Scouts/Cubs/Beavers etc - volunteering
Discussion
Well I finally contacted them with a view to volunteering. Mrs 111R (and everyone else I seem to know) reckons I'd be great with kids and, as someone pointed out on here a while back, I could be the closest thing to a father figure some poor kids ever get 
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I've only just filled in the form on their website but does anyone else do this?
. I've only just filled in the form on their website but does anyone else do this?
I've been helping out at a Scout troop for about 10 years, since my eldest joined Beavers. It's good fun and a great bunch of people. I've resisted becoming a leader because the paperwork can be onerous and some of the local politics is mental. I'm also one of the leaders at a Cub pack. I got into it as my daughter is a Cub and liked the idea of me being there too 
. Although I am a parent to a boy and a girl (12 and 10) I am not a natural at disciplining a load of other people's children so I leave that side of things to other leaders. However, I love the hands-on stuff and being able to introduce the children to activities and skills they would never otherwise experience.
I found it pretty nerve-wracking at first but the more you get to know the children and the more of a bond you build, the better it gets. They're a fairly mixed bunch of Cubs from a wide spread of backgrounds, some with engaged and involved parents, some not so much. Seeing them grow and develop their skills is extremely rewarding - some start off absolutely hopeless but the difference you yourself can make is staggering. We did an "international banquet" 2 weeks ago which went unbelievably well; you would think we had taught them witchcraft rather than basic cooking skills such was their delight in what they had produced.
We do the obvious stuff like cooking on fires, building rope bridges, making shelters, outside games, navigation etc. It's up to us (the leaders) to come up with ideas and activities and plan them. Our group of leaders are great with no conflicts.
I won't lie and say I don't find some aspects of it challenging. I can b
k my own children quite happily if they're being annoying but with other people's it's not quite that easy!
Apparently a lack of leaders is a chronic and nationwide problem. Good luck!
. Although I am a parent to a boy and a girl (12 and 10) I am not a natural at disciplining a load of other people's children so I leave that side of things to other leaders. However, I love the hands-on stuff and being able to introduce the children to activities and skills they would never otherwise experience. I found it pretty nerve-wracking at first but the more you get to know the children and the more of a bond you build, the better it gets. They're a fairly mixed bunch of Cubs from a wide spread of backgrounds, some with engaged and involved parents, some not so much. Seeing them grow and develop their skills is extremely rewarding - some start off absolutely hopeless but the difference you yourself can make is staggering. We did an "international banquet" 2 weeks ago which went unbelievably well; you would think we had taught them witchcraft rather than basic cooking skills such was their delight in what they had produced.
We do the obvious stuff like cooking on fires, building rope bridges, making shelters, outside games, navigation etc. It's up to us (the leaders) to come up with ideas and activities and plan them. Our group of leaders are great with no conflicts.
I won't lie and say I don't find some aspects of it challenging. I can b
k my own children quite happily if they're being annoying but with other people's it's not quite that easy!Apparently a lack of leaders is a chronic and nationwide problem. Good luck!
Some of my friends run everything in their area - Tues, Cubs; Thurs, Beavers; Fri, Scouts (or some combo) because there's such a shortage of helpers.
They asked me if I'd be willing to get DBS'ed and help on caving/mine trips which happens once a week We limit the liability so that we always have a leader per group, so all I'm really responsible for is safety and navigation.
And is it rewarding? Hell yes. I have 2 daughters, The Vikingettes, and am so lucky that they are super well-behaved, have their Dads intelligence, small ego and super good looks.
So being spoiled in having calm kids and a quiet life, I would say that I used to dislike other peoples kids because they weren't like mine. But volunteering has changed all that. Yes they can be noisy and boisterous at times, but they are very used to being shouted down into a nice quiet pack.
On one trip I sat down on a chert wall whilst we waited for the other groups to finish, and a small boy followed me, sat down next to me, and started asking me lots of questions. You could tell that he wanted interaction from a father figure as much as wanting answers to his questions. He asked if I would be there when they had their sleepover in the mine. I felt quite chuffed that the trip had a profound effect on him.
They asked me if I'd be willing to get DBS'ed and help on caving/mine trips which happens once a week We limit the liability so that we always have a leader per group, so all I'm really responsible for is safety and navigation.
And is it rewarding? Hell yes. I have 2 daughters, The Vikingettes, and am so lucky that they are super well-behaved, have their Dads intelligence, small ego and super good looks.
So being spoiled in having calm kids and a quiet life, I would say that I used to dislike other peoples kids because they weren't like mine. But volunteering has changed all that. Yes they can be noisy and boisterous at times, but they are very used to being shouted down into a nice quiet pack.On one trip I sat down on a chert wall whilst we waited for the other groups to finish, and a small boy followed me, sat down next to me, and started asking me lots of questions. You could tell that he wanted interaction from a father figure as much as wanting answers to his questions. He asked if I would be there when they had their sleepover in the mine. I felt quite chuffed that the trip had a profound effect on him.
I volunteer with our local Sea Scouts, crewing one of their safety boats.
I have Powerboat Level 2, Sea Survival, RYA Safety Boat, short range radio, etc. Rarely in exactly the same place as the young people - usually about 20 metres away!
Actual Leaders are awesome - having one 12 year old at home exhausts me!
I have Powerboat Level 2, Sea Survival, RYA Safety Boat, short range radio, etc. Rarely in exactly the same place as the young people - usually about 20 metres away!
Actual Leaders are awesome - having one 12 year old at home exhausts me!
Coming up on 5 years as a Beaver leader here - assistant, not ‘head’.
Must admit, it’s knackering. Kids really suffered from lack of interaction during COVID, so it’s tougher now than ever.
Added on top the increasing costs, plus the reduction in income as no fundraising during Covid, it’s a tough gig and I very nearly packed it in a little while ago.
Fact is, though, that the rewards are huge, way beyond what I’d ever imagined. I’m lucky that our group are mega supportive, couldn’t do it without them.
Must admit, it’s knackering. Kids really suffered from lack of interaction during COVID, so it’s tougher now than ever.
Added on top the increasing costs, plus the reduction in income as no fundraising during Covid, it’s a tough gig and I very nearly packed it in a little while ago.
Fact is, though, that the rewards are huge, way beyond what I’d ever imagined. I’m lucky that our group are mega supportive, couldn’t do it without them.
26 years as Scout/Explorer Scout leader here. Still waiting on my 25 years service badge though 
Otherwise: what the others above said!
However, if you don't enjoy what you find yourself doing, please don't just stop completely - try changing sections (I much prefer running Explorers), or Groups, or there are lots of behind the scenes roles in the Exec like Treasurer or Chair, or maybe join Active Support (or whatever they're calling floating helpers this year).
Otherwise: what the others above said!
However, if you don't enjoy what you find yourself doing, please don't just stop completely - try changing sections (I much prefer running Explorers), or Groups, or there are lots of behind the scenes roles in the Exec like Treasurer or Chair, or maybe join Active Support (or whatever they're calling floating helpers this year).
I'm a Squirrels assistant leader, somehow! My youngest started there a number of months back, and I was happy to stay and help as they are always short. One thing lead to another (plus the leader was easy on the eye) and I ended up becoming an assistant leader with her.... till she mentioned she was off at the end of this term!
My plan is to help at each stage as my child moves through, so Beavers in September is the current plan. I tried to get my eldest involved pre COVID but he was having none of it.
I did it all when I was a kid, parents helps paint the hut, shop for camp etc so feels kind of nice going full circle 25/30 years later.
My plan is to help at each stage as my child moves through, so Beavers in September is the current plan. I tried to get my eldest involved pre COVID but he was having none of it.
I did it all when I was a kid, parents helps paint the hut, shop for camp etc so feels kind of nice going full circle 25/30 years later.
I did ventures donkeys years ago, then scouts. Stopped for a few years, currently doing cubs. Hard work, but very rewarding. Really nice getting to meet the kids as youngsters, then see them growing up in the community. Had our first post covid camp last year, absolutely unforgettable
I was an Explorer leader for 15 years, and also volunteered with my Group to help manage the volunteer team we have. Its highly rewarding, and I would recommend it to anyone!
As has been said above, give it a shot and see if it suits you. If it doesn't, don't give up. Have a chat with the your team in charge (you should have a Group Scout Leader - GSL) and see if there is something that suits you better. There everything from running weekly meeting with kids, managing training requirements, admin, making teas etc. We've got leaders whose only role is to take some kids kayaking twice a year.
As has been said above, give it a shot and see if it suits you. If it doesn't, don't give up. Have a chat with the your team in charge (you should have a Group Scout Leader - GSL) and see if there is something that suits you better. There everything from running weekly meeting with kids, managing training requirements, admin, making teas etc. We've got leaders whose only role is to take some kids kayaking twice a year.
defblade said:
However, if you don't enjoy what you find yourself doing, please don't just stop completely - try changing sections (I much prefer running Explorers), or Groups, or there are lots of behind the scenes roles in the Exec like Treasurer or Chair, or maybe join Active Support (or whatever they're calling floating helpers this year).
This. For obvious reasons the uniform leaders are the public face of the organisation but actually running the units is not for everybody. I was the maintenance manager for our local group for a few years which means that I was responsible for everything from unblocking the loos to organising the hut risk assessment to running grounds maintenance days to getting sponsorship from Dulux to repaint the entire hall to replacing the guttering to getting in an emergency electrician when we found out that the 3-phase supply wasn't properly earthed. Oh yes and getting the walls re-pinned when everything started to crack during a particularly dry summer. Plus I became the webmaster for a while because I could spell Wordpress.There's always something to do and as said it's incredibly fulfilling even if you aren't on the front line.
S100HP said:
My plan is to help at each stage as my child moves through, so Beavers in September is the current plan.
I don't know if you have particular reasons for doing this, but if not (and it's just the 'default' plan), I'd recommend not doing this - especially not at cubs + higher. Cubs/Beavers/Scouts is a unique environment, where you don't have all the formalities of school, and (usually) you don't have your parents around. This allows you to build self-confidence and discover a bit about what makes you 'tick' (actually that goes for leaders as well!), it also allows you to understand how to trust other adults, who if they're any good, will treat you with a lot of respect, and give you just enough slack to allow you to explore your abilities, without letting you fail catastrophically. Much easier for a leader to do that to someone who isn't their child.I don't mean don't volunteer, but consider helping with a section your child isn't in.
onetwothreefour said:
S100HP said:
My plan is to help at each stage as my child moves through, so Beavers in September is the current plan.
I don't know if you have particular reasons for doing this, but if not (and it's just the 'default' plan), I'd recommend not doing this - especially not at cubs + higher. Cubs/Beavers/Scouts is a unique environment, where you don't have all the formalities of school, and (usually) you don't have your parents around. This allows you to build self-confidence and discover a bit about what makes you 'tick' (actually that goes for leaders as well!), it also allows you to understand how to trust other adults, who if they're any good, will treat you with a lot of respect, and give you just enough slack to allow you to explore your abilities, without letting you fail catastrophically. Much easier for a leader to do that to someone who isn't their child.I don't mean don't volunteer, but consider helping with a section your child isn't in.
RicksAlfas said:
onetwothreefour said:
S100HP said:
My plan is to help at each stage as my child moves through, so Beavers in September is the current plan.
I don't know if you have particular reasons for doing this, but if not (and it's just the 'default' plan), I'd recommend not doing this - especially not at cubs + higher. Cubs/Beavers/Scouts is a unique environment, where you don't have all the formalities of school, and (usually) you don't have your parents around. This allows you to build self-confidence and discover a bit about what makes you 'tick' (actually that goes for leaders as well!), it also allows you to understand how to trust other adults, who if they're any good, will treat you with a lot of respect, and give you just enough slack to allow you to explore your abilities, without letting you fail catastrophically. Much easier for a leader to do that to someone who isn't their child.I don't mean don't volunteer, but consider helping with a section your child isn't in.
RicksAlfas said:
Yes, definitely this! Last thing a teenage Scout or Explorer wants is Dad loitering in the background.
I help with scouts and my two younger ones are in the unit currently and my eldest has moved on to explorers. I found they'd got enough independence moving through beavers and cubs that it was fine when they got to scouts and I was just another adult.Gassing Station | The Lounge | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff