Pack
Organization
THE PACK
The Pack is a group made up of several dens. The Pack includes
not only the boys in those dens, but also their families, and
their leaders. The Pack meets once a month with Cub Scouts,
leaders, parents, and other family members attending. The Pack
meeting is the climax of the months den meetings and
activities. It gives the dens something to look forward to and
work toward. This is a chance to recognize the boys, their
parents, and their leaders.
In addition to its regular meetings, the Pack sponsors certain
special projects. These include community projects, outdoor
activities, fund raising activities, and fun competitions.
The Cubmaster is an adult volunteer who serves as master of
ceremonies at all Pack meetings and leads Pack activities of all
kinds. Pack leadership positions may be held by women or men.
The Pack Committee is a group of adult volunteers who plan the
Pack program and individual activities as well as managing such
things as record keeping, finance, leadership recruitment, and
registration. The Pack Committee meets monthly and meetings are
open to any interested parent.
THE DEN
A Cub Scout Pack is divided into small groups of about eight boys
called dens, who meet weekly under the direction of adult Den
Leaders. The Den Leaders are trained parent volunteers.
The den allows boys to get to know each other better and engage
in activities that would be difficult in a larger group. The den
also provides leadership opportunities for the boys as they elect
"denners" or help to teach each other.
Den meeting activities are planned around the monthly theme and
include games, handicrafts, hikes and other outdoor fun,
practicing skits and stunts in preparation for the next Pack
meeting and taking part in simple ceremonies and songs. Sometimes
work on advancement requirements is included, by most of that
work is accomplished by the boys with their parents (The Webelos
rank is an exception). The Den Leader may ask for special help
occasionally from parents (helping with a meeting, sharing a
special skill, or just providing a snack for the boys).
Dens are organized by rank. Ranks are organized by grade. The
ranks are:
Tiger Cub Dens - First grade
Wolf Dens - Second grade
Bear Dens - Third grade
Webelos Dens - Fourth and Fifth grades
THE PACK LEADERSHIP
The pack leadership consists of Den Leaders, Den Leader Coach,
the Tiger Cub Coach, the Chartered Organization Representative,
the Pack Committee Chairperson, the Pack Committee, and the
Cubmaster. These are adult positions. Lets look at what
each one accomplishes in a Pack.
THE PACK COMMITTEE
The Pack Committee takes care of the administrative needs of the
pack. It is organized and chaired by the Pack Committee
Chairperson. The committee consists of at least three people and
is responsible for:
Finding a meeting place.
Setting the Pack policies in accordance with Boy Scouting and the
chartered organization.
Coordinating the Pack program with that of the charter
organization.
Assisting with the annual Pack charter renewal.
Carrying out the policies and regulations of the Boy Scouts of
America.
Providing encouragement to leaders in carrying out the Pack
program.
Providing the finances and fundraising coordination for the Pack.
Pack property.
The quality of the adult leadership, that the leadership is
recruited and trained. This is all adult leadership, including
Cubmaster.
Recommending this leadership to the charter organization for
final approval.
Coordination between the Pack and other scouting units.
A good Pack Committee consists of the following people:
Chartered Organization Representative
Pack Committee Chairperson
Secretary
Treasurer
Advancement
Public Relations
Membership and Registration
Friends of Scouting Chairperson
Cubmaster (is not a voting member)
Den Leader Coach(es) (non voting member)
CHARTERED ORGANIZATION REPRESENTATIVE
This person is the liaison between the Pack, the chartered
organization, and the BSA. They make sure that the chartered
organization is aware of what the Pack is doing, and coordinates
activities between the chartered organization and the Pack. It is
also the responsibility of the chartered organization
representative to communicate any relevant policies that the
charter organization has to the Pack committee.
A point that a new scouter often misses is that the chartered
organization owns the Pack, not the Pack committee.
The pack committee is simply an administrative arm of the
chartered organization.
The Chartered Organization Representative is a voting member of
the local BSA Council and District Committee. As such, they
represent the Pack on these committees.
If the chartered organization has more than one unit (e.g. a Pack
and a Troop) the Chartered Organization Representative serves all.
PACK COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSON
The Pack Committee Chairperson organizes and facilitates the
running of the Pack committee. This person works with the
Cubmaster and Chartered Organization Representative to make sure
that the responsibilities of the Pack Committee are being met.
CUBMASTER
The Cubmaster, who is sometimes referred to as the unit leader,
is up front. Most parents think they run the show all by
themselves. Now you know different. So what does a Cubmaster do?
Plenty!
The Cubmaster is responsible for:
Conducting the pack program that includes leading the monthly
Pack meeting, with the help of the other leaders.
Guiding, supporting, motivating, and inspiring the other adult
leaders, making sure they receive training for their positions.
Making sure the dens are functioning well.
Planning the den and pack programs with the help of the other
leaders.
Coordinating the total Cub Scout program for the pack.
Helping recruit den leaders and coaches.
Establishing and maintaining good relationships with Boy Scout
Troops.
DEN LEADER COACH
The den leader coach is responsible for ensuring stable, active
and enthusiastic den leaders for all Cub Scout and Webelos dens.
They also help to insure that:
Leaders complete Fast Start and Cub Scout Leader Basic Training.
Leaders attend the monthly roundtables.
Leaders understand the purposes, policies and procedures of the
chartered organization and the Boy Scouts of America.
Help is available for new den leaders.
Cub Scout leader recognition awards are available to the leaders.
Monthly coach-den leader meetings are held to help plan den
activities and programs.
Information about the current and up-to-date program literature
and material is passed on to den leaders.
No den is ever without a leader and assistant.
New den leaders are recruited.
There is a communication link (usually the den leader coach)
between the Cubmaster and the den leaders.
DEN AND WEBELOS LEADER (and assistants)
The Den Leaders and Webelos Den Leaders, along with their
assistants, work on a weekly basis with the boys in their dens.
They play a key role in the value that a boy gets from the
Scouting program. Their responsibilities include:
Working directly with other den and pack leaders to ensure his/her
den is an active and successful part of the pack.
Planning, preparing for, and conducting den meetings with the
assistant den leader and den chief.
Attending the pack leaders meetings and monthly roundtables.
Lead the den at the monthly pack activity.
TIGER CUB COACH
The Tiger Cub Coach acts as the go-between for the Pack and the
Tiger Cub Dens. The responsibilities are to:
Organize and provide orientation for Tiger Cub dens within the
pack.
Maintain monthly contact with each Tiger Cub Den through the host
team for that months den gatherings.
Coordinate Tiger Cub participation in pack activities and Tiger
Cub graduation ceremonies.
Serve as a resource person for the Tiger Cub dens.
Report on the progress of the Tiger Cub dens at the monthly pack
leader meetings.
Follow up to ensure graduation of all Tiger Cubs into Cub
Scouting in May or June.