I asked a fourteen year-old (Stuart) what would "hook him" into wanting us to drive him to such an activity or presentation.
His reply, "if it involved Outdoors Hiking, Camping or other activity which I already like". I thought of SOTA. He also said, "like a lock-in activity".
In Scouting, we offered "Lock-In" activities to our Troop several times a year. They were usually an earned thing. If they performed a certain number of service projects, performed exceptionally well at a Scout Show or Camporee, Summer Camp Awards, etc. The Lock In was mostly reward based and included whatever activities they wanted. The Lock-In was conducted at our Meeting Site with permission from our Sponsor (Immanuel Lutheran Church on Cook St. Meriden). There, they would be dropped off by their parent and All would be "Locked In" for the evening. Then the Night was theirs to execute the SPL's Plan (his plan for Activities: The Scouts were ALWAYS required to plan activities. Adults only supervised). We would usually provide Pizza, Soda and Snacks. We were always lenient on curfew but there was ALWAYS a curfew. Sometimes even 1 or 2 AM but again, that was Their Plan.
Once, the SPL (Senior Patrol Leader - The Troops' Boy Leader) organized a Networked LAN Party with other Scouts Computers connected to a Central Gaming Server. They Gamed all night. Other activities they organized were Basketball, Volleyball Tournament, Modern Board Games and RPG's, Card Games.
One Activity they seemed to like was a Hobby Night where they brought in whatever Hobby they liked most or maybe All of their Hobbies.
As a Scouting Activity, we could get our Council or District involved as a Merit Badge Activity. There are a few Merit Badges which could be offered.
Getting Club Members Registered as a Merit Badge Counselor would be a first step and is relatively easy. I have been a Merit Badge Counselor for 18 Merit badges for years. Not everyone would be required to be a Merit Badge Counselor but each Adult that would be present would be required to apply for membership to the BSA and undergo a background check and vetting process.
FWIW - YMMV
His reply, "if it involved Outdoors Hiking, Camping or other activity which I already like". I thought of SOTA. He also said, "like a lock-in activity".
In Scouting, we offered "Lock-In" activities to our Troop several times a year. They were usually an earned thing. If they performed a certain number of service projects, performed exceptionally well at a Scout Show or Camporee, Summer Camp Awards, etc. The Lock In was mostly reward based and included whatever activities they wanted. The Lock-In was conducted at our Meeting Site with permission from our Sponsor (Immanuel Lutheran Church on Cook St. Meriden). There, they would be dropped off by their parent and All would be "Locked In" for the evening. Then the Night was theirs to execute the SPL's Plan (his plan for Activities: The Scouts were ALWAYS required to plan activities. Adults only supervised). We would usually provide Pizza, Soda and Snacks. We were always lenient on curfew but there was ALWAYS a curfew. Sometimes even 1 or 2 AM but again, that was Their Plan.
Once, the SPL (Senior Patrol Leader - The Troops' Boy Leader) organized a Networked LAN Party with other Scouts Computers connected to a Central Gaming Server. They Gamed all night. Other activities they organized were Basketball, Volleyball Tournament, Modern Board Games and RPG's, Card Games.
One Activity they seemed to like was a Hobby Night where they brought in whatever Hobby they liked most or maybe All of their Hobbies.
As a Scouting Activity, we could get our Council or District involved as a Merit Badge Activity. There are a few Merit Badges which could be offered.
Getting Club Members Registered as a Merit Badge Counselor would be a first step and is relatively easy. I have been a Merit Badge Counselor for 18 Merit badges for years. Not everyone would be required to be a Merit Badge Counselor but each Adult that would be present would be required to apply for membership to the BSA and undergo a background check and vetting process.
FWIW - YMMV
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