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I know that many of our Cub age prospects enjoy computer based learning games. What if we created a CD game with animation that allowed a young man to virtually participate in a few activities. Making a paper airplane, building a bird house, sending a morse code message. We could weave in intermittent activities where the animated cubs would line up and say the Pledge of Allegiance or the Cub Scout Oath. The end would encourage them to visit a local pack. The sleeves could be individualized to the council with a place for packs, using a template, print their information on it as well.
Similar things could be made for the other programs, but I don't think they'd be as effective.
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As everyone knows, we are competing heavily with sports in recruiting cub scouts. The kids are interested, but the problem is parents just don't have enough time! This is especially true in rural districts. Why not affiliate cub scouts or a form of it with sports and the local sports organizations to draw kids in!
One possible solution:
Offer a seasonal fall membership (August - December) for less than or equal to $5.00. Or, it would be better if it was free. However, kids would have to pay for their advancements/awards. The local sports center or an outside local organization that would work with the local sports center would be the charter organization.
- Kids that joined up with this seasonal membership unit would work solely on sports, x game style sports, and maybe some other outdoor activities that any active DAD could teach. The focus would be on earning "Sports belt loops and Pins" from the Academic and Sports Program Guide. !!!As we all know, kids that advance or earn something immediately are more likely to stay in the program!!!!
- The kids could then be introduced or move into regular cub scouting units.
- Sports teams or leagues would partner with the local scout district. It would allow those teams or leagues to use the BSA advancement / awards program, while introducing the kids to scouting in a fun way.
(What I envision) - The local sports league would offer this FREE membership program to all boys cub scout age. One or several sign ups would be held. The scouting district would actively recruit DADS to be coaches for actual teams and this Free Membership Program. Before or after practice or on special days, the boys would gather at the Sports Center to work on Sports Belt Loops, Pins, and any other special advancements. Cub Scout units would be encouraged to participate as coaches / teachers. Award ceremonies would be held in conjunction with practices, games, or etc every week or biweekly.
The program would only last two months in the fall and two in the spring with the goal of introducing kids to cub scouts in a fun way, let them earn something, and provide sports leagues an opportunity to begin an advancement / awards program.
Advantages:
- Low key time commitment - only two months
- Activities DADS and KIDS would be interested in
- Kids would immediately and easily be able to EARN something
- Volunteers and parents would see the benefits of the Cub Scout Advancement Program.
- Increase scouting's visibility
- Encourage older Boy Scouts and Venturers to volunteer by teaching an easy sports program.
- IT WOULD AFFILIATE CUB SCOUTS AND SPORTS TOGETHER AND SHOW THAT IT IS OKAY TO DO BOTH!
Moderator Comments
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I know I am not the only genious out there with this idea, but I'll post it! Each year we get tons of calls from Kindergarten parents wanting to sign their boys up. Lets make the adjustment and accept them. Maybe they could do a twice a month program like Tigers started out to be? We have boys wanted to join and the sooner we get them and their parents in the better.
WEBELOS, the 2nd year program does not work, the kids are bored and we lose a ton of them at recharter. Make boys BOY SCOUTS as soon as they enter grade 5. Yes some Scoutmasters will rumble, but we lose far too many 2nd year Webelos.
Moderator Comments
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