Recruiting New Scouts
Most of us believe more young people would benefit from learning the values of the Scout Oath and Law. However, membership can grow only when units invite every family to participate.
Successful recruiting also requires more than passive advertising. Flyers, signs, and social media posts can build awareness, but personal invitations often make a stronger impression.
For example, families may overlook a general announcement but respond to a direct invitation from someone they know. Therefore, units should combine traditional advertising with personal outreach from Scouts, leaders, and current families.
BeAScout.org
First, make sure your unit’s BeAScout.org listing includes current contact, meeting, and registration information. Families often use this website when searching for local Scouting programs. Therefore, accurate information helps them find your unit and contact the correct leader.
Update Your BeAScout.org Listing
Keeping your unit’s BeAScout.org listing current is simple. More importantly, updated information creates a better first impression for prospective families.
The website calls each unit listing a “pin” because search results appear beside markers on a map. When families enter their location, they can use these pins to identify nearby units.
Unit leaders and committee members can update the listing through My.Scouting.org. After you save the changes, allow several hours for the new information to appear.
For additional guidance, use the detailed instructions linked below the steps.
- Go to My.Scouting.org
- In the drop-down menu, select your unit, then Organization Manager.
- On the next screen, select Unit Pin on the left-hand side to see the fields you can update.
- Enter all the updated information for your unit and then click save at the bottom of the screen.
- Note that it may take a few hours, or up to overnight, for the updated information to show up.
If you’d like a more detailed step-by-step guide, here are instructions from Scouting America.
Configure Online Registration
In addition, configure online registration so interested families can complete the joining process easily. Follow the linked Scouting America instructions to review and update your registration settings.
Schools are important partners
Why School Partnerships Matter
Schools serve as important partners in your unit’s membership efforts. Because they connect units with local families, strong school relationships can support long-term membership growth.
Therefore, regularly communicate with school administrators and explain how Scouting benefits students. The following research and program information can help you discuss those benefits with principals and other educators.
Research Backed Benefits of Scouting
Academic and Social Benefits
Research has identified several academic, social, and developmental benefits associated with structured youth programs such as Scouting. For example, studies have examined academic performance, positive relationships, community involvement, leadership, and character development.
- The time that children spent in structured activities such as Scouting has been correlated with higher academic and conduct grades, constructive peer relations, and positive emotional adjustment (Posner and Lowe, 2008).
- Involvement in activities such as Scouting is correlated with a decrease in delinquency rates (Agnew and Peterson, 1989).
- The time that children spent in Scouting shows that Scout programs help youth develop a sense of themselves as people who are broadly competent, who can work constructively in groups, and who can complete poorly defined tasks. Youth in Scouting also have an increased sense of obligation to the community and its institutions (Kleinfeld and Shinkwin, 1983).
- Youth involved in Scouting are identified as demonstrating higher affective and cognitive regard for learning science content (Jarman, 2005).
- Scouting programs support the growth of developmental assets (Search Institute, 2004).
- Researchers identified significant differences between Scouts and non-Scouts in these areas: health and recreation, connection to others, service and leadership, environmental stewardship, goal orientation, planning and preparedness, and character. These traits carry over into adulthood (Jang, Johnson, and Kim, 2012).
Scouting Teaches life skills
In addition to academic and social benefits, Scouting helps young people develop practical skills. Scouts report learning to work hard, act honestly, respect others, set goals, remain active, and care for the environment.
Merit Beyond the Badge
Independent research conducted by Baylor University demonstrates the significant, positive impact Eagle Scouts have on society every day. The study found that Eagle Scouts are more likely than men who have never been in Scouting to:
- Have higher levels of planning and preparation skills, be goal-oriented, and network with others
- Be in a leadership position at their place of employment or local community
- Report having closer relationships with family and friends
- Volunteer for religious and nonreligious organizations
- Donate money to charitable groups
- Work with others to improve their neighborhoods
Character Development
A study at Tufts University showed strong evidence that participation in Scouting supports the development of pro-social behaviors, career goals, tolerant beliefs, and positive character attributes (Lerner, et al., 2015).
- Scouts reported significant increases in six critical areas versus non-Scouts: cheerfulness, kindness, hopeful future expectations, trustworthiness, helpfulness, obedience.
- Scouts were more likely than non-Scouts to embrace positive social values. Ask a Scout what’s most important to him, and he was more likely to respond with answers like “helping others” or “doing the right thing.” Ask a non-Scout the same thing, and he was likely to say “being smart,” “being the best” or “playing sports.”
- Scouts who attend meetings regularly report higher trustworthiness, helpfulness, kindness, and thriftiness, higher levels of hopeful future expectation and self-regulation, better grades, and a better connection with nature vs. Scouts who sometimes or rarely attended.
Serving youth of all abilities
We support full participation by members of all physical, mental, and emotional development.
- Scouting America builds awareness in all its members of the special needs of youth and creates inclusion opportunities to maximize the experience of each youth member.
- Scouting has a great deal to offer to youth with special needs and challenges, who are more heavily represented in Scouting America (15.1 percent) than in the general population (8.4 percent).
- The Scouting program provides firsthand experiences that support academic performance, development of social and life skills, career exploration, and independent living.
- The program has adaptations for physical and intellectual limitations similar to the least restrictive environment (LRE) principle. with which you are familiar.
- Scouting America has procedures to allow an alternative path for a student to earn ranks and awards when the regular requirements are not achievable due to a disability.
Recruiting Strategies
Scouting America provides additional recruiting resources, including webinars, planning tools, social media guidance, and BeAScout.org support. Therefore, units should use these materials while developing their local membership plans. See all that and more at scouting.org/recruitment.
1. Build a Strong Program
Your units best recruiting strategy is your program. What do we mean by program? Well, all of the activities, fundraisers, camping trips, and ceremonies need to be fun, engaging, consistent, transparent, and in line with the the Mission and Vision of Scouting America.
Prospective families expect units to deliver the outcomes we market, and the best way to establish trust is to show them that we are prepared. Even the most long-lived, well funded units falter when they don’t provide a consistent, compelling program.
The first step is to develop an annual program, budget, and schedule at your unit’s annual planning meeting. That’s where the Pack Committee, Scout Youth Leaders, Venturing Leadership Team, or Explorers make their plan for the upcoming year.
The list of activities, costs and schedules from the annual planning meeting are powerful marketing tools for prospective families because it gives them something to be excited about!
Learn more about annual program planning using the links below!
2. Help Families Find Your Unit
BeAScout.org
Once you have your annual plan, families must be able to find you and that starts with your BeAscout.org profile that was referenced earlier. Many new leads and applications will come through BeAScout.org, and nothing frustrates families more than unresponsive units. So make sure your profile contact information is up to date, and that new youth members are automatically accepted into the unit.
In the Community
Many families don’t know about Scouting, and one of the best ways to show them who we are is being present in the local community. Consider participating in the Scouting Vermont Veterans Day Parade, Green Up Day, or other Scout appropriate events.
Online
One of the best ways to gain the interest of prospective families is showing them what your unit has done. A unit website, social media account or youtube channel are great ways to share your awesome adventures. Just remember to follow Scouting America Social Media Guidelines.
Here are a few tips:
- Post regularly (At least after every major activity).
- Never use full names. First Name, Last initial, or don’t include them at all.
- Never post private information.
- Never post during an event, especially if it reveals locations.
- Before you post, ask yourself if the content reflects the Scout Oath and Law.
- Consider posting an annual highlight reel of last year’s activities.
3. Recruit Throughout the Year
Many units fall into the thinking that recruiting only happens in late summer and early fall. But a Scout can join your unit at any time of the year. So incorporate recruiting opportunities into your annual program throughout the year. For example your annual plan can incorporate formally planned events like the Council fall recruiting drive and simple events throughout the year.
- July: Bring a friend bike ride and Ice Cream social
- September: Council Rocket into Scouting Drive
- November: Bring a friend movie night
- February: Bring a friend sledding event
- April: Bring a friend day hike
Tips
- Designate a new member coordinator that can answer questions.
- Collect lead information such as name, phone number and email so you can follow up.
- Advertise your events in the School, and if appropriate on social media.
- Encourage your Scouts to invite their friends.
4. Support local Packs and Troops
The lifeblood of Scouting America Troops, Venturing Crews and Exploring Posts are often other units because members age out of their program or seek out different opportunities for adventure and personal growth.
One of the best ways to recruit members from these units is to establish a supportive role for their program. Troop den chiefs support Cub pack dens, and Cubs love to see Scouts helping out at pack activities like Blue and Gold ceremonies, Pinewood Derbies, parades and service projects.
Venturing Crews and Explorers demonstrate personal growth, leadership, and the spirit of adventure to troops by teaching new skills, and helping plan events.
Tips
- Meet with leaders from units and identify opportunities to support each other.
- Share your annual program plan.
- Team up for recruiting events.
- Volunteer at Day Camps, Camporees, and other events.
5. Welcome and Retain New Families
New families often don’t know what to fully expect, or where to go for help after joining so your unit has to provide additional guidance and support. The easiest way to do that is by being prepared!
Tips
- Designate a new family coordinator who will be the point of contact for new members.
- Send a welcome letter or email that includes important dates, information, contacts and next steps.
- Plan a new parent information session where you orient them to the program, unit policies, set expectations and introduce them to unit leadership.
- Pair up new youth members with another Scout, Venturer, or Explorer.
- Follow up with families within the first 90 days to gather feedback and address any challenges.
