Longhorn Council Summer Recruitment Series: Week 1

Summer break is officially underway, and for Longhorn Council units, this is the perfect window to lay a rock-solid foundation for fall recruiting. Starting early gives you time to plan thoughtfully instead of rushing in late August when everyone is back-to-school busy. A well-organized recruitment effort does not just bring in new Scouts—it builds excitement, strengthens your unit culture, and helps retain families for years to come.

Welcome to Week 1 of our 2026 Longhorn Council Summer Recruitment Planning Series. This week focuses on the two most important building blocks: assembling the right people and setting clear, data-driven goals. By the end of these seven days, your unit will have a dedicated recruitment leadership team and a realistic target that everyone can rally behind.

What to Do This Week (June 1–7)

1. Form your recruitment team

Hold a 45–60 minute unit committee meeting focused solely on recruitment. Appoint a Membership Chair and 1–2 New Member Coordinators.

• Membership Chair oversees strategy, tracking, and reporting.
• New Member Coordinators manage Join Nights and follow-up communication.
• Assign roles and deadlines before the meeting ends so everyone leaves with ownership.

2. Review data and set goals

Use last year’s membership data (My.Scouting.org or Scoutbook) to build a realistic target.

• Arrow of Light crossovers into Scouts BSA
• Attrition and retention trends
• Current youth by den or patrol
• Upcoming age-outs

Example: If you lost 8 Scouts and gained 12 crossovers, a net goal of +10 new Cub Scouts may be appropriate.

3. Engage your chartered organization

Meet briefly with your chartered organization representative to align on recruitment support.

• Promote Join Nights in newsletters or announcements
• Provide facilities, tables, or volunteers
• Define communication expectations moving forward

Tips for a Strong Start

• Make goals SMART: Example: Recruit 15 new Cub Scouts across 3 Join Nights by Sept. 30, 2026.
• Base targets on real data: Use crossovers, attrition, and growth goals for accuracy.
• Choose the right team: Select organized, people-friendly volunteers.
• Involve Scouts: Youth participation builds excitement and trust with new families.

Stay tuned for Week 2 (June 8–14): We will assess membership and plan retention and crossovers.

Happy Scouting! Building stronger units together in Longhorn Council