So You’re a New Den Leader
I Signed Up; What’s Next?
Now that you are registered as a Cub Scout den leader, you will receive:
Scouting magazine, which includes information to assist you as a leader.
Pack 239 has a website which should be your primary source for key information related to the Den. The website includes information on leadership, training, Pack events and activities and links to other resources. Use this as your primary link to the Pack.
http://pack239novi.scoutlander.com
There is a public site and a private site. Training information is available on the public site. To access the full website, you will be given access once the registration process is complete. You can still use the site to work through the training information including this training manual.
Steps to Becoming a New Leader
1. Complete Youth Protection Training so your registration can be processed. The Boy Scouts of America has online training to get you started on many of the orientation training requirements. Go to www.glcscouting.org/newleader to complete this training and follow the following steps:
• Select www.myscouting.org in the training box
• Create a “myscouting” account (SAVE your login information. This information will be needed for additional training.)
• Click on “E-Learning” under “Training”
• You will see four tabs: Cub Scout, Boy Scout, Venturing, and General
• Under “General” you can take “Youth Protection” (required to be a registered leader in Scouting) and “This is Scouting” training.
Print certificate at the end of the training and give/email it your Pack Trainer or Cub Master so your registration can be processed. All leaders must complete Youth Protection Training before registration can be submitted.
2. Complete Fast Start training for Cub Scout den leaders. This is the first training step for all new leaders and should be taken immediately after they register and before they meet with any youth members in the troop. Following this training, you will understand the basics of the Boy Scout program and will have the necessary tools to oversee your first troop meeting. This training course is offered online. To access all online training go to olc.scouting.org Your membership login information you created for Youth Protection Training will allow you access to additional training. Use that to complete additional on line training.
3. Begin reading the Cub Scout Leader Book.
(Contact your Pack Trainer or Cubmaster for a copy, or download the copy below.) This book describes your role as a den leader and will give more information on the following steps.
4. Get acquainted with your Cubmaster and pack trainer.
These leaders will see that you have the information and material you need to get started off on the right foot. The Pack 239 website is also a valuable resource tool. Information for training and Den Meetings is available there 24/7.
5. Plan your first month’s den meetings.
The Boys Scouts of America for 2010 is releasing a new format for planning and organizing Den Meetings. The full details on this structure can be found on the Pack 239 public site under the Leadership Training Tab. Please go there and review this valuable resource. If you have additional questions related to the material contact your Pack Trainer or Cubmaster for additional details.
Den meetings should be scheduled on the Pack 239 Website on the events calendar. This website will send out reminder notices automatically to the Den members and is a common resource to plan your Den activities as well as view Pack Meeting and Event activities. If you have questions on how to set this up, contact your Cubmaster or Pack Trainer.
6. Get acquainted with the families of the boys in your den. Hold a family orientation meeting. The Cub Scout Leader Book and Den Meeting Plans has a recommended agenda. You will be needing the families’ help, so get to know them early and involve them as much as possible.
7. Get acquainted with the boys in your den. Establish a den code of conduct so that they will know what you expect of them. See the Cub Scout Leader Book for details.
8. Ask your Cubmaster to help you secure a den chief. A den chief is a Boy Scout that has volunteered to assist in leading your Den with activities as part of his leadership development. If you can enlist this support, give your den chief meaningful responsibilities right away.
9. Obtain and begin wearing the Cub Scout leader uniform as soon as possible.
It is attractive, comfortable, and suitable for all Cub Scout meetings and activities.
Wearing the uniform properly is important in setting a good example for the boys. Your Cubmaster or pack trainer can tell you where to obtain the uniform and insignia.
10. Attend the monthly planning meetings held by your pack. These meetings are led by the pack committee chair and the Cubmaster, and are where pack plans are made. The Pack website has a calendar of events for all the pack meetings and District Roundtable Meetings as well as any Pack Events planned.
11. Attend the monthly district Cub Scout leaders’ roundtable. You will receive many good program ideas based on the monthly theme, and become acquainted with leaders from other packs, who will share ideas and experiences with you. Your Cubmaster or pack trainer can tell you when and where the roundtable meets.
12. Attend Cub Scout leader basic training as soon as possible. There are two components to this training— Den Leader Specific Training, a specialized session to help you successfully plan a fun and exciting den program, and This Is Scouting. These will give you the foundation you need to become an effective and successful leader. Every boy deserves a trained and qualified leader. These training sessions are now available on line at olc.scouting.org. Coordinate with your Pack Trainer all your training so that you can get credit with the Pack for completion of your training.
13. Don’t hesitate to ask for help. There are many people who want to help you provide the finest possible Cub Scout experience for the boys in your den. By the time you have completed these steps you will be well on your way to becoming a successful den leader.
There are many resources available from BSA to give you additional information related to Scouting, Training and leadership. A good source for this information is the Resources and Forms page at the BSA Website.
http://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/CubScouts/Leaders/Forms.aspx
The Cub Scout Den Meeting
Den meetings are usually held in the afternoon, after school, or in the evening, once each week, in a home, church, or school. The meeting day, time, and location are set by the den leader and should be the same each week to prevent confusion. Den meetings last approximately one hour. Leadership responsibilities are shared by the den leader, assistant den leader, den chief, and denner (a selected member of your den).
What Do You Invest in Cub Scouting?
• One afternoon or evening 2-3 times a month for a den meeting
• One evening each month for the pack meeting
• One evening each month for the Cub Scout roundtable
• One evening each month for a planning meeting with other pack leaders
• Time spent in research and planning den meetings each month using the Den Meeting Plans Resource Guide
• Time spent in Cub Scout leader basic training
• Cost of the Cub Scout leader uniform
• The registration fee This adds up to a small investment, compared to the dividends you will receive. And of course, the more you invest, the more you can expect to receive in return.
What Do You Receive in Return?
• One lively, never-dull afternoon or evening 2-3 times a month when you have the good fortune to view the world through the eyes of boys
• An evening each month of fun and fellowship with pack families, sharing their pride in their sons’ accomplishments
• The privilege of helping to enrich and strengthen families
• A sense of pride as you watch the Cub Scouts receive recognition for their accomplishments
• An opportunity to share your ideas and experiences with other adults who share your interest in and concern for boy.
• A chance to read about subjects that you haven’t taken time for in years, and the opportunity to put your ideas into action at den meetings
• The privilege of getting to know boys in your neighborhood a little better and watching them all grow strong in mind and body
• The opportunity to help boys learn good citizenship and to help shape them into men who have strength of character and are sensitive to the needs of others
• The knowledge that all boys are alike in many ways, and yet each one is a very special, unique individual
• A chance to help stimulate boys’ imaginations and to help them learn to “do their best”
• The satisfaction of being a member of a worldwide movement, and pride in being publicly identified as a part of this organization by wearing the uniform, which is a visible means of showing that you believe in and stand for its ideals and objectives
You will discover many other dividends that will enrich your life as you dedicate your time, talent, and enthusiasm to Cub Scouting.
All leaders bring to Cub Scouting their own talents and skills, their own backgrounds and interests. Your key to becoming an effective leader is to use your own abilities and interests, along with what you learn about Cub Scouting to plan and conduct the best possible program for the boys.
What happens in the life of each boy during the formative years will determine to a great extent the kind of man he will become. What a tremendous opportunity and challenge for you, the den leader!