Hello Thunderbird Family!
RECRUITING SEASON IS ROLLING! 
I continue to be excited by the energy we’re seeing across Thunderbird. Units are getting into schools, hosting Join Scout Nights, following up with families, and—most importantly—ADDING SCOUTS!
Every new Scout represents another young person getting the opportunity to experience adventure, leadership, friendship, service, and everything this program has to offer.
Our goal remains simple:
Give EVERY youth who wants to experience Scouting the opportunity to do so!
And right now, Thunderbird is making it happen!
Upcoming Events Spotlight
Our fall calendar is PACKED, so make sure these dates are on your unit calendars!
September 25–27 — Thunderbird District Camporee @ Lost Pines Scout Reservation
September 26 — Kite & Rocket Festival
September 27 — Dittmar Soccer Joint Activity
October 3 — Scouting 101
October 15 — Scout Shop Road Show
October 17 — JOTA/JOTI @ Frank Fickett Scout Training and Service Center
October 31 — Shooting Sports Extravaganza
November 14 — SpeedFest @ Circuit of the Americas
January 15, 2027 — Winter Festival @ Smiling V
February 4, 2027 — Distinguished Citizen Award Luncheon
Remember: these aren’t just events for our current Scouts—they’re recruiting tools!
When you’re talking with a prospective family, don’t just tell them about Scouting. SHOW THEM what’s waiting for them when they join!
SCOUT OUT: Pack 535 is LEADING THE WAY!
We have to start this week with a HUGE SCOUT OUT to Pack 535! 
Pack 535 has recruited the MOST Scouts in Thunderbird this recruiting season AND the most Scouts in the district for the entire year so far!
That is AWESOME!
Congratulations to the Scouts, parents, and volunteers who have been putting in the work to welcome new families and grow your Pack.
Now, Thunderbird…
WHO’S COMING FOR THE TOP SPOT?! 
We’ve still got plenty of recruiting season left. Let’s make this competition interesting!
Pack 81 — You’re Up This Weekend!
Another big SCOUT OUT to Pack 81, which is holding its recruiting event this Saturday at Mary Moore Searight Park!
I have a feeling you guys are going to bring some new Scouts into the Thunderbird family this weekend, and I can’t wait to see it happen!
Have fun, show those families what makes your Pack special, collect those leads, and FOLLOW UP!
ANY UNIT Recruiting? TELL US!
This isn’t just for Packs anymore.
If ANY Thunderbird unit is hosting a Join Scout Night, recruiting event, open house, community event, or another opportunity designed to bring in new youth, PLEASE FILL OUT THE FORM!
Submit Your Recruiting Event:
https://forms.gle/
We want to support you however we can—with recruiting materials, promotion, staffing, follow-up, ideas, or additional resources.
But we can only support what we know about!
Please communicate your recruiting plans with us early. The more notice we have, the more we can do to help make your event successful.
Membership Growth: KEEP THE MOMENTUM GOING!
Join Scout Nights, school recruiting, community events, follow-up calls, and individual conversations with families are all adding up.
Thank you to every leader, parent, and Scout who has welcomed prospective families, answered questions, handed out flyers, worked recruiting tables, and helped show families what Scouting is all about.
Every successful recruiting event is the result of volunteers putting in the work before, during, AND after the event.
That last piece matters!
FOLLOW UP. FOLLOW UP. FOLLOW UP.
A family expressing interest is great. A family completing an application and showing up to their first meeting is even better!
Congratulations Again, Troop 3377!
We also have a HUGE district milestone to continue celebrating!
A BIG congratulations to Troop 3377 on officially becoming the FIRST Family Troop in the Thunderbird District! 
This is an exciting milestone for both the unit and Thunderbird.
Congratulations to the Scouts and volunteers who helped make it happen. I’m excited to see what comes next!
Second Chance Join Nights!
Your first Join Scout Night doesn’t have to be your last recruiting opportunity this fall!
If you still have families to reach, consider holding a Second Chance Join Night during the first couple of weeks of October.
We’ll have National Night Out events, Scouting 101, and the October 15 Scout Shop Road Show all happening around the same time, giving us several opportunities to connect families with Scouting.
If you’re planning one, LET ME KNOW!
Submit Your Recruiting Event:
https://forms.gle/
Remember, recruiting material orders are placed every Friday and typically arrive the following Friday, so the earlier you communicate your plans, the better we can support you.
AFTER Your Recruiting Event — REPORT THOSE RESULTS!
Once your Join Scout Night or recruiting event is complete, don’t forget one important final step:
Tell us what happened!
Capitol Area Council Join Scout Night Results:
https://forms.cloud.microsoft/
This information goes directly to Vicki, our Central Service Area Field Director, and helps us track our membership progress, see what’s working, improve our recruiting process, identify opportunities, and determine where additional support may be needed.
Plan it. Promote it. Hold it. Follow up. Report it. GROW!
CAMPOREE IS ALMOST HERE!
Alright, Troops and Crews…
WE ARE GETTING CLOSE! 
September 25–27
Lost Pines Scout Reservation
Our Thunderbird District Camporee with Colorado River District is right around the corner!
Between the activities, competition, fellowship, and everything our Camping Committee has been working on, this is going to be an exciting weekend!
Please make sure your unit leadership and youth leaders are reviewing the Camporee Leaders Guide and getting your Scouts ready.
Camporee Registration:
https://scoutingevent.com/564-
If your unit hasn’t registered yet…
DON’T WAIT!
Let’s get those registrations in and make this a Camporee our Scouts talk about long after they leave Lost Pines!
SCOUTING 101 — Troops & Crews, GET READY!
October 3
Troops and Crews, Scouting 101 is a BIG recruiting opportunity for YOU!
We aren’t only inviting Arrow of Light Scouts preparing to cross over. We’re inviting new youth from across Thunderbird to experience our older-youth programs and discover what Scouts BSA and Venturing have to offer.
So start planning your area NOW.
What makes YOUR unit different?
What adventures do you take? What traditions do you have? What makes a Scout want to come back after visiting your unit?
Bring your Scouts. Bring pictures. Bring gear. Bring something INTERACTIVE!
Most importantly, let YOUR SCOUTS tell the story.
Don’t just sit behind a table. Engage families. Invite youth to participate. Get their information. Invite them to your next meeting or outing.
Then…
FOLLOW UP!
We’re working to bring prospective Scouts to you.
Now let’s get them into Scouting!
SpeedFest Registration is UNDERWAY!
November 14 Circuit of the Americas
Thunderbird has COTA right in our backyard, so I want us showing up BIG!
And remember—SpeedFest is another incredible recruiting tool.
Imagine telling a brand-new family:
“Welcome to Scouting! By the way… we’re going to Circuit of the Americas.” 
That’s a pretty great introduction to the program!
Register for SpeedFest:
https://scoutingevent.com/564-
Let’s PACK COTA with Thunderbird Scouts!
Stay Connected with Thunderbird!
With recruiting season, Camporee, Scouting 101, and a VERY busy fall ahead, make sure you’re subscribed to our Thunderbird District text notification system.
We’ll use it for weather alerts, event changes, reminders, and other time-sensitive district information.
Subscribe:
https://app2.simpletexting.
Thunderbird, THIS is the season to GROW.
We’re in our schools. We’re in our communities. We’re hosting recruiting events. We’re following up with families. We’re preparing incredible programs for the Scouts already here.
And most importantly…
WE’RE ADDING SCOUTS!
Pack 535 has set the pace. Pack 81 is up this weekend. And I know there are plenty more units ready to make some noise before recruiting season is over.
How many young people can we introduce to Scouting before December 31st?
Let’s find out.
Keep recruiting. Keep inviting. KEEP FOLLOWING UP.
LET’S GROW THUNDERBIRD!
Yours in Scouting,
Sherrick West | Thunderbird District Executive
