A great Scout meeting doesn’t have to involve an elaborate activity or an expensive guest speaker. Sometimes, it’s as simple as getting Scouts moving. Give them something to do with their hands, and you’re more likely to hear “That was fun!” at the end of the meeting.
Keenan Roach, Scoutmaster of Troop 7 in Grapevine, Texas, says those first few meetings can play an important role in getting young Scouts excited. Kids have a lot of competition for their time, and active participation can help win that battle.
“There’s a good chance they sat in school all day at a desk,” he says. “The last thing they want to do later that evening is sit in a chair listening to somebody talk.”
Michael Freeman from Pack 164 in Houston and Troop 320 in Katy, Texas, remembers a BattleBots-style tournament as one of his most memorable Scout meetings. Not every meeting has to center on advancement, he says. Sometimes, having fun with friends is enough. Michael is senior writer for Scout Life and On Scouting.
Make it hands-on
Scouts should do more than listen to someone explain a skill. Whenever possible, give them something they can see, touch, build, practice or solve.
Roach’s troop has brought in a CPR mannequin and training AED kit so Scouts can practice lifesaving skills. For the Small-Boat Sailing merit badge, he brings a small sailboat to the meeting and has Scouts put together the mast and raise the sails. For a cycling meeting, Scouts can bring bicycles that need repairs and work on them.
Even when the subject matter is familiar, a hands-on approach can make it feel new.
“It’s fulfilling for them to actually fix something rather than watch somebody else do it,” he says.
Stacy Lee is active in Troop 1905 in Colleyville, Texas. That troop chooses one night every couple of months for the Scouts to do something non-Scout related. Recent outings include Topgolf, Slick City Action Park and bowling. It might require some fundraising, so plan in advance. One tradition is crucial, she says. Each year at the board of review meeting for rank, an open forum encourages Scouts to give feedback. Stacy is publishing operations manager for Scout Life.
Give older Scouts responsibility
Keeping meetings fresh can become more challenging as Scouts get older, especially when a troop follows a curriculum that repeats each year. Roach’s solution is to give older Scouts more responsibility.
They can mentor new Scouts and teach those who might be struggling with a skill.
“There’s nothing better than seeing Scouts helping others,” he says. “Leadership and responsibility go a long way when it comes to retention.”
Ask Scouts what they want to do, says Eric Ottinger from Troop 380 in Plano, Texas. Troops should be Scout-led, with young people helping plan meetings around their interests. Adults can help make sure ideas are appropriate, affordable and achievable. Eric is design director for Scout Life.
Keep Scouts moving
Roach frequently takes meetings outdoors, where Scouts can explore, learn and practice Scouting skills. His Scouts might set up tents in groups, play gaga ball or sock on a rope, then return to requirements before playing another game. The key is to mix things up.
“If a meeting starts to feel like a classroom, change something,” he says. “You play some games, bring them back in, work on requirements, then do some more games.”
Keep meetings short, says Aaron Derr, famously known as the Aaron from Aaron on Scouting. Cub Scout meetings should go no longer than 30 minutes. Scouts BSA no longer than an hour. Learn how to read the room. If the kids aren’t enjoying something, skip it, play a game and come back to it later. Aaron was Cubmaster of Pack 282 and a committee member of Troop 51, both in Frisco, Texas. Aaron is supervisor of integrated content for Scouting America.
More on retention
In case you missed the first article in our Retention-Ready series, read about the Cub Scout retention checklist every leader needs.
Photo: Daniel Ayers
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