Gathering: Some Scouts arrive early, so you want to keep Scouts occupied with something to do as the rest of the den arrives.  What you do will depend on your location and leadership resources.

• If you’re at a playground, field or gym, gathering activity will be easy.  
• If in a classroom, you will need more supervision (maybe puzzles or video or coloring).
• Gathering in a parking lot before a field trip or hike?  Same idea - find a safe place to play.
• Some Gathering Activity ideas are attached at the bottom of our main Den Meeting page, in "Appendix 1" to a recent Den Leader Guide.

Also: connect with attending adults to "share the leader load" because everyone can help with something!

Opening: An Opening ceremony says “we’ve begun” and helps set the tone for a Cub Scout activity.

• An Opening can be as simple as the Pledge of Allegiance.
  • Maybe add the Scout Oath and/or Scout Law.  
  • Doing an outdoor activity?  Maybe start with the Outdoor Code.
• Here's a Scouting America video of an Opening Ceremony. 
  • Don't have a den flag like in that video?  Don't worry.
  • Don't have a big U.S. Flag on a pole?  Well, you have one on the right shoulder of your Scouting Uniform shirt -- that works too (Simple, Easy)!

Activities: Defined as "1:  the quality or state of being active;  2:  vigorous or energetic action :  liveliness", Den Meeting Activities should alternate between very energetic and fun activities (because Scouts need fun) and listening/learning activities (because Scouts need to learn some things about the Adventure topics.

• Activity Intro.  Start your Activities with an Activity Intro where you share today’s Adventure Activities and get to know each other better (this is sometimes called "talk time"). This time can also be used to collect reports on any work that was to be done from home.  Depending on when you meet, some Dens have snacks during this chat.
  • Use this time to listen to your Scouts as they tell about what's new in their lives.
  • "Belonging to a Den" is a Cub Scouting method as important as Advancement -- Scouts and families need community.
  • Sometimes Scouts telling you about their lives (and your listening) will be their most important takeaway of the day.
• Then, get active!  Yes, the idea of a Den Meeting Adventure is to be active, do something, have fun!
  • Some Adventures have games and walks built into them, so there’s guaranteed active fun time. 
  • Some are more, well, academic.
    • Some Activity Card games are fun, but not all are.
    • Or not all Activity Card games will work in all Dens.
    • Know your Scouts (and what they will enjoy) and know your limitations as a leader (what you can lead).
  • Cub Scouting is not "Cub Schooling", so even if they are learning important stuff, pick ways do it in a fun way!
  • Or ...
• ... if you need to, just "add fun" to a meeting even if it is not in the Activity Cards.
  • Not everything done in a Den Meeting needs to be a "Cub Scout Advancement Requirement" ...
    • ... sometimes you'll just do fun games or field trips or play sports or explore or whatever your Scouts like to do as a Den.
  • Some pure fun ideas are here ... other ideas are attached at the bottom of our main Den Meeting page, in "Appendix 4 - Games" of a recent Den Leader Guide.
  • Your Den families and Scouts will have more ideas, especially about local places to scout out.   

Closing and Recognition: A Closing Ceremony says "we're done" and can highlight the good things the scouts did.

• Instant Recognition Time!  Recognize Scouts for what they earned and who showed good behavior.
  • And recognize all your adult helpers for their participation!
• If you know you're completing an Adventure, it is good to buy the Loops or Pins in advance and award them at the end of the Den Meeting.
  • Instant Recognition (or immediate recognition) is important.
  • Scouts will be happier to receive the Loop or Pin right away and show it off to family and friends.
  • That will make them happier with the Den Meeting and more likely to return next time.
• Wait, what?  I thought Loops and Pins must be awarded at Pack Meetings?"
  • Not necessarily.  Awarding at a Den Meeting or activity is fine too.
  • If your Pack requires waiting to award Loops and Pins, you might ask yourself:  Why?
    • Why don't we let Dens hand out Loops and Pins as part of "immediate recognition"? 
  • You can still recognize Scouts at a Pack Meeting who have completed Adventures, even if they already received their Loop or Pin.  Do all the ceremony you want. 
    • Plus, distributing at a Den Meeting is Easy and Simple.
    • If everyone at the Den Meeting already got the Loop or Pin, you never have "leftovers" to hold if someone misses the Pack Meeting.
  • If immediate recognition is better for the Scout, why not do it?
• Beyond Recognition, a Closing Ceremony can be as simple as a "Living Circle" with the Scout Oath, Scout Law and/or Cub Scout Motto ("Do Your Best").
  • Or just one of them. 
  • Or some other ceremony you like.
  • It is great for the Scouts to add any brief positive "reflection" on the day's activities and how the Scouts performed.

After The Meeting: Sure, clean up ... but also get to know parents/guardians and share some planning for next time.

• You'll also want to follow up with all den families to let them know what you did and who performed well and/or earned items, to help echo any "Recognition" at the end of the meeting.
  • This family follow up is helpful for those who "missed the meeting", because you can share how they can complete it from home and be caught up ...
  • ... and follow up can highlight when your next Den and/or Pack activity is so families can be fired up to attend.
• You will want to coordinate with your Pack Advancement team about how you record Advancement (ScoutBook/Internet Advancement, maybe supplemental records) so that the data is recorded for later Rank completion.