Everything You Need to Know About Scout Expo
September 21, 2017
Scout Square, Vestavia Hills
6-7:30 pm
Why should we come to Scout Expo?
- Enjoy the fellowship of Scouting and get ideas for fun things to do.
- Show off your skills.
- Demonstrate the fun and skills of Scouting to people who might not be familiar with Scouting programs.
- Tell prospects about your unit and give them an opportunity to join.
- Door prizes
- Climbing wall (sponsored by Mountain High Outfitters)
- DaVinci Bridge (it’s awesome; wait till you see it)
We want to sign up. What’s next?
- Plan Your Scout Expo Booth.
- Pick a theme. (If you can’t think of an idea, look here.)
- Reserve your spot and tell us your theme here,
- Recruit Scouts to help.
- See what other units are doing here.
Prepare your activity.
- Practice the game, craft or skill with the rest of your unit; ensure your youth understand their leadership roles.
- Prepare any materials needed.
- Bring your table, tent (canopy), camp chairs or whatever else you need. (Nothing will be provided.)
- One adult booth supervisor should be on duty at all times.
- Bring your flag or banner to identify your unit and chartered organization.
What will make my booth awesome?
- Make your activity lively and fun!
- Show off your skills! Capitalize on things you know and can do well.
- Be sure all youth members get in on the act–this is their show.
- Schedule a rotation of youth to man your booth so everyone can walk around and enjoy the other displays.
- Don’t forget the adult supervision at each booth.
- Subject Knowledge Youth members should be conversant with the topic of the booth.
- Scouts should be able to describe activities in their own words and answer questions about their booth.
- Engage the audience; invite them to try their own cooking or be a participant in a game, take a quiz or try a skill.
- Wear your uniform proudly and correctly. (Class A uniforms, please.)
- A Scout is courteous at all times, especially when others are speaking or waiting in line.
- Make sure activities are age-appropriate and follow the Guide to Safe Scouting safety rules.
- If preparing food, make enough to share and post allergy alerts. (Bring paper goods.)
- Have information about your unit available if someone asks. (Contacts; location, date and time of meetings, etc.)
- Keep it simple.
How can I choose a great theme?
- See the list of booth ideas, but feel free to come up with your own too.
- For Cubs, look at monthly Cub Scout themes or Cub achievements and electives.
- For Scouts, think about past Camporee events and merit badges you have enjoyed.
- Review resources in Scout merit badge books.
- Brainstorm booth possibilities, then determine which is best for your unit and Scouts.
- Thoughts to consider: What do your boys do best? What are their interests?
Please remember:
- If cooking or fires are required for your activity, plan for a raised area that will protect the environment.
- Fire must be in a raised fire pit only.
- Be prepared! Be ready to start at 6pm.
- There will be no access to electricity.
- On our event date, twilight will begin around 6:45pm; plan accordingly.
- After cleanup and breakdown, the area should be the way you found it.
- Bring trash bags so cleanup will be easy.
- Leave No Trace.