Monmouth Boy Scouts rev up recruitment drive
The Battleground District of Monmouth Council Boy Scouts of America (BSA) has announced the official launch of its "Race for Cub Scouting" fall recruitment drive.

In September, Cub Scout packs in Allentown, Colts Neck, Englishtown, Farmingdale, Freehold Borough, Freehold Township, Howell, Manalapan, Marlboro, Millstone, Roosevelt and Upper Freehold Township will all hold "Join Scouting" nights to introduce elementary school boys to Cub Scouts, according to a BSA press release.

"Back to School equals Back to Scouting, and we are looking for new Cub Scout recruits to join one of the most valued and trusted programs that provides boys in first through fifth grade with the life skills to become the leaders of tomorrow," said Jerry Ceres, vice president of membership for the Monmouth Council. "We encourage parents to attend a Join Scouting Night in their community to learn about the benefits of cub scouting and the critical role that families play in the Cub Scout program."

BSA describes the Cub Scouts as a program that instills traditional values, builds character and develops leadership skills in the context of fun and family togetherness. Scouting combines outdoor activities, sports and academics with teaching honesty, citizenship and respect, and how to apply these values to everyday life, the press release said.

The press release states that a primary goal of Scouting is to promote caring and nurturing relationships with parents, other adults and peers. The program addresses this element by providing positive role models and encouraging family togetherness.

A recent study of Cub Scout families shows that 95 percent of parents and their sons do projects together, 91 percent go places together, 90 percent talk together, and 75 percent read together, according to the press release.

Cub Scouts also fosters friendship. According to the press release, studies have shown that boys tend to gravitate toward activities in which their friends participate. Current Cub Scouts who successfully encourage a friend to join can earn a special "Recruiter" patch.

According to Ceres, there are a few key facts that underscore the long-term impact of scouting, including that 85 percent of Student Council presidents were Scouts; 72 percent of Rhodes Scholars were Scouts; and 98 percent of all people who were Scouts graduated from high school.

"Keep an eye out for your school or chartered organization to send out fliers on Race to Cub Scouting events in your town," Ceres said.

For more information about the Monmouth Council Boy Scouts, call the council office at (732) 536-2347 or visit the Web site www.monmouthbsa.org.