Recruiting Resources
Our priority is to bring the benefits of Scouting to more youth while remaining true to our mission.
Because you give time and effort to Scouting, youth in your pack, troop, crew, or post will have advantages in life they may not otherwise have. A study done by Harris Interactive shows that compared to their non-Scout peers, Scouts grow up to perform better in school, are more financially responsible, and give more to their communities through acts of service and charitable giving. All of this starts by giving youth the opportunity to join a strong and healthy unit. Together we can inspire youth and their families to take advantage of all that Scouting has to offer.
Unit New Member Coordinators
Sustaining strong membership in a unit depends partly on reaching new audiences to invite them to join the unit and partly on engaging new members and their families so that they feel welcomed and want to stay. The role of the New Member Coordinator is to ensure that both keys to success take place.
BeAScout Pin
Each Unit should make sure to populate or update your BeAScout Pin with any changes. Sending families to BeAScout.org is the surest way to capture and track those interested in joining.
Before you begin your campaign, it’s important to make sure the information on your BeAScout.org pin is up to date!
Cub Scouting
Cub Scouting is fun for the whole family. In Scouting, boys and girls start with their best right now selves and grow into their very best future selves. It’s fun, hands-on learning and achievement that puts kids in the middle of the action and prepares them for today – and for life.
Steps to Enhance your Pack's Recruitment
Create a public-facing Facebook page as well as an Akela-only Facebook member group. Create an Instagram and Twitter account and apply to become a “Google My Business Listing” and develop a simple mobile friendly website
Create some paid advertising through Facebook and Google, which doesn’t have to cost much and can be hyper targeted. (Suggested target audience should be parents of 6-12 year olds in 2-mile radius around the schools you serve.) Encouraged everyone to share the messaging on NextDoor, Peachjar, mom blogs, or any popular media platform parents us in the local community.
Especially videos! If you don’t know what BSA Branding Center is, CLICK HERE to start exploring all the great marketing materials that are available for FREE! There’s a ton of stuff there to help Units recruit and market their program.
In previous years, many conversations were directly with school administrations. This year, many schools are overwhelmed with many changes happening, so focus on communication with PTA/PTO groups directly.
We encourage you or your local District Executive to send traditional flyers through the schools, and they will have an impact. Ensure you follow up with your school to make sure they weren’t overlooked and post follow-up social media messaging on the day of the event.
For most schools, the traditional “Recruitment Scout Talks” are restricted in the schools. But we do have SCOUTS in the schools. Constantly reminding them to ask their friends to join them is key. They don’t have to have cards or anything like that; in fact, those things can make them less likely to ask sometimes. But they are the best recruiters we have.
There are any number of challenges we are all facing this year, but we have a choice – allow them to stop us or choose to overcome them. Take time and look for ways to do things differently, embrace that change, and move forward.
Scouts BSA
Scouts BSA is the traditional Scouting experience for youth in the fifth grade through high school. Service, community engagement, and leadership development become increasingly important parts of the program as Scouts lead their own activities and work their way toward earning Scouting’s highest rank, Eagle Scout.
Venturing & Sea Scouts BSA
Venturing is all about building your adventure with your friends. Scouts will choose activities that matter to them and create their own opportunities for skill development like leadership, event-planning, organization, communication, and responsibility… all while having a blast!
The Sea Scout program is THE place to be for young adults who love the water. The hands-on experiences of managing a ship’s watercraft will create memories that will never be forgotten! Scouts are given the opportunity to develop their maritime skillset while making lifelong friends and advancing their career opportunities for later.
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