A Cub Scout pack is an amazing organization of individuals helping Cubs to develop and grow. It takes a group of volunteers, each an upstanding member of their community, to make that happen. While Cubs usually only see their den and pack leaders, there are even more volunteers working behind the scenes to keep the pack together!
PS. This article is a guest post collaboration with Eagle Scout and AOL recipient, Jonathan K🙂
The Cub Scout pack leadership can be slightly different based on the size of your pack. Every Scout should know how their pack works and appreciate all of the volunteers who make Scouting possible! Here’s a quick look at how a typical Cub Scout pack leadership team is organized:
This chart is handy, but you might be wondering, “What do all of these titles mean?” In this article, I’ll go into detail as to how each Cub Scout leadership position works and why they are important for the growth and success of any Cub pack! 😀
Cub Scout Pack Adult Leadership Positions
The Cub Scout Charter Organization
Every Cub Scout pack is supported by a charter organization, usually a place of worship, a school, or a community group that supports the values and mission of Scouting. The charter organization selects the pack committee, which oversees and handles the day-to-day business of running the pack. Pack committees must have at least 3 adult volunteers, but some can have as many as 8 members!
The Cub Scout Pack Committee
In order to be selected by the charter organization, adult volunteers need to be at least 21 years old, United States citizens, and represent the good character and values of Scouting. Each organization will have its own criteria, but those are the requirements established by Scouts BSA. The video below (2:48) gives more info on how these committees work!
Mandatory Pack Committee Positions
- Pack Committee Chair
- Maintains relationship with the charter organization
- Works with the local Scouts BSA troops that Cub Scouts will graduate into
- Oversees pack finances
- Runs pack leader meetings and assigns duties to committee members
- Reviews and renews the pack charter on a yearly basis
- Pack Secretary
- Keeps notes on pack leaders and committee meetings
- Maintains inventory of pack property
- Ensures all records are up to date in the Pack Record Book, including membership, Scout advancement, pack leaders, attendance, and volunteer training
- Provides Cub Scout forms, records, books, and materials to pack and den leaders as required
- Publicizes and promotes pack activities and service projects
- Pack Treasurer
- Oversees the pack finances, including the annual budget
- Works with Cub Scout families regarding due payments if needed
- Keeps pack leadership and parents informed as to pack finances
Optional Pack Committee Positions
- Pack Advancement Chair
- Plans induction and advancement ceremonies
- Trains parents and pack leaders to help Cub Scouts advance
- Develops, builds, or obtains any equipment needed for pack advancement
- Pack Outings/Activities Chair
- Helps Webelos den leaders plan for overnights
- Ensures all first aid and safety requirements are followed for pack-wide events
- Plans and arranges pack-wide outdoor activities
- Plans outings to help pack members earn the National Summertime Pack Award
- Pack Membership and Re-registration Chair
- Helps Webelos Scouts transition to BSA Scouts
- Develops a plan to increase pack membership year-around
- Follows up on former Cub Scouts to get them to return to the pack
- Finds potential den chiefs
- Keeps up with former pack members who are now BSA Scouts
Your pack may have other positions by splitting duties among different adult volunteers. The larger your pack is, the more volunteers are needed to help it grow. The Pack Committee is at the top of every Cub Scout pack, but they are only one part of the incredible team of adult volunteers that helps the pack function!
What Is a Pack Cubmaster?
Every pack will have a Cubmaster, and while the Cubmaster doesn’t have to be an expert in everything related to Cub Scouts, they should be a strong leader who sets a good example and lives by the values of Scouting. The Cubmaster must be at least 21 years old, of good moral character, and is usually a member of the charter organization. The duties of the Pack Cubmaster include:
- Leading the monthly pack meeting
- Ensuring the pack, leaders, and Cub Scouts reflect the interests and objectives of Scouts BSA
- Recruiting, training, and supporting den leaders
- Working as a team with the pack committee chair to cultivate, educate, and motivate all pack leaders and parents in Cub Scouting
- Making sure parents are involved, from monthly pack meetings to outdoor camping activities and service projects
- Helping establish and maintain good relationships with Scouts BSA troops
- Creating year-round programs that will aid Cub Scouts in advancement and allow them to help their local community
- Supporting and guiding Lion Cub dens
This is only a small sample of what the Cubmaster does on a daily basis to keep the pack running. Every pack is different, so what works for your pack may not fit for another. Remember, the Cubmaster is not paid to do all of this! However, this fun video (4:11) describes the priceless “paycheck” of seeing young Scouts succeed. 🙂
What Is an Assistant Pack Cubmaster?
The Assistant Cubmaster is an important pack leader who helps the Cubmaster. Every pack will have one, but most will have two to five. Due to the lower age requirement of 18 years old, new Eagle Scouts can serve as Assistant Cubmasters!
An Assistant Cubmaster should be capable of stepping in as the Pack Cubmaster if needed. Volunteers must also be of good moral character and abide by the values of Scouting. Assistant Cubmasters are nominated by the Pack Cubmaster and must be approved by the Pack Committee. The duties of an Assistant Cubmaster include:
- Assisting the Cubmaster as needed
- Attending pack meetings and help with special events, including the Pinewood Derby
- Helping the pack with Scout registration and recruitment
- Helping train den leaders according to the standards of Scouts BSA
- Working with the pack committee to plan trips and outings
- Participating in Scouting conferences, representing the pack to the best of their ability, and maintaining a good relationships with local Scouts BSA troops
The Assistant Cubmaster will perform countless other roles that benefit the pack. They could work the grill at a picnic, supervise a bottle and can drive, or help with a service project in the local community. If you want to someday become part of Cub Scout pack leadership, you’ll start in this role! 🙂
What Is a Cub Scout Pack Trainer?
A new position in the history of Scouting, the Pack Trainer, was created in 2001 — which is a blink of an eye in the over hundred-year history of Cub Scouts! Like the other volunteer leadership positions, the Pack Trainer must be over 21 and of good moral character.
Pack Trainers are also required to have experience in another leadership role, ideally as a den leader. This is important because the Pack Trainer is responsible for ensuring all the other leaders are properly trained, certified, and capable of handling any situation that might come up! Duties of the Pack Trainer include:
- Leading orientation for new families
- Training new leaders, including Cub Masters and Pack Committee members, according to the standards set by Scouts BSA
- Making sure pack leaders keep up with training by attending conferences and workshops, and have access to the latest materials
- Being on hand to help answer questions — from parents, Scouts, or other leaders — by offering support and guidance
- Keeping and maintaining all training records for the pack, ensuring a 100% training rate for leaders and parents
If you think of your pack as a car, the Pack Trainer is the mechanic who comes in and makes sure every part is working to its highest potential. Because the Pack Trainer handles orientation, they will likely be one of the first members of pack leadership that parents will be able to talk to! This vital role is included in every pack, no matter the size.
What Is a Cub Scout Den Leader?
The den leader is incredibly important because they are the ones running the weekly den meetings and ensuring every Scout is advancing through the ranks. These meetings are where Cubs make friends and learn new skills! Without den leaders, the pack would not be able to exist. The video below (7:27) explains the importance of this role!
A den leader must be over the age of 21, of upstanding moral character, and approved by the Cub Master. When I was a Cub Scout, my den leader was the mom of one of my friends, and she worked with us through every Cub Scout rank, from Lions to Webelos! Duties of the den leader include:
- Running the weekly den meetings, ensuring that Cub Scouts are always working towards rank advancement
- Attending pack meetings and acting as a host for other den parents
- Keeping parents informed of events and activities
- Modeling behavior for Cub Scouts, including wearing the proper uniform
- Developing fun outings that help Scouts learn more about their local community
- Helping Scouts with activities and skill demonstrations for the monthly pack meeting
- Collect dues from Scouts
The den leader is here to make sure that every Scout is successful, earning their Arrow of Light and moving on to Scouts BSA. As with the other pack leadership positions, the den leader is a volunteer, doing all of this work for the love of Scouting and not for a paycheck! 😀
What Is a Cub Scout Assistant Den Leader?
With an age requirement of only 18, assistant den leader is the second role that a brand-new Eagle Scout can fill! Every den should have at least one assistant den leader but can have more based on the size of the den. This is a great role for any parent to start with! Duties of the assistant den leader include:
- Helping the den leader as needed
- Filling in for the den leader during den meetings and pack meetings as required
- Attending all den and pack meetings
- Representing the den at committee meetings, den leader meetings, and other official gatherings
Conclusion – The Importance of Cub Scout Pack Volunteers
As you can see, there are a lot of different important leadership positions needed to keep the pack running! All of them are filled by volunteers who believe in the Cub Scout program and want to see each Cub succeed. It’s a lot of work, from the Pack Committee down to the assistant den leader, but each and every one of them is important!
The duties of each role all work together to support the pack. While every position is different, all of them will do whatever is required for the Scouts — from singing songs at the campfire during an overnight trip or helping to clear brush during a community service project. Someday, you might be part of pack leadership!
Thanks so much for reading. Now that you know how a pack leadership team is structured, I hope you can help make your pack as amazing as it can possibly be! Also, if you enjoyed this article, I’d recommend also checking out any of these other awesome posts on ScoutSmarts if they spark your interest:
- Cub Scouts vs. Boy (BSA) Scouts: What’s Different? What’s Similar?
- Fun Cub Scout Games: 11 Epic Indoor and Outdoor Pack Activities
- The Total Costs Of Cub Scouting: Uniforms, Fees, And More
- Transitioning From Cub Scouts to Scouts BSA: Tips For Parents And Webelos
- Cub Scouting Awards: 13 Common Pack Awards That Cubs Can Earn
That’s all for now! Hope to see you back here at ScoutSmarts again soon. Until next time, I’m wishing you and your pack nothing but the best! 🙂