Local Cub Scout groups all over the Chattanooga area are seeing a increases in the number of new youth joining their programs this fall.
While Scouting is a year-round program, local groups generally see their largest increase in new participants through the fall coinciding with the return to school. After just a few weeks of school, local volunteers are seeing youth joining Cub Scouts at double the rate of 2021.
One local Pack has seen 28 new youth join already. “You know it was absolutely incredible to
see our Cub Scout Pack double in just a week and a half. It’s amazing to see more kids ready
to learn youth leadership in our area.” said Cubmaster Kyle Croft, of Pack 3177 in Ringgold. “From talking with some of the new parents, they are really excited to get their kids away from screens and outside. These parents really want to get out of the house with their family and into the great outdoors.”
In Ooltewah, some leaders expressed an urgency to anyone still wanting to join. “We will take as many new Scouts as we get, but we are filling up fast. Twenty-seven new youth and their families have joined our Pack already and we still have a few more joining opportunities left.” said Cubmaster Eli White, of Pack 3147. “I had a mother tell me the other night that they just moved here from out of state and their son hasn’t met a lot of new people yet - I told them they are going to meet a ton of new friends in Cub Scouts. I mentioned to her that Scouting is a way to escape the indoors, it’s a great and safe environment and I’m proud to help lead for my local group.”
In the Brainerd area, one local Cub Scout Pack is finding out why some families appear to be
joining at a stronger rate than 2021. “Our big draw has been youth from underserved areas of
Brainerd.” said Jennifer Strand the committee chair for Pack 3037 and Pack 3042. “These
families can’t afford some of the pricier programs out there and Scouting creates an affordable
experience for all. Just this week I was on the phone with a new mother and she almost cried
when we talked about all that Scouting has to offer and that we would take care of their
registration and participation fees. Her daughter is very excited to get outside and the mother is
thrilled that our program is truly accessible to their family. It’s been really great to showcase our
program, we are a very active Cub Scout Pack; hiking, camping, fishing, serving our community -
it’s all been very exciting for us as leaders.”
When asked about other reasons why Chattanooga area youth may be joining at an increased
rate, Barbara Edwards, membership executive for the local Cherokee Area Council of the Boy
Scouts of America, indicated that the strength of local groups may be a catalyst for growth. “We
spent a lot of time preparing our Cub Scout Packs over the summer. When talking to our
leaders and hearing about how many awesome activities they had planned for the fall, I
knew we were probably in for a flood of new families. Getting to talk with the kids, they are just
so excited. And the parents are really happy that Scouting provides them with an opportunity to
spend more time together as a whole family.”
Cub Scouting is a full family program open to boys and girls from kindergarten through fifth grade,
and is a core program of the Boy Scouts of America. Join the adventure by calling the local
Cherokee Area Council at 423-892 – 8323, emailing them at Becky.Mulkey@Scouting.org or
see a map of local groups at www.BeAScout.org.