By Del and Brenda Schlosser
Franklin D. Roosevelt:
 Leaders
 Parents
 Role Models
 When a call comes to be a Scouting leader, that call
should be taken very seriously. You have a sacred trust
that’s been put upon you to be responsible in this
calling that you’ve received. There are four major “T’s,”
that I would like to refer to that will help you be
successful in your calling as a Scouting leader.
 The first “T” is the “T” of testimony. We encourage you
to bear your testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ, to
strengthen your testimony, to have that testimony ever
available so that the young men will know that you
believe in Jesus Christ and His atoning sacrifice and
that you want to serve Him all of your life.
 The second “T” requires your time. Scouting takes
time, and so we expect that you will devote the proper
amount of time, not that we expect you to neglect your
other duties and responsibilities as a father and as a
husband [or likewise, as a mother and as a wife]—a
family leader— but time is required to be a good
Scouting leader.
 The third “T” is to be trained. There are wonderful
Scouting training camps and opportunities which give
you the skills and attributes so that you will know the
fine points of Scouting. Much of what is successful in
this world comes down to the small, fine points, and
you need to learn those.
 And finally, your tenure, the fourth “T,” is required, that
you stay in [your] Scouting calling a lengthy period of time
because, after being trained and learning the attributes of a
good leader, we hope that those will endure for a lengthy
period of time. As you examine the [eight] priesthood
purposes for the Aaronic Priesthood [and likewise, the
purpose and objectives of Primary], look carefully at what
you are trying to accomplish when you plan an activity. As a
young man becomes converted to the gospel of Jesus Christ
and lives by its teachings, that goal is buttressed and
supported by Scouting. And so as you look at what you’re
going to plan for an activity, a teaching or training
opportunity, examine how the priesthood purposes can be
taught and trained while in that activity.
 1. Active Fun.
 Most parents will not bring their boys to Cub Scouts if
they are not having fun. They just won’t. Make sure
that the boys in your pack get to do games and other
active fun stuff–preferably in the outdoors.
 2. Well Organized.
 Parents like packs in which the activities are well
planned and which have good communication between
leaders and with scout families. They want to know
that there is a plan for what the pack will be doing
and that the plan has been well
communicated. Email, phone calls, schedules, and
newsletters all help with communication and
organization.
 3. Advancements.
 Boys should be earning their rank badges as the
year progresses, and they should
receive recognition for the advancements they have
earned. There should be a clear procedure (which gets
carried out) for who in the pack is responsible for
recording advancements, for turning in the
required paperwork, and for presenting the
badges at the appropriate time
 Making Cub Scouts work smoothly can be a challenge.
 In fact, there seems to be three major barriers in terms
of having a Cub Scout program work well.
 If these common pitfalls are addressed and solved, the
other smaller problems will take care of themselves.
 Training
 Tenure
 Correlation
 Problem number one: leaders and families are
unfamiliar with the program. The solution to this is
found in one word:
 TRAINING
 Pack Planning meeting
 Round Table
 Pow-Wow
 Leader Specific Training
 Fast Start
 Scouting Handbooks
 If leaders are properly educated and supported in their
training, they will gain an understanding of and
appreciation for the aims and purposes of Cub
Scouting.
 In the 2007 Aaronic Priesthood/Scouting Broadcast,
President Charles W. Dahlquist II, Young Men General
President, discussed tenure in Scouting. “Over time,
leaders become trained, establish strong Scouting
traditions, and build relationships of trust with the boys
and their families. . . . Ideally, it would be wonderful to
leave leaders of the youth in callings as long as possible.”
Lack of tenure makes smooth operation of the Cub
Scouting program difficult. In a well-run program, the
boys will be able to look forward with anticipation to
activities with leaders they can expect in future years.
 There are several ways Cub Scout requirements dovetail
with Primary’s goals: the family, Character Connections,
and Faith in God.
 Family
 Cub Scouting is a family program.
 Character Connections
 Character Connections reinforce gospel principles and
subjects taught in Primary and at Cub meetings. Found as
requirements throughout all three den’s books, Character
Connections discuss topics like respect, faith, courage, and
honesty. Passing off these requirements necessitates the boys
to know, commit to, and practice these values.
 Faith in God
 A third way Primary and Cub Scouts reinforce one another is
through the Faith in God program. This small booklet
provides the requirements for the religious square knot patch.
After he has earned it, this purple and silver patch is the only
one that will remain with him on all his Scouting uniforms.
He will wear it on his Boy Scout uniform and on his adult
uniform as he becomes a leader.
 The Faith in God program also uses other Scouting activities
to reinforce gospel teachings that help these young boys
prepare for the priesthood through handson activities. Many
leaders try to incorporate one Faith in God achievement at
least once a month in their Cub Scout meetings.
 Scouting and Faith in God
 Many Faith in God requirements are more in-depth than
the Cub Scout requirements;. Den leaders can plan
activities that will satisfy both Faith in God and Cub
Scout requirements.
 For example, one Faith in God requirement is to learn
budgeting and also learn about tithing, read scriptures
and pay tithing and begin saving for a mission, while the
Cub Scout requirements center mainly on budgeting and
money management. What that means is that if the
child has completed the Faith in God requirement, he
has also completed the Cub Scout requirement, but
completing the Cub Scout requirement does not
necessarily mean he has completed the Faith in God
requirement.
 Planning
 Schedule
 Plan your Den Meeting – Know what requirements over lap
 Plan time to work on both requirements, 1 week a month set
aside time
Wherefore, now let every man learn his duty, and to act
in the office in which he is appointed, in all
diligence. D&C 107:99
 The Purposes of Your Calling: Through your ward-
outlined Scouting Program, help the assigned
young men in your ward ages 8 and 9 achieve the
purposes of LDS Cub Scouting.
 (1) Character development.
 (2) Spiritual Growth.
 (3) Good citizenship.
 (4) Sportsmanship and fitness.
 (5) Family understanding.
 (6) Respectful relations.
 (7) Personal achievement.
 (8) Friendly service.
 (9) Fun and adventure.
 (10) Preparation for Boy Scouting.
 (11) Preparing to receive the Aaronic Priesthood.
 Register with the Boy Scouts of America as an adult leader.
 Wear a full Cub Scout leader uniform with appropriate insignia.
 All Wolf (age 8) and/or Bear (age 9) Cub Scouts in your pack.
 Attend Fast Start Training; Cub Scout Leader Basic Training;
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monthly Roundtable
Plan, direct, and conduct weekly den meetings.
Get to know and become aware of all Wolf and/or Bear Cub
Scouts in your ward.
Supervise a working advancement program for Wolf and/or Bear
Cub Scouts in your den(s).
Utilize den chief as activities assistant; assign other
responsibilities to den chief as needed.
 Encourage the importance of earning the Bobcat, Wolf, and
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Bear ranks.
Encourage the importance of earning the Arrow of Light
Award as a Webelos Scout.
Encourage the Cub Scouts to wear a full uniform and set
the example.
Read and follow the manuals fully.
Maintain the standards of the chartered organization and
the BSA.
Secure adult assistance and resources as needed through
your Pack Trainer and pack committee
Encourage parent involvement in you den(s).
 Meet regularly with the Den Chief. Let him help plan den
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meetings and den activities, and allow him to serve as den
activities assistant.
Provide meaningful jobs for the Denner and Assistant
Denner so they can learn responsibility and gain
satisfaction from their efforts.
Help the den and pack earn the National Summertime
Pack Award.
Help establish a close working relationship with the
Assistant Den Leader and Den Chief, functioning as a Den
Leadership team.
Develop a good working relationship with den parents and
families. Use their talents to help enrich the den program.
Hold den parents' meetings as often as needed to get
acquainted and strengthen den operation. Have open
communications with den families.
 Involve den fathers, uncles, and grandfathers in outings and other den
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activities so boys will have additional male role models.
See that a leader is available for all den meetings and activities. Call on
the Assistant Den Leader or Pack Trainer to fill in when necessary.
Take part in the annual pack program planning conference and pack
leaders' meetings (or Den Leader- Pack Trainer meetings).
Help set a good example for the boys by behavior, attitude, and proper
uniforming.
Encourage Boys’ Life subscription coming into the home of each Cub
Scout family; Cub Scout
Program Helps, the boys' program books, and other Cub Scouting
literature as sources for program ideas
Maintain two-deep leadership in all activities.
Report regularly to Pack Trainer and Pack Committee Chair.
Rule One: KISMIF - Keep it simple, make it FUN!
 Work directly with other den and pack leaders to
ensure 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 the pack leaders' meetings.
 Lead the den at the monthly pack activity.
 Ability to work closely with boys ages 8 and 9
 Ability to organize time effectively
 Ability to develop leadership, team spirit, and follow
the Cub Scout program as outlined
 A testimony and good relationship with the Lord
 Weekly den meetings
 Monthly pack leaders meeting
 Monthly pack meeting
 Monthly district Roundtable
 Annual Pack Program Planning Conference
 Cub Scout Leader PowWow or Council Training Day
 Other district and council activities
 General church meetings
 4-6 hours
 Scouting Handbook (LDS)
 Cub Scout Leader Book
 Cub Scout Program Helps (annual publication)
 Cub Scout Leader How-To Book
 Wolf Cub Scout Book, Big Bear Cub Scout Book
 The Purposes of Your Calling: Through your ward-
outlined Scouting Program, help the assigned
young men in your ward age 10 achieve the
purposes of Cub Scouting.
 (1) Character development.
 (2) Spiritual Growth.
 (3) Good citizenship.
 (4) Sportsmanship and fitness.
 (5) Family understanding.
 (6) Respectful relations.
 (7) Personal achievement.
 (8) Friendly service.
 (9) Fun and adventure.
 (10) Preparation for Boy Scouting.
 (11) Preparing to receive the Aaronic Priesthood.
 Be a U.S. citizen at least 21 years of age and of good moral
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character.
Register with the Boy Scouts of America
Wear a full Webelos Scout leader uniform with appropriate
insignia
All Webelos Scouts (age 10) in your pack
Attend Fast Start Training, Cub Scout Leader Basic
Training, monthly Roundtable, and Cub Scout Fast Start.
Develop a working relationship with your troop to aid in
Webelos-to-Scout transition
Get to know and become aware of all Webelos Scouts in
your ward
 Supervise a working advancement program in the Webelos den
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that will result in each boy earning his Webelos Scout badge and
Arrow of Light Award
Understand the complete Cub Scout program
Read and follow the manuals fully
Work in harmony with other den and pack leaders. Work with
the Cubmaster and pack committee in recruiting new Webelos
Scouts.
Help train the Webelos Den Chief and guide him to work with
Webelos Scouts. Attend Den Chief training with him. See that
he/she receives recognition for his efforts at den and pack
meetings.
Meet regularly with the Webelos Den Chief. Let him help plan
Webelos den meetings and activities.
Give him meaningful assignments.
Provide worthwhile tasks for the Webelos Denner so he can
assume some responsibility and gain satisfaction from his efforts.
 Use Boys’ Life and Scouting magazines and Webelos
Scout Program Helps as resources for ideas and
information.
 Instill Scouting's spirit and moral values by personal
example, ceremonies, and meaningful activities such
as service projects.
 Keep accurate records of den attendance.
 Encourage Webelos Scouts to advance. Maintain high
advancement standards. Keep accurate advancement
records and see that the boys are promptly recognized
for their achievements.
 With the help of the Cubmaster, pack committee, and unit
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commissioner, establish a good working relationship with
the ward’s troops.
Work with the Eleven Year Old Scout (EYOS) Assistant
Scoutmaster to plan and conduct meaningful joint
activities.
Work with the Cubmaster to see that impressive
graduation ceremonies are conducted in the pack.
Invite the EYOS Leader and troop leaders to take part.
Ask qualified persons, including adult family members, to
serve as activity badge counselors.
Encourage parents of Webelos Scouts to help plan and
carry out overnight campouts and other outdoor activities.
 Help the den and the pack earn the National
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Summertime Pack Award.
Follow the policies of the Boy Scouts of America.
Have a plan to ensure that a leader is available for all
Webelos den meetings and activities. Call on the
Assistant Webelos Den Leader to fill in, as needed.
Participate in the annual pack program planning
conference and the monthly pack leaders' meetings.
Keep the Cubmaster and pack committee informed on
the status and needs of the Webelos den.
 Maintain the standards of the chartered organization
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(ward) and the BSA
Secure adult assistance and resources as needed
through the pack committee
Encourage parent involvement in your den and close
relationships between boys, leaders and families
Encourage Boys’ Life subscription coming into the
home of each Cub Scout family
Maintain two-deep leadership in all activities
Prepare boys to become active Boy Scouts
Prepare boys to receive the Aaronic Priesthood
Rule One: KISMIF - Keep it simple, make if fun!
 Work directly with other den and pack leaders to
ensure the den is an active and successful.
 Plan, prepare for, and conduct den meetings with the
assistant and Den Chief.
 Attend pack leaders' meetings.
 Lead the den at the pack meetings and activities.
 Ability to work closely with boys age 10
 Ability to organize time effectively
 Ability to develop leadership, team spirit, and follow
the Cub Scout program as outlined
 A testimony and good relationship with the Lord
 Weekly Webelos den meetings
 Monthly pack leaders meeting
 Monthly pack meeting
 Monthly district Roundtable
 Annual Pack Program Planning Conference
 Cub Scout Leader PowWow or Council Training Day
 Other district and council activities
 4-6 hours
 Scouting Handbook (LDS)
 Cub Scout Leader Book
 Cub Scout Leader How-To Book
 Webelos Scout Leader Book; Webelos Leader Guide
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ATTEND NEW LEADERS ESSENTIALS TRAINING
ATTEND CUB LEADER SPECIFIC TRAINING
ATTEND YOUTH PROTECTION TRAINING
REGISTER WITH BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA
ATTEND MONTHLY ROUNDTABLE
ATTEND MONTHLY WARD KEY SCOUT LEADERS MEETING
PLAN DIRECT AND CONDUCT WEEKLY WEBELOS DEN
MEETING
WORK WITH WEBELOS ON PASSING OF ACTIVITY BADGE
REQUIREMENTS
WEAR A FULL SCOUT UNIFORM
ATTEND MONTH PACK MEETING
ATTEND MONTHLY PACK LEADERS MEETING
 ATTEND NEW LEADERS ESSENTIALS TRAINING
 ATTEND CUB LEADER SPECIFIC TRAINING
 ATTEND YOUTH PROTECTION TRAINING
 REGISTER WITH BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA
 ATTEND MONTHLY CUB SCOUT ROUNDTABLE
 WEAR A FULL SCOUT LEADERS UNIFORM
 PLAN, DIRECT AND CONDUCT WEEKLY DEN
MEETING
 ATTEND MONTHLY PACK MEETING
 ATTEND MONTHLY PACK LEADER MEETING
Do Your Best
I ________ promise to do my best
To do my duty to God and my country,
To help other people, and
To obey the Law of the Pack
The Cub Scout follows Akela.
The Cub Scout helps the pack go.
The pack helps the Cub Scout grow.
The Cub Scout gives goodwill.
 While BSA basic training and supplemental Church
training provide an excellent foundation, attendance at
monthly roundtables for Cub Scout, Boy Scout, Varsity
Scout, and Venturing adult leaders helps a leader renew
skills, allows leaders to share ideas, and informs leaders
about upcoming district/council events. Roundtables are
an excellent opportunity for Scout leaders in the Church to
gain a deeper understanding of practical ways to use
Scouting in fulfilling their Church responsibilities.
Volunteering as members of their district roundtable staff
is another way for Church Scout leaders to serve at the
district level, while forming new friendships and getting a
head start on planning their unit activities.
 Keep your den and pack meetings focused on activities
rather than the boys having to just sit and listen. If you
need to cover something instructional, turn it into a
game, a quiz, a contest– something where the
boys are actually involved and doing things.
 And preferably it should be something that gets them
out of their chairs. Get them physically moving
around. Play active games. Look at stuff. Go
outside. These are the kinds of things that boys enjoy.
 Boys love field trips, and parents usually like them
also. Boys like variety. Going somewhere new is
almost always fun and exciting for them.
 Spending time outdoors doing stuff like hiking and camping are
what boys are really looking forward to when they join Cub
Scouts.
 Make sure that hiking, camping, and other outdoor
activities are a central part of your program. If your pack does
not have regular Cub Scout hikes, I would encourage you to start.
 Of course, any outdoor Cub Scout activities need to be done in
accordance with the Guide to Safe Scouting including the AgeAppropriate Guidelines for Scouting Activities.
 Be sure that you promote in your pack Council-organized Cub
Scout family camps and day camps. Boys who get to camp
are the ones who are most excited about Cub Scouting.
 Communication with your pack families is very
important.
 For example, I think it’s a good idea whenever a boy is absent for
your Cub meetings/activities, to give his parents a call. At the
very least, you should call when the boy has missed two
meetings in a row.Most parents are very appreciative that
someone noticed their son wasn’t there and is checking to see
how he is doing. Of course, you shouldn’t say “Why wasn’t
Tommy here tonight?” You can say “We just wanted to let you
know that we missed Tommy at our last activity. Is he doing
okay?” In my experience, parents are usually glad that
someone has called. Staying in touch like this is often enough
to keep a boy who misses a few meetings from dropping out
altogether.
 Of course, sometimes boys have to miss for an extended period
of time due to sports activities. When that happens, I always tell
them that’s fine. We just ask that they stay in touch with us and
with what we are doing, and we’ll welcome them back when
their sports season is over.
 Don’t stop your Cub Scout program for
summer. Summer is when boys have the most free
time on their hands, and it is when they need Cub
Scouting the most.
 It is a lot easier to keep your scouts coming to your
scouting program in the fall if you haven’t stopped for
a three-month break. Cub Scouts are much more
likely to drop out in the fall if they haven’t done
any Cub Scout activities all summer.
 Making and distributing a schedule several months in
advance can be a boost for your pack in several ways.
 For one thing, it will make your pack look fun and
exciting. Just telling your scouts and parents that your
pack does hiking, camping, outdoor games, Pinewood
Derby, etc. is fine, but it is more convincing if you can
hand out a schedule that shows that you have
committed your plans to paper.
 A schedule will also help with new scout
recruiting. Your schedule will show new recruits
that your pack is well-run, organized, and lots of
fun.
 If you don’t make a schedule, it is easier for your
pack to let the time slip by and not do the stuff
you hoped you would.
Make it fun
 There is a lot of difference between 6 and 7 year olds
and 10 and 11 year olds. Some activities that are a lot
of fun for your Wolf and Bear dens would be way
too young and kiddie-ish for most Webelos
Scouts.
 One of the great things about putting on a Cub Scout
program is seeing how much boys grow and develop
from the time they are Wolfs until they are fifth-grade
Webelos. Be sure most of your pack activities are
designed for the interests and needs of all your
boys.
Keep it Simple, Make it Fun!
 President Monson said, “They depend on you. Their
very salvation may be at stake. You can build a bridge
to the heart of a boy and can help guide his precious
soul back to our Father in Heaven.”
 Leaders and parents who recognize and follow this
counsel concerning Scouting will do a great service to
future generations of the world as we help these young
boys grow and mature.
 http://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/CubScouts.aspx
 http://www.lds-scouts.org/
 http://www.scoutermom.com/content/?cat=162
 http://dyetub.com/
 http://kismif.org/2010/05/10/cub-scouts-2010-den-
and-pack-meeting-resource-guide/
 http://lds.org/pa/display/0,17884,4819-1,00.html