Every invitation is an opportunity to welcome a new Scout. Follow these three steps to help more families discover Scouting and grow your unit this fall.
Step 1: Recruit at Back-to-School Night
Purpose: Meet families, introduce them to Scouting, and invite them to your Join Night.
Back-to-School Night is your pack’s biggest recruiting event of the year. Welcome new families, share the adventure of Scouting, and personally invite them to your Join Night.
2026 Back-to-School Night Dates
| School District | Elementary School | Middle School |
|---|---|---|
| Paramount USD | August 24–28 (varies by school) | September 1–4 (varies by school) |
| Bellflower USD | September 1 | September 2 |
| Long Beach USD | September 17 | September 24 |
Reminder: Always confirm the date and time with your school before making recruitment plans.
Free Recruitment Materials: Pick up your materials at Roundtable, or email marcos.monge@scouting.org to arrange pickup.
Materials include: Wristbands, Stickers, Banner, Yard Signs
Step 2: Invite a Friend Campaign
Purpose: Every Cub Scout invites five friends.
Every Cub Scout can help grow Scouting by inviting five friends to Join Night. Give each Scout five invitation cards to share with classmates, neighbors, teammates, and friends. A personal invitation is one of the most effective ways to welcome new families. Scouts who recruit a new member earn the Recruiter Patch.
Step 3: Host an Amazing Join Night
Purpose: Turn interested families into new Scouts.
Once families arrive, create a fun, welcoming experience that makes them want to join. Keep the meeting active, introduce leaders, answer parent questions, and invite families to register before they leave.
- Join Night Agenda
- Parent Guide
- Registration Forms
- New Family Checklist
Membership Downloadable Resources
- Recruitment Booklet
- 2026 Program Guide (Updated 2/7/26)
- Join/Welcome Sign In Sheet
- Family Information Guide
- Membership Fees
- At a Glance Recruitment Plan
- Distinguished Recruiter Patches
- National Cub Scout Recruitment Guide
- National Scouts BSA Recruitment Guide
- National Venturing Recruitment Guide,
- National Sea Scouting Recruitment Guide
- National Exploring Recruitment Guide
Creative Membership Resources
- Canva : Create flyers, certificates, calendars, and more.
- QR Code : Make your own QR code
- Scouting America Logo, Photos, Videos and Social Media Assets : High Resolution Scouting Promotional Materials.
Helpful Online Links
- PeachJar: how to upload and distribute your flyer through LBUSD
- Scoutbook : How to add Scouts
- BeAScout.org pin : Update your pin so new families can find
- Iron Star Facebook : Iron Star District, get and share ideas
Interactive Google Map
Board Recruitment Dashboard
For Board Members Only