Figure 1.--Here we see Pack 132 from San Mateo, California in 1946. Actually it looks more like a Den or perhad two Dens. It may have been a new Pack and there were not yet other Dens organized. The Cub Master was Jim Graves. Notice the Japanese American Cub. He would have just returned from a camp wher Japanese Americans were interned during World War II. Also notice the two Scouts (Den chiefs) working with the Cubs.

The size of the Dens varied. Normally it was a group of about 10-15 boys who as a result of their acivities tend to become very close friends. A Den Mother, the American version of Akela oversees each Den. They are now called Den Leaders, a gender neutral term. Normnally the Den Leader is the mother or guardian of one of the boys, but this is not a requirement. This is a key characteric of Scouting, the extent to which the family was involved. The Den Leader is responsible for introducing the Pack program at the den level. They lead the Den in its participation at Pack meetings. They serve as Den host or hostess for Den family members at Pack meetings. They Work closely with other Den and Pack leaders. They help the Cubmaster and Pack committee recruit new boys throughout the year. They also help train the Den Cief and guide him in working with the Cubs. An important part of the Cub program was a Scout who served as a Den Chief, providing a role model and to help mentor the Cubs. Often there were two Scouts, the secondi becoming the Assistan Den Chief. The Cubs commonly look up to these Scouts. hE WEARS A Den Chief cord on his right shoulder The Cub Scout Denner is a Cub elected by the Den members for a short period, usually 1-2 months. The period is kept short to give all the boys an opportunity to share this role. The Den Leader and Chief determine the Denner's responsibilities. These vary from Den to Den. His responsibilities might incllude helping to set up the Den meeting and cleanup afterwards. He might assist with the games, ceremonies, tricks, and puzzles. He often leads singing or acts as cheerleader. The idea is to give him meaningful responsibilities and assuist him in learnng leadership skills. recognition to help him learn how to be a leader, so all boys will look forward to their turn as denner. The Denner wears a yellow shoulder cord on his left shoulder.