1 August Things To Do T103 Created May 2015 Massabesic District – Daniel Webster Council

Retention The NUMBER ONE retention item is to have a GREAT program. Troops rely on youth-to-youth word of mouth promotion than Packs. If your scouts are bored, they won’t promote. 2

How To Have a GREAT Program? Leaders need training in the Scout method. Youth need training in the Scout method. Leaders then mentor the youth to run the Troop. 3

Resident Camp Make sure there is a significant Troop event each month during the Summer, including August. In some cases, this month’s activity may be resident camp. Did you know that boys who attend resident camp stay with scouting longer? 4

Scouting is Outing Consider taking your outdoor program up a few notches. One source of details is at h/awards/noa.aspx for the National Outdoor Awards. h/awards/noa.aspx The BSA ‘best practices’ has your Troop camping once a month. Even during the Summer. 5

Outreach Make sure your Social Media Scouter is documenting all the activities on your website and/or Facebook page. vs-marketing-for-recruitment is one reference if the Scouter is new to the position. vs-marketing-for-recruitment Inform parents of the Troop’s annual planning session and invite them. Parents are part of the Scouting Family and opening up the planning is beneficial to have them more involved. Update your BeAScout.org internet information. 6

Recruitment Push hard to have the new Troop members attend most of your Troop’s Summer activities, especially Residence Camp. 7

Bowling Anyone? If you have a non-camping activity, encourage your current Scouts to invite a friend. This may be a bowling night, etc. Remember that youth-to-youth recruitment is more important in the Troop and you need to have a GREAT program for this to succeed. 8

Den Chiefs Identify older scouts that can serve as Den Chiefs for any partnered or local Packs. –Discuss this opportunity with the boy. –If agreeable, confirm the parent can supply transportation for the scout to the Den and Pack meetings. –If they can, then have the scout do Den Chief training at –Discuss this opportunity with the Pack leadership. 9

Troop Planning Many Troops have their Annual Planning meeting during August. Your Membership Chair should be actively involved with the SPL/PLC in planning a Fall Recruitment Drive. 10

I have collated all my presentations at this site for easy reference. They are categorized both by Subject and a Monthly Calendar. We also have an Idea Store where you can upload your GREAT idea for others to use. 11

Contact Info If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us at Thank you from the Massabesic District Membership Committee. 12