Family camps
Use family camps as a way to showcase Scouts and to get more volunteers on board
What’s it all about?
Inviting family members to come along to your camps is a great way to show what we do. If it's done right, it can bring more adults onboard, and encouraging those who already help out once in a while to step it up a notch.
How does it work?
Did you know 45% of new Section Team Members are family members of existing or prospective youth members? If you’re looking to grow your Group fast, targeting family members is one of the most effective ways to focus your energy.
Use your family camp as a recruitment tool to get the families involved with tasks while having fun with their children. The aim of the game is to get to the end of camp and say "Everything you've been doing this weekend is what we do as volunteers, so you already have the skills to join our team!"
Have a look below to see how you can turn your family camp into a recruitment event at each stage.
- Speak to as many family members as you can, the more the merrier.
- Provide a kit list in advance - remember some of them may never have been camping before so do everything you can to settle their nerves.
- Think about the tasks that need to be done, like cooking, admin or taking photos.
- Work out who you think would be good at those tasks and make a note, but don't force it on them and don't overload them! Having fun with their children is their top priority so make sure that comes first.
- All adults attending the event will need to have a valid criminal record check, meaning they’ll need to have signed up in enough time for this to have been completed and returned. They’ll also need to be covered by your insurance at an appropriate level, and should be given a copy of the Yellow and Green card.
- Introduce and involve your parent volunteers from the get go.
- Planning to do an opening ceremony or group tradition? Teach it to everyone first, so no one’s left out.
- Give everyone a name badge – and consider giving out neckers – so everyone feels part of the team.
- Be careful how you talk – avoiding Scout jargon, like acronyms, which new adults won’t understand.
- If you're running activities, try to get the adults doing them with their children with minimal input from your volunteers.
- Consider holding an adult talk to sell how great it is to volunteer.
- Remember to stay positive, have fun and enjoy yourself!
- Allocate someone positive and confident to talk to people about their experience and explain how they can get involved on a more regular basis.
- If an adult is unsure about joining, offer them the chance to try out the four-week challenge to learn more about Scouts.
- Say thank you. For an extra special touch, you could present people with a card or gift made by the young people, or a photograph from the camp. Or say it simply with an email or text.
- Follow up with anyone who showed an interest shortly after camp.
Get people on board following your family camp