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Recruitment helps us introduce new families and new Scouts to the grit-building fun programs that Scouting has to offer. This means that Scouting units of all programs need to be out in the community during their recruitment season to make connections with potential new members and bring them along in the adventures.
Remember that people don’t just join organizations: they join the people that are part of that group for multiple reasons. It is important to make sure that you put your best foot forward to show your neighborhood why they should join in your Scouting program.
Membership Training Opportunities
Join us for Recruitment Training! Our program will include ideas, guidance, and best practices for Cub Scouts and Scouts BSA recruiting, including school and community opportunities. We will also discuss how to maximize your social media effectiveness with minimal time spent.
Recruitment Resources
#AdventureOn Materials
Key Information
Leader Guidebook: Guide provides the tools needed to develop and implement a successful plan to invite all kids in your area to join your unit.
Recruitment Training PowerPoint: Presentation by Members of the Marketing and Membership Committee
Online Registration: National offers an online application process for youth and adults participants. This allows members to register and pay in a way that's convenient for them.
How To's
QR Codes: "Quick Response" codes can help someone go straight to any web page. These should be used on printed materials and handouts
Update BE-A-Scout Pin: The online promotion and application system of Scouting America. This is the place where parents can go online to look up your unit's PIN and information and sign up online. Make sure that your PIN on BE-A-Scout is up to date with who new families can reach out to and where they can meet your unit during a unit meeting.
Social Media 101: Find out how to create and use a Facebook page for your unit, including creating events, targeting audiences and more.
Social Media Promotions: The majority of our neighbors learn about what is going on in our communities, whether using Facebook or Instagram. Getting a public-facing social media account is a great place to showcase how your unit develops grit in youth. Photos and videos to use for promotions within your social media platforms.
Council Resources for Recruitment
Request Flyers: Buffalo Trace Council provides in-office printing services for units requesting recruitment materials. Fill out the recruitment request form and submit to your District Professional at least two weeks before your event to get printed materials prepared for your unit's recruitment event. Sample Flyer
Facebook Boosting: A boosted post is just a regular Facebook post that you can get to reach a wider audience for a fee. Boosting a post can help it receive more reactions, shares, and comments and can reach new people who are likely to be interested in the Page but don't currently follow it. Email a District Professional and Council can boost your event. Please provide details about your upcoming event two weeks before to your event.
Peer to Peer Cards: Peer-to-Peer Cards are great tools to help Scouts invite their friends to participate in unit activities. Plus, they help understand what their kids have been invited to do.
Wristbands: A great give away item to promote Scouting within the community, includes a small 1/2 sheet flyer. Great for parades.
Yard Signs: An effective tool for communicating messages and promoting your Scout Sign-Up Night. Can be picked up at the Council Office.
Info Boxes: Used to display and distribute flyers, brochures, and other marketing materials for potential new Scouts. Can be purchased at the Council Office for $7.
Cub Scout Recruitment Resources
Social Media Schedule for Cub Scout Recruitment 2025
2025: Cub Social Media Schedule: The majority of our neighbors learn about what is going on in our communities. Whether Facebook or Instagram, getting a public-facing social media account is a great place to showcase how your unit develops grit in youth.
Facebook Boosting: A boosted post is just a regular Facebook post that you can get to reach a wider audience for a fee. Boosting a post can help it receive more reactions, shares and comments and can reach new people who are likely to be interested in the Page but don't currently follow it.
Printable Information
NEW 2025: Info Sheet for Boy Only Packs (Customizable Template): Customizable flyer template that provides future families information about your Pack; maybe include upcoming Recruitment Events. This is a great flyer to provide to school to email to their families. Optional/best practice: copy the Pack Preview Calendar on the back.
NEW 2025: Info Sheet for Boy and Girl Packs (Customizable Template): Customizable flyer template that provides future families information about your Pack; maybe include upcoming Recruitment Events. This is a great flyer to provide to school to email to their families. Optional/best practice: copy the Pack Preview Calendar on the back.
Council Printed Boy & Girl Pack Info Sheet: Double-Sided Flyer Template, The Buffalo Trace Council provides in-office printing services for units requesting recruitment materials. Fill out the flyer and submit to your District Professional at least two weeks before your event to get printed materials prepared for your unit's recruitment event. These materials must be requested at least two weeks in advance of a Unit's recruitment event. Flyer for Boy Only Packs. Flyer for Boy and Girl Packs. Sample Flyer.
Pack Preview Calendar (Customizable Template): Fun activities and adventures are what draw people to Scouting, but knowing when those events take place is vital for all members.
**Pack Preview Calendar and the Pack Info Sheet, can be printed together, double-sided**
Detailed Calendars (Customizable Template) - Fall 2025 and Spring 2026: New families want to know what YOUR UNIT has planned for you annual program: whether it is regular group meetings, summer camp, or big field trips. A planned calendar is a great talking point as to why prospective families should choose your youth program against other options. This should be completed and handed out at the first meeting the new Scout families attend.
Pack Orientation: Orientation is basic information or training that is given to get your families familiar with your Unit.
Peer to Peer Cards: Peer-to-Peer Cards are great tools to help Scouts invite their friends to participate in unit activities. Plus, they help understand what their kids have been invited to do.
Troop Recruitment Resources
Social Media Schedule for Troop Recruitment 2025
2025: Scout BSA Social Media Schedule: The majority of our neighbors learn about what is going on in our communities. Whether Facebook or Instagram, getting a public-facing social media account is a great place to showcase how your unit develops grit in youth.
Facebook Boosting: A boosted post is just a regular Facebook post that you can get to reach a wider audience for a fee. Boosting a post can help it receive more reactions, shares and comments and can reach new people who are likely to be interested in the Page but don't currently follow it.
Printable Information
NEW 2025: Info Sheet for Scouts BSA Boy Troops (Customizable Template): Customizable flyer template that provides future families information about your Pack; maybe include upcoming Recruitment Events. This is a great flyer to provide to school to email to their families. Optional/best practice: copy the Troop Preview Calendar on the back.
NEW 2025: Info Sheet for Scouts BSA Girl Troops (Customizable Template): Customizable flyer template that provides future families information about your Pack; maybe include upcoming Recruitment Events. This is a great flyer to provide to school to email to their families. Optional/best practice: copy the Troop Preview Calendar on the back.
Troop Preview Calendar (Customizable Template): Fun activities and adventures are what draw people to Scouting, but knowing when those events take place is vital for all members.
Detailed Calendars (Customizable Template) - Fall 2025 and Spring 2026: New families want to know what YOUR UNIT has planned for you and program: whether it is regular group meetings, summer camp, or big field trips. A planned calendar is a great talking point as to why prospective families should choose your youth program against other options. This should be completed and handed out at the first meeting the new Scout families attend.
Venturing Recruitment Resources
Recruiting Resources: Templates to create flyers, Door Hangers, Images and Videos provided by the National Office.
How to Recruit: Techniques to assist your Crew to increase membership within our Unit
Exploring Recruitment Resources
Recruiting Resources: Templates to create flyers, career fields, and types of programs provided by the National Office.
Exploring Participant Policy: Regulations for a young adult between the ages of 18-20 to become enrolled in an Exploring Program
Activity Library: Activities to supplement the program to design the program with planning meeting with the local Exploring representative.
Council Resources Available
Other Resources Available for our Units Provided by the Buffalo Trace Council
Program Supplies Available to Loan
Sphero Robots: A robotic ball that you can control by touching and tilting your smartphone or tablet. Council has a set of 15 Robots and 15 Tablets available for our Units to Rent to use for their upcoming Sign-Up Night. No need to figure out a program, Council will also provide a program to implicate with the Robots.
Inflatable Planetarium: Is a dome-shaped structure that's inflated to create an immersive experience for viewers, especilally for education and entertainment. They are designed to project images and videos, simulating the night sky and space. Planetarium is available for our Units to rent to use. Council has a program that can be used to further explain to Scouts about Space.
Equipment Available to Loan
Cub Scout Canopy: Provides shade, shelter, and protection from the sun for your outdoor recruitment event. Also, a great way to advertise Cub Scout and attract new families to come to your table to learn further about Scouting and your Unit.
Scouts BSA Canopy: Provides shade, shelter, and protection from the sun for your outdoor recruitment event. Also, a great way to advertise Scouts BSA and attract new families to come to your table to learn further about Scouting and your Unit.
Cub Scout Parade Banner: Visually represent Cub Scouts and Scouting during a parade.
Scouts BSA Parade Banner: Visually represent Scouts BSA and Scouting during a parade.
Popcorn Popper: Machine used to pop some popcorn at your Sign-Up Night, Orientation Day, or Scout Kick-Off Day. Council will provide the popper and a few bags for your unit. Popper must be returned cleaned.
Fire Pit with S'more & Pie Irons: A great opportunity to gather your unit around a fire to enjoy the outdoors. Reminder to keep your fire contained and prevent it from spreading.
Recruitment Supplies
Flyer Request: Buffalo Trace Council provides in-office printing services for units requesting recruitment materials. Fill out the recruitment request form and submit to your District Professional at least two weeks before your event to get printed materials prepared for your unit's recruitment event. Sample Flyer
Facebook Boosting: A boosted post is just a regular Facebook post that you can get to reach a wider audience for a fee. Boosting a post can help it receive more reactions, shares, and comments and can reach new people who are likely to be interested in the Page but don't currently follow it. Email a District Professional and Council can boost your event. Please provide details about your upcoming event, allow two weeks before your event.
Wristbands: A great give away item to promote Scouting within the community, includes a small 1/2 sheet flyer. Great for parades.
Yard Signs: An effective tool for communicating messages and promoting your Scout Sign-Up Night. Can be picked up at the Council Office.
Info Boxes: Used to display and distribute flyers, brochures, and other marketing materials for potential new Scouts. Can be purchased at the Council Office for $7.
National Resources Available
Other Resources Available for our Units Provided by the National Office
Cub Scouts
Welcome! New Cub Scout Family: A family information guide.
How Cub Scouting is Organized: Organizational overview of how a Pack is broken down into Adult Leadership Positions.
Family Scouting: Informational video about Family Scouting program changes.
Family Scouting Q&A: A short video from the Boy Scouts of America answers top 10 Frequently Asked Questions about the Family Scouting program.
Cub Scout Videos: Variety of videos to assist with boosting about the Cub Scout program.
Lion Den Leader Guide: Step-by-Step guide to get registered as a Den Leader, complete training, and the simple steps to get you started.
Tiger Den Leader Guide: Step-by-Step to get registered as a Den Leader, complete training, and the simple steps to get you started.
Wolf Den Leader Guide: Step-by-Step to get registered as a Den Leader, complete training, and the simple steps to get you started.
Bear Den Leader Guide: Step-by-Step to get registered as a Den Leader, complete training, and the simple steps to get
you started.
Webelos Den Leader Guide: Step-by-Step to get registered as a Den Leader, complete training, and the simple steps to get
you started.
Scouts BSA
Scouts BSA Videos: Variety of videos to assist with boosting about Scouts BSA program.
Social Media Images: Variety of images to assist with boosting about Scouts BSA program. Images can be used to make flyers or social media post.
Scouts BSA Flyers: Templates provided by National to create a flyer with your unit's information.
Troop Cards: Templates provided by National to create cards to pass out with your unit's information.
Planning Resources
Program Support Resources: Currently being updated by members of the National Commissioner Service Team
Using ScoutBook to Help Plan Den Meetings: Video introducing the den leader experience.
Recruiting Parents
Selecting Cub Scout Leadership Guide: Steps to help the Chartered Organization and Pack Committee to select the next leader within their unit.
Parent Talent Survey Form: A tool to use with your Scout Families to strengthen the program, to tap into everyone's special talents. When your unit plan an event/activity your able to provide the best possible experience to your Cub Scouts.
Promotional Resources
Troop Open House Recruitment: Steps to how to host a Troop Open House to welcome potential new members and show off Scouting activities and the troop's accomplishments.
Unit Publicity Ideas: Variety of methods that could assist your unit with recruiting new members.
Round Robin Promotion
Presentation-Style Promotion & Sign Up
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