So What Did I Get Myself Into? (cont.)
It is incumbent upon us to help our new families to understand Scouting, to welcome them into the family of Scouting and include them – in a sense, to invite them to sit in the front row and ask the many and often unspoken questions they have. Providing an orientation for new families, written materials to introduce them to Scouting and the unit, contact information for leaders, schedules of activities and opportunities, and ongoing communication is essential to retention and an important part of inviting their participation as engaged parents. Perhaps most important, we must mentor them, help them to get to know one another and share openly their questions and concerns. The cohort of parents who join with their Scouts together each year form the basis of a group of friends who will hopefully stick together through the Scouting years and watch as their kids grow toward becoming Eagle Scouts. I have witnessed the power of these groups of friends and even been a part of such a group. It is somehow telling that parents in my own Troop get together outside of Scouting to socialize, attend summer camp together, and host gatherings for fellow Scout families long after their Scouts have aged out. Please consider how you might create such a culture of family, welcome and understanding in your own unit.
Everyone new to Scouting needs to learn the lingo of Scouting. Every organization, occupation and group has its own language. Scouting is no exception. Even terms like cubmaster, den, den leader, merit badge, rank and others may seem foreign. They are not really self-evident and need explanation. What is a Council, District, unit, how is a Pack different from a Troop, what is the Order of the Arrow, a jamboree, camporee? What is FOS, a popcorn sale, Scouting for Food, a Pinewood Derby? Many things can be explained with the online training offered each member of our family, but how many of us help new families access and utilize that training. Consider group training sessions in your unit as part of your orientation process. Point out the Council website and other online resources, help them to navigate through the calendar, resources and features of Scouting online. Most of all, encourage the unasked questions and do so whenever possible in a forum where others may learn from both the questions and answers.
One of the first big decisions a new family needs to consider is the uniform – the trappings of Scouting in a more visible form. A full uniform is the hallmark of Scouting, the outward identifying feature and has been for more than a century. It serves to identify someone as a Scout, to unify and bring together all Scouts within a unit, and to put all Scouts on an equal level, regardless of background or family resources. Each unit develops a culture regarding use of the uniform, but don’t forget the pride and excitement that a Scout feels when putting on the uniform for the fist time and wearing it to meetings and events. As unit leaders, you need to help families with their purchase decisions so their Scouts feel a sense of belonging with their peers in the unit.
Scouting throws a lot of information out there hoping that parents are reading and sharing it with their youth. Units send out calendars of activities hoping for participation. Whatever means your unit uses to communicate should be explained. You should draw attention to updates when together in person and make sure that your families are receiving your communication. The Guide Newsletter from the Council is full of information both for leaders and families and can fill in many missing pieces.
Okay, my article this month is directed at unit leadership at a time when we are all recruiting and welcoming new families, but it is also intended to arm our new families with questions. They should expect a warm welcome and full orientation to Scouting from all of us in the know. We must model raising hands with questions that may seem naïve. After all, just because a parent or Scout has been part of the program for some period of time, it is not a given that he or she fully understands things!
Each of us plays a role in helping one another to better understand what we have gotten into, and how to make the most of our time in Scouting. Thank you once again for entrusting your youth to Scouting and sharing your understanding and experience, talent and treasure, and most importantly your time. Your time spent now on welcoming new families is essential to our success.
Paul Shrode
psshrode@aol.com