Family Scouting What it is, how it works

Family Scouting in its simplest terms We always pride ourselves on having the best youth program in the world, so let’s offer it to everyone!

How Family Scouting came to be It was inevitable Pressure/interest from families pressed for time Pressure/interest from new Americans Pressure/interest from single parent families Pressure/interest from girls Sustainability of the BSA

How it was rolled out by National National’s directive to boards in July Concept launched in October Early adopters – why we said “no” Cub Scout program: “almost there” Boy Scout program: “the Great Unknown”

How Cubs will be rolled out by the ITC Today’s outreach is the start; more to come at University of Scouting for those who missed this Get “yea” or “nay” from Chartered Organization Reps – March 15 deadline By April 15 develop initial training and marketing strategies (youth and leaders) and bring to interested parties Start-up and or modify Cub Scout units in September

How Scouts will be rolled out by the ITC Scout program isn’t so cut and dry National doesn’t have plan set August? October or November town hall with similar pacing Spring 2019 launch --- maybe

Acceptance is up to chartering orgs By Scouting “law” they have the ultimate say They may love the idea They may hate it – bucks traditions of Scouting or goals of chartered organization They may not want to upset the apple cart – other groups they host We encourage a discussion between committee and rep We will accept all decisions – including “no” or “yes/no” If the vote is “no” and you need to start a girl unit at a separate charter organization based on community response, reach out to your district executive. DO NOT have your boy unit leave your sponsor

How the Cub Scout program is set-up Multiple styles All boy pack All girl pack (new unit) Mixed – but boy dens and girl dens 4 girl minimum

How the Scout program MIGHT be set-up We don’t know Could be individual troops or sub-troops (most likely) Could be boy patrols and girl patrols with shared troop level leadership (least likely) Will not be coed

Known nuances of the Scout program Same merit badges Same path to Eagle New Scouting honor society for girls – NOT Order of the Arrow Slightly different uniforms (fit, minor style changes) New, universal handbook

How girls will become Cub Scouts ITC designates Family Scouting units (based on COR feedback and agreement) BeAScout will be updated with visual icons for packs that are All Boy, All Girl, or Family – system is ready for that Girls will then register with accepted units – system will not allow otherwise

Nuances of the Cub Scout program 4 girl minimum If four girl minimum can’t be met for age-specific dens, you can combine grade levels as long as working on own ranks New, universal handbook Same uniforms Requirements for Adventure Trails will not change Names change: Outdoorsman = Outdoors Adventurer; Sportsman = Sports

Recruiting families National will release some marketing materials in 5 weeks Reams of material available after National meeting Otherwise, use many of same methods. It is, after all, the same program Start now – prime the pump! Get people excited! Encourage sisters to observe their brothers Have a family-wide event this spring or summer to get the sisters hooked Make a “waiting list”

Recruiting leaders You can only do much, so you’ll need help (and you’ll need to meet gender standards) Lots of women champing at the bit to participate, especially at Scout level Start now, don’t wait – EXPERIENCE IS THE BEST TEACHER! Cub Scouts: get them to University of Scouting, training, Cub meetings, day camp, Sam Wood Scouts: get them to University of Scouting, training, troop meetings, camporees events, Dittmer

Youth Protection Standards Uses existing methods – Cub Scouts has been, in a way, a family program already New YPT module goes into effect this month (mixed gender) If you have an all-girl den or pack, at least one female leader or one YPT’ed female must be present

What does it mean for our camps? Economic sustainability If enrollment is significant, could add week to summer camp schedule Already have ability to present different facilities; will require some investment to expand that as population shifts While pack activities will focus on all-boy dens or all-girl dens; Day Camps CAN offer joint activities. Cub resident camp will follow suit Scout summer camp will have shared MB classes. Some activities will be shared

Hesitation that may exist Boys and girls in the wilds together?? Girls mature faster than boys This is BOY scouts! A war with the Girl Scouts Are your leaders ready? Are your boys ready? Are your girls ready? Is the world ready?

This is an active situation You are learning We are learning Heck, even National is learning Reach out to District and Council volunteers, DEs and staff Best practices will be shared in early-2019 (Cubs) Town hall for Scout age program this fall We will keep you updated as we become updated