Let me entertain you

Ah the bitter taste of defeat!

I heard a parent telling me the reason that one of our scouts decided to give up scouting is because she got bored with it. The scout in question stopped way back in September, together with her friend and a couple more scouts. They just didn't turn up back from the Summer break.

So why does it feel so bad now, eh? that was months ago, water under the bridge and all that. Well...
You can't win them all, right?

It comes down to one thing. Can we provide exciting program, exciting activities week in week out that captivate the young mind and keep them coming for more? If we put it this way, I don't think we can.

Planning a term just to the power of fun activities is expensive and evidently not enough.

We can only offer what our resources allow, how much time we got and how much will it cost are always the questions. But what we need to focus on should also be driven by the young members. We must be able to listen in order to enable our young scouts achieve their potential.

Keeping children entertained is not what we should aim for. If they are bored it's because we are not relevant to their needs. Feeling that you belong and own the scouting meeting is key. Take scouting ceremonies, for example, they do this very well.
We start the day by following a known routine, the opening ceremony or grand howl. We all know what to do, how it's done and not many outside our circle know what's going on and why; but we do. So we start with something that we control and we are part of. Not the most entertaining thing or the definition of fun but they love it!

What about the time between ceremonies or when meetings are over?
Week in, week out, do they know that they are the owners of the scouting adventure?
Do they have a reason to come back?
When we break for Summer, do they know why come back in September?

We need to include them in the program planning, not just by asking them what they want to do, writting down a wishlist. We need to sit and listen to them talking on equal terms. What do they come up with when we talk about adventure, hikes, camps, visits, or the news, our community, their school life, their friends.

In other words it's not about compiling a list but understanding their needs. And when we show them we do understand they will stop being bored and start being scouts.

When you see numbership falling, scouts not proud of their uniform, not participating in activities; alarm bells should ring.

Leaders should ask first, What are we doing wrong?