1. Top Hands Meeting Detroit, MI 8/26-28/2009
Slide Notes Contain Important Information About The History And Implementation of Cub Scouts 2010
Cub Scouts 2010
Top Hands Meeting
Detroit, MI
8/26-28/2009
The following breakout session slides were developed with the knowledge that Mike Surbaugh (SE Pittsburgh) would be presenting a full 30 minutes on the history and development of the pilot that lead to Cub Scouts 2010’s national implementation. As such, the notes are an important portion of the presentation.
The initial portion of the presentation is from the perspective of a non-scouter coming into the BSA organization.

2. Cub Scout Membership 1972: Peak Membership; Echo Boom creates Peak TAY
Cub Scout membership since inception thru 2008.
Membership peaked in 1972 with the peak of the Echo Boom and TAY
The increases in the late 80s are associated with the development of the Tiger Cub program and in the mid-90s with Tiger Cub integration into the pack.
Primary point is that membership is declining 1% per year as TAY declines. Absent some change in retention (or share), membership will continue to decline.
Average Retention appx. 65%
Stable Retention X Declining TAY = Declining Membership

3. Just Some Cub Scout Data?
Pilot Phase
Units/Dens
Council(s) Prior Year Retention
Pilot Retention
2005 20
65%
86%
2006
178
63%
85%
2007
1117
64%
89%
The Innovation Team in its initial months “scouted” out results from pilot tests going on at the council level. We were initially presented these results without any context with respect to what was being tested. What we knew was:
There was a three year history of expansion of the test.
Each years base was a retention rate around 65%
Each phase of the test demonstrated an improvement of about 20 percentage points
About the pilots:
Phase one: 20 dens. The criteria being one den per pack would participate, the pack must be at or slightly below the council average retention, and the balance of the pack would not participate.
Phase two: 178 dens. Same selection criteria. Packs selected from 10 urban councils.
Phase three: dens. Central Region wide.
Average Increase In Retention = 20 Percentage Points

4. What Do Den Leaders Think?
Resources are effective in planning and conducting den meetings (97%).
Satisfied with the ease of preparation (87%) and the den meeting activities (86%)
Den leaders more satisfied with their role (97% pilot; 88% non-pilot)
Almost all (95%) would recommend using Fast Tracks to another den leader
Den leaders participating in the pilot were surveyed after the Central Region phase (phase 3) and then again after the first year of national availability of the Fast Tracks den meeting plans.

5. What Was The Pilot?

6. THE method of Cub Scout delivery supported by National Council!
For the Program Year
THE method of Cub Scout delivery supported by National Council!
BSA is adopting the Fast Track model as THE national model for delivering Cub Scouts. The change is not optional. Only materials to support the new method will be produced.
2010

7. What is Cub Scouts 2010? It’s Cub Scouts (the 2010 is when it starts)
It’s a method of delivering the existing program that is handbook based and focuses on den meeting activities leading to youth advancement.
Recognizes shift in family dynamics by moving MOST advancement into the den
Provides den leaders with specific den meeting plans to ease planning and enhance meeting organization

8. What’s Not Changing? Den meeting structure & phases (7)
Pack meeting structure & phases (7)
Role of Roundtable in communications & training

9. What Is Changing? New Den & Pack Meeting Resource Guide
Replaces the annual Program Helps
Designed as “one-stop” resource for den leaders & Cubmasters
Available online and via Scout Shops
Sample available here and will be posted online

10. New Resource Guide Table of Contents
Light introduction into Cub Scouting (not to replace Leader Book)
Tips and suggestions on den meetings, pack meetings, using the Guide
Den meeting plans for ALL Ranks
Pack meeting plans
Resources

11. What Is Changing? Majority of advancement happens in den
Themes as we know them (craft/seasonally based) will be eliminated
Themes will be replaced by a monthly focus on the twelve core values of Cub Scouting:
Majority of advancement happens in den
September 2010
Cooperation
March 2011
Compassion
October 2010
Responsibility
April 2011
Faith
November 2010
Citizenship
May 2011
Health and Fitness
December 2010
Respect
June 2011
Perseverance
January 2011
Positive Attitude
Courage
February 2011
Resourcefulness
July 2011
Honesty

12. What’s Changing? Training is changing to recognize:
The change in delivery method
The increasing time pressures of our volunteers
New Fast Start for Den Leaders and Cubmasters
Less Scouting History, BSA organization and administration
More about how to run den/pack meetings and use the new delivery method
Revised Position Specific:
New online version for den leaders (Cubmaster under discussion)
Continued support for in-person, PowerPoint version

13. CS 2010 Communications Plan
Scouting.org/cubscouts2010
Release date for materials affected by Cub Scouts 2010 is now MARCH!!
Release Date Now March!!

14. scouting.org/cubscouts2010
This website will be the primary communication vehicle for Cub Scouts Work is underway to add a forum area where BSA employees and volunteers can post questions. We will also be posting a video of Mike Surbaugh’s Top Hands speech when available.

15. So What’s In It For Cub Scouting?
Cub Scouts
More fun activities
More recognition
Scout Execs
+ Membership & retention
Improved vol & staff satisfaction
Den Leaders
Planning & execution simplified
Meetings more fun & easier to run
Cubmasters
Pack operates together
More recognition & parental involvement
DEs & Commissioners
Easier Recruiting
New leaders on-line faster

16. What’s The Opportunity?
20% Point Increase In Retention X 2008 Cub Scout Membership = 350,000 Additional Youth Served
While it is difficult to realize 100% of a pilot’s outcome when moving from the hand-held pilot situation to the less focused environment of a national introduction, if we are able to achieve only half of the outcome, we will have significantly impacted the number of youth to whom our program is benefiting.

17. What Can You Do To Ensure Success?
Make sure that the benefits for Scouting and for the youth we serve are promoted throughout your council:
Increased retention/more youth served
More satisfied den leaders/easier to plan and run meetings
More fun for the boys thru advancement activities
Assure that the website is promoted to your staff and volunteers, aggressively.
Newsletters
Websites
s to all volunteers
Work with your district executives, commissioners and other key volunteers to assure that the delivery change is part of the training and planning process for 2010.