Bring a friend

Activity summary

We’d love more people to be involved in learning skills for life with Scouts but joining a new group or section can be quite overwhelming and scary for some people. It’s important we make everyone feel welcome and comfortable.

Before you begin

• Identify a friend (or more than one friend!) who you’d like to come to Scouts.
• Ask your leader if it’s okay so they can prepare for the session.
• Think about what information, contact details or consent forms you might need so they can join in.
• Make sure everyone knows the plan, including everyone’s parents or carers.

Things to consider

• How will your friend get to your meeting place, and what time will they need to be there? You could arrange to travel together or walk with a trusted adult.
• What will they need to bring? They won’t need a uniform, but let them know what you’ll be doing on the night so they can wear suitable clothes. If you’re meeting outside they might need to bring a waterproof coat.
• You can use the invite template on the Brand Centre or your group could make invitations or flyers advertising the event to give to their friends, or badges to welcome them.   
• Let them know how you run your meetings - what are your favourite games to play when you meet, what's a lodge or six, how do you start your meetings and any other important information. 
• Make sure they know where everything is - let them know where they can put their things like bags or coats, where they can get a drink or where the toilet is.
• Think about how you felt when you first started Scouts. How did you feel? Was there anything you wish you had known before you started?

Planning the programme

At the session, run an easy, fun programme that everyone can join in with. Rocket building or a games night works well. There are lots of examples on our Activity Finder. Here are a few ideas to get you started: 

• Introduce them to everyone so they know who’s who and where to go if they have any questions.
• Find common interests - new people are new friends! Find out a little about them, their hobbies, interests or favourite games.
• You could try an icebreaker like Two truths, one lie or The evolution game.
• Why not think about how to say thank you to the young people for bringing their friends? You might want to give out a certificate or prize to those who brought a new person along or your County/ District may have a ‘Buddy Badge’ you could  
• Check out Welcoming a new member for some more activity ideas.
• There are loads more helpful advice on this page on Growing Scouts.