Keeping new Cub Scout families engaged beyond their first year is a priority for packs across the country. To help address that challenge, Scouting America has released a new resource highlighting practical, easy-to-implement strategies that can strengthen the experience for new families and improve retention.
The recommendations are based on feedback from Cub Scout leaders and parents in councils across the country and focus on three key principles: making the experience personal, making it fun, and making it easy. The resource encourages packs to welcome new families quickly, deliver engaging and well-planned meetings and outdoor activities, provide clear communication, and help parents become involved through manageable volunteer opportunities.
Many of the ideas require little or no additional cost and can be implemented by packs of any size.
The complete resource is available here:
Download the First-Year Cub Scout Retention Recommendations
The recommendations are also the subject of the latest From the Scout Executive column, Cub Scout Retention Is No Accident, which explores why the experience new families have during their first few months often determines whether they remain involved in Scouting.
