The Challenge

Both my son and daughter grew up in this church and in Pack 2. They found lifelong friends and had the best time growing up in Pack 2. After those kids grew up, not enough new members and new leaders were coming into Pack 2. Each fall we recruit in the area elementary schools. The kids were willing to be scouts, however not enough adults were available to become leaders. As a result, Pack 2 has not been active for at least 10 years. I strongly believe that each child that want to be a scout should be a scout, however two large barriers are in the way.

The Barriers

Finding enough parents to become leaders and finding enough parents to support the den leaders. Each den meeting and activity must have two adults, one of which must be a trained leader.

The cost of scouting has gone up. For the rest of 2022, membership fee for a new scout is $87.50 and for a new leader is $25. 2023 fees are $160 for scouts and $60 for adult leaders. Fortunately there’s scholarships and fundraising opportunities available.

How to Get Started

• Take the Youth Protection Training (YPT) at My.Scouting.org.
  Required for leaders, parents strongly encouraged.
• Fill out and turn in an adult application form and pay the registration fee.
• Take all den leader training courses, which is online at My.Scouting.org.
• Help to identify and encourage parents needing help with fees and uniforms.
• Watch out for used uniforms online and in the thrift stores.