Leadership structure
The Boy Scouts of America
Headquartered in Irving, Texas, the Boy Scouts of America is a national, nonprofit organization that operates under a federal charter to "promote, through organization and cooperation with other agencies, the ability of boys to do things for themselves and others, to train them in Scoutcraft, and to teach them patriotism, courage, self-reliance, and kindred virtues."
At the national level, the BSA develops programs like Cub Scouting, publishes resources, develops leader training, and makes available for purchase uniforms and insignia, equipment, and other program materials.
The Council
The BSA charters about 300 local Councils, which oversee the Scouting program in specific geographic areas. Depending on population, a Council might take in a single city, several counties, or a large part of several states.
The Council is the administrative body for all Scouting Units (Cub Scout Packs, Scouts BSA Troops, Venturing Crews, Sea Scout Ships, and Explorer Posts) in its territory. It provides Unit service, membership support, leader training, and activities like Cub Scout day camps and Scouting shows. The Council is a voluntary association of citizens who function with guidance from a group of professional Scouters led by the Scout Executive.
The Chartered Organization
The Council supports the scouts in the Cub Scouting program through the Pack, but they do not run it. That responsibility falls to the Chartered Organization, a local civic group with interests similar to those of Boy Scouts of America.
The Cub Scout Pack
A Pack is the local Scouting unit that conducts the Cub Scout program for the Chartered Organization. It is led by a Pack Committee, which oversees administrative functions, and a Cubmaster, who oversees program activities. The Pack includes all of the scouts, leaders, and parents involved in Cub Scouting at the Chartered Organization.
Packs meet once per month. The Pack Meeting is led by the Cubmaster with the help of other adults. It is the pinnacle of the month's activities and is attended by all scouts with their parents and family members. In addition to regular Pack Meetings, the Pack will take field trips, go camping, perform service projects, and conduct fundraising activities to support its operation.
The Den
The Cub Scout Pack is divided by age groups into several smaller groups called Dens.
Lion (Kindergarten or 6 years old)
Tiger (first grade or 7 years old)
Wolf (second grade or 8 years old)
Bear (third grade or 9 years old)
Webelos (fourth grade or 10 years old)
Arrow of Light (fifth grade or 11 years old)
Dens typically consist of 6 to 8 boys and girls. The size and structure lets boys build relationships with each other and with leaders. It gives boys leadership opportunities and the chance to do activities that would be difficult with a larger group. Dens meet several times per month in between Pack Meetings. Activities are meant to be age appropriate and FUN.
Volunteer Leaders
At the heart of the BSA are countless volunteer leaders. This is the part of the BSA organization that actually delivers the Cub Scouting program to the scouts it serves. Without their generous donation of time and talent, the Pack could not function.
Pack 1 Richmond:
Our Pack was founded on December 1, 1973 by the Richmond/Carolina Volunteer Fire Association. We are members of the Narragansett Council, which oversees all Scouting Units in Rhode Island and southeastern Massachusetts. The Council operates two Scout Shops and eight Scout Camps, serving over 26,000 youth members and over 5,000 registered adult leaders.
Affiliated Scout BSA Troops:
For Boys 11 and older: https://www.troop1richmond.org/
For Girls 11 and older: https://www.troop2kingstonri.com/