Do you feel the love?
Are Scouts and their families participating in your meetings, events and campouts?
If not, the only way to find out is to ask why. Maybe the campouts are too far from home, maybe the kids aren't interested in the weekend's activities or maybe families aren't sure if you're using COVID precautions. Get to the bottom of why the participation is low.
Check out these program planning resources for Packs and Troops
If you're part of a Cub Scout Unit...
Send out a parent survey and form a plan based around the answers you receive.
During a Committee Meeting ask the adults to brainstorm about some new activities their Scouts would enjoy and ask a different adult each month to take the lead.
Plan one Normal Friend Activity (NFA) a month. This could be an adult vs. youth kickball game, gaga ball, flashlight tag, board game night, etc. This allows the kids to have fun with their friends (and invite non-Scouting friends too). You'll see what they enjoy and what keeps their attention - this will help for future planning.
Create flyers of the next months' worth of events (don't forget Council's offerings too) and have Den leaders hand them out to the Scouts. Talk about all the fun plans related to the flyer and ask the Scout to hand the flyer to their adult at the meeting. Send a digital copy in your next Pack-wide email as well.
If you're part of a Scouts BSA Unit, send out a parent AND Scout survey. Meet with your PLC and suggest they plan activities based on some of the answers. Here are some great ideas for games, skill building and team building exercises.
Mention to the PLC that it's important to ask the Scouts in their Patrol what their ideas are for activities and future meetings. Gather ideas on a Google Docs sheet and invite each Scout to help plan their event. This helps build teamwork and leadership skills.
Ask the PLC and other older Scouts to personally invite younger Scouts to events, activities and campouts. An in-person ask is always well-received.
Create incentives for Patrols and Dens who participate the most (events, fundraising, campouts can all factor in). At the end of the Scouting year, award the winners with certificates and a small prize, trophy or pizza party at the end of year celebration, Pack meeting or Court of Honor.
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