December 1947 – July 1959

If the  Troop is cooperating with a Cub Scout Pack, the opportunity is open for some Scouts to give leadership as Den Chiefs. Warrants to serve as Den Chiefs are issued by the Troop Committee upon recommendation of the Cubmaster, with the approval of the Scoutmaster of the Troop with which the Den Chiefs are connected.

The Den Chief works with the Den Mother in giving the boys in his Den the best possible Cub Scouting experience according to the program laid down in the Cub Scout handbooks.

July 1959 – June 1972

There is no definite age or rank requirement for a den chief. Generally speaking, younger Scouts who have been in the troop for six months or longer and who have their feet on the ground in Boy Scouting are the best prospects for the job. This is especially true in cases where boys have recently graduated from a pack. The den chief should be a boy who will not take advantage of his new-found authority and becomes bossy. He should be the type who understands the value of a “Let’s do it together” approach, rather than the “Do as I say!” command. Any good, steady, intelligent Scout can make a real contribution as a den chief.

June 1972 – July 1981

• The Den chief ia an appointed troop officer.
• He is the activities assistant in one den of a Cub pack.

In the troop, he is responsible to whatever leader is in charge of the den chief program. Meanwhile, as a Scout, he is a member of a patrol.

Den chiefs should not hold a second leadership office in the troop. For example, being both a den chief and a patrol leader may require more time than most Scouts can give.

The den chief may be trained for his work by the Cub pack or by the den chief coordinator (JASM or leadership corps). His week-to-week responsibilities in the den are assigned by the den leader. His example encourages younger boys to become Scouts.