BSA keeps it cool

This is Part 1 in a series titled, "BSA keeps its cool in the 21st century". The series takes a look at "the cool factor" of Scouting, unveiling innovative strategies and programs BSA plans to use to swell membership ranks this year.

As BSA looks forward into the rapidly changing world of the new millenium, the effort to recruit and retain its membership has never been more relevant and vital. This year, the National Council embarks on a lengthy membership initiative, exploiting the centennial anniversary of Scouting to help swell the ranks.

This mini series titled, "BSA keeps its cool in the 21st century" unveils innovative strategies and programs the BSA plans to use, to that end. This is Part 1 in the series.

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"That's cool!", First Class Scout Nicholas Douros of Troop 316 in Lodi Ca., enthusiastically reports after looking at the web page for the ambitious Adventure Base 100, soon to campaign nationally as a robust new recruiting tool for the Boy Scouts of America.

Nick's words are like music to the ears of the organization.

BSA National President John Gottschalk explains during a recent national audiocast, "We in Scouting are looking at the importance of the 'cool factor' as we enter into the next 100 years of Scouting. We want to keep Scouting relevant to today's youth."

Staying relevant and being "cool" will be hard work. The 21st century landscape looks very different for Scouting than that of the first 100 years.

Let's face it, knot-tying has lost its sex appeal to the text appeal of iPods and cell phones.

A hand crafted woggle and pressed neckerchief might have impressed the ladies in 1960, yet today it's a struggle to get the boys to wear them.

Owning a compass and knowing how to use it has been replaced by programming coordinates into a handheld GPS.

The challenge facing BSA is to adapt enough to thrive in today's kinetic, lightning fast, me-centric, indoor eWorld while maintaining the time-honored tenets established during Scouting's inaugural year. Principles such as service to others, citizenship, personal fitness, outdoor and environmental stewardship are in direct contrast to the sedentary and selfish lifestyle of the information age.

Meeting the challenge- BSA keeps it cool

On January 1, 2010 after the Tournament of Roses Parade, BSA is launching Adventure Base 100, a 10,000 sq. foot traveling campus complete with a ropes course, zip line, interactive digital Scout exhibit, National Scout Museum and time capsule.

This year, BSA invites Scouts to participate in Get in the Game! geocaching. It's an interesting blend of technology and traditional Scout activities and skills development. Essentially a high-tech treasure hunt, geocaching allows Scouts to find hidden outdoor treasures by utilizing GPS.

The Boy Scouts of America has a growing presence on social media sites such as Facebook, YouTube and Twitter. BSA offers text alerts on the sites to keep subscribers in the loop and up to date.

The Centennial Edition of the Boy Scout Handbook is now available for download on the iPhone and iPod.

In The Scout Zone is a slickly produced recruitment video with a contemporary sound track. Images of boys inside the cockpit of a fighter jet, donning firefighter gear on a firetruck, waterskiing and playing soccer are blended with quick-fade seques of more traditional Scout activities such as hiking, swimming and canoeing.

It's no accident that Boy Scouts of America has been blazing a trail of adventure for 100 years. It is- after all-good, clean fun.