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Boy Scout Recruiting emergency

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11:28 pm
March 5, 2010

Scouter Doug

Kenilworth, NJ

PTC Webelos

posts 91

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So I've inherited a Troop where 95%+ are being awarded eagle. The Troop hasn't had any new Scouts in a few years as the Pack didn't have any crossover. Only 2 Scouts crossed this year and one was at least sketchy on attendance for Cubs. Already has missed their first Troop meeting. So what are your best recruiting techniques?

Doug Metz – Scoutmaster – Troop 83 – Kenilworth, NJ http://scoutersjourney.wordpress.com – twitter: dwmetz

7:17 pm
March 6, 2010

BigMc

Houston

PTC Tenderfoot

posts 243

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Listen to Jerry's shows 50.1 and 50.2 where he discusses with Shawn how Shawn set up his new troop and what to do at the first meeting. Two great shows.

Kevin Mc.
ScoutMaster – Troop 1865;
Copperhead District;
Sam Houston Area Council;
Houston, TX;
Twitter TaxgeekKM

9:29 pm
March 6, 2010

scoutmasterjerry

Troutdale, OR

Admin

posts 280

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Post edited 5:35 pm – March 7, 2010 by scoutmasterjerry

Thanks Kevin for the plug.
First lets tackle the crossover issue.
You need to establish good relationships with those packs… yes I said Packs… There is no such thing as a "Feeder Pack". Get your troop active within multiple Cub Scout Packs. Offer Den Chiefs, Camping opportunities, and help with (in particular) Webelos Dens.
Use Troop Guides to help you with Relationship building… if the Packs are lacking in the Webelos department.. help with Bear dens.. they will be prime in a year or two.
95% of the Scouts have earned their Eagle Award.. congratulations to all those young men.. that is a real great number. I am going to assume that once they earn their Eagle Award they are leaving???
That is a problem, especially if your Troop is knocking out Eagles young… I have issues with that, not in that they are not earning it, but I have seen [in another Troop] an Eagle Scout that could not tie a clove hitch, but that is for another day.
Lets assume that most of the 95% of your Eagles are not 18 years old. They need to be assisting you in keeping others in the Troop active.. by the way.. a young Eagle Scout would be a FANTASTIC candidate for Troop Guide positions… just a thought. They can also be some great recruiters for you at the Pack level.
I would remind your Eagles of the Eagle obligation they took upon receipt of their Eagle Award.. if that means anything to them.
From the Eagle Charge:
Your position, as you well know, is one of honor and responsibility. You are a marked man. As an Eagle Scout, you have assumed a solemn obligation to do your duty to God, to Country, to your fellow Scouts, and to mankind in general. This is a great undertaking. As you live up to your obligations, you bring honor to yourself and to your brother Scouts. If you fail, you bring down the good name of all true and worthy Scouts.
Recruiting is an undertaking that requires more attention than just one time a year. It is an on going, year round proposition and as a Scoutmaster you will need to dedicate some time and energy to it.
I know that does not answer your question, but unless you have a program that the kids in your area are flocking to.. you need to go to them.
Hope that helps a bit.
Have a Great Scouting Day!

Jerry Schleining Jr.

Scoutmaster

Have A Great Scouting Day!!

http://www.thescoutmasterminute.net

twitter: smjerry

12:05 pm
March 9, 2010

Scouter Doug

Kenilworth, NJ

PTC Webelos

posts 91

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I'd say the Pack/Troop relationship is good – but there is a commitment from myself and the new Cubmaster to make it even better. As is we do a couple camp-outs a year with both groups. The Cubmaster and I are looking at more activities to add to that and to foster more of a constant relationship rather than just on specific events.
The root cause of the lack of crossovers and new Boy Scouts right now comes back to the lack of program/training that was in place on the Cub side when i took over 4 years ago. The group that crossed over under the previous Cubmaster from what I understand all dropped out. I don't have all the details but from what I understand there were issues with finances and attendance (in short he didn't want to pay dues because his boys were not attending most activities.) When his sons dropped they took their friends with them. The next year there were no Webelos II's to crossover. This year we crossed over the 2 Sr. Webelos we had.
In the past few years we've stabilized Pack membership and finally have Scouts and leaders for all Den levels – so we've got a good supply of Scouts that will be in the Boy Scout program for next year and the years to follow as the Cub program is now strong and growing each year. My big concern is filling the membership void for this year as it is currently only my son and one other Scout as far as fresh blood. I know operating a Webelos den with just the two of them brought a lot of challenges.
As far as the Eagle's "fleeing the nest" – they are all at or approaching their 18th birthday – There are a handful that do intend to continue with the Troop. At least one, having reached his 18th birthday, has registered as an Adult leader. The ones who will not be involved on a regular basis is due to them going away to colleges out of state.
In short – I've got good confidence in what will be the Boy Scout program going forward. It's this year specifically that I'm concerned with. I'm trying to plan out a number of recruiting events/tactics for both spring and fall of this year… So that's where I'm looking for ideas to get moving…
On a side note: 50.1 and 50.2 were great episodes.

Doug Metz – Scoutmaster – Troop 83 – Kenilworth, NJ http://scoutersjourney.wordpress.com – twitter: dwmetz

2:51 pm
March 9, 2010

Scouter Jeff

Southern California

PTC Boy Scout

posts 150

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Post edited 7:53 pm – March 9, 2010 by Scouter Jeff

Hi Doug,

I have spent some time this spring working on recruiting ideas for my troop. We decided to tackle recruiting on two fronts: Webelos and 5th graders. My idea was to have two separate recruiting events, one for each group (and if you look at my list, some of these can be for either group). And whatever you do, make sure you have the boys involved, not just the parents. Much of the "draw" of Boy Scouts is seeing them in action (for the recruitee's and their parents).

So since you are looking for ideas, here are some ideas I came up with, that we are discussing now in the troop. Some of them have merit, and some of them are weak, but I'm placing them all up on this forum anyway. So forgive if this list has a "throwing spaghetti on the wall" feel to it:

Target: Current First-year Webelos (in spring, to help introduce them to Boy Scouts)

Dutch oven cooking class w/ "Iron Chef" type cook off (to draw dens that know how to cook and those that don't)

Outdoorsman Day, where the troop will help Webelos earn parts of their Outdoorsman activity badge

Scavenger Hunt, and other outdoor game day

Pinewood "No Rules" Derby (borrow a track, and let them bring any car they want to, with no design limitations)

Bring Webelos and their parents along on a spring campout (they'd camp as a den with our troop, but not yet assimilate into the troop, which we do in the fall Webelos 2 campouts)

Troop open house, with various skills stations, incl. pioneering displays

Target: 5th Graders (looking at the end of the school year for this one)

Saturday model rocket launch

Saturday guided hike/geocache (geocaching is OK for smaller groups, not that great for larger groups)

Scavenger Hunt, and other outdoor game day

Camping/Hiking gear demo (this could be done after school if needed)

Community Service Project (since many schools require service project hours)

Troop open house, with various skills stations, incl. pioneering displays (maybe do this after school)

These are some of the ideas we are looking at for the end of this school year. All would involve poster boards showing 1) the fun of the troop (pictures of campouts, activities, etc for the boys to see) and 2) the values of Scouting (more for the parents). We also are looking at ways to get our own troop members to bring out their school friends, such as camping gear give-aways, "no KP on campouts", priority play time at the next overnight video game lock in, etc.

I hope there's something in here that might help you and your troop.

Good luck!

In Scouting,

- Scouter Jeff

Assistant Scoutmaster, District Trainer

http://thetrainerscorner.wordpress.com/

Twitter: Scouter Jeff

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