Fall recruiting is almost here, and it’s a great opportunity to welcome new families and grow Scouting in your community! Your active role is key to showing that your unit is ready, organized, and excited for what’s ahead.
Start strong with a clear program and succession plan so new families see they’re joining something vibrant and well prepared. Make sure your leadership team is in place and that all volunteers, including new ones, complete Safeguarding Youth training to help keep our Scouts safe.
Get the word out. Promoting your unit in the community and hosting a fun, well-run recruiting event can make a big impact. A solid plan and warm follow-up will help turn visitors into members. And don’t forget to update your unit’s pin on beascout.org so families can easily sign up.
You’ve got this, and you’re not alone. Reach out to your Scouting professional, fellow leaders, or nearby units for support. With your energy and leadership, this can be your best recruitment season yet!
Your Five Steps to a Great Recruitment
1) Schedule Sign-Up Nights
The foundation of your recruitment plan is your sign-up nights. This is where families will actually join your pack, so you’ll want to make sure they are perfect! There are 2 recruitment nights you should schedule at your school – your traditional Sign Up for Scouting Night and Promoted Parent Orientation and Sign Up.
2) Put Pack Leadership in Place
It’s important that pack leadership is in place well before your recruitment nights even take place. An organized leadership team communicates that your pack is the perfect place for new families to experience the adventure of Scouting! Before any of your recruitment nights take place, you should also host a “Back to the Pack” meeting to prepare for the upcoming year. Make sure to share the calendar and budget. This is also a great time to host the popcorn kick-off.
3) Set Up Your Tent
What better way to showcase adventure than to go outside and set up a tent – literally! Consider setting up a tent outside of your school or in your front yard paired with our new yard signs as a way to advertise your pack’s Sign Up for Scouting Night – just think of it as a living billboard and have fun with it!
4) Spread the Word
Our best recruiters are our families and the Scouts themselves. We’ve compiled a number of marketing best practices and resources from social media to custom videos to help you spread the word about your recruitment nights.
5) The Recruitment Night
The big night has finally arrived and now you’re ready to welcome new families and host a fun, interactive recruitment night. An action-packed activity is a key to engaging potential Scouts. Be sure to share important information with new parents and distribute our welcome materials, an application to join, and your pack calendar. Don’t forget to get a parent interest survey from every parent
