Den Chief Info

A requirement for advancement to Star, Life and Eagle is a leadership position. Many scouts will attend BSA Troop 174’s Troop Leadership Development and are assigned a leadership assignment with the troop. Den Chief is an important leadership position. The Troop 174 Den Chief program is designed to provide leadership experience for scouts and to attract and recruit future Boy Scouts through positive Cub Scout experiences. Scouts that have completed Troop 174’s TLD in the prior summer are eligible to serve as a Den Chief in the upcoming scout year.

A Den Chief accepts leadership responsibility with a specific Cub Scout pack and den. In this position, the Den Chief will work with the den leader and Cubmaster to help the scouts achieve the purpose of Cub Scouting. The Den Chief will actively participate in den and pack meetings and activities.

There are specific requirements that must be met for the advancement leadership requirement to be met with a Den Chief assignment.  Meeting and coordination/communication with the BSA Troop 174 Den Chief program coordinator is very important to meet the Den Chief leadership requirement.

Requirements
Beginning Assignment
Training
Completing Assignment
Resources
Requirements

1. Actively participate with a Cub Scout den and pack for the minimum time requirement. A minimum of two activities with scouts per month are required. If a scout is unable to complete two activities in a month, the Den Chief assignment will be extended.

2. Meet regularly with the den leader to plan meetings. Serve as the activities assistant at den meetings.

3. The Den Chief’s focus during den and pack meetings should be on leading and assisting the den leader rather than attending.

4. Plan and execute at least six Den meetings under the direction of the den leader.

5. Set a good example of scouting by wearing a full scout uniform and demonstrating a good attitude.

6. Document Den Chief experiences with written reports for each pack or den meeting to be reviewed monthly by the den chief chairman (Mr. Allen).

Beginning Assignment

1. Complete required Den Chief leadership training (see the Training Tab)

2. Identify a Cub Scout den and commit to serving as a Den Chief subject to Scoutmaster approval.

a. You may identify your own opportunity.

b. Scouts should avoid an assignment where their parent is the den leader. The Den Chief assignment is an opportunity to have an adult other than the parent help develop leadership skills. Any exception will require Scoutmaster approval.

3. Complete and sign a Den Chief Commitment form (on this website under ABOUT US, click GENERAL FORMS), then get the den leader’s signature.

4. Review your plan with the den chief chairman (Mr. Allen), then get his signature.

5. Review your plan with Scoutmaster, then get his signature.

6. Your Den Chief assignment time period begins with Scoutmaster’s signature.

Training

All Den Chiefs from 174 must have prior training either at TLD, or another session offered by the troop. If interested in the troop training, see Mr. Allen and let him know; he will take care of training once all interested scouts have come forward. This will be a short, several hours session, time and place to be determined.

On-line training is also required.   This will not replace the troop’s training but provides a good introduction to the Den Chief role.  It is available at http://www.scouting.org/training/youth/denchieftraining.aspx

Completing Assignment

1. Present all monthly reports for review to the Den Chief chair (Mr. Allen). Be prepared to discuss and review experiences and learning. These reports must be detailed enough to allow the reviewer and Mr. Otte to fully understand your activities and determine that leadership requirements are being met. These reports must be submitted on a monthly basis. Submitting the reports at the conclusion of your leadership will not be accepted. It is the scout’s responsibility to submit these reports. The den chief chair will not contact or follow up with scouts that do not submit monthly reports.

2. If requirements have not yet been completed, the advancement coordinators will describe what remains to be completed and the assignment is not yet complete.

3. Complete the Den Chief completion form, located on Google Drive, with signatures.

4. Present all monthly reports and advancement coordinator’s signature to Mr. Otte for final sign-off.

5. Arrange with the den leader to agree upon a successful end to your Den Chief assignment

Resources