Den chief roles and responsibilities
A den chief is a Scouts BSA member (Boy Scout) who helps run a cub scout den. This is a leadership position for the Scout.
The most important factors for success are to have an enthusiastic attitude, be outgoing and friendly towards the boys, 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 – 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 scouting skills like cooking, camping, and lashing. For older cub scouts, this will be a great recruiting tool and make their transition to boy scouts much easier.
Requirements to become a den chief
Scouts BSA members interested in becoming Den Chiefs must:
- Complete BSA den chief training
- Be a Scouts BSA member for a minimum of 18 months (note: this can be waived to 12 months)
- Attain the Scouts BSA rank of First 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 approval
- Contact your scoutmaster and obtain his or her approval
- Contact the Pack 680 cubmaster and obtain his approval
- Complete BSA den chief training
- You will be matched with a den in Pack 680 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 680 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 (and 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
BSA Den Chief Service Award Requirements (generally)
The Den Chief Service Award is an extra level of performance. We want all Pack 680 den chiefs to aspire to this to be the best den chief they can be!
See the full list of requriements 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 assistant Cubmaster and 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.
- Set a good example by attitude and uniform.
- Be a friend to the boys 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, Varsity Scout Coach, or Venturing Advisor another Boy Scout, Varsity Scout, or Venturer to be a den chief.