Each Bear scout belongs to a Bear Den. The den is led by a volunteer Den Leader who has taken on the responsibility of organizing the program. This den leader is registered with the BSA and trained. The den leader is responsible for planning the year's program so the scouts are given opportunities to attain their Bear rank badge. A den will usually be more successful if the den leader has parents organize and lead individual events. This gives the scouts opportunities to experience different types of leadership styles and keeps parents involved in the program.

Your Bear Den is part of a Cub Scout Pack. The Pack is run by a CubMaster. A pack in Cub Scouting and a Troop in Boy Scouting are similar and are both referred to as 'units' in the scouting hierarchy. The pack will have tiger, wolf, bear, and webelos dens made up of boys from 1st grade through 5th grade. After 5th grade, Webelos move on to a Boy Scout Troop. The Pack holds a monthly meeting where you have recognition ceremonies, skits, songs, and announcements of upcoming pack events. Packs usually have from 50 to 100 scouts. There are around 150,000 packs and troops across the country.

The Pack is supported by a pack committee, all volunteers. There is a Pack Committee Chairman and other pack committe members. Most pack committees consist of family members and members of the pack's chartered organization. The chartered organization is granted a charter by the Boy Scouts of America to use the Scouting program. This chartered organization can be a school, service club, religious group, or other group interested in youth. The chartered organization approves the leadership of the pack, provides a meeting place, and operates the pack within the guidelines and policies of that organization and the BSA.

Packs in your area are organized into a District based on geographic boundaries determined by the local Council. At the district level, summer camps, day camps, leader roundtables, and other events are planned. The district supports units through membership, finance, and program services. Your unit has a District Executive and that person helps your pack and den get help and resources it needs. There are thousands of districts.

Districts are grouped into a Council. A council is responsible for growing a successful scouting program in its locality. A Council owns camp property and runs summer camps. It also offers fundraising programs, adult training, and service projects to support the pack and troop units. According to the BSA National Council there are over 300 councils.

Councils in a geographic area are grouped into Areas of which there are 26 in the country. Each area director works with 10 to15 councils. The area director maintains contact with the Scout Executive in a council and provides support as needed.

Areas are grouped into Regions of which there are 4 in the country. Regional management centers are liaisons between councils and the National Council. A region provides direct support to its councils in the areas of fund raising, program, computers, and administration. Regional offices provide direct support services to Area Directors.

BSA National Council, located in Irving, Texas, is the governing body of the scouting program in the United States. They set policy, offer national awards, organize national jamborees, have 3 high-adventure camps, and define the scouting program. There are many helpful resources on their website. On-line registration and membership support, program and literature development, advancement support, liability insurance, and maintaining program consistency across the country are all services provided by the National Council.