The Foundation
The Core Equation
Awareness + Invitation = Growth
Awareness without invitation produces curiosity. Invitation without awareness requires too much convincing. Both, together, drive membership.
Three ABC Behaviors
- Be Visible — Scouts in uniform, social media, community events
- Be Inviting — Specific next event, specific ask, specific date
- Be Ready — Know the story. Know how to join. Know who to call.
72%
of non-Scouts say they'd trust someone more if they knew that person was a Scout — Harris Poll 2026
66%
less likely to engage in risky behaviors — Scouts with high peer & community connectedness
74%
of Eagle Scouts hold workplace leadership positions vs. 31% of non-Scouts
Recruiting Conversations
H
Hook
One surprising or counterintuitive truth about Scouting — not "it's great"
O
Outcome
What does your unit produce? Name the result, not the activity
E
Evidence
Research finding, specific story, or concrete example that makes it believable
I
Invite
Specific event. Specific date. No commitment required.
Common Objections — Quick Responses
"Too busy"
Scouting fits around other activities. Missing a meeting isn't a crisis. "Would you bring them to one event to see if it fits?"
"Isn't that just for boys?"
Scouting America has been fully co-ed for years. Girls can earn any rank, including Eagle Scout.
"We tried it — wasn't a fit"
Every unit is different. "What happened? Come see ours once — no commitment."
"Seems expensive"
Registration is the main cost. Camperships available. Affordable compared to most youth activities.
"My child isn't interested"
Most kids who say no have never seen real Scouting. Invite them to one fun event — not a meeting.
Program-Specific Pitches (60 sec)
🐻 Cub Scouts
"One of the only activities where the whole family does it together. Real badges for real things. Research-backed character development. Come see our next meeting."
⚜️ Scouts BSA
"Youth run this troop. Not adults — youth. They plan the trips, make the decisions, lead the activities. 74% of Eagle Scouts hold leadership positions as adults. Come out once."
🏔️ Venturing
"Most programs tell teens what to do. Venturing asks what they want to do — and builds the program around that. Fully youth-led. Come to one activity."
Retention & Year-Round Habits
Top Retention Drivers
- Scout has a real friend in the unit
- Attended summer camp / Day Camp
- Has meaningful ownership / role
- Family is engaged, not just enrolled
- Program is genuinely exciting
- New Member Coordinator following up
Year-Round ABC Habits
- Always have a "next event" to invite to
- Check BeAScout Invitation Manager weekly
- Respond to every lead within 24 hours
- Post to social media consistently
- Membership moment at every PLC meeting
- Recognize Scouts who recruit
Fall Prep Checklist (July)
- ☐ BeAScout pin updated & active
- ☐ Signup night date set & location reserved
- ☐ School / PTA contact confirmed
- ☐ Flyer designed and approved
- ☐ Lead follow-up person assigned
- ☐ Community calendars submitted
- ☐ Youth trained on CAMP/pitch model
- ☐ Troop invited to help (Cub packs)
Training Portal — Module Map
M1 Membership Foundations — ABC, systems, program quality
M7 Marketing & Messaging — flyers, social media, BeAScout
M2 Why Scouting? — research, parent pitch, elevator pitch
M8 Psychology of Recruiting — peer effect, belonging, Six Cs
M3 Recruiting by Program — Cub, BSA, Venturing, troop/pack partnership
M9 Getting in the News — press releases, media, calendars
M4 Recruiting That Works — CAMP model, dynamic recruiting, passive visibility
M10 Fall Recruiting Playbook — July–October prep to execution
M5 First Impressions & Onboarding — buddy system, NMC role
M11 Resources & Next Steps — national tools, BeAScout guide, training
M6 Retention — why Scouts leave, camp, ownership, recognition
🔗 prairielandsbsa.org · beascout.scouting.org