Core Value Patches shown are available at

June 2013 - Planning the Cub Scout Year

Get your Pack Annual Planning Conference Guide at - http://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/CubScouts/Leaders/ProgramPlanning.aspx

Get your Pack Calendar Template at - http://scouting.org/filestore/cubscouts/xls/2013-2014PackPlanningCalendar.xls

Baloo's Bugle had an item on Pack Annual Program Planning in the May 2013 edition available at - http://usscouts.org/bbugle/bb1305P.pdf

Or the Den Chief's Guide found here at http://www.usscouts.org -

What Is A Den Chief? (Part 2)

“…A den chief is a Boy Scout who assists a Cub Scout den leader or Webelos Scout den leader at den meetings, pack meetings, and other events. He’s a ready source of games, songs, skits, and skills, and he encourages the boys in their advancement.

“His presence adds another important asset. He can tell them about Boy Scouting, with its outdoor activities, trips, summer camp, and opportunities for advancement. When it’s time for them to move up to a Webelos Scout den or a Boy Scout troop, his example and encouragement can help them decide to make that transition.

“‘The den chief is one of the keys to the transition to Boy Scouting,’ says Ernest R. (Tommy) Thomas, [former] associate director of the BSA Cub Scout Division. He provides the model that the kids look up to…If you’ve got a good den chief, he will generally take the kids right on into the troop with him.’

“A den chief wears the den chief insignia on the left uniform sleeve. The Cub Scout pack presents him with the den chief cord, worn on the left shoulder. Cord colors: blue and gold for Cub Scout den chiefs; blue, red, and gold for Webelos den chiefs.

“By completing the requirements for the Den Chief Service Award, a den chief earns an award certificate and may wear the red, white, and blue Den Chief Service Award cord as long as he is a Scout.”

Also check out

Bill Smith on Den Chiefs

Den Chiefs are gods.

Den Chiefs don't make your job much easier, but they do make the Cub Scout experience better. They require coaching and direction to be successful but when they succeed they bring a unique spark to a Cub Scout's life that no one else can. Most children today live in an age-stratified culture where there is little interaction between older and younger kids. Just having an older Boy Scout take an interest in a seven or eight year old is a big deal. When a Webelos Scout visits a troop and one of the older Scouts recognizes him and even knows his name, it's an even bigger deal. These relationships can play an important part in a boy's growth and the effects may be long lasting.

Den Chief Service Award

Detailed Requirements may be found at http://scoutleaderawards.com/advance/boyscout/denchief.asp and in Den Chief Handbook

1. 
   Serve the pack faithfully for 1 full year.
   
2. 
   Attend a den chief training (if available within year of service) OR be trained by the assistant Cubmaster and den leader.
   
3. 
   Know the purposes of Cub Scouting.
   
4. 
   Help Cub Scouts achieve the purposes of Cub Scouting.
   
5. 
   Be the activities assistant in den meetings. (lead five songs, five stunts or skits, five games, five sports activities)
   
6. 
   Set a good example by attitude and uniforming.(for a minimum of six months)
   
7. 
   Be a friend to the boys in the den.
   
8. 
   Take part in weekly meetings. (for a minimum of six months)
   
9. 
   Assist the den at the monthly pack program.(at least three times)
   
10. 
    Meet as needed with the adult members of the den, pack or troop.
    
11. 
    Complete FOUR of these projects:
    

1. 
   Serve as a staff member of a Cub Scout special event, such as a Scouting show, bicycle rodeo, etc.
   
2. 
   Serve as a staff member of a Cub Scout Day camp or resident camp.
   
3. 
   Advance one rank.
   
4. 
   Assist in recruiting three new Cub Scouts.
   
5. 
   Assist three Cub Scouts to become Webelos Scouts.
   
6. 
   Assist three Webelos Scouts to join a troop.
   
7. 
   Help to plan and carry out a joint pack-troop activity.
   
8. 
   Recommend to your Scoutmaster, Varsity Scout Coach, or Venturing Adviser another Boy Scout, Varsity Scout, or Venturer to be a den chief.
   

Scouting Magazine Articles on Den Chiefs

After 18 years as a Scouter and 10 years as a den chief trainer, assistant district commissioner Marcia Lewis of the Capitol District knows what leaders of tomorrow need today.

Prospective den chiefs have fun during the training that ran concurrent to the University of Cub Scouting.

In an intensive all-day program, she put her group of 14 den chiefs in training through their paces, mingling practical advice with some significant ethical training.

“We talked about their attitudes, and how their good attitude will result in a good attitude from their Cub Scouts,” said Lewis. “What we teach here reflects what they have learned at home, school, church. BSA is just finishing up the work.”

Lewis on leadership:

“Who are you responsible for? Who are you responsible to? The Cub Scouts! Never forget that!

“Remember: you won’t be demanding things of these Cub Scouts. You’ll be asking them to do things. We’re talking about common courtesy and respect.”

And on the practical side of the job:

Trainee Hughes Nelson cheerfully led the group through the first half of an ever-popular song-without-end, “Found a Peanut.”

Lewis stopped him, saying “Whoa! Put your books down. Will your Cub Scouts have these books with the words? No. So you don’t use the books either.

“Learn the words now so you can teach it to them. This way, you have another song to put in your ‘backpack’ of tricks. It’s all in being prepared.

“You’ll be going to school, going home, doing your homework, going to your own Scout meeting. Not only do you need to be prepared all the time for your own activities, you also need to be ready for your Cubs. It’s a big job!”.

Prospective den chiefs have fun during the training that ran concurrent to the Heart of Virginia's University of Cub Scouting for Adult Scouters and parents.