Rocket Into Scouting is the Cradle of Liberty Council's coordinated fall membership recruitment campaign with the aims of simplifying the sign-up process, strengthening our programs, and improving youth and family recruitment and retention. Most importantly, it's about FUN!

T-Minus 27 Days!

September is here and it's time to Rocket Into Scouting! Here's a few items to keep in mind as we approach the big sign-up night on Wednesday, September 30:

Make sure your unit has a volunteer to serve as the recruitment coordinator and encourage that person to sign-up for the Rocket Into Scouting contact list.
Watch the training webinars for an overview of the plan and review of best practices:

Cub Scout packs: Pick up your "Launch Kits" at your district's September Roundtable, packed with the following items to help make your sign-up night a success!

Unit Leader Guide
Applications
Rocket Pens
Parent Orientation Guides
Informational Envelopes

Promotional materials will also be available if you didn't get them at "The Big Launch:"

Yard Signs
Fliers, Bulletin Inserts, & Posters
Door Hangers
Mini Boy's Life magazines

If not done so already, please update your unit's BeAScout.org pin and enable online applications. Your unit leader, committee chair, and chartered organization representative have access through MyScouting to update your unit's PIN (and can grant access to others to do so). Email membership@colbsa.org if you need assistance.
District executives will ensure that school fliers are printed and distributed and that school talks are arranged (where allowed). If you have a sign-up date other than September 30, please contact your district executive to arrange flier production.
Very Important: Solidify your unit's program plan so you can share your unit calendar and other vital information with new families when they sign-up. Here's a resource to help. Your district's committee and commissioner staff also stand ready to assist your unit with program planning.

For more information and resources, please visit colbsa.org/rocket.

RocketScouts.org is Live!

Check out RocketScouts.org! Make sure your unit's September 30 sign-up location is accurate. If changes need to be made, please contact your district membership chair or professional, or send an email to membership@colbsa.org with any updates.

Promotion

Thanks to our friends at Clear Channel Outdoor and OUTFRONT Media for helping to spread the word with these great digital billboards! The billboards have been displayed around Philadelphia since August 25 and will stay up through the sign-up night on September 30.

Additionally, digital advertising through Facebook has been running since the summer. Starting the two and half weeks leading up to September 30, more digital advertising will be conducted through Comcast and TV spots will be aired on networks like Animal Planet, FX, HGTV, Spike, Cartoon Network, and VH1. Even more media coverage is in the works!

Here's how your unit can do some grassroots promotion:

Have a presence at back-to-school events and open houses.
Promote your sign-up at your chartered organization.
Label mini Boy's Life magazines with your unit's contact information and bring them to your local library.
Post on your unit's social media channels and website.
Set-up displays at your school, library, church, or local businesses.
Make sure to have sign-up information available at popcorn sale show-n-sells.
Submit an article to your local newspaper.
Get your sign-up information posted on online calendars.
Follow-up on BeAScout.org leads promptly.
Encourage your Scouts and families to spread the word and invite their friends to join!

Rocket Distribution and Ordering Additional Rockets

Each district will have at least one application turn-in location open during the coordinated Rocket Into Scouting recruitment night September 30, 2015. The location(s) for each district are published here.

After your unit's September 30 sign-up night is completed, please send a representative to the closest turn-in location in your district with the new youth applications, along with the $6 national BSA pro-rated fee for each new youth. Bring new youth applications and fees secured that night, as well as those for new youth recruited at any other sign-up events your unit may have conducted prior to September 30. For each new youth application/fee submitted at the turn-in location, your unit's representative will be given a model rocket and engine (one for every new Scout).

Units should distribute the rockets to new Scouts at your next meeting after September 30 (preferably the first week in October and done in conjunction with a parent orientation).

If your unit would like to order additional rockets and engines for existing Scouts, please click here for the online order form. The ordering deadline has been extended to Monday, September 7, 2015. This form is for ordering additional rockets only; do not place orders for new Scouts.

Any additional rockets ordered will be available to pick-up along with the rockets for new Scouts at your district's turn-in location on September 30. Please do not plan to receive additional rocket orders prior to September 30.

Cub Scout Den Meeting Plans

Our council STEM committee has developed turn-key rocket-themed meeting plans for every grade level in Cub Scouting. Feel free to use these meeting plans, especially for your first October meeting while your pack is conducting a parent orientation. Parents can hear about your pack while the Cub Scouts build rockets!

Recruitment Support

We want to provide the best possible support so your unit has all the resources it takes to run a successful recruitment this fall. Working together, we can ensure that every youth and family who wants to experience the Adventure of Scouting has the opportunity to do so.

If you have any questions, suggestions, or needs, please do not hesitate to contact membership@colbsa.org or call 610-688-6900.

Mark Chilutti Brett Montich

Council Membership Chair Rocket Into Scouting Chair

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