This guide is designed as a practical tool to be written on, copied, and shared with every

key leader in your Troop.

READY TO PLAN YOUR OPEN HOUSE?

This is How We Grow the Kingdom

2018GUIDE2018

GUIDE

We surveyed Trail Life USA Troop leaders who had the most success in recruiting new members to find out what worked best for them. Listed below are the top 15 approaches Troops used during their incredible open houses! Start at the top and work your way down the list. Challenge your Troop to complete all of them! You can check out www.JoinTheTrail.com for available templates.

USE THE SPACE BELOW TO MAKE NOTE OF WHAT NEEDS TO HAPPEN WHEN IMPLEMENTING YOUR PROMOTIONS.

❏ Prayer

❏ Flyers handed out at school / homeschool groups

❏ Flyers handed out at local churches

❏ Personal invitations of Trailmen parents to their friends

❏ Personal invitations of Trailmen to their friends

❏ Social Media Promotion

❏ Announcements at churches

❏ Announcement on church marquee and bulletins

BEST PRACTICES ‘FROM THE FIELD ’ FOR JOIN THE TRAIL SUCCESS!

❏ Booth at school/church open house/ fall festival/homeschool groups

❏ Flyers sent home on the first day of school

❏ Open House date submitted to online community calendars

❏ School PA Announcements

❏ Yard signs

❏ Radio Public Service Announcements

❏ Recruiting event (Bowling, Camping, Airsoft Tournament, etc)

BEST RECRUITING METHODS THESE WORK TOO OTHER RECRUITING IDEAS

JULY

EXAMPLES: Open House date setfor two weeks after school starts

AUGUST

EXAMPLES: First day flyer delivered to school Annoucements at church & on the marquee

SEPTEMBER

EXAMPLES: Open House!'2nd Chance' invites planned for October

LOOK FOR AN EPISODE FEATURING TRAIL LIFE USA IN AUGUST!

YOU'LL FIND POSTERS, BANNERS, YARD SIGNS, FLYERS, & ALL OF OUR RECOMMENDED MEDIA BLURBS AT

JOINTHETRAIL.COM

Other considerations for making a good first impression and helping the Open House run smoothly:

OPEN HOUSE AGENDA

Open House — Scheduled for ____/____/________

Schedule / Key Points & Goals Person(s) Responsible

Flag Ceremony (conducted by Trailmen)

Register Trailmen (laptops & Wi-Fi available)

Oath

Dismiss all youth to kids activities* (optional)

Why Trail Life USA?

Introduce Leaders

Distribute Calendar & Cover Highlights

Emphasize Parent/Son Opportunities

Explain Joining Process / Q&A

Prayer Kids Activities* (registered leaders who can lead Trailmen and siblings in fun activities—remember 2-Deep Leadership is required!)

RefreshmentsDecorations (Centerpieces, Room Setup, etc)

Open House Checklist ❏ Sign-in Sheet for recruit contact info

❏ Welcome Flyers (sample enclosed)

❏ Laptops (more if expecting a crowd!)

❏ Troop Display / Projector / Pictures

❏ Script / Agenda

❏ Pens

❏ Tabletop Signs (for each Patrol)

❏ Leaders / Helpers in place

❏ Single Page Calendar to distribute

❏ Flags (American & Troop)

❏ ___________________________________

❏ ___________________________________

Closing (Invite families to stay and connect)

* Check out www.JoinTheTrail.com for ideas!

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10612 Augusta Road, Belton, SC 29627 www.TrailLifeUSA.com ©2018 Trail Life USA 32196

CHECK-IN /SIGN-UP

TABLE2+ Laptops

(Mock Campsite, Slideshow, Knot Tying Station, Kayaks, etc.)

FOX TABLEK-1st Graders& Parents

HAWK TABLE2-3rd Graders& Parents

ML TABLE4-5th Graders& Parents

NAV TABLE6-8th Graders& Parents

ADV TABLE9-12th Graders& Parents

ENTRANCE

American Flag Troop Flag

TROOPDISPLAY

AREA

SAMPLE OPEN HOUSE ROOM SETUP

KEYS TO SUCCESSFEEDBACK FROM SUCCESSFUL OPEN HOUSES:

‘...We work with our church to spread the news about the troop during the weekly announcements leading to the first meeting. We also participated in the activity fair at the local school district. By doing this, we have expanded the Troop to accommodate members outside the church’s congregation….’ - Northeast Region

‘...We also do a nice job of having the full year planned out prior to our open house. We can then give to prospective Trailmen and parents a full calendar so they know exactly what they’re signing up for. We already have plans to finalize by the end of March our troop wide calendar for the 2018/2019 troop year…’ -Southeast Region

‘...our Trail Life USA Troop also has a sister American Heritage Girls Troop that meets on the same evening and the same time… both AHG and TLUSA programs complement each other very well. We feel that both ministries provide families with a “one stop shop”…’ - Southwest Region

HAVE YOUR OWN SUCCESS STORY TO SHARE? HEAD TO THE TRAIL LIFE USA OFFICIAL FORUM ON FACEBOOK AND SHARE YOUR TROOP’S STORY!

JOINTHETRAIL.COM