Pack 60 Morgantown, WV area

Leaders

Den Meeting Planning Guide

A practical guide for planning engaging den meetings around Cub Scout adventure requirements.

This guide gives den leaders a repeatable way to plan a meeting that is active, focused, and easy for scouts to follow. It is based on a simple pattern: choose a current adventure, pick two requirements, then build the meeting around activities that help scouts learn by doing.

Use the official Cub Scout Adventures page to find rank-specific adventures and requirements. Scouting America explains that Cub Scouts earn adventures specific to their grade and rank, and those adventures help develop character, citizenship, leadership, and personal fitness.

Planning goal

The goal is not to lecture. The goal is to keep scouts engaged while teaching the skill, idea, or habit behind the adventure requirement.

A strong den meeting usually:

Step 1: Choose the adventure

Pick the adventure your den is currently working on. Use the rank page for your den:

Write down the adventure name and the meeting theme in plain language. For example:

Step 2: Pick two requirements

Choose two requirements from the current adventure. Two is usually enough for one den meeting because it gives the meeting focus and leaves room for movement, questions, snack, and transitions.

When choosing requirements, look for a pair that works well together:

Avoid trying to finish too much in one meeting. A meeting that feels rushed is harder for scouts to enjoy and harder for leaders to manage.

Step 3: Ask AI for an opening activity

The opening activity gives scouts something useful to do while everyone arrives. It should connect to the same theme as the adventure, but it should not require the full group to be present at the start.

Good opening activities are:

Example AI prompt:

I am planning a Cub Scout den meeting for [rank/grade]. The adventure is [adventure name], and the two requirements are: [requirement 1] and [requirement 2]. Please create a 10-minute opening activity scouts can do as they arrive. It should match the theme, use simple supplies, and keep scouts engaged while teaching the idea.

Ask AI to revise the idea if it is too complicated, too messy, too expensive, or not appropriate for the age group.

Standard meeting flow

Use this structure as the default:

  1. Opening activity: A simple themed activity scouts can start as they arrive.
  2. Meeting opening: Pledge, Scout Oath, and Scout Law.
  3. Talk time: Upcoming activities, adventure context, and quick reminders. Keep this short.
  4. Activity 1: Focused on the first adventure requirement.
  5. Snack: Keep it simple and check family-provided allergy guidance.
  6. Activity 2: Focused on the second adventure requirement.
  7. Closing: Brief reflection, recognition, cleanup, and next step.

Timing example

For a 60-minute den meeting:

For a 75-minute meeting, add more time to the two activities rather than extending talk time.

Activity planning worksheet

Use this quick worksheet before each meeting:

Den/rank:
Adventure:
Meeting theme:

Requirement 1:
Activity 1 idea:
Supplies:
How scouts will show they tried it:

Requirement 2:
Activity 2 idea:
Supplies:
How scouts will show they tried it:

Opening activity:
Snack plan:
Adult helpers needed:
Notes:

AI prompt for a full den meeting plan

I am planning a Cub Scout den meeting for [rank/grade]. We are working on the [adventure name] adventure. Please build a meeting plan using these two requirements:

1. [requirement 1]
2. [requirement 2]

Use this structure:
- Opening activity while scouts arrive
- Meeting opening with Pledge, Scout Oath, and Scout Law
- Short talk time
- Activity 1 for requirement 1
- Snack
- Activity 2 for requirement 2
- Closing

Keep it age-appropriate, hands-on, and simple to lead. Include supplies, estimated timing, leader notes, and a backup indoor option.

Leader reminders

After the meeting

Take five minutes to note what worked:

Small notes after each meeting make the next meeting easier to plan.