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Recruiting Sixth Graders

As I look in Transatlantic Council, we have lots of troops that depend on Webelos crossing over and scouts who transfer in from other troops to be sole way we increase troop membership. I also look and see that we have fewer Webelos who stay after they cross over and/or leave over the summer to another area. We need to attract youth who have never been Scouts or who perhaps quit Cub Scouts a few years back. One of the best ways to do this is via a presentation at your school.

This can also be done with 5th grade boys in February, March, and April.

School Presentation

First, Timing!!

The presentation should be scheduled a day before a troop meeting and two weeks before a camping trip (that is geared to have lots of new Scouts participate). It might not be a bad idea to actually do cabin or indoor camping but that is up to you.

Sell the Sizzle
Boys do like the idea of becoming better citizens and contributing to make the world a better place, but if you really want boys to try Scouting, you will sell them on the outdoor program. Instead of watching a video game adventure, they can be the star of an adventure.

Set the mood

You need to check with the school about what you want to do. It would be great if you could set up where you are meeting to be like a camping trip or campfire. Have a backpack full of wood tools, (don't forget the first aid kit), compass (or GPS), tinder for fires, flint and steel, (don't test it out in the classroom), and other items associated with the outdoors.

If you are doing an assembly how about creating a campfire atmosphere with a fake fire, dressed in scouting gear, maybe with some nature sounds, etc.

Certainly feel free to bring your older scouts to help answer any questions, etc.

 
What to talk about

I can remember talking about all the fun things you get to do as a Scout. I had a backpack with a knife, axe (check with the school), first aid stuff, cooking gear, flashlights, single campstove, water purifier.  You can even show how a hot spark fire starter works.

Show the Scout Handbook and tell them this is their book that shows them how to rappell down a sheer cliff, how to ward off bears when camping, how to make different types of fires, how to build shelters in the woods, how to use a map and compass to find your way in the wilderness, how to take care of themselves and others should they get hurt.

You are selling skeptical youth that to be a Scout you need to be brave, bold and confident.  Tell them that you go camping once a month and that you meet during the week to prepare for the camping trips. Tell them that the scouts plan the trips. Tell them they can help raise the money to buy all the neat things that they see.

Ask who wants to go camping next week??

Pass around a clipboard (or several clipboards) with four columns, boy's name, parent's name, phone #, and favorite outdoor skill (or camping skill)

Give each boy a flyer to take home that has the next meeting date on it as well as point of contact information. Most of these will not make it home. (it is a tradition, that is why you have the phone #)

Follow-up

It is important that you call that night (or solicit help in calling from the troop). Tell them that their son indicated that he liked to camp and that the troop is organizing a camping trip at the next troop meeting. Indicate what their son was interested in learning about. If they tell you to call back please remember to do so.

Next Troop Meeting

The theme of the next troop meeting is camping. Show the boys what they need to bring on a camping trip. Try to keep this so that the parents do not feel that they need to buy anything (certainly discourage buying cotton anything for camping). You can explain to the parents that patrols are natural boy gangs and they band together to cook, face challenges, take care of each of other in the outdoors. Although they might memorize that a scout is trustworthy, loyal, etc...., a patrol is where a scout learns to live the scout law.

Follow up again with any boys that promised to show but did not. If they do not show again, share the names with the youth leadership as well as their peers to see what they say and if they will bring them to next meeting.

Include the Scout Handbook in your joining fee so that they can get things signed off right away.

Invite parents to join the troop as leaders and to participate as well. After all your troop is growing, you need to have more leaders.

Meeting # 2 

At this meeting, have the new Scouts bring their backpack, gym bag etc, and check out their gear. Make suggestions, and sign off the requirement for presenting their gear for a camp out.

Campout

Make it fun, use your older scouts, experienced scouts, and other leaders and parents to teach perhaps do a Tenderfoot round robin with 20 minutes on each skill. Take a short hike and teach utensiless cooking. I remember being thrilled at making a fire and cooking a steak on a pointed stick.

By Sunday, they will be tired and thrilled about their first weekend camp. A few might drop out and decide that camping isn't for them (especially if it rains). Those that stay will be well on their way to enjoying the BSA outdoor experience.