Murphy – Usually, the first weeks of school include visitors showing kids all the fun things they can do in organizations like 4-H, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts. However, this year started with no visitors allowed in the building.
James Hylemon, executive director of the Nantahala District of Boy Scouts of America’s Daniel Boone Council, said he’s usually very busy at this time of year visiting all of the schools in Cherokee, Clay and Graham counties. He’s excited though to have the opportunity to re-evaluate what they’ve been doing, and create a new plan to attract boys and girls to Scouting.
This year, in addition to flyers to distribute, Hylemon is developing a video for schools to show to students.
“It’s basically what our school talks are, but in video form,” he said.
He wants everyone to know Scouting is still strong, even though Cub Scout packs and Scouts BSA troops may not be meeting in their typical locations or ways – some are meeting in parks or other outdoor areas, while packs may only be having den meetings.
Murphy’s Pack 400 is one of the units only meeting as dens for now. Each meeting has less than 10 people, and follows guidelines for wearing masks and social
distancing.
For the older Scouts, the council has about 70 of 138 merit badges available to earn virtually, with about 800 Scouts registering for these courses over the summer. Cubs also had a virtual 30-day challenge with activities for their rank. The council is looking into providing belt loop sessions online.
“We’re optimistic looking forward,” Hylemon said.
Last year, there were 45 kids in Murphy’s Pack 400, according to Cubmaster Josh Frentz. While dens are meeting, he is concerned that they will not have a good recruitment, and that about half his Cubs will not return.
Shannon Coleman, the 4-H Youth Development agent for the county, is also concerned about restrictions affecting the recruitment and retention process. Last year, she was able to more than double the size of the club at Hiwassee Dam’s club by visiting the school at the beginning of the year.
“I was really hoping to jump in there and get those kids back,” Coleman said.
She had some people call her excited about joining a 4-H club, only to show disappointment when they learn they are not meeting in person. Coleman said those families were looking for in person activities for their kids to do.
Due to requirements set by N.C. State University which manages the programs, all 4-H clubs and enrichment programs cannot meet in person. Coleman said they can meet virtually, but only the fly fishing club was doing so locally.
Coleman is working on figuring out ways the more kids can meet and is looking forward to the state’s Phase 3 starting, as she has been told the plan is to allow the older kids to meet in person when that is implemented.
She said it’s hard for kids in livestock programs to meet virtually, plus connectivity issues also make it hard to meet virtually.
“That’s probably our biggest issue – lack of internet,” Coleman said.
Jaclyn Johnson, vice president of recruitment and marketing for the Girl Scouts Carolinas Peaks to Piedmont Council, said the organization has had some success with virtual programs since the pandemic started.
The organization already served 3,000 girls in 48 states through a virtual badge activity during the pandemic. They have also done a Girl Scout box with 40 hours of onscreen activities.
“Girl Scouts is not canceled,” Johnson said. “We’re excited. We’re hopeful.”
Johnson said the council will be sending out postcards to girls in addition to placing digital ads on social media to get girls interested in Scouting.
She said they’ve already been getting a lot of traction online and are setting up virtual interest meetings.
“We’re really trying to provide the best experience we can,” Johnson said.
Going clubbing
For details on joining organizations, contact representatives at:
4-H Clubs, 837-2210, Ext. 4, shannon_coleman@ncsu.edu or nc.4honline.com.
Boy Scouts, 828-275-3075, danielboonecouncil.org/join.
Girl Scouts, 800-672-2148, beagirlscout.org.