Recruitment Ideas ????

[WestCoastScouter]

Our Pack is hoping to add 10-15 boys between January and June... How can we do it ?

 

We have sent out flyers to schools for boys to come to events, but with little sucess. We have done Raingutter Regatta, invite a friend night, bowling, roller skating, bike rodeo, ect... but with few sign ups...

 

Does anyone have some good suggestions on how to get boys to join a pack ?

[ScouterAdam]

Keep inviting them. If your sons are on sports teams, start talking to the parents while your watching them play.

Invite them to Blue & Gold, Pinewood Derby other BIG ticket items.

 

Post flyers in churches, community centers, coffee shops, etc. Find the local Home Schooling network people.

Tell the current scouts about the Recruiter Strip that they can earn.

Hole a "Bring a Friend" Pack Meeting or Outing.

Hole a Beltloop Class at a meeting or on a weekend and have them earn it.

 

Make it fun... and keep going advertising.

[ScoutNut]

The best luck we have had is with word of mouth. Parent to parent, and kid to kid.

 

Little Cubbie Scout talks to his buddies in class and on sports teams about how much fun he is having and how it would be great if his buddies could do those things with him and have fun too.

 

Mr & Mrs Cubbie Scout talk to parents as they stand around waiting to pick up Cubbie from school, or while they are watching him play sports. They tell the parents how much fun Cubbie is having, how much he is learning, what Scouting is doing for him, and again, how much fun he is having, and how it would be nice to have their family in the den with little Cubbie.

 

One year we had a 3 boy Tiger den recruit 6 more boys. All signed up at our last Pack meeting of the school year, and were off and running as Wolf Cubs all summer. As a bonus, all 3 Tigers were awarded the Recruiter badge.

[Rockford8070]

If you are able to send out flyers in the school it sounds like you have at least some school access. What about holding one of these activities at the school? Maybe during an indoor recess? I know most parents don't have time off during the day to help put one on, but it might be worth a shot.

 

Also, what about having current cubs wear uniforms to school on pack meeting days?

[SSScout]

All the above, plus...

 

The first rule in recruitment is... Thet have to know where you are.

** Who is your CO? Can you ask them to put up a sign in front (assuming they are a "brick and mortar" CO) proudly heralding your unit's existance? "Cub Scout Pack PDQ meets here 7:00pm Thursday Night... All Boys Welcome!!" Local sign shop MIGHT be owned by a "old Scout", you never know til you ask.

 

** Notices in the local newspaper... they always like local news... Might even send out a reporter and photog... "Cub Pack PDQ held a Pine Wood Derby and Advancementr ceremony last thursday night. Tommy Cub and Pete Wolf received their Bear Badges. The Cubs raced their hand made gravity powered race cars down,,," etc. Give them advance notice, find out if you can provide the pictures.

 

** Check with local school for access to take home stuff. Our county school regulations allow brochures of an all incusive type (has to be for all kids... we refer Girl Scouts...) once every three months in the "backpack bag".

 

**Make the brochure/poster all purpose, so you can put it up on the grocery store bulletin board. Our District/Council will print them up free, in a standard format, with your info on it, eyecatching photos of Cubs having fun (remember that old KiSMiF ?). Check with your DE about your specifics.

 

** Get out to local fairs and events and parades. One Pack herebouts has a popcorn machine they borrow from a parent and set up at school fairs/events in the community. Free popcorn and a small flyer attached to the bag! Table of Cub Scout stuff and a mock campsite nearby.

 

** Word of mouth is still the best, but give the Cubs a 3x5 card with your info on it to give to their buddies to give to their parents to call you. And follow up! It might not be the first call it might not be the second, it MIGHT be the third. Your enthusiasm will be the catalyst for their son's best summer yet!

(and they just might learn something along the way!)

 

Good luck and good Scouting!

[John-in-KC]

INVITE THEM TO PINEWOOD DERBY!

 

Have both finished cars at kits at deep discounts available for sale.

 

SHOW THAT CUB SCOUTS IS FUN!!!