Den Leader Guide: Lions (Kindergarten)

Overview

Lions is the Cub Scouting program for kindergartners. It is unique among Cub Scout ranks because every Lion Cub Scout must have a parent or other caring adult (Adult Partner) with them at all meetings and activities. The den uses a shared leadership model — the den leader works with a different family each month to plan and run that month’s adventure. You are not doing this alone.

Key Facts


School grade	Kindergarten
Meeting frequency	Once a month
Adult partner required?	Yes — required at all meetings and activities
Leadership model	Shared — each family takes a turn as host team
Den number (2024–25)	Den 7
Current leaders	Courtney Baldwin & Kristianna McWilliam

The Shared Leadership Model

Each month, one family serves as the host team:

They help plan the adventure activities for that month’s meeting
They help gather materials and run activities during the meeting
They help put the room back in order after the meeting

Rotate through all families so each has the opportunity to host. This distributes the work and builds den community.

Meeting Structure

Gathering — Host adult partner helps with activity as Scouts arrive; den leader and assistant collect dues, take attendance, check requirements
Opening — Song, yell, pledge to the flag, or uniform inspection
Talk Time — Leaders discuss den activities and plans; make announcements
Activities — Cub Scouts complete activities related to the current adventure (host family leads)
Closing — Den leader gives reminders and closing thought; host adult partner helps restore the room
After the Meeting — Den leader and assistant discuss next month’s plans

Lion Uniform

The official Lion uniform includes:

Official Lion T-shirt and hat (required)
Optional: official blue Cub Scout uniform shorts/pants/skorts, blue Cub Scout belt, blue and gold socks, gold neckerchief, Lion neckerchief slide

The den should aim for consistent uniforming to build a sense of belonging — but flexibility is allowed at this age.

Training and Resources

Required: YPT + Den Leader Position-Specific Training (CS19) at my.Scouting.org
Scoutbook: After approval, log in as Den Leader to access Lion meeting plans
Handbook: Cub Scout Lion Handbook & Adult Partner Guide
Source guide: docs/Training/Positions/Den Leader/New Lion or Tiger Den Leader Guide.md

Tips for New Lion Den Leaders

Adult partners are your best asset — lean on them, rotate responsibilities, and make them feel valued
Kindergartners have short attention spans; keep activities short, hands-on, and high-energy
One meeting a month is intentionally less frequent — families with 5-year-olds appreciate the lighter commitment
Lions do not have to earn the same number of adventures as older ranks; the program is designed to be achievable