What is a Sign-Up Night?
Sign-up nights should be simple, fun, informative, organized, and effective. Effective means families 1) feel welcome and 2) join Scouting. A Sign-Up Night is a Council activity in which volunteers and staff work together to create a fantastic customer service experience for new families.
Where are Sign-Up Nights?
Sign-up Nights are to be hosted at the location where the youth were recruited. Examples: a school classroom visit from staff is followed by a Sign Up Night in that school’s cafeteria, or a presentation at church on Sunday is followed by a Sign-Up Night at that church’s fellowship hall. This ensures a level of comfort for new families and reinforces the implied endorsement from the school or church.
When are Sign Up Nights?
Sign Up Nights take place in the evening hours on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. Volunteers arrive 45 minutes prior to the start time (which is typically 6:30 pm). The presentation should last approximately 45 minutes. Arrival to departure should take no longer than 2 hours.
Scheduling Sign Up Nights
Staff, with input from unit leaders, develop a calendarized plan to visit all schools. Staff then work with school Principals and administrators throughout the summer to finalize school visits and evening sign-up nights, and in turn, communicate that information to local unit leadership. It is imperative staff are involved in leading this part of the process because 1) School District Superintendents expect us to have one point of contact, and 2) staff must manage their time to ensure proper service at all schools and for all Packs and Troops.
Price, Cost, Money
In 2025, the joining fee will be $110/youth or $75/adult regardless of when the sign-up night takes place and registration will run for a 12-month cycle. Families will be encouraged to make the Scout handbook their first purchase – whether by visiting the Scout Shop or using a Scout Shop order form provided at Sign-Up Night.
Common Mistakes at Sign Up
- Leaders not recruited before Sign Up
- Adults in BSA Uniform
- Wear your Pack Shirts or matching polos to feel less intimidating to families.
- Not having a “volunteer huddle” 15 minutes before the sign-up begins.
- Doing so ensures everyone knows their role, so every family joins Scouting at the sign-up night!
- Youth Application not filled out correctly
- Inviting or giving families the option to sign up rather than telling people to sign up
- The #1 overall issue – FAMILIES SIGNING IN BUT NOT SIGNING UP.
