Scout Update - October 2014

Scout Update

October 27, 2014

Membership

Very proud of our membership volunteers lead by Dominic Amara and every Cub Pack! Our membership is up over year to date Oct 31 and with a week to go, that increase will surely grow! October marks the 5^th consecutive month of membership growth!

Program
The big program story for the fall is Pumpkin Fest! Over 2,000 Cubs Scouts and families participated in pumpkin themed program at Camp Sayre last Saturday.

Pumpkin Fest is simply one great moment in an entire series of great program developments at Camp Sayre. Over the past few years we have added programs, services and great new facilities. NOW, after all that hard work we are really hitting our stride. Each weekend we serve hundreds of Scouts through innovative and exciting programs! Check out some of the recent comments….

•         “Everyone from the camp master, to the dinner staff, made our weekend fantastic...it was nice to see what a Boy Scout camp and council can be...all about customer service and most importantly...the boys!”- Scout Master Oct 4, 2014

•         “We had a great time. The camp-wide campfire was quite fun for all.  The staff are very enthusiastic and helpful. Dinner was great. Thank you.  We will come back next year!” – Cub Master Sept 27,2014

•         “Everything from beginning to end - communication, activities, and supervision at events - was beyond our expectations.”- Parent Sept 20, 2014

•         “The staff was engaged and knew what they were doing.  And they taught in a hands-on mode that works really well with both kids and adults. It was an excellent experience.” – Scout Master Sept 20, 2014

Development

The hospitality breakfast steering committee met yesterday and confirmed the event will be held on December 11^th honoring Manny Costa, CEO Costa Produce. The event is well on its way toward achieving the goal with $10,000 already pledged from the committee!

The popcorn sales were down slightly. The development committee will host a debrief early next year (after the logistics and delivery process is complete) with unit popcorn kernals to identify possible causes and address any concerns.  

Marketing
Groupon and Living Social! Part of the growth at Pumpkinfest came from our recent marketing committee effort to reach out and attract families to Scouting through our quality programs. about 10% of the Pumpkinfest campers came through social media coupons and otherwise wouldn’t have felt invited.

Also, in an effort to make Scouting more accessible the Marketing committee has launched a new blog. www.30SecondScouting.com This blog provides cool outdoor, nature, STEM and related Scouting hands on activities in 30 seconds or less! Check it out and leave a comment on the programs you and your Scouts like the most!

Internal National Measurement Standards
Since 2010 Scouting has embarked on a national continuous improvement plan. Boston Minuteman often scores high, however, the entire country has struggled in the past two years.

Property Improvements!

Although it’s not nearly as exciting as the new Ropes Course or Shooting ranges this month the team will be finishing up some Camp Sayre projects completing the pavilion, re-surfacing several large pot holes and the dirt roads through camp, as well as adding a few parking spaces.

Also in November we’ll receive a phone and internet upgrade that’ll increase everyone’s ability to high speed internet and access wifi while at camp!

The properties Committee is in the process of developing the 2015 priority camp improvement projects at Sayre and Storer.