The Den
The Cub Scout Pack is divided into several smaller groups called dens. Typically, a Den has six to ten youths and meets one or two times a month. Den Meeting activities vary based on the age of youth. Members of a Den usually progress through Scouting together.
The Cub Scout ranks are organized by grade or age, so your children’s Den will be part of the rank specific to their grade. A Pack may have more than one Den for a rank. Here are the ranks:
Lion Cubs – Kindergarten
Tigers – First grade.
Wolves – Second grade.
Bears – Third grade.
Webelos – Fourth grade.
Arrow of Light – Fifth grade.
Adventure activities are done at Den Meetings, at home and on field trips and outings. At the end of the school year, Cub Scouts graduate and move up to the next rank. Here is the progression:
Tigers become Wolves.
Wolves become Bears.
Bears become Webelos.
Webelos become Arrow of Lights.
Arrow of Lights “cross over” to join a BSA troop at the end of the program.
While Den Meetings include games, skits and other activities that are fun for the kids, program delivery is the main goal. Youths participate in activities and work on projects that are related to an adventure and that help them learn the skills they need to progress in rank. Youth also prepare to do their part in the monthly Pack Meeting.
The Pack
All of the Dens together make up the Pack. Typically, Packs meet monthly. These Pack Meetings bring together youth from every Den, their leaders, and their families for a large-scale event that showcases all that the kids have learned and done in their individual Den Meetings. Such a gathering gives the kids a larger experience beyond their own Den. It also helps them see how their individual activities fit into the bigger Cub Scout program.
