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Parent's Den
Some Frequently Asked Questions
Date: 9/1/08
Q. What is a Den & How often does a Den meet??
A. A Den is a group of about six to eight boys of the same age or grade level and is led by an adult volunteer called a Den Leader. Some Den Leaders may feel comfortable with more boys, especially if they have more than one assistant Den Leader or a Den Chief (Boy Scout assistant). However, Dens are usually designed to be small groups.
The Dens meet once a week. This will keep the boys involved in the program. The Pack will scale back slightly in the summer months to allow meetings once every two weeks or so. Den leaders are encouraged to hold meetings at the same time, on the same day each week at the same place. This helps to build a regular routine with the boys. The American Legion has allowed us to use the dining hall for our meetings; however, Den meetings can be held at the Den leaders home if they so choose.
Q. What is a Pack & How often does the Pack meet?
A. The Pack consists of all the Dens, the Leaders and adults and is sponsored by its Charter Organization. The Pack meets once a month for the Pack Meeting, usually held at the end of the month. The Pack Meeting, led by the CubMaster, is where recognition, achievements, and awards are presented. The Pack meeting is open to the parents as well as family members, teachers, etc. We encourage all to attend.
Q. How much advancement work is done in the Den Meeting?
A. Cub Scouting is home-centered and family oriented. We don't deprive a family of working with their son by doing too much advancement work at the Den Meetings. The Den Meetings are not "advancement factories." A good balance of advancement projects is pre-planned for you. It doesn't overwhelm the boys with book work, and at the same time, encourages them to work at home.
Q. Who signs the handbooks?
A. The parents of Tiger, Wolf and Bear Cub Scouts have the primary privilege of “passing” their son on advancements. Please note if the book specifies an activity is to be done “with the Den” we want to try and adhere to this guideline. The Den Leader may sign off on achievements and electives done at Den or Pack meetings.
A. The Webelos Leader, or the person he/she designates, will approve the completion of requirements and sign the Webelo's Scout Book.
Q. What about fund-raisers? How often and what kind?
A. The Council sponsored fund-raising activity is the "Great American Popcorn Sale" wherein various types of Trails End brand popcorn are sold. Girl Scouts have their cookies, Boy Scouts have popcorn. The total profit from this fundraiser goes to the operational cost of the Pack. However, the Pack may sponsor other fund raising activities and events to help alleviate some of the cost for the parents for field trips, special events, etc. Individual “accounts” will be created to keep track of funds earned from these specified fundraisers.
Q. Do the boys go on field trips?
A. Yes. We try to schedule the majority of larger trips during weekends, however, Pack and Den trips on the regular meeting nights are a welcome change from the routine of Pack and Den meetings. The trips may be local tours teaching the boys something about their community and how it is run (police station, museums, etc.), or they may be larger trips such as to sporting events, overnight camping, etc.
Q. As a parent is there anything I can do to help?
A. Absolutely! Parental help outside the meetings is always needed. We are always looking for other adult volunteers to join the Pack Committee, you can help with a telephone tree, help with refreshments for Pack meetings, assist with fund-raisers such as the Popcorn Drive, do errands like picking up supplies, etc. The Pack Committee and Cubmaster always have needs that a parent can be of help with. Just ask!!!
Hopefully this information helped.
If you have any other questions or need some information don't hesitate to ask.
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