Lion Den Leader Guide

Being a Lion den leader is a rewarding experience. You are introducing young children to the world of Cub Scouting and helping them take their first steps on a journey of learning and adventure. Lions are in Kindergarten, and their program is designed to be simple, fun, and age-appropriate. Everything they do is focused on hands-on activities, teamwork, and building confidence. Your role as a leader is to guide them through these experiences while making sure they feel safe and included.

Each Lion Cub Scout must have an adult partner who attends all meetings and activities with them. This makes your job easier because parents are directly involved in their child’s scouting experience. You will be working with both the Cub Scouts and their adult partners, creating a welcoming and engaging environment where everyone participates.

The Lion program is built around adventures, which are short, engaging activities that help scouts learn important skills. Some adventures are required to earn the Lion rank, while others are electives that let scouts explore different interests. These adventures introduce key values like teamwork, responsibility, and respect in a way that is fun and easy to understand.

Your goal as a den leader is to make meetings exciting and interactive. Cub Scouts learn best through play, movement, and simple tasks they can complete with their adult partners. Keeping activities short and varied will help hold their attention. You don’t need to be an expert—just be prepared, stay flexible, and focus on making each meeting enjoyable.

This guide will help you plan and lead successful den meetings, understand the Lion adventures, and keep young scouts engaged. It will also provide tips for working with this age group and making your role as a den leader easier. Whether you are new to scouting or have experience, this guide will give you the tools you need to lead your Lion den with confidence.

Planning ahead makes your job as a den leader much easier. Lions are young, full of energy, and have short attention spans. Meetings should be simple, active, and fun. A little preparation goes a long way in making meetings run smoothly.

Start by looking at the adventures. Each adventure has activities that help scouts learn and grow. Read through the requirements and pick activities that fit your den. You don’t need to follow them exactly. If an activity isn’t working, adjust it to keep the scouts engaged.

Keep meetings short. A good length for a Lion den meeting is 45 to 60 minutes, including gathering time and snack time. Any longer, and the scouts may lose interest. Start with a gathering activity, do the main adventure activity, and end with a short closing. Simple routines help young scouts know what to expect.

Choose a meeting location that fits your activities. Many Lion adventures work well indoors, but others are better outside. Parks, backyards, or open spaces give scouts room to move. If meeting indoors, make sure the space is safe and kid-friendly.

Have a backup plan. Sometimes activities don’t go as expected. If something isn’t working, move on to another activity or try again later. It’s okay to be flexible. The goal is to keep the scouts engaged and having fun.

Work with the adult partners. They are there to help. Give them simple instructions so they can support their scout. When adults are involved, meetings run more smoothly, and scouts get more out of the experience.

Finally, don’t stress. Being a den leader should be fun for you, too. If you are enjoying the meeting, the scouts will pick up on your energy. Plan ahead, keep it simple, and have fun leading your Cub Scouts on their adventure.

Lion adventures are the heart of the program. They introduce scouts to new skills, ideas, and activities in a fun and simple way. As a den leader, your job is to guide the scouts through these adventures while keeping them active and engaged.

The required adventures help Lions build confidence, learn teamwork, and understand basic scouting values. They include topics like health and fitness, outdoor skills, safety, and good citizenship. The first adventure every Cub Scout completes is Bobcat, which introduces them to the Scout Law and the Cub Scout motto. Other required adventures focus on being active, learning about their community, and exploring nature.

Here is more information about the required adventures:

• Bobcat
• Fun on the Run!
• King of the Jungle
• Lion’s Pride
• Lion’s Roar
• Mountain Lion

Elective adventures give your den more choices. They let scouts explore different interests, from building projects to outdoor fun. Some focus on science and technology, while others encourage creativity and teamwork. As a den leader, you can pick the ones that best fit your group and the resources available.

Learn more about the electives:

• Build It Up, Knock It Down
• Champions for Nature
• Count on Me
• Everyday Tech
• Gizmos and Gadgets
• Go Fish
• I’ll Do It Myself
• Let’s Camp
• On a Roll
• On Your Mark
• Pick Your Path
• Race Time
• Ready, Set, Grow
• Time to Swim
• Archery
• Slingshot

Each adventure is designed to be hands-on and age-appropriate. Activities should be simple and interactive. Lions learn best when they are moving, playing, and working with their adult partners. Keep instructions short and clear. If something isn’t working, adjust it or try another approach. The goal is to make each adventure fun and memorable.

You don’t have to do everything alone. Use the help of adult partners and encourage families to participate. Some adventure requirements can be completed at home, which helps reinforce what scouts learn in meetings. As a den leader, your role is to create a fun and welcoming space where scouts feel excited to learn and explore.

Good den meetings start with a good plan. As a den leader, having a plan helps keep meetings on track and makes sure the scouts stay engaged. You don’t have to come up with everything on your own. Den meeting plans for the required adventures are already prepared for you. Just follow the steps, gather materials, and you’re ready to go.

Elective adventure meeting plans will be added later, so check back for updates. In the meantime, you can pick electives that fit your den’s interests and create simple plans based on the requirements. Keep activities short, hands-on, and easy to follow. Remember, Cub Scouts learn best through movement and play.

• Bobcat Den Meeting Plan
• Fun on the Run! Den Meeting Plan
• King of the Jungle Den Meeting Plan
• Lion’s Pride Den Meeting Plan
• Lion’s Roar Den Meeting Plan
• Mountain Lion Den Meeting Plan

Mix in plenty of field trips to keep things exciting. A great way to do this is to complete an adventure during a den meeting and then take a trip later that month to see it in action. For example, after learning about community helpers, visit a fire station. After doing an outdoor adventure, plan a simple hike. These trips help scouts connect what they learned to the real world.

Stay flexible. Even with a solid plan, things might not go as expected. If an activity isn’t working, move on to something else. If the scouts are full of energy, add in a quick game. As a den leader, your job is to keep the experience fun and positive. Use the meeting plans as a guide, but don’t be afraid to adjust as needed.

Cub Scouts are full of energy, curiosity, and excitement. They love to move, explore, and try new things. As a den leader, your job is to keep them engaged while helping them learn. The key is to make meetings fun, active, and interactive. Sitting still for long periods won’t work at this age. Keep activities short, hands-on, and full of movement.

Use games, songs, and simple crafts to keep scouts interested. If an activity involves sitting and listening, break it up with a game or a quick movement break. Let scouts take turns leading parts of the meeting, like starting a song or demonstrating an activity. Giving them small leadership roles helps them feel important and involved.

Positive reinforcement works best for managing behavior. Praise good behavior often. Use simple phrases like, “Great job listening!” or “I love how you are helping your partner!” If a scout is getting restless, redirect their attention instead of scolding. A quick change in activity or giving them something to do can help. Clear and simple expectations also make a big difference. At the start of the meeting, remind scouts of the rules in a friendly way.

Adult partners should be involved, not just sitting on the sidelines. Give them small tasks, like helping with an activity or guiding their scout through a game. Encourage them to participate in discussions and share their own experiences. When adults are engaged, the scouts stay more engaged, too. A den leader who includes parents creates a more fun and connected experience for everyone.

Being a den leader is a fun and rewarding job, but it helps to have a few tricks up your sleeve. Lions are young and full of energy, so keeping meetings simple and active will make things easier for you and more fun for them. Plan ahead, but be ready to adjust if needed. If something isn’t working, move on to something else. Flexibility is your best friend.

Start each meeting with a gathering activity. This gives scouts something to do while everyone arrives. It could be a simple coloring sheet, a puzzle, or a quick game. This helps settle them down and gets them focused. Keeping meetings structured with a predictable routine also helps. Cub Scouts do well when they know what to expect.

Keep instructions short and clear. Too many details can confuse young scouts. Show them what to do instead of just telling them. Hands-on learning works best at this age. If an activity allows for movement, even better. Lions have a lot of energy, so let them get up and move whenever possible.

Make meetings fun for yourself, too. If you are excited and engaged, the scouts will be, too. Don’t stress about making everything perfect. Focus on creating a positive and welcoming experience. Being a den leader is about guiding young scouts and helping them explore. If they leave each meeting smiling, you’ve done your job well.

Lion Badge for Cub Scouts

The Lion rank is the first step in Cub Scouting for Kindergarteners. It introduces them to teamwork, outdoor fun, and basic scouting values. As a den leader, you will guide them through six required adventures, including Bobcat, where they learn the Scout Law and Cub Scout motto. Other adventures focus on being active, staying safe, exploring nature, and understanding their community.

Lions also complete two elective adventures, which let them explore different interests. These cover topics like building, science, sports, and the outdoors. The program is designed to be fun, hands-on, and age-appropriate. As a den leader, your goal is to keep activities simple and engaging, making each meeting a fun learning experience.

Learn more about the Lion Badge for Cub Scouts here.

Welcome New Den Leaders

Scout Moms, Dads, and Leaders Facebook group

Ask Scouter Mom a question or share your ideas with others

Printable Lion Cub Scout requirements

Printable checkoff sheet for the Lion Badge (for den or individual use)

How long should a Lion den meeting be?

A Lion den meeting should be about 45 to 60 minutes including gathering time and snack time. Lions have short attention spans, so keep meetings quick and active.

How often should our den meet?

Most dens meet once or twice a month. Some also plan a monthly outing or pack event. Keep the schedule simple and flexible.

Do I have to follow the adventure plans exactly?

No. The plans are a guide. You can adjust activities to fit your den or make your own den meeting plans. Just make sure scouts complete the required parts of each adventure.

What should I do if the scouts lose interest?

Keep activities short and active. If they start losing focus, switch things up with a quick game or movement break.

How do I get the adult partners more involved?

Give them small tasks, like helping with activities or guiding their scout. Let them know they are part of the experience, not just observers.

What if a scout doesn’t want to participate?

Encourage them but don’t force it. Some kids need time to warm up. Keep things fun and low-pressure. They will join in when they feel comfortable.

What supplies do I need for meetings?

Check the adventure plans ahead of time and gather supplies in advance. Keep a simple kit with basic craft materials, crayons, and small games.

How do I handle behavior issues?

Set clear expectations at the start of each meeting. Use positive reinforcement and praise good behavior. If needed, redirect a scout’s attention with a task or a change in activity.

Do we have to do field trips?

No, but they add a lot of fun to the program. Try to plan a simple outing every month or two. It helps scouts connect what they learn to real-world experiences.

What if I need help?

Ask your pack leaders or fellow den leaders for advice. You are not alone, and others are happy to share ideas and support.

Being a Lion den leader is a great experience. You are helping young scouts take their first steps in Cub Scouting. You are teaching them new skills, encouraging teamwork, and making sure they have fun. The Lion program is simple and designed for their age. Keep meetings active, hands-on, and full of movement.

Planning ahead will make things easier. Use the adventure guides, follow a simple structure, and mix in field trips when you can. Be flexible. If something isn’t working, try another approach. The goal is to create a positive and fun experience for both scouts and their adult partners.

Remember, you are not alone. Other den leaders and pack leaders are there to support you. Don’t be afraid to ask for advice or share ideas. The most important thing is to enjoy the journey. If you are having fun, the scouts will, too.

By the end of the year, your Lions will have learned new things, made new friends, and grown in confidence. And you, as their den leader, will have helped create memories that last a lifetime. Enjoy the adventure!