Delivering the Scouting Program

The leadership team keeps the Pack organized, but Den Leaders and program volunteers are the people who turn Scouting into experiences for our Scouts.

This page focuses on the volunteers who work directly with Scouts, organize activities, manage den programs, and help make Pack events successful.

You do not need to be an expert Scout leader to take on one of these positions. Resources, training, and experienced volunteers are available to help.

Den Leadership

Den Leader & Assistant Den Leader

Each den is led by a Den Leader, who works with the Assistant Den Leader to plan and carry out den meetings and activities.

Den Chiefs can also support Bear, Webelos, and AOL dens.

There are many resources available to help Den Leaders plan meetings, and experienced volunteers are happy to help if you are not sure where to start.

You do not have to figure it all out on your own.

Den Leaders are also responsible for keeping an eye on the supplies in their den box and communicating with the Treasurer or Assistant Treasurer when core supplies need to be replaced.

Being a Den Leader is a great way to be involved with your Scout while creating fun and memorable experiences for the entire den.

The assistant role is an opportunity to learn the Den Leader position and be prepared to step in when the Den Leader is unavailable or eventually moves on.

Den Chiefs

Den Chief Coordinator

The Den Chief Coordinator helps connect the Pack with local Scouts BSA troops to find Scouts who can serve as Den Chiefs.

Responsibilities include:

• Contacting local troops about available Den Chiefs
• Helping provide Den Chief coverage for Bear, Webelos, and AOL dens
• Tracking Den Chief attendance
• Coordinating with Den Leaders, Cubmaster, Committee Chair, and the Den Chief’s Scoutmaster when needed
• Helping Den Chiefs understand their responsibilities
• Following safe Scouting practices when communicating with youth by including the youth’s parent or guardian on texts and emails

More than one Den Chief may be recruited for a den when additional coverage would be helpful.

Special Pack Activities

Pinewood Derby Pit Boss & Crew

The Pinewood Derby Pit Boss coordinates the Pack’s Pinewood Derby and works with a team of volunteers to make the event successful.

Responsibilities include:

• Maintaining inventory so every Scout receives a car kit
• Providing parents with Derby rules and helpful resources
• Sharing information about nearby council Derby events
• Coordinating opportunities for Scouts and families to work on cars together
• Working with the Advancement Chair on Derby patches, pins, trophies, and awards
• Organizing volunteers to help run the event
• Providing games and activities for Scouts while they wait
• Coordinating snacks and other event needs

The Pit Boss works with the Committee Chair, Cubmaster, and volunteer crew to create a fun Pack-wide experience.

Raingutter Regatta Captain & Crew

The Raingutter Regatta Captain coordinates the Pack’s Raingutter Regatta and works with a volunteer crew.

Responsibilities include:

• Maintaining inventory so every Scout receives a boat kit
• Providing parents with Regatta rules and building resources
• Sharing information about nearby council events
• Coordinating opportunities for Scouts and families to work on boats together
• Working with the Advancement Chair on Regatta patches, pins, trophies, and awards
• Organizing volunteers to run the event
• Providing games and activities for Scouts while they wait
• Coordinating snacks and other event needs

Outdoor Adventures

BALOO Volunteers

This role is ideal for parents who attend most or all of the Pack’s camping trips.

BALOO stands for Basic Adult Leader Outdoor Orientation. It is training designed to give adult leaders the knowledge and tools they need to support safe and successful Cub Scout camping experiences.

The Pack must have at least one BALOO-trained adult at each Pack camping trip, with two trained adults preferred whenever possible.

The Pack will reimburse the cost of BALOO training after the volunteer participates in two Pack camping trips.

BALOO-trained volunteers help support the Pack’s camping program and can also help document camping experiences by taking photos and submitting them to the Social Media Coordinator.

Outings & Events

Outings & Events Researcher

The Outings & Events Researcher helps the Pack discover exciting and unique locations for:

• Service projects
• Den meetings
• Pack meetings
• Camping trips
• Special events
• Other Scout activities

The volunteer researches local opportunities as well as destinations generally within about an hour’s drive.

Responsibilities include:

• Researching potential locations and activities
• Contacting venues to gather information
• Recording availability, costs, requirements, and activities
• Organizing information in the shared Google Drive
• Providing options that Den Leaders and Pack leadership can use when planning future activities

This is a great role for someone who enjoys researching, exploring new places, and finding creative experiences for Scouts.

Working Together

The best Scout experiences happen when Den Leaders, the Cubmaster, Pack Committee, and other volunteers work together.

A Den Leader does not have to plan every activity alone. A Derby Pit Boss does not have to run the entire Derby alone. A BALOO-trained parent does not have to be the only person helping with camping.

These positions are designed to work as teams.

If you are interested in working directly with Scouts, planning activities, organizing special events, or helping create memorable experiences, one of these roles may be a great fit for you.

Parents with Den Leaders

A den is a small group of youth — an ideal size is eight, but there may be more or less.

Den leaders are selected and approved by the pack committee based on abilities and character.

Each Cub Scout is required to have a parent or other caring adult with them at all meetings and activities because, at this age, children are still developing control over their emotions and often need a caring adult to guide them, especially during new experiences. If this is not possible, please talk to your den leader.

Den leaders, like Committee Member, Scouter Reserves, and Unit Key 3 are registered members of BSA that must complete a federal background check, Youth Protection Training, and role specific online or in person training modules. 

Den leaders plan, prepare for, and conduct den meetings with the assistant den leader, attend the pack leaders’ meetings, ensure Cub Scouts earn their badge of rank and continue in Cub Scouting. Den leaders also coordinate shared leadership among the families in the den. 

Parents are expected to follow these participation guidelines, assist their child, and volunteer to help with specific tasks as they are able.