Membership Update: What Is a Trunk or Treat and How to Host or Find One in Your Community (Especially for Cub Scout Packs!)

🎃 What Is a Trunk or Treat and How to Host or Find One in Your Community (Especially for Cub Scout Packs!)

Halloween is almost here, and that means costumes, candy, and community fun! One of the best ways families celebrate these days is with a trunk or treat.

So, What’s a Trunk or Treat?

A trunk or treat is a Halloween event where families park their cars in a lot, decorate their trunks with spooky or silly themes, and hand out candy. Instead of going door-to-door, kids walk from car to car collecting treats in a safe, fun environment.

These events started in the late 1990s as a safer alternative to traditional trick-or-treating, especially in areas where walking around neighborhoods wasn’t ideal. Over time, they’ve grown into full-blown celebrations with costumes, games, music, and more. They are often hosted by schools, churches, and youth groups.

Want to Attend One?

If you’re looking for a trunk or treat near you, here are a few easy ways to find one:

  • Search Trunk or Treat Events on Facebook
  • Check with local schools and churches
  • Browse sites like Macaroni Kid, Nextdoor, Patch, or your town’s website
  • Ask neighbors, coworkers, or other parents

Thinking About Hosting One?

Organizing a trunk or treat is a great way to bring people together and for Cub Scout Packs, it’s a perfect chance to invite new families who may have missed your Join Scouting Night or Open House.

Here’s a quick guide to get started:

1
Pick a Location
A school, church, or community center parking lot works great!
2
Choose a Date and Time
Weekends before Halloween are ideal
3
Invite Families to Participate
Encourage fun trunk themes, especially Scout-related ones!
4
Add Some Extras
Games, costume contests, or even a bring-a-friend dinner
5
Spread the Word
Use flyers, social media, and community boards to promote your event

Use Halloween to Grow Your Pack

Halloween is a fantastic time to reach families who might be interested in Scouting but don’t know how to get started. Here are some simple, effective ideas:

  • Stick “Join Scouting” labels on candy
  • Hand out flyers or business cards with info about your Pack
  • Have current Scouts give cards to friends
  • Put a “Join Scouting” sign in your yard
  • Personally invite families to your next Pack meeting or Halloween event
  • Hang a Cub Scout poster on your door
  • Host a Halloween-themed Pack meeting or party
  • Participate in local trunk or treat events

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re attending or hosting, trunk or treat events are a fun way to celebrate Halloween and connect with your community. For Cub Scout Packs, they’re also a great chance to welcome new families into the adventure of Scouting.


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