Don’t STOP AT Crossover — Go Find Your Next Scouts

Every year, we treat crossover season like it’s the finish line for troop membership recruiting. But it shouldn't be. It’s just the halfway mark.

If your troop is looking at smaller-than-expected new scout numbers this spring, there’s still a huge opportunity sitting right in front of you: 5th graders who were never Cub Scouts.

And here’s the key detail too many troops overlook:
👉 As of March 1st, any 5th grader can join a Scout troop — even if they’ve never been in Cub Scouts.
That means right now—between now and the end of the school year—you’ve got a narrow window where families are:

• Thinking about summer plans
• Open to new activities and friends
• Looking for something different
  
  

If you wait until fall, you’ve already lost most of them.
Let’s be honest—some families didn’t choose Cub Scouts because:

• They didn’t know about it
• It didn’t fit the parent's schedule
• Their child wasn’t interested then
  
  

But 5th grade - heading off to Middle School - is different.

Kids are wanting to be more independent and want to develop friend groups. Parents are looking for something that builds confidence, leadership, and gets them outside more. --- That’s exactly what Scouts BSA offers. But if they don’t see it, they won’t choose it.


Simple Ways to Reach 5th Graders Right Now
Here are a few high-impact, low-effort ways to get in front of families before school ends:

1) Send Flyers Home Through Schools - This is still one of the most effective tools.

• Call or email the school front office
• Ask about sending a flyer home specifically to 5th graders
• Keep it simple:
  • “Join Scouts BSA — Adventure Starts Now”
  • Include a QR code to your troop page or interest form
  • Promote a specific upcoming event (campout, open house, hike)

Schools are more receptive when you position this as a youth development opportunity, not just recruitment.

2) Show Up at PTA Meetings - PTAs are always looking for positive youth opportunities.

• Ask for 5 minutes on the agenda
• Bring one or two scouts in uniform
• Keep the message tight:
  • What Scouts do (camping, leadership, adventure)
  • Who can join (any 5th grader, now)
  • How to get started (next event)

Parents trust what they see in person far more than a flyer.

3) Be Present at Field Days / End-of-Year Events - Schools are full of energy this time of year—use it.

• Ask if your troop can set up a small table or booth
• Bring:
  • A tent or camping gear for visual interest
  • A simple activity (knot tying, mini challenge, etc.)
  • A sign-up sheet or QR code

This isn’t about a hard sell—it’s about planting the seed.

4) Use Peer-to-Peer Invite Cards - This one is wildly underused.
Give your current scouts a stack of simple invite cards:

• “Come camp with my troop!”
• Include date, contact info, and QR code

Tell them: 👉 “Give these to your friends at school.”
Kids recruit better than adults. Every time.

5) Invite Them to Something Real - Don’t invite new families to sit in a room. Invite them to:

• A campout
• A hike
• A skills night with fire-building or cooking

Let them experience scouting—not hear about it.


The Mindset Shift
Too many troops rely entirely on Cub Scout crossover to sustain their numbers.
Strong troops do both:

• Welcome crossovers
• Actively recruit new-to-scouting youth

Because the truth is:  Some of your best future scouts have never worn a blue uniform. They’re sitting in a 5th grade classroom right now.

But, you’ve got about 6 weeks before the school year ends. That’s it.

A few phone calls, a simple flyer, and one good event could bring in an entire patrol of new scouts.

Don’t wait for them to find you.
​
Go find them.

Jason Norred
District Commissioner