A Year-Round Guide to Boy Scout Recruiting

Troop Open House
A troop open house can be an effective tool to recruit new Scouts into a troop, especially in the spring when outdoor activities are on the horizon. Select a date, set up a school rally, and make a presentation to the fifth- and sixth-grade boys to spark their interest, then follow up with an invitation to visit the troop.

Follow the Troop Open House calendar below for specific suggestions for this recruitment plan. For more details on how to conduct a troop open house, see The Boy Scout Troop Open House, No. 18-706, and the Troop Open House video, No. AV-02V018.

Key:
CM-Cubmaster
PLC-Patrol leaders' council
SM-Scoutmaster
SPL-Senior patrol leader
TCC-Troop committee chair
TG-Troop guide
TMC-Troop membership chair
WDL-Webelos den leader
SeptemberA Year-Round Guide to Boy Scout Recruiting
February
Person Responsible
1
Set a date and plan a troop open house for March.
SM, TMC, SPL
SeptemberA Year-Round Guide to Boy Scout Recruiting
March
Person Responsible
1
Conduct a school rally introducing fifth- and sixth-grade boys to Scouting. Have them complete the High-Adventure Survey, No. 34241.
SM, TMC, SPL
2
Follow up with interested youth by sending a personal invitation to the troop open house and making a personal telephone call to their parents.
SM
3
Hold the troop open house to welcome potential Boy Scouts and their parents.
SM, TMC, SPL
4
Plan a troop activity to get new Scouts involved with the troop shortly after they join.
SM, TMC, TG, PLC
SeptemberA Year-Round Guide to Boy Scout Recruiting
April
Person Responsible
1
Sponsor a troop activity for new Scouts.
SM, TMC, TG, PLC
2
Encourage each troop member to attend summer camp. Conduct summer camp orientation to encourage full troop involvement.
SM, TMC
SeptemberA Year-Round Guide to Boy Scout Recruiting
May
Person Responsible
1
Work closely with new Scouts and parents during their transition to the Boy Scout troop, ensuring their needs are met and that their move has been natural and fun.
TMC
2
Work on rank advancement with new Scouts.
SM, SPL, TG

Updated February 2006.

A Year-Round Guide to Boy Scout Recruiting
Introduction | Graduate Webelos Scouts Into a Troop | Troop Open House | Boy-To-Boy Recruiting
The Boy Scouts of America http://www.scouting.org