06/11/2026
The secret to retention: Fun! (According to this new book) https://onscouting.org/2026/06/11/the-secret-to-retention-fun-according-to-this-new-book/ If you’re looking for ideas to create engaging meetings and memorable activities, Larry Green has the book for you. In Making Scouting Unforgettably FUN! the Eagle Scout and lifelong Scouting volunteer provides plenty of options that will help keep youth, parents and volunteers excited about Scouting. On Scouting spoke with Green about the role fun plays in retention and why great programs are crucial.
On Scouting: What inspired you to write Making Scouting Unforgettably FUN?
Larry Green: I’ve always loved Scouting. That’s really what it comes down to. Over the years, I’ve created videos, websites, training materials and conference content because I wanted to help strengthen the program and increase membership.
The book is a compilation of many of those ideas and resources I’ve developed over time. It grew out of the work I did with the national organization, as well as a Philmont Training Center conference by the same name. The book takes the concepts from that course and puts them into a format leaders can use in their own units.
At its heart, it’s a guide to helping leaders create the kinds of experiences that Scouts remember years later.
OS: Why do you believe fun is so important to the Scouting experience?
LG: The connection is simple — when people are having fun, they want to come back.
That’s true for Scouts, parents and volunteers. If meetings are enjoyable and rewarding, people look forward to participating. If they’re not, retention becomes a challenge.
One of the things I do in the book is define what “fun” actually means. It’s not just playing games. Active participation is a huge part of it. Scouts want to be involved, challenged and engaged.
OS: The book contains more than 140 activities. What makes a great Scouting activity?
LG: For me, the best activities combine fun with positive outcomes. I especially like Scout skill challenges because they reinforce skills while creating excitement and teamwork.
A good activity should do three things: reinforce the acquisition of a skill, illustrate how that skill is used and require Scouts to rely on that skill to complete a challenge. When those ingredients come together, the activity becomes both memorable and meaningful.
The goal isn’t just to keep Scouts busy. It’s to give them an experience that teaches something while still being enjoyable.
OS: You talk a lot about Scout skill challenges. Why are they so effective?
LG: They’re the meat and potatoes of the program. Scout skill challenges take traditional Scouting skills and put them into action. Instead of simply learning a knot or a lashing, Scouts use those skills to solve a problem, complete a project or overcome a challenge.
Along the way, they’re learning teamwork, communication and problem-solving. They’re pooling their resources, working together and relying on each other’s strengths. That’s where a lot of the fun comes from. I also think these activities help show the public what Scouting is all about. When people see Scouts building a flagpole, constructing a monkey bridge or putting outdoor skills into action, they immediately understand that Scouting offers something unique.
OS: Do the lessons in this book apply only to Scouts BSA troops?
LG: Not at all. While many of the examples come from Scouts BSA, the principles apply at every age level. I spent years as both a den leader and Cubmaster, and fun is just as important in Cub Scouting. In fact, I’d argue it’s critical during those first few meetings. If young people aren’t having a good time early on, they’re less likely to come back. The book was written for both youth leaders and adult leaders because everyone has a role in creating a positive program.
OS: Of all the activities in the book, do you have a favorite?
LG: Two of my favorites are the Supreme String Burning Race and Everyone on the Tripod.
Everyone on the Tripod requires Scouts to use lashings and teamwork to build a large tripod structure that the entire patrol can stand on. What makes it special is that Scouts get to see the direct result of their work. They build something together, climb onto it and celebrate when the whole patrol is standing off the ground.
The Supreme String Burning Race combines fire-building skills, wood processing and teamwork. Scouts split wood, create tinder and kindling, build a fire, and eventually burn a suspended string. There’s a lot of anticipation involved, and everyone is cheering for success. It teaches valuable outdoor skills while creating a positive experience.
OS: After more than six decades in Scouting, what keeps you passionate about the movement?
LG: It’s the combination of outdoor...
Plus: Real activities to keep youth, parents, and volunteers engaged in this book by Eagle Scout and longtime Scouting volunteer Larry Green.
![The Trail to Eagle (TTE) program is a specifically designed program for the older Scout to give them the [TTE Eagle] opp...](https://img4.ngos1.com/113/045/1311176951130454.jpg)
