View Full Version : to all Scout leaders
big_daddy_merc
09-05-2007, 08:00
i've been asked to get involved with the Scouts about 3-4 times now in the past few months, but i'm not sure what i would be doing and what it would involve, i know i'm not going to be Scout leader as soon as i get there, but where do you start in the Scouts?
cheers
Simon
i've been asked to get involved with the Scouts about 3-4 times now in the past few months, but i'm not sure what i would be doing and what it would involve, i know i'm not going to be Scout leader as soon as i get there, but where do you start in the Scouts?
cheers
Simon
That depends. were you being asked by a specific Group to help out?
There are 2 sorts of adult support at a group level - uniformed Leaders and helpers; both have to be CRB (Criminal Records Beauru) checked, and there is an extensive training programme that uniformed leaders have to complete. What you do and where you start is probably entirely up to what level of time and effort you're willing to commit; and what section* you'll be working with.
Oh, by the way... don't believe anyone who says that it's just an hour or so a week!
* Sections are (in rough terms):
Beavers (6-8)
Cubs (8-10)
Scouts (10-14)
Explorers (14-18)
Network (18-25)
Scots_Charles_River
09-05-2007, 10:37
The 'Scout Fellowship' or goto the local camping centre, speak to the warden and offer to help out.
http://www.scoutbase.org.uk/support/role/
Obviously the CRB (disclosure) will take a while.
Try 'Scouting for Boys' by Baden powell, maybe more traditional but very bushcrafty.
http://www.scouts.org.uk/
Nick
big_daddy_merc
09-05-2007, 12:34
thanks for the info guys, i've been asked by three people now and 2 asked me about becoming a uniformed leader as they are leaders of another group not too far away, but i'm not sure if i'm cut out for that as there's a big difference between going with just my 2 kids into the field and taking a scout group out, think i'll have to do some thinking about this
Scots_Charles_River
09-05-2007, 13:14
That's why I opted for the 'Scout Fellowship', allows you to opt in to events you want to help with, without the time or commitment for full leadership.
Nick
Steve27752
09-05-2007, 15:27
Simon,
My son moved up from Beavers to Cubs last year, and when my shifts allow I go allong as a non uniformed adult helper and help out at the meetings.
I also help out at the Cub camps, last weekend the Cubs camped out for two nights. On this occassion, I did not stay overnight I arrived at about 7.15 in the mornings and helped with breakfasts, the rest of the days were packed full of activities building fires, camp fire cooking or tracking or just team games. I went home after the campfire, at about 21.30.
Unless you have a lot of time available you may be better going along as a helper. Uniformed or not.
The Leaders are a really dedicated bunch of people.
Steve :)
Simon
Have a look at http://www.scoutbase.org.uk/library/hqdocs/facts/ (scroll down to the "Adult Support" section). There's shed loads of information on there - including role descriptions for the various types of leader (so you could find out what you may be letting yourself in for).
I've been an Assistant Scout Leader (ASL) for about four years now - since my son joined Beavers. He's now with me in the Scout Troop - much to his annoyance.
We've just had a brilliant weekend in Snowdonia with our District's Explorer Scouts, and I'm quite keen to introduce out young people to bushcraft, etc.
I'd recommend going along to a couple of meetings and see what goes on before you commit to anything, but I can recommend involvement at any level.
It's only two hours a week. There, I've said it :)
It's only two hours a week. There, I've said it :)
Don't believe him.... :D
I Think with going into uniform you can still put as little as a couple of hours a week in I Do! You may feel more part of the team and get more training as well .If you enjoy the challenge and frustration of working with young people go for it you will have fun :lmao: :lmao:
You could always start as a non-uniformed helper and take it in stages from there. :cool: .I am an Explorer leader but I have a good team with me who make it feel like I hardly do anything (till the end of year chase-ups!). It's a big step but remember, it is voluntary, if you don't like it you can walk away.
big_daddy_merc
10-05-2007, 19:26
cheers guys, i think i have a lot to read and think about over it. one of our friends we go hiking with once a months a leader( and was the first person to ask me) so i think i'll have a good chat with them to see whats going off in the area and maybe tag along to a few of there meets as well :cool:
As you say go along and see what they want but remember they should ask what you want and offer you support.
You could just help at camps or at section meetings a couple of times a year but the same always applies all help is thankfully recieved.
Here is a quote from a letter I am about print 60 copies of to hand out my group asking for various help.
Your help will always be appreciated however large or small a contribution you make.
If you help :You_Rock_
big_daddy_merc
19-05-2007, 17:58
well i've gone and done it, my youngest got invested friday into cubs, and guess what the three of them did.
only went and told the leaders i was thinking of helping:eek:
any how they told me that they are short on helpers for the Scout group( which is what i wanted to do anyway) and my oldest daughter has been wanting to join Scouts for ages, so we are going monday night to see how we go:D
the leaders almost jumped on me when i said i'm into bushcraft as they also need some-one with some knowlage of it to help in some badges, i though they were going to tie my up so i wouldn't get away :lmao:
once again guys thanks for all the advice it has been a real help and i'm sure it will in the future too:beerchug: :beerchug:
never know may see you at camp one day:D
richardnhunt
19-05-2007, 21:24
Good for you - it is seriously addictive and tons of fun.
Hope you enjoy it
Rich
Good for you - it is seriously addictive and tons of fun.
Hope you enjoy it
Rich
I agree
:You_Rock_
Well done mate!
It's the beginning of the end.... :D
welcome to the campfire! Pull up a marshmallow and toast your chair on a stick!
Seriously - nice one.
big_daddy_merc
21-05-2007, 21:40
well first night over and done with:D , had a bit of nerves but that didn't last long as i got stuck in almost from the start, also been asked if i could help with a camp in the next few weeks doing bushcrafty type of things, so i think it's safe to say i could be going back.
i think once we all get to know each other we'll be ok, i can see what you mean though about it being very rewarding working with the kids
If you can get the "Cool!" factor, showing them something they might never have seen before, then you're more than halfway there.
If you can show them that THEY can do it themselves - you're there; and the expression on their faces at that point makes the times (and they will exist) when you wish you'd never started not seem so bad.
We made nettle soup last week and the Kids loved it.
I was chuffed that I got the pickiest eater I have ever seen to try it. He didnt like it but that didn't matter he actaually tried it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!11:D
It can be rewarding.
Having been throught the Scouts since a kid and with a break over the last few years, I've just got back into it (kids now in Cubs and Scouts) as a "Group Sectional Assistant" which is a full member with all the checks but non uniformed. I just help out where and when I'm needed or have the time. Great fun putting something back into Scouting and an opportunity to teach children the life skills that are missing from todays society.
As with all things the more you put in the more you get out. I've just returned from the Glasgow Area Centenary Camp at Auchingillan where there were 1500 kids from Beavers to network, great fun for all.
I'm just back from the Edinburgh area centenary bash, great fun, hundreds of screaming kids, only rained once. I'm not a scout/cub leader, just a parent helper, but giving it serious thought about helping more...
We've just this last weekend had our centenary camp, which - whilst wet on the Sunday - really seemed to go well (even if I nearly gave myself a heart attack getting het-up about stuff on Friday afternoon...). All the kids looked like they were enjoying themselves, and that's the main thing! Not only that, our Explorers earned some serious kudos with their helpful attitude and positive behavior... good on them!
Good luck with helping out at scouts B.D.M. :) I've been a non-uniformed helper at my childrens scout group for the past eight years and have had as much fun as the kids :D . I've helped out with all the sections, providing transport to camp, putting tents up, catering etc and running occasional wildlife related activities such as bird-box making or plant and tree i.d.
We've also just returned from our centenary camp where there were around 400 cubs, scouts and explorers camping. Around 200 beavers came to join us for Saturday afternoon and left after the camp fire. The nights were cold and we had a sharp frost on both nights, luckily the sun shone for most of Saturday and Sunday was mostly dry. Activities ranged from bridge-building and pioneering to belly-dancing !! bushcraft activities included backwoods cooking and survival, green woodworking and fire lighting. There was also archery and air rifle shooting, and the explorers could also shoot clays.
Everyone had a great time and it was wonderful to see so many youngsters having fun with no computer games in sight, and there were no discipline problems and no litter !