If you ask Cub Scouts why they’re in Scouting, the answers will sound a lot like this:
“It’s fun.”
“My friends are here.”
“I like (a specific activity).”
These responses make the job of a Scouting America leader straightforward, says Dan Ayers, Cubmaster of Pack 4175 of Blue Springs, Missouri, in the Heart of America Council. If you find out what Scouts enjoy, you can build a program that delivers more of that.
“When you ask a kid why they want to be there, and then you strive to make that happen and work with parents to make it as frictionless as possible, something magical happens,” Ayers says. “The kids start reminding their parents it’s Scout night, and they start bringing friends.”
Keep the calendar full and manageable
Scouts don’t have to be in a den or pack meeting every week to stay connected.
Stephen Kerestes, assistant cubmaster of Pack 1303 of Canal Fulton, Ohio, in the Buckeye Council, says his pack keeps Scouts engaged by offering activities throughout the year, including parades, movie nights and campouts.
“Find ways to keep the kids involved outside of meetings,” Kerestes says. “It doesn’t have to be elaborate.”
His pack, for example, holds movie nights during school breaks. Scouts gather at the church where the pack meets, watch a movie on a projector and simply enjoy being together.
“It takes almost no preparation, and the Scouts love getting together and hanging out just for fun,” he says.
Shared community activities like parades, fishing derbies and casual bike rides also keep his pack engaged.
Make camping approachable
Camping can be a big step for families who aren’t accustomed to sleeping outdoors. Kerestes’ pack makes that step easier by holding several local campouts each year. The events are free and close to home, giving families an opportunity to try camping without committing to a larger council camp event.
There’s another ingredient that keeps Scouts coming back: campfire skits. These short, funny performances encourage comedy and creativity. (Here’s a Scout Life article on 10 funny campfire skits).
“This is one of the biggest things that hooks our Scouts,” Kerestes says. “They love interacting and even getting up to perform skits themselves.”
You can’t communicate too much
A great program won’t help much if families don’t know when it’s happening.
Ayers says improving communication is one of the most important things a leader can do for retention, and they shouldn’t overlook simple reminders. For smaller units or individual dens, a text message sent the afternoon before a meeting can make a noticeable difference in attendance.
An annual calendar can help too. Publishing the dates of events early allows parents to plan around work, sports and other activities. Ayers maintains his pack calendar in Excel and makes it available online. He also keeps it aligned with Scoutbook so families can subscribe and sync the calendar with their phones.
“What you’re doing is not nearly as important as when you’re doing it,” Ayers says.
Get parents involved
Retention isn’t only about keeping Scouts engaged. Parents need to feel connected to the pack too.
Ayers encourages parents to stay in the room during pack activities whenever possible. Their presence provides additional support and gives them insight into what their children are doing.
Kerestes has taken that idea a step further. His pack recently brought back a monthly gathering just for adults at a local restaurant. No kids, only parents. The gatherings give parents a chance to talk, get to know each other and occasionally discuss Scouting. More importantly, they help families build relationships with one another and with pack leadership.
Follow the Scout Law
There isn’t one formula for retention, Ayers says. Every pack will have its own personality, traditions and approach. What matters most is the way leaders approach the program.
“We have our way of Cub Scouting, but that’s not the only way,” he says. “What’s important is that you make activities fun and always follow the Scout Law. If you do those things, you will have a successful and thriving pack.”
Photos: Daniel Ayers
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