Den Flags
Den flags are important for bringing the scouts in a den
together. They show that each den is unique, but part of a
bigger group, the Pack and Cub Scouts. There are a few den
flags available for purchase, such as the official blue and gold
one at Scoutstuff.org ($12.99 plus numbers for $2.19 each), as
well as those at http://tradingpost.classb.com for $26.99 each.
Online you can find many different styles of flags crafted by the
scouts, each of which is unique.
The den flags we designed for Den 2 & 7 this year are vertical in
Figure 1 Official BSA Flag
nature and contain the following elements: Cub Scout logo,
Pack number, Den number, and current rank achieved by the group. In our case, we are getting a Bobcat and
Tiger patch to place on it and will get a Wolf one by the end of the year. There is space at the bottom to attach
symbols of each adventure completed by the den and room at the bottom for personalization by the scouts of
the den. In our case, we used shrinky dink plastic to make the Adventure emblems.
Making a Flag:
Most den flags are 15x22 inches. Our flags are based on a canvas apron
with the Cub Scout logo pre-printed on them.
(http://www.cafepress.com/+cub_scout_symbol_apron,1376919445)
The tote bag might work, too.
Cut to 22x15 inches, remove the pockets of the apron, and sew a dowl
pocket into the top. Cut a small hole in the center at the top. Cut a dowl
cross bar to fit within the pocket and insert an eye screw at the center
point of the bar. When inserting the dowel
cross bar, press the eye screw up through the
hole in the flag. This allows you to hang the
flag from a flag pole with a hook.
Paint the Pack and Den information at the top,
although you could also attach fabric numbers.
Attach Rank patches or fabric print and sew onto the flag, depending on
availability of Rank patches, to the right of the Cub Scout logo. The
Figure 2 Pack 45 Wolf Den Flag
Webelos and Arrow of Light can be placed to the left of the Cub Scout
logo. Adventure tags go along the bottom, with room for Webelos and Arrow of Light pins go above the
Adventure tags.
The space in between is where the scouts can personalize the flag. Signatures, thumb print, hand outline, etc.
Our scouts wanted to sign their names on the flag and may add personal drawings if there is room .
Adventure Tags: Belt loops for the adventures are
expensive, so we went with homemade tags. It also
means we can easily replace them if they get lost
while using the flags at camp outs and such.
Figure 3 Adventure Tags
Shrink film can be found at Michael’s in the back
right corner or online at Amazon.com. Just one package will last the pack a year or a den for a couple of years. I
started with drawings about 1 inch by 2 inch, which shrunk down to one quarter the size. When drawing the
tokens, use a permanent marker and make sure to hole punch the top center to allow for sewing on after
shrinking. Since they get thicker as they shrink, you can also color the sides, which resulted in the red glow on
each side in Figure 3. You can color them with sharpie/permanent marker or with colored pencil.
I made ones for all the required adventures and four electives that sounded interesting to the leaders for
teaching in den meetings. As the den completes adventures, sew the matching adventure tag onto the bottom
of the flag. You could even do this with much pomp and ceremony in the den meeting.
Not all dens are the same and not all flags need to be the same. Here are some other ideas I found on Pinterest.
Figure 4 This one is available through ClassB.com
Displaying a Flag:
Flang Hanging:
To hang the flag, insert a dowl through the pole pocket, then
screw an eye bolt into the center of the dowl. You can then attach
the flag to a pole with a hook on it. We use a standard flag pole
purchased at Lowes.
Flag pole holder:
Ours stands are made to disassemble for ease of transport. We used PVC
pipe cut and inserted to be a y shape on the floor for stability, with a
center post coming up from the junction. Main parts are cemented
together for support, but it can still be partly broken down for ease of
transport. We made two of them, one for the American flag and one for
the Den flag pole with a shorter upright to place the pole into.
Supplies:
1. PVC wide enough to fit the pole you plan on using
o 1 Pipe about 8-10 feet in length
o 2 T sections to fit the width you choose
o 3 Pipe Caps to fit the width you choose
2. PVC Cement
3. Saw/Pipe cutter
4. Eye Bolt for attaching
5. Hook for flag if hanging directly to the pole
6. 5ft wooden flag pole from Lowes
Steps:
1. Cut four equal lengths of 8 inches. For the base supports.
2. Two stand types:
a. For the taller stand, cut a longer length and place a screw part way up the length to ensure
height when the flag pole is placed within.
b. For the shorter stand, cut a length about 12-14 inches long.
3. Attach the caps to the 3 lengths with cement.
4. Attach the T ends to either end of one section as follows:
a. One end into the side of the T
b. Other end into the base of the T
This is one glued unit.
5. Cement in place once you are sure of alignment.
When done you will have the following: 3 capped ends, one piece with 2 T ends, and a length to either
mount the Den flag pole into (shorter) or to mount the American flag into (longer).
The end caps are glued on to stop it rocking.
6. To assemble, place end capped pieces into each of the T sections except the upright one, then the uncapped piece into the upright. Do not glue the 3 end caped pipes to the T joints. This allows the stand
to be taken apart for easy storage.
Other stands I found on Pinterest: