The September 2008 Cubcast from BSA National is available (free). It has ideas for den meetings and more utilizing the October “Adventures in Books” theme.
It also has suggestions for how your pack can implement peer-to-peer recruiting.
September 2008 Cubcast – October (Adventures in Books) Theme
September 24, 2008 6:57 am
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Adventures in Books, CUB SCOUTS, Reading, Recruiting | 
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Posted by Mike Newman
Chairman’s Chat
September 22, 2008 5:22 am
Garry K., a Cub Scouter in San Antonio, Texas, has a pretty interesting blog, “Chairman’s Chat,” in which he discusses his adventures as a new pack Committee Chairman.
His post on recruiting at school meet-your-teacher nights has some very good suggestions. Link
2 Comments | CUB SCOUTS, Recruiting | Permalink
Posted by Mike Newman
ScoutParents
September 16, 2008 5:20 am
ScoutParents is a new program from BSA National for Cub Scout packs and Boy Scout troops with the goal of increasing the number of parent volunteers and developing more parental enthusiasm and support for Scouting. “Scouting makes great parents, too!” is the ScoutParents slogan.
Greater parental participation in and support of Scouting tends to result in better scout retention and more successful scout recruiting.
The ScoutParents website has a helpful introduction for parents about Scouting and its benefits. For volunteers and professionals, the site also has information about the ScoutParents program. Link
The new BSA applications now incorporate the ScoutParents program as well. The new BSA youth application (28-406C) permits parents to indicate “I commit to be an active ScoutParent.” The new BSA adult leader application (28-501F) includes “ScoutParent unit coordinator” as one of the listed unit positions.
I think providing helpful information for parents about Scouting and its benefits is a great idea, as is the goal of encouraging more parental involvement in Scouting.
Leave a Comment » | CUB SCOUTS, Recruiting, Retention, ScoutParents | Permalink
Posted by Mike Newman
New Marketing Campaign
August 22, 2008 5:51 am
The Dallas Morning News has an August 12, 2008 article on a new marketing campaign that BSA National is launching to boost interest in scouting. The campaign will feature advertising on youth-oriented media outlets such as MTV and Facebook.
BSA National is also streamlining some of its document distribution. Many publications will soon be produced only in digital format.
I think improved marketing of the scouting program is a very good development.
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Posted by Mike Newman
New-Boy Outdoor Event
August 14, 2008 5:51 am
Packs are encouraged to have a new-boy outdoor event soon after their fall recruiting has been completed.
Most boys who join Cub Scouts are expecting to get to do cool stuff in the outdoors like hiking and camping. Don’t disappoint them. Be sure your pack has a fun Cub Scout hike or campout shortly after your recruiting is done.
The flyer below from BSA National has more suggestions on planning a fun new-boy outdoor event.
Link (pdf) [Via wiki.ironhorsebsa.org]
Leave a Comment » | Camping, CUB SCOUTS, Hiking, Recruiting, Retention | Permalink
Posted by Mike Newman
Cub Scouting Highlights
July 30, 2008 6:54 am
Cub Scouting Highlights is a brochure (also available online) for Cub Scout leaders from BSA National. It provides an overview of many aspects of the Cub Scout program and describes available support literature.
Topics covered include: Cub Scouting Recruiting, Leadership Training, and Outdoor Program Highlights.
Leave a Comment » | Books, Cub Scouting 101, CUB SCOUTS, Recruiting, Training | Permalink
Posted by Mike Newman
August 2008 Baloo’s Bugle (September “New Buddies” Theme)
July 29, 2008 9:15 am
The August 2008 Baloo’s Bugle (by Commissioner Dave) is now available for free download. It has games, activities, ceremonies, puzzles, crafts, and other ideas for den and pack meetings for the September 2008 monthly theme (“New Buddies”).
For Webelos Scout den meetings, it also has activities for the Citizen and Communicator Webelos activity badges.
And it also has ideas for fall Cub Scout recruiting.
Click here (link) to download it in pdf format or here (link) to download it in Word format.
Updated: 08-20-2008
Leave a Comment » | Citizen, Communicator, CUB SCOUTS, New Buddies, Recruiting | Permalink
Posted by Mike Newman
July 2008 Cubcast (August “S’More Summer Fun” Info)
July 8, 2008 7:27 am
The July 2008 Cubcast from BSA National is now available (free). It has ideas for den meetings and more utilizing the August “S’More Summer Fun” theme as well as suggestions for fall Cub Scout recruiting.
The program also mentions that, beginning in August, separately colored National Summertime Pack Award pins will be available for boys to earn during each program year in which they earn the award.
Leave a Comment » | CUB SCOUTS, National Summertime Pack Award, Recruiting, S'More Summer Fun, Summertime | Permalink
Posted by Mike Newman
Monthly Weekend Outing
June 19, 2008 5:40 am
Since January of this year, our pack has made a point of having either a campout or Saturday hike every month. So far it has worked out great for us. The boys and families are very excited about it, and they are getting a lot of experience with trails and being in nature.
It has been a lot of fun for us, and it has helped with recruiting and retention.
Leave a Comment » | Camping, CUB SCOUTS, Hiking, Nature, Recruiting, Retention | Permalink
Posted by Mike Newman
Miniature Golf
June 4, 2008 9:02 am
Miniature golf is a great Cub Scout activity. It’s outdoors, it’s a game, and it’s a lot of fun.
Our pack has had a miniature golf day as our summer kickoff and our fall kickoff for the past few years. Miniature golf day has been a good way for the new boys who have just joined our pack to get to meet the other parents and boys in their den while having fun.
Last night was our pack’s summer kickoff at our local Putt-Putt. We had over 30 boys attending which is our pack’s largest Putt-Putt attendance yet.
Here is a link to a national directory of miniature golf courses if you would like to find a course in your area. Link
Leave a Comment » | CUB SCOUTS, Games, Recruiting, Summertime | Permalink
Posted by Mike Newman
My Pack’s New Website
February 24, 2008 5:54 am
As you may be aware, KISMIF.org is written using WordPress.com (not to be confused with WordPress.org). WordPress.com makes it very easy to set up a nice looking website in blog format and to keep it updated. And WordPress.com is free to boot.
It costs a little extra if you want an abbreviated domain (e.g., “kismif.org” instead of “kismif.wordpress.com”).
I thought I would take a shot at setting up our Pack website (pack19online.com) using WordPress.com. Our website is primarily for reaching out to potential new recruits. I try to keep our current Pack schedule posted on it as well as some photos.
Leave a Comment » | Communications, CUB SCOUTS, Newsletters, Recruiting, Tech | Permalink
Posted by Mike Newman
