Growing a Troop

The Boy Scouts of America is one of the nation's largest and most prominent values-based youth development organizations. The BSA provides a program for young people that builds character, trains them in the responsibilities of participating citizenship, and develops personal fitness.  For over a century, the BSA has helped build the future leaders of this country by combining educational activities and lifelong values with fun. The Boy Scouts of America believes — and, through over a century of experience, knows — that helping youth is a key to building a more conscientious, responsible, and productive society.  The mission of the Boy Scouts of America is to prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Scout Law.

We desire all young men to participate in Scouting and to receive the benefits associated with this great organization.  In a recent basic training for Scoutmasters and Assistant Scoutmasters, there were several questions about how to run the patrol method in smaller troops.  That discussion naturally led to recruiting.  While many of our Scout troops are geographically limited, there are usually several boys who are not participating in Scouts.  Maybe they aren't members of the local Church sponsoring the troop, or haven't been involved previously through Cub Scouts.  These young men are often an untapped resource and would benefit from all that Scouting offers. 

The best way to identify these young men is to ask your patrol leaders' council to help you identify those who live in the area who aren't coming to Scouts.  You may be surprised who they know from school, from playing in the neighborhood, or from participation on sports teams.  Once potential recruits are identified, there are several approaches to inviting them to participate.  Adult leaders can go and visit with the young man and his parents, discuss the local troop's upcoming events, and invite participation.  Another approach is to have members of the patrol leaders' council invite the young man to start attending troop meetings and campouts.  This is often more effective and can be followed up by adult leaders visiting with the parents.  Either way, don't hesitate to reach out and continue to reach out to all boys in your area.  This will help your troop grow in numbers as well as leadership experience.  And may provide an opportunity to a boy that will change his life.