How Cub Scouts is Organized - Pack vs Den
Dens
A small group of Cub Scouts who are the same gender and in the same grade. The ideal size is 6 to 8 Cub Scouts.
Den Leaders
An adult, usually a parent, serves as a Den Leader. They carry out the activities related to adventures as they are presented in the Cub Scout’s handbook and the Den Leader Guide
Pack
The pack is made up of several dens. The make up and size of the pack varies based on local interest and resources. Each pack is identified by a number.
Cubmaster
The leader of the pack meeting is the Cubmaster. In addition to serving as the master of ceremonies the Cubmaster provides support to Den Leaders.
Pack Committee
Made up of parents, leaders, and other caring adults the pack committee works to support den leaders and the Cubmaster.
Pack Committee Chair
The top volunteer in the pack is the Pack Committee Chair. They are responsible for ensuring enough qualified adult volunteers are in place to provide the program. They lead the pack committee meetings.
Cub Scout Den
Den Leader
Each den is led by an adult den leader in addition to other parents, together they plan and carry out a year-round program of activities for the den. Many parents serve as a Den Leader or Assistant Den Leader.
Kindergarten – Lion and first-grade – Tiger dens use a shared-leadership model, which means that the den leader works with a different Lion/Tiger adult partner each month to plan the den’s program. This team hosts that month’s den meetings as well as the den’s part in the pack meeting.
In second-grade Wolf, third-grade Bear, and fourth/fifth grade Webelos Scout dens, the den leader works with an assistant den leader or co-leader and potentially, a den chief (an older Scout from a troop, crew, or ship). The den may also elect a denner and an assistant denner, who are Cub Scouts in the den, to work with the den leader and den chief.
Den Meetings
While the meetings include games and other activities that are fun for the Scouts, program delivery is the main goal. Scouts participate in activities and work on projects that are related to an adventure and that help them learn the skills they need to progress in rank.
Most den meetings are held twice a month but the frequency of meetings is up to the den leader and the families in the den. On average a den meeting lasts about an hour with some lasting longer based on the size of the den and the activity planned.
When and where the den meets is also up to the den leader and the families in the den. Some may already have an established meeting location provided by the chartered partner or it the den may meet at one of the families home.
Cub Scout Pack Committee
Pack Committee Chair
To make Cub Scouting work it takes a team made up of each Cub Scout’s parent or guardian and other caring adults who agree to take on roles that best fit their individual talents. Together this team makes up the Pack Committee.
The Pack Committee Chair is appointed by the Chartered Organization to oversee the Pack Committee as they provide support to Den Leaders to ensure a quality program
Pack Committee Meetings
Most Pack Committees will meet at least once a month. When and where the meetings are held is up to the Pack Committee Chair and that best meets the needs of the members of the committee.
At the committee meeting reports from the Cubmaster, Den Leaders, Treasurer and others help keep everyone informed.
