Cub Scout Pack

It should be the goal of the Cubmaster and Webelos den leaders to graduate every Webelos Scout into a Boy Scout troop. The key to accomplishing this is to begin promoting Boy Scouting when Cub Scouts are still in their Tiger, Wolf, and Bear dens, and to sell the sizzle of the great outdoors. Scouting should be viewed as an ongoing adventure, and the progression should be as normal as moving from elementary school to middle school.

1. Responsibilities

(a) Develop a working relationship with the leadership of a Boy Scout troop or troops in the community. Most troops should have either an assistant Scoutmaster or a committee member assigned to new Scouts. Your unit commissioner can help put you in contact with troop leaders.

(b) Compare calendars of troop and pack activities to coordinate activities. Community events can be done together, and planning can help prevent conflicts in use of equipment and facilities.

(c) Work with troop leaders to secure den chiefs for each Webelos den and Cub Scout den.

(d) Work with troop leaders to plan and conduct Webelos overnight activities.

(e) Work with troop leaders to plan visits to troop meetings. Never show up without first calling in advance.

(f) Invite the Scoutmaster and troop youth leaders to special pack activities. This will help create familiarity and a level of comfort for the Webelos Scouts and their parents as they ease into the troop.

(g) Plan a meaningful crossover ceremony at the pack's blue and gold banquet. Include troop leadership to be present to accept the Webelos Scouts as they graduate to Boy Scouting. The local Order of the Arrow lodge can often be a valuable resource in conducting ceremonies.

(h) Webelos leaders should be strongly encouraged to move into the troop with the boys, either as assistant Scoutmasters or troop committee members. This will give the new Scouts a familiar face at troop meetings and a connecting link to Boy Scouting.

(i) If a troop does not exist in your community, discuss with the head of the pack's chartered organization the possibility of organizing a troop. A graduating Webelos den can form the nucleus of a new troop.

Webelos Transition

One of Scouting's greatest challenges is to make the next level of Scouting readily available for a young man once he meets the joining requirements.

Few boys join Tiger Cubs BSA with the intent of remaining in Scouting until their 21st birthday as a Venturer. However, Scouting offers a continuous program that becomes progressively more challenging.

Cub Scouting takes place largely in the family, and a boy advances from Tiger Cub at age 6 through Wolf Cub Scout at age 7, Bear Cub Scout at age 8, and Webelos Scout at ages 9 and 10. The Cub Scout parents serve as leaders, and most events take place in the homes of the Cub Scouts.

Boy Scouting is designed for boys ages 11 through 17, who are old enough to be on their own in the out-of-doors. While adults serve as key leaders, Boy Scouts hold leadership positions and plan the troop's program.

The passage from Cub Scout pack to Boy Scout troop should be smooth, with no time lost in between. By the time Webelos Scouts are ready to cross over, they and their families should be familiar and comfortable with the youth and adult leaders of the troop, their role in the troop and troop activities, and feel excited about beginning this new adventure. The Webelos Scout's graduation ceremony should clearly signify his transition to a new level of Scouting, and could include the presentation of his Arrow of Light Award, a Boy Scout Handbook, and a troop neckerchief.

A Webelos Scout who has earned the Arrow of Light Award has now completed all the requirements for the Scout badge and may join a Boy Scout troop.

The key factor to improved Webelos transition is the ongoing working relationship of the leaders of a Cub Scout pack and a Boy Scout troop. Ideally a community organization would have both a pack and a troop with leaders who work together to help move Webelos Scouts into a Boy Scout troop the same way schools move students from elementary school to middle school.

There are a number of ways a pack and troop can work together to enhance the Scouting experience of their boys. To help assure maximum transition requires cooperation between the ...

Cub Scout pack
Boy Scout troop
Unit commissioner
District Webelos transition chair

By planning and coordinating their efforts, the pack and troop can ...

Help make the Webelos-to-Scout transition seamless.
Give all Webelos Scouts a chance to experience the fun and excitement of Boy Scouting.

The Boy Scout Troop

Boy Scout troops should assign an assistant Scoutmaster or a troop committee member to be responsible for new Scouts, which would include developing a relationship with the Cubmaster and the Webelos den leaders. This person serves as a resource during Webelos overnight activities and builds enthusiasm among boys and their parents for the exciting challenges that await them in Boy Scouting.

2. Responsibilities

(a) Select Scouts to serve as den chiefs for each Webelos Scout den and Cub Scout den. Arrange for Den Chief Training. (b) Serve as a resource for overnight activities. The troop can be of service to provide equipment, leadership, and logistics for Webelos parent-son campouts. (c) Conduct an orientation in the Bear Cub Scout dens to explain the changing role as boys become Webelos Scouts and then again as they become Boy Scouts. Explain how being a Webelos Scout will help prepare them for Boy Scouting.

(d) Webelos den/Scout troop campouts should show Webelos Scouts and their parents what to expect when they move into the troop. The troop should cook and camp by patrol, and use skills that the Webelos Scouts can participate in. (e) Arrange for Webelos dens to visit a troop meeting. This should be planned several weeks in advance. (f) Provide each Webelos Scout a copy of the troop's activities for the upcoming year. (g) Work with Webelos den leaders to encourage them to plan to move into the troop with their Webelos Scouts and to serve either as committee members or assistant Scoutmasters.

Unit Commissioner

The unit commissioner is the connecting link in the chain between the troop and the pack. Often, the same unit commissioner will serve both a pack and troop in the same community.

3. Responsibilities

(a) Be a catalyst in developing good relationships between troop and pack leaders.

(b) Promote communication by scheduling a meeting of key volunteers.

(c) Help plan a Webelos den visit to a troop meeting and other joint activities.

(d) Keep the pack and troop on schedule as plans develop for the crossover ceremony at the blue and gold banquet.

(e) Attend the crossover ceremony.

(f) Be sure new Scouts have completed a Boy Scout application, that they have a copy of the troop's activities, and that they know when and where the troop meets.

(g) Work with the pack and troop in their charter renewal process to help ensure Webelos Scouts are moved from pack rosters to troop rosters.

(h) Work with the Webelos transition chair to follow up on boys who have not yet joined a troop. Make sure they are invited to join a troop.

(i) Be sure Webelos Scouts join a troop in time to prepare for Boy Scout summer camp.

District Webelos Transition Chair

A key person to successful Webelos graduation is the district Webelos transition chair. This person is a member of the district membership committee and is charged with making sure every Webelos Scout is given an opportunity to join a troop.

4. Responsibilities

(a) Contact all packs in early fall to update a list of all fifth-grade Webelos Scouts.

(b) Coach Cubmasters and Webelos den leaders in the transition process at roundtables, training courses, and through personal contact.

(c) Report to the membership committee chair, and keep the district committee informed.

(d) Track and maintain records of Webelos graduation by using a wall chart that lists the transition record of each pack.

(e) Work with unit commissioners to follow up Webelos Scouts who have not joined a troop.

(f) Work toward 100 percent Webelos transition.

Tech Recruiting Tools

Peer to Peer Recruiting Cards

Peer-to-peer recruitment cards have been created to help Cub Scout families promote Scouting to their friends. These cards are based on the eye-catching resources created for the 2011 recruitment campaign showing our youth engaged in fun-filled activities. An easy-to-use business card template was created to help families promote Scouting. These cards will be a great tool to be used by local councils who are facing the challenges of limited school access.

The cards can be pre-printed with contact information on the back or left blank so Scouts and their families can write invitation information for prospective Scouts. For more information on where to access and how to use this new tool, visit www.scouting.org/wordstoliveby or download and print the Peer to Peer flyer from the link below for details.

Evite and Email Blasts

You can use an e-mail template to electronically invite parents to your recruitment event. It is an easy way to send messages to PTO, school, or church email lists. There are some easy steps to get started. Secure permission to use a PTO, school, or church email list. Logon to the National BSA Website www.scouting.org/sitecore/content/Home/Marketing/Recruiting/WordsToLiveBy/Evite.aspx and follow the easy instructions. Import the email list and send the "eblast". Eblasts should be used in conjunction with Peer to peer Recruiting Cards and reminders from den Leaders and pack leadership.

Peer to Peer Flyer

Cub Scouts Recruiting Ideas

Why is Cub Scout recruitment essential?

The Boy Scout program depends on the foundation of Cub Scouts. Recruiting is also essential to the long term success of Cub Scouting. Cub Scouts, like Boy Scouts, offers an outdoor and educational program that allows boys to socialize, work in teams, broaden their educational experience, and understand the value of physical fitness and responsibility. This is the type of quality program that parents want their sons to join.

Here’s how we can share the wealth of Cub Scouting.

Pack Activities

1. School Open House in September
   • Talk with principal about display posters, display case, and yard sign
   • Complete Use of Facilities form to have access to school on designated night
   • Distribute flyers at school, Welcome Packets, and school newsletters promoting join night plans
   • Prepare a brief program, stand up displays, or computer-based PowerPoint presentation that runs itself
   • Create a brief Pack Information sheet with activities, community service, and educational opportunities with Belt Loops, Activity Pins, etc.
   • Complete youth and adult applications and return them to the council office promptly. A Scout is only a Scout when registered.
2. Tiger Fun Day – invite friends to join your Tigers

Pack Activities

1. Boys ask a neighbor or friend to a den meeting – friends like to do things with their friends

• Have September and October as Pack-wide recruitm Join us August 9^th, 2012 @ 6:30pm at the Beaverton Stake Center for this essential recruitment training and BBQ.

2. ent months
3. Use an event such as Rain Gutter Regatta to have guests
4. Or if doing a December crafts / gift night and invite guests
5. Invite boys and their parents to a monthly meeting and acknowledge them
6. Invite friends and neighbors to Pack’s Blue and Gold Event
7. Give any boy who brings a friend and joins a reward – gift card for pizza, Wal-Mart, movie passes, etc. and award him the RECRUITER patch
8. Do a Popcorn “Show and Sell” and pass out business cards with Pack info
9. Get a Den Chief from neighboring troops for each den

Other Recruitment Opportunities – Create Visibility

1. Recruit from chartered organization, particularly if religious affiliation
   • Work with your organization to have a bulletin board or display case
   • Appoint someone in the Pack to maintain displays with monthly Core Value and camp out pictures – keep it fresh and new!

2. Talk with religious education director to distribute flyers and bulletin announcements
   • Connect with the local churches in the area
   • Set-up table to talk with parents and boys after church services and bring dessert items
   • Get bulletin board space for Pack activity pictures and listing of pack meetings
   • Have older Cubs / Webelos distribute church bulletins
   • Have parents provide after service refreshments and Cubs assist serving
   • Cubs / Webelos in uniform while performing service hours
3. Create an activity that the community or parents of scouts can attend such as a bike rodeo, Cub Olympics, or bike ride.

4. School activities-Promote your Pack
   • Back to School night – table to pass out information on your Join Night
   • Back to School picnic or ice cream social – talk one-on-one with parents and sign-up boys and have boys in uniform
   • Pass out literature at the School Open House
   • If there is a new school welcome packet see if Cub Scout information can be included
   • Have Cubs perform morning flag raising and announcements during Scout founding month of February – one week around February 7
   • Send a recruiting notice through school and PTO monthly emails
   • Use Cub Scout Posters around the school cafeteria
   • If you son has a “Show and Tell” assignment maybe he can talk his Cub Scout Pack or den activities

 Submit articles and photos to local newspapers

• Announce Arrow of Light Awards
• Announce Blue and Gold Dinner and invite the public
• Beaverton Valley Times requests community content-promote your Pack
• Put Pack meetings in calendar of events or articles after big events listing boys’ name for awards received, etc.
• Articles on community service performed
• Get parents permission to include their son in submitted photos
• Put your meeting times in the Calendar of Events

6. Utilize school newsletters, display areas and local businesses
   • Learn who your PTA or PTO president and newsletter editor is to work with them to submit an article on recruitment and who’s who in the Pack
   • Submit articles for the school or PTA or PTO newsletter after talking with school principal for permission to submit
   • Help out at school function or PTA or PTO function with Cubs and leaders in uniform
   • Work with principal to display photos of scouting events – get parental permission to show and display photos of their children
   • Work with a local merchant to display your Pack recruitment information and invite that merchant to your Blue and Gold or reward them with popcorn 

7. Recruit from sport leagues
   • Talk with other parents about Cub Scouts during recreation sport activities
   • Pass out School Open House night information
   • Pass out invitations to join a den meeting or Pack meeting such as Rain Gutter Regatta or Pinewood Derby
   • Pass out your Pack Information sheet and flyers

8. Do a Springtime recruitment
   • May 1 all Cub Scouts and Webelos advance to the next level
   • Participate in the district’s bring a friend events
   • Promote your Pack’s summer program

Summertime Recruiting Activities

Summer is a fabulous time to kick off your Pack’s recruitment. Here are a few ideas to get your Pack off and running ready for the Fall.

Create a business card with information about your Pack and distribute to:

• Friends at the pool
• Vacation Bible School
• Friends at summer camp
• Friends at soccer camp or baseball camp

Invite your son’s friends to Summer Pack Events

Publicize Your Pack

Get your Pack’s Publicity Chair to take photos and submit those to the Advocate or Eagle – get permission slips to release photos with names

Visit with Your School’s Leadership

• Make an appointment to introduce yourself
• Offer to do a summer service project like weeding gardens
• Offer to run a station at Back to School night or other school function
• Can your Scouts help on the first day of school – maybe help new students, etc.
• Find out who your PTA or PTO president is and link to their website or that of the school

Attend Scouting Open House Training in August

• Join us August 9^th, 2012 @ 6:30pm at the Beaverton Stake Center for this essential recruitment training and BBQ.
• New Cubmaster or Pack Committee Chair – NEW APPLICATIONS MUST BE SUBMITTED even if they are an existing registered leader
• If we have wrong names, then the recruitment flyers will have the wrong names!

Fall Adult Training

• Add Fall Adult Leader Training to your Pack's calendar
• Add November's Pow-Wow to your Pack’s calendar for more training