WOOD BADGE FOX PATROL WHAT DOES THE FOX SAY?...

ISSUE: POOR LONG-TERM PROGRAM PLANNING WITHIN SCOUTING Poor program planning results in multiple problems in these areas: Budget Management Logistics Recruiting Retention (youth and adult) Youth attendance and engagement with the organization Event Coordination with the Scout Program Event Coordination with the Community

ISSUE: POOR LONG-TERM PROGRAM PLANNING WITHIN SCOUTING Budget Management Disengaged Treasurer at the Committee layer; does not keep committee, families, nor Scouts informed Additional fund raisers may need to be added to off-set important costs Costs negatively impact retention & recruiting Missed opportunity to teach fiscal responsibility

ISSUE: POOR LONG-TERM PROGRAM PLANNING WITHIN SCOUTING Logistics Transportation Issues Reserving Venues Coordinating schedules for guest speakers or entertainment Food & equipment purchasing Missed opportunity for in-kind support from partner organizations Permission slips/forms

ISSUE: POOR LONG-TERM PROGRAM PLANNING WITHIN SCOUTING Recruiting Retention (Youth and Adult) Absence of a plan hinders recruiting – nothing to draw youth in Absence of a detailed coordinated plan hinders participation and reduces retention Adult-directed planning disengages youth “ownership” and misses leadership training opportunity

ISSUE: POOR LONG-TERM PROGRAM PLANNING WITHIN SCOUTING Lack of planning reduces Pack, Troop, Crew or Team engagement within the unit, district and council Inadequate planning will disconnect events and the participation not only within the Unit, but will also reduce the ability to gain support within the Scouting Organization, but within the Community

LONG-TERM PLANNING SOLUTIONS FOR THE SCOUTING PROGRAM Have Youth Leader and Adult Leader meet regularly Adult leaders provide planning guidance Youth leaders produce the long range plan Adult & Youth leaders review, update, and refine details of the plan regularly “Leave a Trace” so that the next leaders do not have to re-gather information Enduring program with a written record Includes leadership position rotations, and identifying & training successors

PROGRAM SPECIFIC SOLUTIONS: CUB & BOY SCOUTS Timely scheduling of the Face-to-Face conference paying attention to key School, Community, and/or Charter Organization key dates. Have the correct people involved; Committee Members, Youth and Adult Leaders, Charter Organization representative, key adults, and optionally the Unit Commissioner. Attendee’s must have completed, or willing to complete Youth Protection Training and any other specific training needed for their involvement in the activity Use the BSA 48 Program Features resource to plan; making event more meaningful, fun and engaging Follow the BSA Pack/Troop Budget Planning resources Deliver finalized plan in a proper and easy to follow format, such as Troop or Pack Calendar

PROGRAM SPECIFIC SOLUTIONS: VENTURING Preparation is key to good planning Gathering calendars: personal, school, community, District and Council Identify annual events which are top priority to include on annual calendar Add in Interest Survey results from Crew members Program Capability Resource forms are filled out by adult leaders, adults, and community members Add in Program capability results Add in advancement information Annual Planning is best done in a “retreat” setting.

CALL TO ACTION If you have NOT done Annual Planning with your Scouts…..Start! If you are doing Annual Planning with your Scouts…..Great! CONTINUE to do this. If you want to IMPROVE your Annual Planning….Try some of these new resources. Work towards a 3-Year plan.

APPENDIX: PLANNING RESOURCES BSA National Event calendar Adult and Youth leadership training recertification requirements Scouting Council calendars Scouting District calendars School calendars Local Chambers of Commerce Families of youth members

APPENDIX: PLANNING RESOURCES (CONTINUED) BSA Planning Resources: Cub Scouts – Boy Scouts – Venturing – Varsity – Boy Scout Trail – Troop Leader Guide, Volume 1 -