Taster sessions are a great way to recruit new people into your section because they:

• happen at a specific time, so advertising them prompts parents to act – otherwise they will miss out!
• are suitable for people who have never been in Scouting before – so no-one who comes along feels left out.
• give you a chance to ask all parents to stay – even if this isn’t what parents in your group usually do, it’s what happens at taster sessions!
• bring in a group of people altogether – so everyone is learning the ceremonies and traditions together.

The resources below are designed (and have been tested a number of times) to give young people a taste of what an exciting, balanced programme is like, whilst ensuring nobody is left out because they’ve not been involved in Scouting before.

If you would like help delivering a series of taster sessions, contact Russ Dyble (County Development Manager) on 07812 383890.

Top tips for making to most of taster sessions

• Ensure someone specific meets and greets everyone as they come in
• Charge for taster sessions – your worth it and parents need to have a realistic expectation of the costs if they join
• Make sure everyone has something to do during the evening – don’t let people think they’re not needed or not useful!
• Give every parent a “No Nonense Guide to Scouting” and/or Group Welcome Pack at the end of their first week – these have the answers to lots of the questions parents will have after their first taste of Scouting.
• Try to run on time – setting the expection that parents needs to arrive slightly before the start-time to avoid children missing out is a good thing… and no-one likes it if they’re held up late at the end!
• Ask parents to complete the Family Information Form at the end of the first week – then look at what they do for a living and strike up appropriate conversations!
• Give out the Adult Recruitment Signup Sheet after 3-4 weeks… too early and people don’t know what they’re signing up to, too late and you might miss the boat!

Resources to promote taster sessions

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Beaver Scout Taster Session Programme Resources

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Cub Scout Taster Session Programme Resources

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