Den Chief Program Overview
BSA Troop 346 – Hopkins/Minnetonka
Bill Sempel, Den Chief Coordinator
Thanks you for your interest in our Den Chief Program. Troop 346 offers Den Chief scouts that are trained and ready to serve as valuable additions to your den leadership, and
provides the adult supervision necessary to ensure your den leaders get the most out of the program.
What is a Den Chief?
A den chief is a leader in a boy scout troop. His participation in the den chief program meets the leadership requirements for several of his rank advancements. He’s at least a Second Class scout who has committed to serving a den and demonstrating to you and your cub scouts what being a boy scout is all about.
Service, leadership and fun are the three “legs” on the den chief “stool”. Our den chiefs have been trained on what they need to do for your den at each meeting, including entertaining the boys before and after the meeting and conducting the opening and closing ceremonies. We also expect they will take charge of an activity or two during the year, such as an advancement meeting or outing. Believe it or not, these guys can do it.
Why Should I Bother?
Four reasons.
- First, you’ll get a chance to breathe during a den meeting as the den chief entertains and wrangles the cub scouts where you want them. He’s there to help you in any way he can and will have no problem getting and keeping the attention of the boys,
- Second, he will become a significant role model and friend to your boys. As older boy scouts, den chiefs have learned to bring along younger scouts as part of their mentoring responsibilities in the troop. We coach them on the activities your scouts will appreciate and they’re encouraged by the admiration shown to them by your scouts. The relationships are fun to watch grow.,
- Third, you’ll be shining a light for your boys on the path to becoming boy scouts. You and your boys will see your den chief mature and become a more advanced scout. There is no better advertisement for boy scouts than that. And if your den ultimately joins Troop 346, your den chief will usually be your new patrol’s guide., and
- Lastly, by opening your den up to a den chief, you become a vital part of the scout’s leadership training. As a boy scout dad, I can’t tell you how it feels when my boys come back from having led an event, standing a little taller and looking at me straight in the eye with more confidence than when they left. It becomes very clear why scouting is of value.
How do you get hooked up with a Troop 346 Den Chief?
Contact our Den Chief Coordinator above. They'll explain more about the program and get you can hooked with one of guys. Thanks.
For more information about the Troop or joining the Troop, please contact us at
Troop346@troop346.org
