& tips tricks GREAT pack to a University of Scouting January 7, 2012 Cub-014 “Learn from the mistakes of others. You can't live long enough to make them all yourself.” -- Eleanor Roosevelt

Nationwide Scouting loses 35% of Scouts each year! The number ONE reason boys leave Scouting - they are not having fun! Ironically, fun is the number one reason boys join Scouting. Src: Lincoln Heritage Council ( ) THE PROBLEM DEFINED At the individual pack level Frequent turnover creates continuity problems

Great: /grāt/ An extent, amount, or intensity considerably above the normal or average. Addresses issues like: Parent satisfaction Boy satisfaction Pack growth / recruitment Attendance / retention Advancement Discipline Leader satisfaction Webelos crossover rates So what is ‘GREAT’?

“If mama ain’t happy, ain’t nobody happy.” Communication Regularly Multiple channels With advance notice Have a plan (but remain flexible) Control the meetings Engage parents at every level Empower parents Parent Satisfaction

“All work and no play will surely turn little Johnny away.” Make meetings FUN! Let your "adult" guard down and have some FUN! Do FUN boy things outdoors. Advancement is important, but not at the expense of FUN. Have a schedule, but allow time for FUN. Vary the activities Boy Satisfaction

“Growth is rather organic. External factors can cultivate it or kill it, but the true source of growth occurs from within.” ‘Bring-a-friend’ activities Recruiting is year-round Use existing scouts FUN starts on recruiting night Manage den size Pack Growth

“Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm.” --Ralph Waldo Emerson Irregular attendance is a leading indicator Use parents to help Attendance

“Advancement is one of the most important Scouting methods and is an integral part of the Boy Scout program. Youth that advance on a regular basis stay in Scouting longer.” Have an intentional plan Cub scout fast tracks Trax spreadsheets Incorporate it into meetings/activities Value instant recognition Advancement

“Chaos in the midst of chaos isn’t funny, but chaos in the midst of order is.” --Steve Martin Chaos is contagious Teach the boys to respect signs-up Be excessively patient Enforce known boundaries Discipline

“The price of greatness is responsibility.” --Winston Churchill Remain flexible Build relationships at every opportunity Support other leaders Ask for support Maintain realistic expectations Leader Satisfaction

“A guaranteed way to frustrate others is to ask them to do something without the resources necessary to do the task requested.” Take all the training you can Learn the program Learn from others Use the pack trainer Training

“An individual step in character training is to put responsibility on the individual.” --Robert Baden-Powell Let the boys have more control Get them outdoors It’s not school Webelos Cross Over Rates

“Few will have the greatness to bend history itself; but each of us can work to change a small portion of events; and in the total all those acts will be written the history of this generation.” --Robert Kennedy It’s about the boys! Don't take things personally Invite leadership to your meetings Remember others may not do it like you would Keep scouting affordable Use den chiefs Miscellaneous Nuggets

“It is better to build boys than to mend men.” --Truett Cathy Over-communicate Make it FUN Empower others (including the boys) Get outdoors Maintain a flexible plan Scouts is not school Incorporate transparent advancement Keep it about the boys. Summary/Review