Fall Recruiting
Fall is the time to reach out to all of those potential Scouts and give them the opportunity to join Scouting.
Did you know that 46% of families have never been asked to join Scouting? Based on a recent national survey you can see how Scouts and families find out about an join a Scouting. 68% are asked by a Scout, friend, volunteer or the charter organization to join. What can we do during recruiting time to target the 46% who have never been asked to join?
Membership Recruitment
Recruitment efforts take place throughout the year. Scouting units conduct a coordinated effort to enroll new members in the fall. The spring campaign focuses on recruiting youth that are kindergarten through 5th grades.
The Scouts in troops, crews, ships and posts typically recruit other youth. Recruiting events are put on by packs, troops, crews and ships throughout the local community. Studies have shown that families/youth prefer to attend meetings at their school, and in their neighborhood. This will help ensure that every youth is invited to join Scouting.
Our main objective is to give multiple joining opportunities to ensure that every youth is invited to join Scouting, and to fulfill our promise to new Scouts for a great Scouting program. Adventure is Calling - Join Scouting!
Miss the last membership training? Watch it here!
Put your unit on the map
Update your unit information with your new unit leaders, and make it EASY for new Scouting families to find you.
Is your unit information correct? Unit leaders can update the unit information (by signing into MyScouting) to make it easy for new Scouting families to find your unit by logging into myscouting.org. Find a complete set of step-by-step instructions on how to update your BeAScout pin in this guide, and/or watch this “Setting Up Your BeAScout Unit Pin” instructional video.
If you are the current unit leader and are unable to update your unit pin, please contact your district executive and ensure that you are currently registered as the Cubmaster or committee chair.
Spring Recruiting
Spring is the perfect time for recruiting new Scouts! Packs are strongly encouraged to host spring recruiting events. It’s a great opportunity for Cub Scouts to personally invite their neighbors and friends to join in the fun. With district and pack campouts, day camp, resident camp, and summertime activities coming up, new families can jump right in and experience the adventure. Plus, new kindergarteners can officially join starting June 1!
March and April are ideal months to connect with schools and spread the word about Scouting! Many people think recruiting only happens in the fall, but spring is also an excellent time to welcome new Scouts and their families early. Don’t hesitate to reach out to your district professional and/or the district membership team for assistance.
To support your recruiting efforts, check out these helpful resources:
Troops, Crews, and Ships: March is the perfect time to host an open house and invite potential Scouts to see what your unit is all about. Youth who are at least 10 years old can join a troop starting March 1—even if they’ve never been in Scouting before. Troop leaders, be sure to reach out to 5th graders in your local elementary schools! District professionals and membership teams are available to help with flyers and best practices for recruiting.
If you have questions, please contact your district membership chair or district executive.