Cub Scouts: A Positive Place
The Boy Scouts of America emphasizes a positive place in Cub Scouting. Any Cub Scouting activity should take place in a positive atmosphere where boys can feel emotionally secure and find support, not ridicule. Activities should be positive and meaningful and should help support the purpose of the BSA.
Delivering the Cub Scout Program
The Cub Scout program can be extremely rewarding for the boys in the program and their adult leaders. At the same time, it can be challenging, especially for the new leader facing his or her first group of boys. The purpose of the den leader guide is to break down how to deliver the program, beginning with the den meeting, such that the planning and execution are simplified and new leader confidence is increased.
Part of the inherent strength of the Cub Scout program is its organization. At its most basic, CubScouting consists of:
- A boy—The individual boy is the basic building block for Cub Scouting and is its most important element. It is only when each boy’s character, citizenship, and fitness are enhanced that the program is successful.
- A den—Each boy belongs to a den of similarly aged boys. The den is the boy’s Cub Scout family where he learns cooperation and team building, and finds support and encouragement.
- A leader—Adult leadership is critical to achieving the purposes and aims of Scouting. By example, organized presentations, and one-on-one coaching, the boy learns the value and importance of adult interaction.
- A pack—Each den is part of a larger group of boys of different ages and experience levels in Cub Scouting. The pack provides the resources for enhanced activities, opportunities for leadership,and a platform for recognition.
While there are other parts of the Cub Scout organization (districts, councils, etc.) which are important administratively and to support adult leaders, they are more or less transparent to the boy in Cub Scouting.
Responsibilities to the Boys
All Cub Scout leaders have certain responsibilities to the boys in Cub Scouts. Each leader should:
- Respect boys’ rights as individuals and treat them as such. In addition to common-sense approaches this means that all parents/guardians should have reviewed How to Protect Your Children From Child Abuse: A Parent’s Guide, and all youth leaders must have taken the BSA’s Youth Protection training.
- See that boys find the excitement, fun, and adventure that they expected when they joined Cub Scouting.
- Provide enthusiasm, encouragement, and praise for boys’ efforts and achievements.
- Develop among the boys a feeling of togetherness and team spirit that gives them security and pride.
- Provide opportunities for boys to experience new dimensions in their world.
Den Leader Responsibilities
In addition to the leader’s general responsibility to the boys in Cub Scouting, the den leader has certain other leadership responsibilities that may be summarized as follows:
Work directly with other den and pack leaders to ensure that their den is an active and successful part of the pack.Plan, prepare for, and conduct den meetings with the assistant den leader and den chief (if Wolf, Bear or Webelos den leaders) or adult partners (if Tiger den leaders).Attend the pack leaders' meetings.Lead the den at the monthly pack activity.Ensure the transition of their Cub Scouts to a den of the next rank (or to a Boy Scout troop if Webelos) at the end of the year.Role of Training
Core to succeeding with these responsibilities is the concept that every Cub Scout deserves a trained leader. Being a trained leader helps you deliver the program in a way that is effective and efficient with a focus on the core objectives for the boy.
Becoming a trained leader requires completion of the following training:
Consult with your pack trainer or visit www.myscouting.org 
for training options.
The den meeting plans for each adventure are designed to be conducted in sequential order. Certain activities are partially completed in one meeting and finished in another. Adventures may be completed in any order to best fit the needs of the den and pack.
Local conditions (weather, events, etc.) or your den’s schedule may make altering the order of the den meetings attractive. As a den leader, you may change the order so long as you make sure the change does not jeopardize the boys' opportunity to earn their rank in the allotted time or disrupt the logical order of the activities and requirements. When there is any doubt, the planned order should be used. Discuss with your Cubmaster any changes, as they may also affect pack activities.
Why the Method Underlying the Den Leader Guides Works
Success of the Cub Scout program, defined as developing character, building citizenship, and developing personal fitness, is demonstrated by a cascading process of outcomes.
These are the foundation of the Cub Scout delivery method. As such, the den leader guide offers, for each rank, the following:
Special Moments
Throughout the den leader guide, leaders will find many ideas for helping them capture the moment and gently give boys a glimpse of the deeper purposes within the fun of Cub Scouting.
Cubmaster's and Den Leader's Minutes: A den or pack meeting may close with a den leader’s or Cubmaster's Minute—a one- or two-minute story that emphasizes values, Scouting ideals, or character. It relates to everyday life encounters of Cub Scout–age boys and ends the meeting with a thought-provoking moment or challenge.
Reflecting: Reflecting is a method for leaders to guide Cub Scouts to their own understanding of the deeper purpose of an activity. Open-ended questions guide boys into discussing their thoughts, feelings, and actions about an activity and its effects. Guidelines on leading a reflecting session are found in the Cub Scout Leader How-To Book , No. 33832.
Character Compass: Character development is a part of everything a Cub Scout does. Character Compass discussions relate an activity, project, or event to one of the 12 points of the Scout Law. The focus is on knowledge, commitment, and practice. Guidelines on leading a Character Compass discussion are in the Cub Scout Leader Book , No. 33221.