School Night to Join Scouting

[tonkatim]

We are gearing up to have our 'School night to Join Scouting' and I wanted to hear of any best practices that you folks might have performed that worked well or heard about. We have been to all of the Council Training of course. But wanted to hear about anything special that you might have done.

[smtroop168]

Its been awhile since I've done Cub recruiting but my take would be have an area where some older Cubs (in full regalia...belt loops, pins etc) can interact with the new kids to show them what fun stuff they do and have a small activity with a Tiger leader to make something they can take home.

Then you have the business area where you can lay out the rest of the program with the parents.

[kwildman]

we do our recruiting prior to school night. I go to schools and do playground talks with the boys and then we send home informational flyers about our school night. The school night for us is just to close the deal and sign the kids up. We break the parents up from the kids since 90% of them are tigers. The kids work on the marbles belt loop and then we have cookies and bug juice.

[smtroop168]

we do our recruiting prior to school night. I go to schools and do playground talks with the boys and then we send home informational flyers about our school night. The school night for us is just to close the deal and sign the kids up. We break the parents up from the kids since 90% of them are tigers. The kids work on the marbles belt loop and then we have cookies and bug juice.

Good idea...separate and conquer!!!

[tonkatim]

I am guessing that your 'playground talk' is with the teacher present. It is commendable that you have that kind of rapport with the staff.

I was asking more along the lines of what 'dog and pony show' did you put on to entertain the boys when they were separated. We are going to have a Police K-9 Unit to give a show and answer questions. But, always looking for new and better ideas.

[tonkatim]

Having something for them to make with the Tiger Cub logo and take home is a great idea.

[kwildman]

teachers are on the playground but they are usually happy that someone else has all the kids attention. Small town and everyone knows everybody so we have no issues with access to the schools.

[ScoutMomGWRC]

When my son was in first grade, he came home that day and ran around the house "doing something". I wasn't exactly sure what it was, but it looked harmless. Later that evening as I was preparing supper, I opened the fridge and there was a piece of paper in there crumpled up. It had Garfield and Odie in scout gear and said "Can I join scouts?" (first meeting at school, time, date, and the cost for the year were also on there)

I later found one in my bathroom near my toothbrush and my husband found one in the garage.

Very cute.... the Pack leader told the boys to do this and it was a neat way to get them excited about scouting and start the conversation with their parents.

[tonkatim]

I had a good experience last night at our SNTJS. A Mom brought her 4th grade boy in to become a Webelos because there was a Boy Scout she had met that had performed an Eagle Project where she worked and as she got to know this Scout, she decided that her son needed to join Scouts too.

So, to all of you Scouts and Scouters out there just doing your best. Thanks, it's working.

[lambeausam]

I had a good experience last night at our SNTJS. A Mom brought her 4th grade boy in to become a Webelos because there was a Boy Scout she had met that had performed an Eagle Project where she worked and as she got to know this Scout, she decided that her son needed to join Scouts too.

So, to all of you Scouts and Scouters out there just doing your best. Thanks, it's working.

And that my friends, is the best recruiting tool out there!

[WVBeaver05]

When my son was in first grade, he came home that day and ran around the house "doing something". I wasn't exactly sure what it was, but it looked harmless. Later that evening as I was preparing supper, I opened the fridge and there was a piece of paper in there crumpled up. It had Garfield and Odie in scout gear and said "Can I join scouts?" (first meeting at school, time, date, and the cost for the year were also on there)

I later found one in my bathroom near my toothbrush and my husband found one in the garage.

Very cute.... the Pack leader told the boys to do this and it was a neat way to get them excited about scouting and start the conversation with their parents.

I have heard of the fridge strategy. Kids that age are quite easily distracted and they often forget to show papers to their parents. Tell them it needs to go in the fridge as soon as they get home. They do it - and then even if they forget a parent finds it.

YiS