Continuous Cub Scout Recruiting


	CONTINUOUS RECRUITING


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	2008 School Night for Scouting Rallies are being set for early September . But don't forget when the rallies have ended that getting the word about Scouting is year round. There are many youngsters who don't get the flyer from school or who may have missed a class room talk but would still like to join a Cub Scout Pack. Don't forget these boys. Make an effort to get the word out that membership is not limited to that one School Night evening. A letter in the paper, a brochure at the Chamber of Commerce or a poster in a hall at School can go a long way to getting the word out. Be creative. There are lots of boys out there who would love to be Cub Scouts. A personal invitation from a school friend can make all the difference in a boy becoming a Cub Scout. We can't help change a life if the boys aren't participating in the program!

RESEARCH SHINES A LIGHT ON CUB SCOUT RETENTION

By Brandi Mantz, associate director Marketing & Communication Division

Did you know that most boys who drop out of Cub Scouting do so in
May, June, and September?
Did you know that dens that meet more often have higher retention rates?

The BSA Research Service has conducted studies to determine the reasons boys have dropped their Cub Scout membership. The findings have been used to develop many Cub Scout recruitment and activity programs.
Consider a typical family in a Cub Scout Pack. Their school year ends in May or June. Summer becomes full of family trips and activities. September rolls around and the family must decide what extracurricular activities they will take part in for the coming school year. If this family's pack became dormant over the summer, they now have an even harder time deciding whether to stay in Scouting. This directly affects our pack's retention efforts. Those three months when the Cub Scout Packs meet much less frequently allow for other activities to become priorities in the family's lives. This is why it is important for Packs to earn the summertime award. It keeps families involved year-round.
Once in the Pack, the number of meetings a month becomes a factor in Pack retention. In our study, one of the five boys (21.1 percent) who dropped was in a den that met less than twice a month. Cub Scouts and their families are looking for activities, outdoor adventure, challenges and fun. When the meetings are not frequent enough, continuity is lost and other activities will take their place.
Cub Scouting versus Sports. A common thought is that Cub Scouting loses boys to sports. This research study found that only 17 percent of boys wanted to focus on sports.
Boring meetings. The top factor influencing the decision to leave Cub Scouting is that the meetings became boring. When we recruit boys into the program we promise fun and challenging outdoor activities. Meetings need to be full of activities that introduce boys to new and challenging things. Take them outside!
Training pays. Another key factor is poor or disorganized leadership. New leaders need immediate training, even mentoring, to get them started on the right track. To address these needs, encourage district leadership to provide immediate Fast Start training and follow up with position-specific training. Attend roundtables for more supplemental training!

HOW WE CHANGE A LIFE from Mike Ballew

Every fall I am especially reminded of the look in a young boy's face as he signs up to be a Scout. We all have seen that face, full of excitement and anticipation sparked by promises of adventure. So our first step to making a difference in a boy's life is to enroll them as a member.

Boys stay in our program because they are engaged in enjoyable activities. These are fun activities designed by trained leaders to make specific opportunities happen to improve a boy's character. Fun is a method, not a goal. As youth stay in our program longer, we help ensure they will apply Scouting skills and values to decisions they will fact throughout their lives.

There is one more requirement, however, before we can make a lasting change in our children. As parents, mentors, friends and citizens, we must inspire our children with our actions. Children are very good at seeing if we practice what we preach, play by the rules, and keep our promises. As a parent, I have found myself challenged to live the life I expect my child to live.

So, as our recruiting season begins, I think I will look a little deeper in that young boy's face. I am sure my inspiration can be found behind those twinkling eyes.