How can I get parents to come to Cub Scout Pack Meetings?

Question

We have 20 boys who come to cub scouts. I plan my butt off for pack meeting and then have no parents show up. What can I do to get more parents involved? We have fun pack meetings and the boys love it. I feel bad when I give the boys their awards and they don't have a parent there. Then I feel bad because I went through all of the work and parents don't show. Please help me if you have any ideas.

Answer 1

We have a raffle at the end of each pack meeting for the scouts, usually some little trinket from Oriental Trading Company or a candy bar. The scouts get tickets for, among other things, bringing a parent. Once we get the parents there, I like to involve them as much as possible. I also call ahead and ask parents to help out with a station or something during the meeting.

We also include siblings in all of our pack meeting activities, songs, etc., so that the parents can bring the whole family. Last night, I prep'd an extra pumpkin for the siblings to carve. (Each den brought their own prep'd pumpkin to the pack meeting to carve, so some siblings hung out with their brother's den and others carved the pumpkin I brought).

We have a den 'host' the meeting which means they run another raffle for a bake sale ($.25/ticket) to raise money for their den supplies, they help set up the meeting, and they do flags. This way, I can have help from the Den Leader to get his parents there at least.

Also, the parents get into it when they do see their kid get their award, so I try to make sure we don't downplay that for both the boys' feelings and for the parents seeing it is something special.

The good thing about having a pack your size is that adding siblings and taking a little more time with awards isn't that big of deal. Our Pack has about 30 so we are in pretty good shape that way as well. There is a pack in our district with over 70 scouts, and I can't see how they can do it well.

Answer 2

If you've passed along the information to the parents that the monthly pack meeting is for all family members, and they don't show, there isn't much else you can do. When the boys were registered, it should have been made clear that one parent (or legal guardian) needs to attend EACH meeting, and the families are strongly encouraged to attend the pack meeting. It may be a simple thing that they don't know what goes on at pack meetings. Someone may have to call the families and encourage them to attend.

Once you do have them attend, make sure that they are kept informed of what is going on during the meeting. I've attended a lot of pack meetings where no one knows what the agenda is, who is in charge, and what is happening. 90% of the parents may not have been involved in Scouting as a child, and don't know what is going on. Simple narration, about the awards, and commentary is very helpful. If you are able to hand out a monthly newsletter and calendar at the pack meeting, it will help harried parents plan their activities better.

Remember that if they have one child who is six to ten, they may have another child who is five to one, and caring for this child is also a priority for them. Ensure that the meeting is succinct and moves along at a good pace; it need not be a professional show, but if the CM can keep the momentum going, the audience is more likely to attend the next time. Make sure the game or activity involves all the children, not just the Cub Scouts.

As a CM used to have fun raffles; posters that were donated by video stores, dollar store toys or unsold popcorn, low-cost camping gear, unclaimed activity patches from years past . Each person who attended the meeting was given a raffle ticket (DO NOT SELL THEM!) and at a slow time in the meeting I would select a ticket. The children loved getting stuff, and the parents got into the spirit as well.

You can get other great ideas for meeting sparklers at your Council's Pow Wow training.

Make it fun, Keep it Simple. Keep it moving.

Keep on Scoutin'

Answer 3

Set a common practice where parents will need to "come in" to pick up there kids from the scout meetings, rather than have the kids run out to the car. This way you can keep the communication open.

This also gives you the chance to personally hand the parent a note about the Mandatory Meeting that the parent also MUST attend.

If your scout troop has ties to a specific school that has a weekly newsletter like our school does, then you can also put a reminder in there of the Mandatory parent presence at the upcoming meeting.

A pat on the back to you for your work with the kids.
Good luck.

Answer 4

I was a cub scout leader, too, and most of the parents couldn't have cared less and were never involved. they did their fair share of complaining about things, however....

My friend and i did quite a lot for our cub scouts, and even spent our own money to make sure they had interesting and fun projects to do as rewards for gaining awards. The boys had a blast!

After i quit doing this, one of the "complaining" mothers took on the cub scout group. This was back in the days where you had cub scouts in your home.... she would talk on the telephone to friends during these meetings, while her husband was in the next room smoking and drinking beer... ??? I guess her way was better?

I don't understand people, either.....If you are there, and you are a good leader (which i can see you are) the boys will remember YOU and all of the good that came from their experience in cub scouts...

take care.

Answer 5

most parents feel it is not something for them, for they can only see that it is for the Cub Scouts. also, most will feel that the only reason anyone wants them to come, is to work in helping the Scouts. they do not see it as a place to relax and have fun. they see it as a place to work and help handle a lot of kids. If you want more to come, you should write up a letter for them explaining what they will be doing. also, let them know they are not just going to be sitting around watching kids play or work on things. this is boring to them. but explain how they can also have fun, and join in on things. understand, parents watch their children work and play all the time, so to them that is nothing new. the parents also, need excitement. also have games for the parents, such as bingo, or something like that. there can also be a few games with small prizes. anything that is fun for them also.

Answer 6

getting parents involved shouldnt be this difficult, they should want to be there, as this is not the case, have you tried making a big deal out of for their own sakes? a few weeks before an award ceremony get the boys to make special invitations, for their parents, start a procedure where 2 parents stay to help each week, as an extra pair of hands, this also encourages involvement and once they have been a couple of times it will get easier, groups like these are not baby sitting services, parental involvement is essential to ensure groups like yours continue to be there for our children, set aside 1 night, invite the parents along, give a talk on what you do and how vital their support is, make a night of it, a bit of a show from the boys, or some activities the parents can join in, a bit of simple food etc, quite often parents think-someone else will do it, or, i dont know anyone that well, and feel a bit shy, or that their help is not needed, communication is vital here, good luck

Answer 7

when my son was involved in scouting there were meetings for just the boys, and then monthly meetings for all the boys at the various levels and their prents and siblings...this is when awards were given out...let's face it, parents may have multiple kids to run to multiple meetings, practices, dinner for the rest of the family, etc...many are willing to be involved, and some will never get involved...you can invite and encourage the parents, but ultimately the organization is for the boys...keep up your good work

Answer 8

Our local packs make it clear that Cub Scouts are not a babysitting service and they are expected to attend. There are no drop offs unless you arrange for another parent to watch your scout in advance! Amazingly, we have great attendance with this policy and have not had to address it!

Answer 9

I'm a 4-H leader and I have the same issues, even with parents not showing up to the kids competitions! I'm finding that there's nothing I can say or do to get these parents to understand how important it is for them to be there for the support of their children. I just look at the bright side, I'm enabling the kids to experience something they may not be able to otherwise. I also realize that these are not my kids (although I care about them!) and I can't make parenting them my responsibility.

Answer 10

Hold it in a pub