Ideas for recruiting new boy scouts?

Open house is one of the most effective, parks are also a great location to set up outdoor activities like a rope course and first aid demos and such. parental involvement is the best helper. When outside parents see the BSA parents actively participating in the programs they often will want to get involved themselves. That is the main drive behind Scout-o-Ramas and camporees as these event are nearly always held in public places and parks to draw attention to scouting and how much fun and learning takes place.

Good Scouting!

http://www.scouting.org/Parent/Benefits.aspx

It seems you do need to convince two different groups of people: parents and the boys. As someone suggested, a sign up night (or call it a chance to learn about scouting) might be a good route. Maybe have two focuses though. First, to get people there you might want to appeal to the parents. Advertise by talking about how their boys can learn to work with others, get to have fun, and they can take part in activities that will give them something different than they can get in any other activity they participate in (its not a sport, or an event, but a variety of things). If you pique their interest they might just grab their son and bring em down to your party.

Then when you have your captive audience appeal to the boys sense of adventure. What else does a boy want to do but have fun with some buddies. Camping, building things, accomplishing stuff that can be fun and help learn about subjects they are interested in, etc. Make a slide show that show some fun events, scouts getting awards and badges, show things scouts have accomplished (built, earned, helped in the community, etc.) in earning their badges.

Another way would be to "advertise" any fun group activities where you usually have an audience. We used to have a soap box derby race when I was a scout. All the parents came. Advertise and open things like that to the public. Tell people they should come if they are interested to see what scouting is all about. Call the paper and ask them to come cover the event, or whatever else you can do along those lines.

I think if you appeal to what people want and show anyone that is interested more of what scouting is about that this might be your best approach.

Is it part of a school or church group?

Our school holds a sign-up night where parents and boys can come and find out about the activities. The best thing you can do to gain members is plan fun activities that get the kids talking to each other and excited.

If it is just a communtiy group, try to visit a sports field (football or soccer) on a Saturday during the playing season. Have a few boys there in uniform and talk to parents and boys about your troop and activities.

my troop has a problem recruiting boys but we have two open trips a year. one we invite all the cub scouts from local packs to camp with us and get a feel for our troop and the other we let local boys camp with us to experience the troop.

camping trip. everyone loves camping :) and all u need is a tent.

make it like a camping trip open house. with food! :)

be sure u have a list of things/trips ur going to do when they visit so they can see what u guys like to do!

return the favor?

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=200909...

can ya get a couple local sports celebrities to show up for autographs?

most teams have a PR person to arrange for players to volunteer..........

show them all the boys, let them get comfotable with the other kids he will be working with. they will only like it if they see what its all about, let him try it out a day.