• Build an Adventure
• BSA Benefit Auction
• Popcorn
• Training

Parents and Leaders -

It's time to "Build an Adventure" for new families as we enter the 2015 "sign Up Night" season! Packs will receive their "Sign Up Night" training at their August Roundtable and Troops can expect "Sign Up Night" informatin at the September Roundtable.

But why grow Scouting? Consider the vision statement of the North Florida Council: "The vision of the North Florida Council, Boy Scouts of America is to offer fun, exciting and values-based experiences of the highest caliber to the greatest number of youth possible."

That vision cannot be realize unless we are working together to grow.

Consider this..

Parents today are busy - constantly pressured by the challenge to balance work and home. Even as they're working harder than ever, it's important to them to spend quality time with their children.

• Studies show that parents report feeling rushed and stressed by juggling work and home - finding it increasingly difficult to balance these responsibilities.
• Parents place significant emphasis on spending quality time with their kids. They find caring for and engaging in activities with their children make them happy and are far more meaningful than work.

Youth today are spending less time outside and more time in front of screens.

• The average American boy or girl spends as few as 30 minutes in outdoor play each day
• Youth ages 8-18 devote an average of more than seven hours a day or 53 hours a week to using entertainment media.
• Parents are increasingly concerned that screen time is robbing their kids of real-world experiences.

Within this atmospher of constant time pressure for parents and mounting screen time and decreasing outdoor playtime for kids, Scouting makes the most of the little time parents have to make a positive impact on children.

• For parents, every minute with their kids matters so they want to make the best decisions on how their children's time is spent outside of school.
• Research shows that youth who participate in out-of-schoold-time programming are more likely than their non-participating peers to do well in school, get sufficient physical exercise and avoid involvement in risky behaviors.

Making Scouting part of children's lives given them the chance to participate in a wide variety of fun adventures that parents are unlikely to provide on their own for their children on a routine basis.

• Kids will catch fish, climb rocks, explore caves, help people, race cars, camp out, make friends and much more.
• Scouting builds a solid foundation of character, values and education that stays with a child for a lifetime.

There is a small window of time to make a meaningful impact on children and shape who they may become as adults. Scouting helps to fill this critical need and makes the most of right now.

Knowing this, let's make sure every Pack, Troop and Crew is ready and working to welcome new families:

1. Update your pin at www.BeAScout.org
2. Recruit and register a Unit Membership Chairman
3. Have a plan in place: leadership, a calendar of activities and a budget
4. Have an impressive presence at your school's Open House and Meet the Teacher.
5. Promote and market your "Sign Up Night" - Utilize social media and your existing families
6. Welcome new families again after your "Sign Up Night" with a Parent Orientation

Let me know if you have any questions!

Thank you!

Sincerely,
Patrick Linfors
Director of Field Service
904-265-3819
patrick.linfors@scouting.org

Be a part of a one-of-a-kind event - the 2015 Boy Scout Auction! This is a fun-filled evening full of top-notch silent and live auction items ranging from sports, travel and entertainment to merchandise and services. 

This is a great date night opportunity for every parent and/or leader. So, while it's a night to support Scouting, this is not a uniformed event. Consider this a great way to thank your significant other for allowing you to participate in Scouting all year long! 

The Boy Scout Auction will be held at the World Golf Village Renaissance St. Augustine Resort, 500 S. Legacy Trail, St. Augustine, FL 32092 on Friday, August 14, 2015.

Attending the auction is FREE!

Attend as a VIP! A great value for all Scouters and something our outlying Scouters to consider. (Registration required. VIP package is for two and includes a VIP reception, drink tickets, an overnight stay and breakfast the next morning, all for $165)

Register for your bid number or sign up as a VIP go to www.BoyScoutAuction.org