Recruiting and Retaining Cub Scouts David Lanning Cubmaster Pack 17

Objectives To Share ideas in recruiting of Cub Scouts To Share ideas in retaining cub scout

Pack 17 History June 2008 Reorganized Pack 17, with new leadership in place. Had to rebuild entire pack committee, leadership, membership Had 8 scouts (4 Webelos, 4 Bears) 07/2009 after a webelos crossover 4 scouts (to be 1st year webelos) 10/2009 Following sign up night, 29 kids, 4 new leaders

What didn’t work Just simple word of mouth Trying to get previous members back Scouts doing the recruitment The bring a friend technique

Marketing, Marketing, Marketing Began a Summer Family Picnic Event Newspaper Articles Back To School Open Houses Youth Athletics Community Events Tables and displays

How did we do it? Need to appeal to the kids interest Photos, display projects, uniforms, badges, posters Have a scout craft Get scouts in uniform to help at displays Once they see their friends, they become interested, they talk to friends

How Did We Do It? Appeal to the Parents Talk to the parents as the kids do craft Explain to them the Scouting program, policies, activities Explain the commitment TELL them about the upcoming rally night Get their contact information

Benefits of talking to parents No surprises when they begin the program They then know the commitment, ideals, values In today’s economy, people are looking for inexpensive activities for their kids Able to “feel” out potential new leaders Informal interview and they don’t even know it

Newspapers The Media is our Friend! Once a month an article in the paper about events, advancements, etc Include Photos Include upcoming events Give Dates, Locations, times

Council Help Posters, Flyers for Schools, Yard Signs Round up Information Help to organize your event

Posters Large and small Post in as many public places as possible Post Office, stores, banks, community centers, schools, Gas stations, If you use posters, put contact information on posters, rally dates etc

Flyers Contact Council well ahead of time Hiawatha, Andy will print and deliver for you, just call him.

Yard Signs Think of politics The one with the most yard signs wins Main travel routes, family, friends, Current Members Save them from previous years

Schools Principals Teachers Talk about rally night Use of school Hanging posters Flyers (number of kids) Ask about visits to school classes/grades Teachers When you see them, talk to them about the scouting program. Ask if you can visit classroom/grade

Rally Night Talk to parents Have leadership ready to talk to parents and kids Boy Scouts for help. Help keep cub recruits entertained w/games while talking to parents Oh and of course SNACKS!

Rally Night Program Pre Opening Activities Opening Welcome Have recruits go to game area with boy scouts and leaders Explain program to parents Bring kids back Split into groups w/leaders for each group Complete applications / collect applications and dues Closing Snacks

Pre-Opening Activities Welcome Committee Name badges, sign in (contact information) Activity similar to pack meeting pre-meeting activity (quiet game w/parent) Displays Photos Crafts Projects Books (Tiger, Wolf, Bear, Webelos)

Opening Have current scouts help w/opening Ceremony Introduction of Leadership Pack Committee Cub scout den leaders Cubmaster

Games Have several games available for kids Treat it like a campfire Make sure it is highly active, helps keep kids calm during next part of meeting

Talk to parents Family Talent Survey Explain program Den meetings once a week, pack meeting once a month Communications (emails, phone numbers, etc) BSA Program values Types of Activities done (age appropriate chart) Uniform Questions

Re-Group Split into Dens Allows parents and kids to meet with leader Can decide on meeting times/locations Applications are handed out and the process of filling them out begins (have kids fill in membership card) Cubmaster goes to each group, introduces self, shakes hands with everyone of the cub recruits and signs their temporary card

Applications Work out this part in advanced Amount to be collected, how to document etc. Can be done in the den group, Pack Committee member to go group to group collecting $$ Are you collecting money for books too? May have someone from Council there to help, make sure they understand your plans too!

Closing Cub Scout Promise May need to make a sign or post promise in some way for everyone to be able to read it. Teach the cub scout sign

snacks Finger foods Dens can provide or pack to provide

WARNING! Watch your time. No more than 1 ½ hours Found parent time will take up the most, lots of questions

Retention Highly dependent on leadership Train your leaders Check with them often Cubmaster acts as a facilitator

Keep Kids involved Display their projects, crafts etc at meetings Recognition of some type at every meeting Skits, songs, games

Lost Kids! If kids misses a couple meeting in a row, call Make sure things are going ok May need to help arrange for a ride for child If not going to return, ask why

Other ideas Youth Athletics set table w/information After School Activity Lots of work in organizing, but very useful

Questions / Thoughts / Ideas Any thoughts, comments, questions, or other ideas that you have tried??