Wolf Den Leader:
An energetic, organized, and supportive Wolf Den Leader is critical to the success of a Wolf Den. The Den Leader plans the program of activities for the year and makes that plan available to all den parents. The Den Leader should enjoy the outdoors and be a strong advocate for getting youth outside and active.
A well-run Wolf den gives each scout a chance to work on leadership skills in small but meaningful amounts. The Denner position is a great way for individual scouts to practice leadership for a short time. The Den Chief is a Boy Scout that has volunteered to work with a den in order to practice leadership skills and be a role model for younger scouts. The Den Leader is responsible for training and assisting a Den Chief, if the den has been assigned one.
Wolf Den Leader is a registered volunteer BSA position whose responsibilities are:
- Work directly with other den and pack leaders to ensure that their den is an active and successful part of the pack.
- Plan, prepare for, and conduct den meetings with the assistant den leader and den chief.
- Attend pack leaders' meetings.
- Lead the den at the monthly pack meeting and pack activities.
- Ensure the transition of youth in the Wolf den into a Bear den at the end of the year.
- Keep accurate records.
- Help the den earn the National Den Award.
There are many resources available to help the den leader plan and run a successful, interesting program for the scouts. The Wolf Den Leader Guide is the most important one. It has complete den meeting plans for each adventure and many ideas for activities that promote the purposes of Cub Scouting. This guide takes much of the planning burden off over-extended volunteers.
Tip: Remember that the Cub Scout motto of Do Your Best is central to the program. There is no level of competence or skill required to complete adventures. Putting in personal effort and having fun with fellow scouts is success.
As the Tiger program was completely family oriented, so the Wolf program relies heavily on family involvement. You will see this gradually change with the scout doing more with the den and more individual direction as the scout reaches Webelos and Boy Scouts.
Tip: Many available Awards go unused, especially by Wolf and Bear dens. Learn about additional awards offered to your scouts such as the World Conservation Award and Outdoor Ethics Award and consider working them into your schedule - especially in the spring and summer months.