve male relatives such as uncles and grandfathers, so Cub Scouts will have additional male role models.
- See that Cub Scouts and Webelos Scouts receive a quality, year-round program filled with fun and activities that qualify the dens and pack for the National Summertime Pack Award.
- Guide Cub Scouts in goodwill and conservative projects.
- Supervise the support of the Tiger Cub dens.
- See that the responsibilities specified for the assistant Cubmaster are carried out.
- Assist the pack committee chairman in conducting the annual pack prgogram planning conference and the monthly pack leaders' meetings.
- Work as a team with the pack committee chairman to cultivate, educate, and motivate all pack leaders and parents in Cub Scouting.
- Take part in the charter review meeting and annual charter presentation ceremony.
- Recruit den chiefs for all dens. Recognize the den chiefs at pack meetings.
- Meet the Tiger Cubs and their adult partners prior to graduation to discuss Cub Scouting.
- Conduct an impressive graduation ceremony for Tiger Cubs.
- Meet with the unit commissioner, Webelos den leader, and Scoutmaster to establish plans for the Webelos-to-Scout plan.
- Assist in planning and conducting stimulating graduation ceremonies involving parents, the Scoutmaster, the Webelos den chief, Webelos den leader, and troop junior leaders.
- Conduct impressive Webelos den inductions and Arrow of Light ceremonies.
- Encourage high advancement standards for Cub Scouts and Webelos Scouts.
- Help bring families together at joint activities for Webelos dens (or packs) and Boy Scout troops.
In general, the Cubmaster (sometimes referred to as the unit leader) is the guiding hand behind the work of the other pack leaders and serves as program advisor to the pack committee, a recruiter, a supervisor, a director, a planner, a motivator of other leaders. The responsibilities can be boiled down to the following:
- Work directly with the den leader coach, Tiger Cub coach, Cub Scout den leaders, Webelos den leaders, den chiefs, and pack committee chairman to make sure all dens are functioning well.
- Plan the den and pack programs with the help of the other leaders.
- Lead the monthly pack meeting with the help of others. Involve all dens in some way.
- Coordinate the total Cub Scout program in the pack. Everything the Cubmaster does is aimed at helping the individual boy. Securing strong leaders, planning den and pack activities, advising other leaders and their parents. These are all ways in which the Cubmaster affects the kind of Cub Scouting each boy in the pack is offered. Although this job is an executive position, the Cubmaster has direct influence on the lives of individual boys by keeping in mind that boys can be made better through Cub Scouting.
The Den
A Cub Scout Pack is divided into small groups of about eight
boys called dens, who meet weekly under the direction of adult
Den Leaders and, in some cases, Boy Scout
Den Chiefs. The Den Leaders are trained parent volunteers.
The den allows boys to get to know each other better and engage
in activities that would be difficult in a larger group. The den
also provides leadership opportunities for the boys as they elect
"denners" or help to teach each other.
Den meeting activities are planned around the monthly theme and
include games, handicrafts, hikes and other outdoor fun,
practicing skits and stunts in preparation for the next Pack
meeting and taking part in simple ceremonies and songs. Sometimes
work on advancement requirements is included, but most of that
work is accomplished by the boys with their parents (see details
on the Webelos rank for an exception). The Den Leaders may ask
for special help occasionally from parents (helping with a
meeting, sharing a special skill, or just providing a snack for
the boys).
Dens are organized by rank. Ranks are organized by grade and age:
The Den Chief
The Den Chief is a Boy Scout from a nearby troop
who, usually, has achieved at least the rank of First Class. The
Den Chief is a trained leader who assists a Den Leader in the
running of a Den.
It is the Den Chief's duty to assist the Cub Scouts in their den
with the projects and activities of the Den. His duty also is to
encourage, guide and protect them in all den and pack activities;
and to show them by their example what a Boy Scout is.
Webelos Den Chiefs also will work to interest the Webelos Scouts
in becoming Boy Scouts.
The Den Chief Pledge
I promise to help the Cub Scouts (or Webelos Scouts) in my den
to the best of my ability; to encourage, guide, and protect them
in all den and pack activities; and to show them by my example
what a Boy Scout is.
I will strive to be prompt and dependable, and to cooperate with
the leaders in carrying out the den program.
As each Cub Scout completes the third grade, I will encourage him
to join a Webelos den.
As he becomes eligible, I will do all in my power to interest him
in becoming a Boy Scout.
Den Chief Awards
The Den Chief can earn the Den Chief
Service Award. See, Den Chief Awards
Grade and Age
Several years ago joining and advancement requirements for Cub
Scouting were changed to a grade basis (with age as backup). Age
is still used by some packs whose national organization has made
that determination As a refresher, here are some age/grade
requirements. Keep in mind that grade is the primary
determination and age is the backup (note the work
"or"):
- TIGER CUBS -- In the first grade, (or 7 years old)
- CUB SCOUTS (Wolves and Bears) -- In the second and third
grade, (or 8 or 9 years old)
- WEBELOS SCOUTS -- In the fourth and fifth grade, (or 10
years old)
- ARROW OF LIGHT -- Six months since completing the fourth grade, or six months since turning 10.
- BOY SCOUTS -- Completed the fifth grade, or age 11, or have earned the Arrow of Light.
Den Leader Coach
The den leader coach is responsible for ensuring stable,
active and enthusiastic den leaders for all Cub Scout and Webelos
dens. They also help to insure that:
- Leaders complete Fast Start and Cub Scout Leader Basic Training.
- A Den Leader Coach Seminar is conducted for the leaders.
- Leaders attend the monthly rountables.
- Leaders understand the purposes, policies and procedures of the chartered organization and the Boy Scouts of America.
- Help is available for new den leaders.
- Cub Scout leader recognition awards are available to the leaders.
- Monthly coach-den leader meetings are held to help plan den activities and programs.
- Information about the current and up to date program literature and material is passed on to den leaders.
- No den is ever without a leader and assistant.
- New den leaders are recruited.
- There is a communications link (usually the den leader coach) between the Cubmaster and the den leaders.
Want to learn more? The major source for this information is The
Cub Scout Leader Book.
You may also wish to take a look at the Cub Scout Promise, Law and Motto which set the standards for Cub Scouts. You may also want to take a look at the History of the Boy Scouts of America.