1. Family Scouting
What it is, how it works

2. 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!

3. 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

4. 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”

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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”

15. 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

16. 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

17. 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

18. 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?

19. 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