1. Recruiting and Retaining Cub Scouts
David Lanning
Cubmaster
Pack 17

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

3. 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

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

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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

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

11. 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

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

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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!

16. 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

17. 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)

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

19. 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

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

21. 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

22. 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!

23. 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

24. snacks
Finger foods
Dens can provide or pack to provide

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

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

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

28. 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

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

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