Webleos Den Chief

Qualifications:
Be an older, experienced Boy Scout, Varsity Scout, or Venturer. Selected by the senior patrol leader and Scoutmaster, Varsity Scout Coach, or Venturing Advisor at the request of the Cubmaster or Webelos den leader. Preferably a former Cub Scout; ideally at least First Class rank. Approved by the Cub-master and pack committee for recommendation to the Webelos den leader. Registered as a youth member of a troop, team, or crew.

Responsibilities:
The Webelos den chief's responsibilities are to

• Know the purposes of Cub Scouting.
• Help Webelos Scouts achieve the purposes of Cub Scouting.
• Serve as the activities assistant at Webelos den meetings.
• Set a good example through attitude and uniforming.
• Be a friend to the boys in the Webelos den.
• Help lead weekly den meetings.
• Meet regularly with the Webelos den leader to review den meeting plans.
• Help Webelos den leaders as requested.
• Help Webelos Scouts in their work with activity badge counselors.
• Help the Webelos denner and assistant denner to be leaders.
• Receive training from the den leader (and Cubmaster or assistant Cubmaster) and attend Den Chief Training.
• Help with Webelos overnight campouts and other outdoor experiences.
• Help with joint Webelos Scout Boy Scout activities.
• Keep in contact with the assistant Scoutmaster in the troop.
• Help the assistant Scoutmaster and Cubmaster plan graduation ceremonies for Webelos Scouts.

A den chief is an older Boy Scout, Varsity Scout, or Venturer, and is appointed to help direct the activities of a Cub Scout den.

A den chief needs to know what is expected to give the kind of leadership that helps adult leaders. An assistant Cubmaster or Cubmaster, along with the den leaders, is responsible for training and working with den chiefs. Coordinating with the Cubmaster, the Cub Scout den leaders and Webelos den leaders have many opportunities to help this junior leader with the regular on-the-job coaching and encouragement. Given a reasonable amount of responsibility, den chiefs are likely to develop into good leaders.

When a den chief is appointed to the den, the den leader should meet with the him to talk about Cub Scouting, the den, and what is expected of him. (See Chapter 24, "Program Planning.") Every den chief should have a copy of the Den Chief Handbook, which explains the duties and tells how the den chief can best work with Cub Scouts or Webelos Scouts. Some packs include this expense as part of the pack budget.

Another important step is Den Chief Training, which is a four-hour training event that the district or council conducts. Cub Scout and Webelos den chiefs and the Cubmaster and/or den leaders should attend together.

Den leaders should coordinate plans with their den chiefs once each month at the monthly den chief planning meeting (see Chapter 24, "Program Planning"). This meeting, conducted by the assistant Cubmaster, should be held soon after the pack leaders' meeting so that pack plans can be shared.