Putting the “WOW” Into Your Unit’s Program Presenter’s Name(s)

Why the “WOW”? Keeps youth in Scouting longer Your unit will grow Youth will advance Youth leaders will want to lead Less burnout It’s just more fun! CREATED BY CR VENTURING, 2016

Basic Draws for Teenagers Food: Attendance at meetings increased when food was provided Friends: Most teenagers wouldn’t go to a meeting if their friends weren’t there Fun: Meetings can be necessary, but sprucing them up with games and activities can make a big difference CREATED BY CR VENTURING, 2016

Good Communication If Venturers don’t know about an activity, they won’t come Promotion is key Contact inactive members CREATED BY CR VENTURING, 2016

Exciting Program Make it different and exciting Each year, sit down and plan the upcoming year Annual Program Plan Find one way to make each event different from anything ever done before CREATED BY CR VENTURING, 2016

Water Activities Kayaks Canoe Backwards Cardboard Boats Fun Competitions Wear Costumes Flipping Boats Rain Gutter Regattas Stand-Up Paddle Boards CREATED BY CR VENTURING, 2016

Creative Meals Eat Dessert First Have a Formal Dinner Progressive Dinner Utensils-less Meal Smorgasbord Pizza Unusual Desserts Dutch-Oven Potluck CREATED BY CR VENTURING, 2016

Hiking & Backpacking Trips Youth Select Trail Different Trail Leaders Fun Songs Along the Way Stop & Do Teambuilding Games Along the Way Historical Area Trails CREATED BY CR VENTURING, 2016

Wildlife Events Zoo Events: Shoot the Animals (Photo Scavenger Hunt) Fill in the Blank Fact Sheet Horseback Riding: Western Clothing Dude Ranch/Horse Camp Conservation and Wildlife Agency Programs CREATED BY CR VENTURING, 2016

Caving Events By Lantern (Electric) Youth Teaching the Geology of the Cave Wild Caving Squeeze Box Mud Caving Overnight Spelunking CREATED BY CR VENTURING, 2016

Dances Teach Different Styles: Line Dancing Square Dancing Swing Dancing Evening Activity Holiday Parties CREATED BY CR VENTURING, 2016

Winter Events Skiing/Snowboarding Crazy Helmet Decorating Skill Challenges Ice Block Sledding Snow Sledding Freeze Out Camping Klondikes Ice Skating CREATED BY CR VENTURING, 2016

Sports Mountain Biking Volleyball Kickball Wiffleball Tug of War Broom Hockey Geo-caching CREATED BY CR VENTURING, 2016

Climbing Events Real Rocks Climbing/Rappelling Night Climbs Climbing Towers Prussic Climbing Climbing Gyms Lock-Ins CREATED BY CR VENTURING, 2016

Service Projects Scouting for Food Work Day for Charter Organization Yard Work, Repairs, Cleaning Community Festivals Set-Up, Work a Booth Conservation Projects Working with Younger Scouts CREATED BY CR VENTURING, 2016

Fundraisers Car Wash BBQ/Pancake Breakfast First Aid Kits Servant for a Day Lawn Mowing/Raking Leafs Home Repairs/Cleaning Donations or Set Price CREATED BY CR VENTURING, 2016

Council Events Capture the Flag Game Weekend Camping Trip Boating Climbing/COPE Leadership Development Lock-In Dance Cruise Road Rally CREATED BY CR VENTURING, 2016

Revising Current Program Plan a typical outing, then ask: How can we make this more fun? What twists can we add? Could I do this with my friends on a typical Friday evening? Would I want to promote this event to my non-Scouting friends? CREATED BY CR VENTURING, 2016

Activity Time Make these activities go, WOW! Rock climbing at a local gym First Aid campout Service project Goal Setting and Time Management Training Typical Crew Meeting Canoeing on a Lake So much more! CREATED BY CR VENTURING, 2016

Further Information Venturing.org/connect.html Scouting.org/programupdates <insert additional resources> CREATED BY CR VENTURING, 2016

Questions? Presenter’s Name(s) Contact Information