Camp is always a great opportunity for all scouts to gain the full experience of what it is to be a scout. All year our young people hone their skills for the week they spend putting those skills to the test.  For many kids who are not in scouting they think waiting until the summer to go to camp simply is too long to wait so they decide not to join in the fall. Now that spring is soon to bloom now is a great time to think about asking these youth to join scouting so they can join in the camping experience.

Here are a few things to consider on whether or not your unit should have a spring recruitment.

If you are a troop with less than 20 boys, you should have a spring recruitment. If you are a troop with no incoming webelo’s you should have spring recruitment.

If you are a Pack with less than 20 boys, you should have spring recruitment. If you have less than 8 boys in any of your den’s, you should have spring recruitment.

If you are a Crew with less than 10 participants, you should have spring recruitment.

Each troop, pack, crew and ship have to hold their fare share of fundraisers in order to ensure the financial security of their units activities. Brat Fries, Pancake Breakfasts, and hot dog stands are all good steps in the right direction but no fundraiser yields the same reward, yield, options or return as popcorn sales.

The popcorn sale is unique for several reasons. First of all the units can hold sales on line with free shipping. Second, there is a great variety of product available to choose from for popcorn sales. Third there is a great opportunity for large amounts of funds to come to your unit. Fourth and the most important, if a youth should sell over a certain level they will have a percentage placed into a college fund that compounds as that youth sells more and more popcorn through their years in scouting. This college fund is placed by Trails End in the name of the scout and if the youth decides to drop out of scouting, that money will remain in place and build interest until the time comes for that youth to go to college.

Think about the events your unit has coming up or think about the special projects and needs your unit has. This is a great opportunity for your unit to raise the funds for a new troop trailer, or pine wood derby track or new tents… Anything is possible with popcorn. 

Many Packs have graduation from Webelos but there is one major thing that many parents of these new graduates don’t realize. THIS IS NOT THE END OF SCOUTING FOR THAT CHILD! There is a great variety of troops that are willing to work with your boys and welcome them into the challenge and adventure of Boy Scouting.

As each troop is different in what it is that they offer, it is important to take the time to evaluate your sons needs and choose the best fit for your boy. Which are heavier in advancement? Which are heavier in camping? Which have a strong religious emphasis? Which has a scoutmaster that can stand on his head? These are all important questions that should be asked when choosing your troop. Of you would like the contact information for local troops please check www.metrolakesdistrict.org  or call your Sr. District Executive, Chris Arndt at 763-831-7235.