Invitation and Follow up


  1. The next step involves following up on the initial contact with youth who indicated their desire to join a troop. The Scoutmaster should send a personal letter to the parents of each interested youth, spelling out the values of Scouting and extending an invitation for the youth and his parents to visit the troop at its upcoming open house. Include a Time Well Spent brochure, No. 02-341, or another brochure that describes Scouting's values, to provide further information.
  2. Timing is important. Mail the letter as soon as possible after the survey is completed; schedule the troop open house for the week after the family receives the invitation letter.
  3. Model your letter after the following sample:
Troop Open House

Time Well Spent brochure, No. 02-341. Available from your local council service center.

Dear parent:

Your son has taken a step toward building a solid future; are you willing to support his growth?

Recently, your son indicated his desire to try his hand at such high-adventure activities as backpacking, cycling, camping, swimming, canoeing, rock climbing, and horseback riding. Our Scout troop will participate in these activities and even more in the coming year, and we would like to invite him to join the Boy Scouts of America.

Scouting has a reputation for helping youth develop self-reliance, strong character, respect for others, good citizenship skills, and physical and mental fitness. For almost a century, our programs have instilled in young men the values and knowledge that they need to become leaders in their communities and in their countries.

Please join our troop for our open house at __________________ (time) on ____________________ (date) at __________________________________ (place). You'll get a firsthand look at some of our troop activities, and you can visit with our Scouts and their adult leaders. Take some time to look over the enclosed brochure, and bring any questions or concerns to the meeting.

I look forward to meeting you!

Sincerely,



Scoutmaster, Troop ____________________

Telephone no. ____________________

Follow Up with a Call

  1. On the day or evening before the open house, each prospective Scout's household should receive a telephone call from a member of the troop, ideally the Scoutmaster, who sent the letter. As you make the call, keep in mind that the youth has already expressed his interest, so direct the call to a parent.
  2. To help put the parents at ease, ask the following questions:
  3. Did the family receive the Scoutmaster's letter?
  4. Does anyone in the family have previous Scouting experience?
  5. Do they have any questions about Scouting or the troop open house?
  6. Do they know the time and location of the troop open house?
  7. Ensure parents that you look forward to meeting them and will meet them at the door to greet everyone.