As a parent, you want your son to grow up to be a self-reliant, dependable and caring individual. Scouting has these same goals in mind for him. Since 1910, we have been weaving lifetime values into fun and educational activities designed to assist parents in strengthening character, good citizenship, and physical fitness in youth. These values help your son make good decisions throughout his lifetime and give him confidence as he becomes an adult leader of tomorrow. Scouting: Fun with a purpose! | Fall membership recruitment is essential to our success in serving the youth of our Council. The most effective method of fall recruitment utilizes individual unit joining nights conducted by District Executives, unit leaders, and School Night Chairman working closely with knowledgeable district and unit volunteers.
Below you will find many different resources to assist you in your preparation for School Night for Scouting 2010! If, at any time, should you have any questions or concerns, contact your Unit Commissioner, your District's School Night for Scouting Chair, or your District Executive. And remember, all boys should have the opportunity to become a Scout. Every parent should have the opportunity to participate in Scouting with his or her child. |
The adventure starts now!The adventure starts with Cub Scouting, a year-round family program designed for boys who are 7 to 10 years old. The program emphasizes shared leadership, learning about the community, family understanding, character development, citizenship training, and personal fitness. Young boys grow up fast. Give your son a valuable gift by encouraging him to join Cub Scouting today. The time you invest in him today will make a difference in the person he becomes tomorrow. Cub Scouting has four age-appropriate programs; each is led by a trained den leader and assistant den leader. To read more about each of the age appropriate programs, click on the program name or your son's age: Ready to Join the Adventure of Scouting?If your son brought home a School Night for Scouting flier from school, the location of the event and a person to contact should be on the bottom of the flier. Scout units conduct School Night for Scouting at or near where they hold regular meetings. This can be at schools, churches or other community organizations. You and your son can attend this School Night to join Scouting. Registration fees vary by unit. All youth members and adult volunteer leaders must fill out a membership application. Click on the links below to download a PDF of the applications:
Youth application (PDF)
Adult application (PDF) | Planning the BEST School Night!
Personal InvitationsOne of the most effective ways of recruiting is to organize a phone-a-thon one or two nights before School Night. Secure phone lists or buzz books from your school. A personal phone call inviting the family to School Night provides a warm welcome. It also insures promotion in case the School Night flier information didn't get into the hands of the parents or guardian. Open HousesEach unit should plan to make a presentation at its elementary school open house. Try to secure a table, staffed by pack volunteers, in an area of high visibility. You can even have applications available at the table. If possible, secure a few minutes on the agenda. Packs may want to distribute a pack calendar and a list of contact people with their phone numbers. Units also can put photos and crafts on display on bulletin boards or in display cases in the school. Cub Scout Business CardsIn addition to flyers being sent home with every boy in the school, current Cub Scouts can be helpful inviting their friends. A neat tool to use to assist with this is the Heroes "Business Card". Many packs have had success offering incentives for each card that is returned to the roundup, redeeming it for pinewood derby kits, patches, or other recognitions. The template is designed to be used with Avery Business Card stock 5371. You can customize these templates or create your own using the stock of your choice. Heroes "Business Cards" Template Pack Press Release The more opportunities someone has to read about the exciting things Cub Scouts has to offer, the more likely they are to bring their son to join Cub Scouts. Many communities have a small weekly or daily paper that is very willing to run a story about Cub Scouts. By sending a press release personalized by your pack to the local paper is likely to receive some coverage. Please feel free to use the press release template in contacting the local media. School Night Press Release Template |
Cub Scout ProgramsTiger Cub (1st Grade) Designed for boys and their parents
Activities based on searching, discovering, and sharing Prepares parent and son for Cub Scouting Boys and parents work with other families
 Cub Scouts (2nd or 3rd Grade)
Family-centered program Boys meet regularly in small groups to work on projects Learning is achieved through completing tasks to earn badges Boys wear uniforms with their badges, play games and sports, and have fun!
(Return to top.)  Webelos Scouts (4th and 5th Grade)
Boys start participating in outdoor learning experiences, such as hiking and camping Boys meet regularly with adult leaders Learning is achieved through hobbies and a life-skills program called activity badges
(Return to top.) Boy Scouts (6th Grade to Age 18) Emphasizes learning through a weekly meeting that prepares the Scout for his monthly outdoor experience Learning is achieved through an advancement program Interaction with adult leaders and role models Boys learn self-reliance, teamwork, and leadership skills
(Return to top.) | Get Ready, Get Set -- School Night!Each unit should distribute a calendar of events and activities to prospective members and adult leaders as they enter the meeting on School Night. A well-organized program calendar makes a strong first impression. Prospective Scouts and leaders will be more responsive if they witness leadership and dedication in the unit from the start. Each unit should have a master of ceremonies on School Night. This person should be in full uniform and be a good public speaker. The person should follow the agenda provided to all units at the August Program Preview meeting. Each unit should have a registrar. This person will be responsible for organizing a system to collect fees and applications in an orderly and efficient manner. This may involve more than one person. Each Cub Scout pack should have someone coordinating the Tiger Cubs. They should be prepared to conduct a short orientation and answer questions about the program. Additional leaders should be available to answer questions and help with applications.
After boys and their parents join a Scouting unit, they want to experience the Scouting program. Leaders and School Night organizers are the key people in seeing that dens or patrols are formed. Unit leaders must be willing to accept new boys and to make sure that each boy receives the program he was promised. Unit leaders must realize that School Night is the time to recruit additional help and have parents accept specific responsibilities. To help with the planning and presentation of School Night for Scouting, here are some additional resources.
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