A: Six to eight

Q: Where do I hold my meetings?

A: The Committee Chair will review with you the available facilities that your den may meet at. S/he will have already approved of these as safe and adequate places for our cubs & WeBeLoS. The Chair will help you file the appropriate papers to register.

Q: Can I hold meetings at my house?

A: While it's a nice thing and convenient for you, it does not lend itself to a proper place. Most of the time, you will be worrying about your personal belongings in the back of your mind and your son may be tempted to show the gang his newest game or toy. We suggest that you make all efforts to use the approved meeting facilities.

Q: What time is usually best to hold a meeting?

A: Usually starting around 6:30 PM and running out until 8:PM. Tigers should only be an hour. Remember you’re the leader and you decide when and where - not the parents.

Q: Can more than one person be den leader?

A: Yes. There can be as many as three. They would ideally be two leaders and one assistant leader or one leader and two assistants. Essentially one person must be the main contact for the Cubmaster.

Q: Do the parents need to stay at den meetings?

A: Only for Tigers because that is a scout & adult partner program. Otherwise no, they do not.

Q: Are we supposed to collect dues and what do we do with them?

A: Yes you should collect dues because they help you run your den (craft supplies, treats, trips, etc.)

Q: How much should dues be and do we keep them or turn them in to the pack?

A: Each den leader decides how much dues should be, taking into consideration the financial situation of each boy. We recommend that they not be more than $1.00. Our pack does not require dens to report their dues to our treasurer. Each den manages their own finances.

Q: Am I supposed to give the boys homework?

A: You should send them home with an assignment to do with their families. During your den meetings, you will teach the boys the ideals of scouting and skills that they need to advance.

Q: What is a Denner and an Assistant Denner?

A: These are leadership positions that you give the boys each month.

Q: When do these start?

A: Ideally, when the boys are a Bear den and continue through WeBeLoS.

Q: Can you explain how does this work.

A: It should be a peer process. Let the boys cast ballots to see who becomes the first Denner. The Denner will now chose the assistant. When the Denner duties are up, the assistant Denner automatically becomes Denner and he will select that month's assistant. This will continue until each boy has had a turn being BOTH Denner and assistant Denner.

Q: Why shouldn't I just assign the positions?

A: Because it could be interpreted as favoritism. The point of this is to teach them how to make fair and equal decisions as a leader would.

Q: What should they do?

A: For a Bear Den, the Denner would help the leader with roll call and the assistant may collect and record the dues. The Denner could plan the last den meeting of his tenure, with your help, and let him run it. The assistant pretty much helps the Denner and acts as back up when the Denner is not there.

For a WeBeLoS den, the Denner would do the same duties like the Bear Denner but he would now assign duties to the other scouts (opening & closing ceremonies, flag bearer, games, snack set up, room set up and clean up). He will also bring the snack for the den. The Assistant will do the same as he did in the Bear den but now added is collecting of the books for advancement review by the leader. He will also bring the drinks.

Q: How can you tell who is who?

A: There are yellow cords that the boys wear on their left shoulder. The double cord signifies the Denner position and the single cord signifies the assistant Denner. These cords are to be passed along when a boy has completed his term. The Advancement Chair will get these for you.

Q: What is a Den Chief and how do I know if my den qualifies for one?

A: A Den Chief is ideally a Boy Scout of first class rank. He has been specially trained to work with the boys of your den rank. The Cubmaster will usually ask the Scoutmaster of a local troop for scouts that need leadership requirements fulfilled. The Scoutmaster will see if he has any boys that want to assume duties of a den chief. If your den is a Wolf, a Bear, or a WeBeLoS den, then you qualify for a den chief.

Q: How can he help?

A: The Den Chief is a leadership position and your boys have to realize that this Boy Scout requires their respect. The DC can help you plan your meetings by supplementing with games, uniforming and inspection, teaching a skill or a craft, opening or closing ceremonies, planning the den's part in the next pack meeting, working with the Denner or assistant Denner or keeping the peace. DC's are an excellent source for you and your boys, especially about what it's like in boy scouting.

Q: Should I ask for one?

A: Every Wolf, Bear, or WeBeLoS den leader should always see if there is a DC available to them.

Q: Does the DC come with us on trips and outings? How about pack meetings?

A: Of course. He is part of your den and our pack. Pack 72 has a policy for DC's, which is, any outing that our pack goes on, he is automatically invited, and we pay for his trip. Most of our dens adopt this policy for their trips; after all, he is part of the den. In the same vane, he is to attend all of our pack meetings, pinewood derbies, and holiday parties. It will be up to the committee chair if the DC is to attend our annual planning meeeting.

Q: When I do award announcements to the pack, can I also include my DC's achievements that he has done in his troop?

A: Yes and you should make a point of it. You should also make a point of introducing your DC to all of your parents. They need to know him as he needs to know who they are.

Q: Who does his training?

A: Our pack trainer.

Q: Do I have to go to this training?

A: Our pack trainer requires that each den receiving a DC, have at least one leader attend the training so that you and your DC have met and are familiar with each other. She also has you and the DC plan the next den meeting together before the training ends. It is a very successful way of training. You also benefit from it because the trainer explains EXCATLY to you what your responsibilities are to your DC. The worst scenario is having a DC show up, you do not know who he is, except a name, and he has never met you. The boys are running around, you quickly introduce yourself and tell him to keep the boys in line while you set up. Your scouts have no idea who he is and totally ignore him or give him a hard time. Not a great ice breaker and truly a bad experience for your DC.

Q: Can I bring some of our scouts to this training?

A: Absolutely. They can help the trainer with some of the excerises that she teaches the DC's.

Q: Does the DC receive any more training?

A: Sort of. The pack trainer meets with them each month, usually before a pack meeting to see how they are doing, if they have any concerns or problems and to give them updated materials to help them do their jobs (skits, crafts, ceremonies, trip ideas).

Q: Does the DC handle disciplinary actions?

A: Under no circumstances should any den leader allow the DC to handle these. Telling the boys to keep quiet or helping a boy with his uniform after failing inspection is one thing, but to discipline a boy for wrongful or harmful actions (i.e. hitting, showing of disrespect, etc) is your responsibility. This information was part of the DC's training and he has been instructed to remind you of this, should it arise. Do not put him in an awkward position by saying, "Well, you're the one who witnessed it. You handle it!" Remember, in most cases, your DC isn't that much older than your scouts and you are the den leader.

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A: Yes. Each boy must have a blue or tan (WeBeLoS) Class A - long or short-sleeved - shirt, neckerchief of the current badge rank, slide, belt, and cap to match. We do not require the uniform pants/shorts. Clean, neatly pressed jeans, pants, khakis, or walking shorts - knee or just above the knee in length - are acceptable (not soccer or other athletic-type shorts). Footwear should be sturdy - sneakers are acceptable but should be clean and laces tied. Sandals or Tevasâ are not acceptable as they expose the toes and foot to injury. Socks are to be worn at all times. We do provide the boys with Class B's (pack T-shirts) for informal field trips and camping.

Q: Do leaders need a uniform?

A: Yes. The pack provides each adult leader with a uniform shirt. The BSA requires that leaders follow the rules of proper uniforming and footwear that is set for the boys. Leaders for cubs wear a blue/gold neckerchief with slide. Leaders for WeBeLoS wear a plaid with gold edging with slide. Headwear is the same as the boys.

Q: Where do the boys and I get the patches that I see on the uniforms?

A: The pack usually has the council and pack insignia already on the leaders uniforms but they can be purchased at Outdoor World in Southington, Amatos in New Britain or Middletown or at the council store in Waterbury.

Q: Does it matter where these patches go?

A: Most definitely. Proper uniforming is your duty to your boys. Insignia guide sheets are available to you and your families from the Cubmaster or the pack trainer. Please be sure to ask for one.

Q: Where does everything go?

A: The council patch is sewn on the left sleeve, 1/2" from the shoulder seam. Under that, but not touching it are your pack numbers. Under those but not touching will be your pack leadership position patch and under that, barely touching will be your trained patch. That patch will be awarded after you complete New Leaders Essentials, Youth Protection and Cub Leader Basic training courses. On the right sleeve will be your Den number, 1/4"underneath the American flag or your patrol insignia if you are a WeBeLoS den. If we are awarded Quality Unit awards, then those patches are placed on the right sleeve underneath your den or patrol insignia. On the front of the uniform, on your left, 3" down from the shoulder seam will be your World Crest (the purple patch). Your den leader award knots (for years of cub scout service) are sewn above the left pocket. These are to be centered over the pocket. If you are awarded more than one, then you move over the den leader knot to the right of the pocket and place the WeBeLoS Leader knot next to it towards the left. All other service knots, should you earn them, are placed in the same fashion. There are three to a row and the rows are sewn above the previous one. Nothing else is to be sewn on the front of a leaders uniform. The year pins are worn over the right pocket, 1/4" above it. You should only wear the current year pin, not all of them. Any patches from any BSA event that you want to wear on your uniform, you may put it into a plastic holder and button it over your right pocket. The right pocket is called the "temporary patch place." This holds true for the boys as well.

For the boys, their insignia is the same as yours and must be sewn in the exact same places. Their rank badges are sewn or placed in plastic holders buttoned on the left pocket. The formation is: Bobcat on top, Tiger on the bottom, Wolf on the right and Bear on the left. This will form a diamond on the scout's pocket. For Wolves & Bears, their arrow points go under that rank badge in a triangle formation. Gold on top, underneath that will be two silver, under that three silver and so on. WeBeLoS badge is sewn on the tan shirt on the left pocket. The goal here is to teach him about Boy Scout uniforming. If he earns his Arrow of Light, that patch is sewn underneath the left pocket, touching the tip of the pocket. If he has earned religious awards, he will have a purple and silver knot patch sewn over the left pocket, centered. His medal will be pinned 1/4" over his left pocket, along side his year pin and perfect attendance pin.

Q: What are WeBeLoS Ribbons or WeBeLoS Colors and where are they worn?

A: They are the Red, Yellow and Green heavy strips that the boys put their activity pins on. They are pinned to the boy’s right sleeve, underneath his den and/or patrol insignia. Our pack usually purchases these for our WeBeLoS and awards them during a pack meeting. Usually at the cub graduation in April. They receive them at the end of their first year to symbolize that they are continuing. Note: this is our pack’s interpretation of the ribbon pin and not necessarily the views of the BSA.

Q: How do you properly roll a neckerchief?

A: Take the neckerchief by both ends, pinch the tips between your thumb and index finger and hold it stretched out in front of you. The cub logo or WeBeLoS patch should be facing away from you (it reads backwards). Quickly flick your wrists forward to flip the neckerchief over several times. Have the boy gently tug on the logo end to tighten the roll after your last flip. Make sure there is 6" left (from tip to roll) exposed from his collar. Place the neckerchief under the collar. Open the clips on the slide, put into place and firmly press the clips onto the neckerchief. Smooth out the collar and neckerchief.

Q: The slides keep on falling off. Can parents tie a knot in the neckerchief to keep the slide from falling?

A: No, we are not Sea Scouts. Here is a trick if you can't press the clips down tight enough. Take a rubber band, after you have properly rolled the neckerchief and placed it on the boy; wrap the band around the neckerchief several times and slide into place. Take the slide clips, open them up, place them directly above the band and press closed. Now the slide will stay in place and hide the band.

Trainer's Comments:

You as a leader set the tone for your den and your meetings. Same goes with uniforming. If you are cranky and short tempered, the boys will notice it and may become quiet or nervous. If you are in a good mood, the boys will enjoy being with you. If your uniform is worn slovenly, is never buttoned - you wear it like a sweater - wrinkled and never tucked in, then your boys will never know what a proper uniform looks like. Sometimes they are embarrassed when they are at pack meetings because they don't dress like the other boys. Sometimes upset parents will come up to the pack leadership and ask how their sons are supposed to look. You need to become the role model and teacher. Parents and scouts will only follow your lead; they look to you for guidance. We see too many of our leaders that refuse to button and/or tuck in their shirts. We also see several wearing non-BSA caps while wearing their uniforms (sorry folks, Mickey Mouse, Tigger, Pooh and the Magical World of Disney are NOT mascots for the BSA and I don't think that NASCAR is our official sponsor). This can not be stressed this enough - PROPER UNIFORMING IS PART OF YOUR DUTIES. You should be wrinkle-free, buttoned, neckerchief worn, insignia in the proper places, tucked in at all times and have an official BSA hat/cap (should you wear one.) There are no exceptions and no excuses. This is not supposed to be a fashion statement, it is a uniform. Wear it proudly. Look smart.

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Q: If a boy joins a den and he has never been in scouting before and the den is not a Tiger den, does he have to play catch up with all the ranks?

A: No, but he must earn his Bobcat before he is to work on anything else.

Q: How do I get awards for my boys?

A: Each month at the monthly leaders meeting, the Advancement coordinator will have a sheet passed around that s/he must turn into council. You are to write on this sheet how many arrow points or activity pins or compass emblem/points your boys need.

Q: When they finish their requirements and have achieved their rank, when do I request their badges?

A: You will request those before graduation, at the April leaders' meeting and award them at graduation to your boys.

Q: What's up with these bead things?

A: They represent the boy's progress towards his rank. It's an immediate recognition for him.

Q: How do I figure these out and where do they go?

A: OK. Are you ready? The Tiger Cub wears his achievement totem on his belt. The den leader awards beads as soon as a cub completes an achievement. They are as follows: five white beads, five orange beads and five black beads. The white represents each family activity part completed. The orange represents each required den activity part completed. The black represents each Go See It part completed. When the boy completes all 15 achievements, he is eligible for his Tiger Cub badge. That badge is placed on the front of the totem. The boy can only earn one bead for each of the 15 achievement parts regardless of how many times he may repeat a particular part. Wolf and Bear each receive one bead for every four achievements completed for a total of four beads (there are 12 achievements.) Yellow beads are for Wolf and red are for Bear. The beads are strung on vinyl lanyards, which are hung from a plastic holder labeled Progress towards rank. This holder is buttoned to the cub's right pocket. NOTE: When Wolf graduates to Bear, he does not receive a new holder. The Bear beads are strung on a separate lanyard that is tied next to the Wolf beads.

Q: How does a boy earn arrow points?

A: In the back of the Wolf and Bear handbooks there are sections called "Arrow Point Trail." These are enhancements to his learning and for every ten items completed, he is to receive one arrow point. The first is gold and the rest are silver.

Q: Does he have to complete a full section?

A: No. Let him choose or you can opt to do an entire section at your den meetings. Space was my dens favorite activity when we were Bears.

Q: Do WeBeLoS earn arrow points too?

A: No. They earn "Compass Points."

Q: What are those and how are they displayed?

A: Compass points represent different levels of achievement for the WeBeLoS. Seven activity pins (the three required for the WeBeLoS badge and four additional) earn the boy the Compass Points Emblem. It is buttoned to the WeBeLoS right pocket. It looks like a compass, with E, S, and W labeled. North has the scouting emblem on it. There are three points that can be earned. They are awarded when the boy earns the following: 11 total pins, 15 total pins, and 19 total pins.

Q: Are we supposed to follow a pattern to pin the points in?

A: No. Most will do E, S, W but whatever your den adopts all the boys should pin them in the same fashion.

Q: Do WeBeLoS have a schedule to follow or does the leader let the boys do their own thing?

A: There are suggested schedules of activity pins and Arrow of Light planning that you may follow. These were put together by past WeBeLoS den leaders from our council. Other councils have similar lists to help their leaders. I used it and found it to be a great tool in keeping my boys on track. What I did to give my boys a sense in controlling their achievements is that I told them any pin that WAS NOT on our schedule they could do on their own whenever they felt like it. (By the way, when my boys crossed over, they each had at least 15 pins and their AOL.)

Q: Are the boys supposed to be earning belt loops and *pins too?

A: No, those are purely voluntary on the boys' part. The belt loop and *pin program is for self-improvement. With WeBeLoS only, some of the activity pins do have earning a belt loop as a requirement.

Q: If a boy participates in this self-improvement program, how do I get the loops and *pins?

A: The advancement coordinator asks that all belt loops be written on a separate sheet of paper from the regular advancement sheets. Council does not keep records of belt loops and *pins. This elective program does not in any way affect the boy's rank or status. Our pack will only purchase and award belt loops. Parents are to purchase the pins for their sons at Outdoor World or any of the aforementioned suppliers in this booklet.

Q: How do I know if a boy has completed the requirements for the loop?

A: His parents/guardian should have purchased the "Cub Scout Academic and Sports Belt loop and Pin Program book" on their own. The boy must produce to you not only the finished work but also the sheet that had the requirements on it in order for you to request the belt loop. Just word alone is not sufficient.

Q: Can a boy earn a belt loop or pin twice?

A: Only if he did it as a cub and then again as a WeBeLoS can he earn it twice.

Q: What is the perfect attendance award and how does a boy qualify for this?

A: This award is only available to Wolf, Bear, and WeBeLoS. A boy must attend all pack and den meetings for the year. He is given three excused absences for the year. These excuses are the total for both den and pack meetings combined (meaning not three for den meetings and three for pack meetings). His first year, he receives the pin. The subsequent years, he is awarded bars that are to be attached to his pin. If he goes over the three excused then he does not qualify, even if the parents are still calling you (hey, this is a good thing actually.)

Q: What counts as an excused absence?

A: The parent calls you directly; or leaves a voice mail while you are at your den/pack meeting; or informs you in advance that the boy will be out. A note or call placed AFTER the meeting does not make it excused. It is to be excused BEFORE it happens. NOTE: You are to accept a voice mail that was left during your meeting period because the parent did make the effort to do it that day and the message could have been left while you were en route.

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A: Have a gathering activity, perhaps a treasure hunt, a word search or a game before your meeting. Put a parent, or if you have a den chief, in charge of this while you are getting ready.

Q: "Signs Up" does not always work, any ideas?

A: There are several that I've used. The best one is where the boys police each other. Example: The behavior candle (please substitute a flashlight for safety sake. I use the word candle because that is the title of the exercise) Light this candle (flashlight) before your meeting starts. Explain to the boys that if this light must be extinguished during the meeting they will miss out on (a trip, a pizza party, or whatever) and the light will not be relit during that meeting. Once it is out, it's out. You will notice after a few times they will start to stay on top of each other but this only works if you follow through with it. Hint: screaming, yelling, time outs, idle threats DO NOT WORK, especially if the boys know your bluffing.

Q: If a boy is a continuous problem with discipline, what should I do?

A: Talk to the parents, in private or via a telephone call. If this continues with no success, then you may request that the boy leave your den. NOTE: before going to the removal stage, talk to the Cubmaster about this. He is here to help you and can intervene on your behalf with the parents and explain the consequences better than you can. It is best to distance yourself from this type of situation because you may become uncomfortable with the parents/boy or visa versa. You are always to discuss any den issues/problems with the Cubmaster before taking matters into your own hands.

Q: What do I do with parents that stay and like to talk in the background?

A: If they are disrupting your meeting or not reinforcing to their sons that you are in charge then you ask the adults to leave. It's easier for the boy to respond to your authority if their parent(s) are not "hanging around." Remember that you are the den leader and the person who volunteered time to work with their sons.

Q: I feel funny about telling the parents to leave. What should I do?

A: Any parent will understand if you tell them why but an alternative to this situation is to assign these parents duties for the den. Let each parent at the den meetings be responsible for something (craft, snack, games, or teaching a skill) and this way those who do not want to assume any duties will leave. Sometimes parents have to realize that your time with their son needs to be productive and they can either play a part in it or not.

Q: Any suggestions about snacks?

A: Yes, no sugar coated ones or juice loaded with it. Bread and water, that's it. Importantly and all joking aside, you must check for food allergies (peanuts, nuts, wheat, dairy, chocolate, etc.). If there are food allergies, make EVERYONE aware of them and find out what snack would be safest to serve.

Q: I’m not sure that I am an effective leader, even after training. Can someone help me?

A: Of Course. Meet our Cubmaster. He is here to make sure you feel comfortable with your role with your new den. Upon request, he will help you with a few den meetings. Watch him closely and see how he works with the boys and their parents. While his style may not be for you, the point is for you to learn how to get a handle on your management skills. Tip: Do not be afraid to try something new and never let the parents dictate to you how to do things. It is after all, your den.

Q: I’m getting confused with the program, especially now that my den has advanced in rank. I’ve looked in my Cub Scout leaders book but I still can’t make heads or tails of it. Who can I turn to?

A: The Pack Trainer. Call him/her ANYTIME with your questions. S/he is well versed in all the programs and can also give you other support materials to make your job easier.

Q: Why does your Committee Chair sometimes visit my den?

A: His job is to get to know your parents and to be a visible figurehead. He answers their questions that they may have about the pack. The Committee Chair is also "sizing up" volunteers for our pack and also for council related functions.

Q: I thought the Cubmaster did that?

A: While he may do that from time to time, his main focus is the individual boy, the den and you.

Q: Our den wants to go to Home Depotâ and make birdhouses. How do I do this?

A: First, select a few dates, in case the first one isn't available. After your reservation is made, fill out a Tour Permit and file it with council no later than two weeks before your event. The Cubmaster or Committee Chair or Outings coordinator can assist you with this.

Q: Why do I need a tour permit?

A: The BSA requires that any outing be registered with the local council for recording and insurance purposes.

Q: But what if all my parents are driving their sons?

A: You still need to file a permit because your event is a scout outing and if someone gets hurt, you are covered.

Q: Do I need to fill out the back with the automobile and insurance info?

A: Only if the boys are being transported by another adult. If parents are driving their own sons, then no. NOTE: Adult is defined by the BSA as a person over the age of 18. If you have a den chief that is 16 or older, he does not count as an adult and therefore MUST NOT transport any cub or WeBeLoS scout.

Q: If an outing is a council-sponsored event, does each den need to file a tour permit?

A: No. The pack registration for the event with council covers that.

Q: We want to raise money for our den. Can we do our own fundraiser?

A: Collecting cans for recycling and using the money for the den is one thing. Having a bake sale is a totally different issue. Fundraisers are to be council-sponsored (i.e.: popcorn) or council approved and must improve the pack, not an individual den. Discuss any ideas that you may have for fundraising with our committee chair. S/he will be able to guide the pack, with the assistance of the treasurer, in these endeavors.

Q: My den does not want to participate in the popcorn sale. Is this OK?

A: What do you think my response is going to be? You as a leader, must do your best to encourage participation. 85% of our pack funding comes from this fundraiser. The rest comes from our annual cake auction, private donations and from our chartering organization - The American Legion.

Q: Is there a buy out for the popcorn?

A: No.

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