Membership Growth: Fall 2025 Recruitment

Welcoming new families into Scouting is one of the most impactful ways we can strengthen the Scouting movement throughout the Occoneechee Council. Our units work year-round to grow and thrive, but the biggest opportunity to invite youth into the adventure of Scouting happens during our annual Fall Round-Up campaign—our council’s largest and most important effort to recruit new Cub Scouts and Scouts BSA members.

Strong units are built by both reaching out to new families and helping them feel excited, included, and connected. That’s where the New Member Coordinator plays a vital role—ensuring that every new family receives a warm welcome and has a clear path into the fun, friendships, and growth that Scouting offers. Their leadership helps ensure that the energy of Fall Round-Up turns into lasting engagement all year long.

Why Recruit in the Fall?

Fall is the perfect time to welcome new families into Scouting — school is back in session, routines are settling in, and the adventure of a brand-new program year is just beginning.

This year, our Council’s recruitment initiative is focused on reaching 2,000 new families by meeting them where they are and inviting youth from every background to experience America’s most trusted and rewarding youth development program.

Our campaign timeline:

Recruiting elementary students from Aug. 15 to Sept. 30.
Recruiting middle schoolers from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15.

Help New Scouts Join the Adventure – Check Your Applications!

Fall recruitment is in full swing, and interest in Scouting is growing fast—thanks to your local efforts and marketing from the Council and National. Families are visiting BeAScout.org and submitting applications to join your unit. That’s great news!

But here’s the catch: these families have already paid to join, but their youth won’t officially become Scouts until you accept their applications in my.scouting. If no action is taken within 60 days, their payment is automatically refunded—and we lose the opportunity to welcome a new Scout.

Please make it a priority to check your unit’s pending acceptance applications regularly. It’s a simple step that makes a big difference in growing your unit and delivering the Scouting experience to more families.

Thank you for everything you do to support Scouting!

Questions about accepting applications? Email your District Executive or [email protected].

Cub Scout Recruitment + Support Resources

Recruiting new Cub Scouts: Docs, Guides + Other Resources

PLANNING MATERIALS

1. Pack Recruitment Plan

2. Cub Scout Recruitment Guide for Pack Leaders

3. System for tracking, converting new applications in your unit (Bonus: Ready-to-use email templates to welcome new applicants)

4. Giant list of ways to invite youth to join

THINGS FOR KIDS

1. Flyer, wristbands and more: Request recruiting materials

2. Fun materials for Cub Scouts (excellent for keeping kids busy at events while leaders talk to parents):

Recruiting Event Materials

1. Cub Scout Parent Orientation Guide & FAQ | Give prospects the link to this PDF that answers questions like “What is Scouting?” “How much does it cost?” “What’s the time commitment?”)

2. Peer to Peer Cards – Cubs

3. Bilingual Sign-In Sheet

4. 2025 Social Media Recruiting Materials

5. Brand Center (Recruiting and program campaign assets)