Brand NEW CUB SCOUTS are often very young (kindergarten or first grade), and for many families, this is their first exposure to Scouting. It’s very important to get those youth and their parents involved and active right away. Dens that take too long to form and start meeting regularly, and packs that seem disorganized or chaotic can lead to new members feeling disconnected and not engaged with Scouting.
What can you do to cement the relationship between the pack and new families? First and foremost, COMMUNICATE. New families need to know who they can call when they have questions, and that person needs to be proactive in sending out clear, concise information. Designating an experienced pack parent (or team of volunteers) with an outgoing and friendly personality as a “new member coordinator” would be a great idea. This volunteer wouldn’t take the place of the den leader or Cubmaster, but instead could check-in with new families every few weeks over the first several months, answer questions, and explain things. Packs can even consider setting up a plan to welcome new families and make them feel comfortable, similar to a “New Neighbors” or “Welcome Wagon” approach.
Additionally, hosting a “new den/parent orientation” within the first two weeks of your recruitment event also gives new parents a forum for learning what they need to know over the first few months, and allows them to have their individual questions answered. While information is key, it’s important to strike a balance between too much and too little. New families can feel overwhelmed and be “turned off” by too much initial detail.
All new Cub Scouts, regardless of age, will begin work on their Bobcat Adventure. Every age has a Bobcat adventure and it can help your new Scouts feel welcome and get to know others by working on it together. The requirements are not difficult, but it’s important not to let any new Scout fall through the cracks.
The second danger zone is during the Arrow of Light to Scout transition.
Whether Cub Scouts or Scouts BSA, our goal is for all new Scouts and their families to feel at home and part of our Scouting family. What better opportunity to live “a Scout is Friendly, Helpful, Courteous, and Kind” than in welcoming our new friends.