COME JOIN US AT OUR WEEKLY MEETINGS! Contact us to find out more! 305-439-9625

Information for Den Chiefs

Den chief roles and responsibilities

A Den Chief is a Scouts BSA Troop or Venturing Crew member who helps run a Cub Scout den. This is a leadership position for the Scout or Venturer.

The most important factors for success are to have an enthusiastic attitude, be outgoing and friendly towards the Cub Scouts, and have clear expectations for the Den Chief’s role in the den.

Den Chiefs are role models for the Cub Scouts. The Den Chief’s maturity is a factor because he must be more mature than the cubs while still being friendly. He should be seen as a friend, not a disciplinarian.

Cubs will naturally gravitate towards him like they would a cool older brother or sister – a successful Den Chief will channel their interest into constructive activity. It’s not a Den Chief’s job to act like a parent or get mad at them.

Finally, the Den Chief will get to share his or her scouting skills like cooking, camping, and lashing. For older Cub Scouts, this will be a great recruiting tool and make their transition to a Scouts BSA troop much easier.

Qualifications to become a den chief

Scouts BSA or Venturing members interested in becoming Den Chiefs must:

Be selected by the Senior Patrol Leader and Scoutmaster or Venturing Advisor
Be approved by the Cubmaster
Complete BSA den chief training
Attain the Scouts BSA rank of Second Class
(note: this can be waived based on the scout’s perceived maturity)

The pack would like Den Chiefs to serve the entire pack year, if possible.

Procedures for applying:

Contact your Senior Patrol Leader and obtain his or her approval
Contact your Scoutmaster and obtain his or her approval
Contact the Pack 425 Cubmaster and obtain his or her approval
Complete BSA Den Chief Training
You will be matched with a den in Pack 425 after being accepted as a Den Chief

The boy should do these steps, not the parents. This is a leadership position for the Scout.

Den Chief Duties

The troop sets rules for successful completion of the position of responsibility (POR). Pack 425 wants Den Chiefs to attend 100% of den and pack events, but we don’t award POR credit.

Know the purposes of Cub Scouting
Help Cub Scouts achieve the purposes of Cub Scouting
Serve as the activities assistant at den meetings
Set a good example through attitude and uniforming
Be a friend to the boys in the den
Help lead weekly den meetings
Help the den in its part of the monthly pack meeting
Know the importance of the monthly theme and pack meeting plans
Meet regularly with the den leader to review den and pack meeting plans
Meet as needed with adult members of the den, pack, and troop
Receive training from the Den Leader (or Cubmaster or Assistant Cubmaster) and attend Den Chief Training
Encourage Cub Scouts to become Webelos Scouts when they are eligible
Help the denner and assistant denner to be leaders

Leadership Requirements at the Troop Level

Star Requirement 5 states that a Scout must serve actively in a leadership role for four months.
Life Requirement 5 states that a Scout must serve actively in a leadership role for six months.
Eagle Requirement 4 states that a Scout must serve actively in a leadership role for six months.

Serving as Den Chief helps a Scout complete those requirements!

BSA Den Chief Service Award Requirements

The Den Chief Service Award is an extra level of performance. We want all Pack 425 Den Chiefs to aspire to this to be the best Den Chief they can be!

See the full list of requirements on pages 86-90 of the Den Chief Handbook and have your den leader sign completion of the requirements.

Serve the pack faithfully for one full year.
Attend Den Chief Training (if available within year of service) OR be trained by the Cubmaster, Assistant Cubmaster and/or Den Leader.
Know and understand the purposes of Cub Scouting.
Help Cub Scouts achieve the purposes of Cub Scouting.
Be the activities assistant in den meetings. (Lead songs, stunts, skits, games and/or sports activities)
Set a good example by attitude and uniform.
Be a friend to the cubs in the den.
Take part in weekly meetings.
Assist the den at the monthly pack program.
Meet as needed with the adult members of the den, pack, troop, team, or crew.
Complete four of these projects:
- - Serve as a staff member of a special Cub Scouting event, such as a Scouting show, bicycle rodeo, etc.
  - Serve as a staff member of a Cub Scout day camp or resident camp.
  - Advance one rank.
  - Assist in recruiting three new Cub Scouts.
  - Assist three Cub Scouts to become Webelos Scouts.
  - Assist three Webelos Scouts to join a troop.
  - Help to plan and carry out a joint pack-troop activity.
  - Recommend to your Scoutmaster or Venturing Advisor another Scout or Venturer to be a Den Chief.

The Cub Scout Den Chief cord is a blue and gold braid worn over the left shoulder (under the epaulet) while serving as Den Chief

The Webelos Den Chief cord is a red, blue, and gold braid worn over the left shoulder (under their epaulet) while serving as Den Chief

Scouts meeting the above requirements will be presented the Den Chief Service Award cords and certificate in formal ceremony, either at a Pack meeting, Troop Court of Honor, or both!

Page updated

Google Sites

Report abuse