The 2023 Recruitment Guidebook
Recruiting Resources for Packs, Troops and Crews
Click on each image to be taken to a guidebook full of ideas on how to invite new families to join you.
Cub Scouts
Scouts BSA
Venturing
Exploring
Recruiting a consistent number of Scouts each year ensures that your Pack, Troop, Post or Crew is sustainable with a strong program for current and future Scouts.
With new Scouts also comes new parents that can take on leadership roles in the unit. By having well planned recruitments, you are laying the foundation for a strong Scouting program that will serve your community. This website and guidebook will walk you through how to make any recruitment you hold a success.
6 Steps for a Successful Recruitment Event
STEP 1. Prepare
Having a well planned and robust program to is key to attracting new families and retaining current Scouts.
The work done ahead of the campaign/joining event will determine its outcome.
Definitive resource guide for your campaign.
Broken into the 6 Steps for a Successful Recruitment
A great result starts with a well-thought plan. Use this guide to with your unit leadership to set the course for welcoming new families and preparing the future of your unit.
Identify a few current families to serve as the new member welcome team during your recruiting drive.
Learn about the New Member Coordinator Role
Use this planning tool to enter your unit’s recruiting event and get an easy checklist of items to prepare and promote for a great turn-out.
Recruitment Event Back dater Sample
(Right Click and Select Save As to Download)
BEASCOUT.ORG is a website where people who are curious about scouting can enter their zip code and find Packs, Troops or Crews nearest to them.
Families can request more information about joining and you can send them applications directly! This tool will also assist with providing up-to-date registration information so that they can attend your Joining Night or other recruiting events.
Unit Key 3’s can update their information at my.scouting.org in “Organization Manager” under “Unit Pin.”
Check out the video tutorial and update your pin today:
Setting Up Your BeAScout Unit Pin from Boy Scouts of America on Vimeo.
Make it easy for families to find and apply to your unit online.
Effective August 1, 2023, The Boy Scouts of America is changing the structure of registration fees. For more information click here.
National Recruiting Webinar Library
June 2021 Recruiting Webinar Video
June 2021 Recruiting Webinar Slide Deck
School Access & Peer to Peer: Video | Slide deck
STEP 2. Invite
Successful recruitment happens when families have been invited to come. The most common response to “Why haven’t you joined Scouting” is “We’ve never been invited.”
Many families see our posters, yard signs and fliers but it does not equate to an invitation.
While they are important, the personal invite is the most successful recruitment tool.
An invitation list is the collection of names and contact information for prospective Scouting families. It is used to extend a personal invitation to families to come to your events and join Scouting.
Distribute flyers, posters and signs at schools, churches, community events, and public places.
Contact the Office or fill out this form for assistance with a custom order:
Find hi-res and current imagery at the BSA Brand Center for download:
Cub Scout Recruitment Brand Center
Scouts BSA Recruitment Brand Center
Venturing Recruitment Brand Center
Sea Scouts Recruitment Brand Center
Exploring Recruitment Brand Center
Printable cards that Scouts can hand out cards:
A limited amount of pre-printed cards are available by request. These pre-printed business card sized cards can be customized with your Pack/Troops’ information and are designed to be given out as personal invitations to the friends of your scouts/adult volunteers. Available for Scouts BSA and Cub Scouts.
Fill out the Recruitment Material Request form or contact the Council Office for more information.
This Section is Coming Soon
STEP 3. Promote
It is important to promote your recruitment events early and often. This requires that your recruitment’s are scheduled with enough time to get the word out.
Promotion of any recruitment should start 30 days before the event.
Order your materials here with coordinated help from council staff.
Developed by the National Marketing Support Committee, and providing links to marketing resources created by the Boy Scouts of America National Marketing Team, the easy-to-use guide provides strategies and simple, effective tactics proven to grow Scouting.
Fillable PDF’s for Peachjar
Use these custom videos to spread the word about scouting. Share them on social media and with your prospective families.
| Scout Talk Videos- Cub Scouts |
5 Questions about Cub Scouting
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STEP 4. Enroll
Everything done up to know has been so that new families are aware of how, when and where to join Scouting. It is important that every recruitment is set up so that new families can and want to sign up. Most families come to recruitment events with the intention of signing up. Use the below resources to ensure they do.
Welcome interested families and get their info right away with a sign up sheet
Contact the Council for a sign up roster, and registration packets.
Conducting a recruitment event using the Station model – (coming soon!)
Conducting a recruitment using the Group Presentation model- (coming soon!)
For every new cub scout who attends your join event, Sequoia Council provides a Welcome Packet. Here are copies of the contents:
New Member Checklist Coming Soon!
Cub Scouts and Your Family (English)
Cub Scouts and Your Family (Spanish)
Resources for New Scouting Families (English)- Coming Soon!
Resources for New Scouting Families (Spanish)- Coming Soon!
STEP 5. Engage & Connect
It is important to engage new families quickly and consistently from the time they sign up. New families want to hear from you and are excited to start their Scouting adventure. Make sure they get connected with their den and receive personal invites to meetings and activities. Use the resources below to consistently engage with new families.
Welcome Email template – HERE
*NEW* 2023 Cub Scout Parent Guide–
Welcome to Cub Scouts One-Pager – provide this easy-to-use document to new families to make sure they know key details and feel welcomed.
Scoutbook Parent Set Up tutorial (video link)
Cub Scout New Family Pamphlets:
Welcome New Cub Scout Family_English
Welcome New Cub Scout Family_Spanish
Parent Orientation Agenda – HERE
Family Talent Survey (Cub Scouts- English)
Family Talent Survey (Cub Scouts- Spanish)
Parent Talent Survey (Scouts BSA)