The most important aspect of parent involvement is the encouragement and some help you give to your child. The young people who get the most out of Scouting are those who put the most into it with the example and support of their parents.

Scouts SA is a fully voluntary organisation. The Leaders are key to scouting, but all have full daytime commitments, like yourself. They spend many hours preparing the meeting nights and also need to keep up with training requirements. A lot of behind-the-scenes work.

This is where you come in. The support you give will depend on individual circumstances. We need regular help in the following areas:

Transport

Occasionally transporting some children to various activities included in our program.

Working Bees

The Scout Hall and surrounding property need regular maintenance to ensure the facility is kept in good repair and that our members and tenants are in a safe and pleasant environment. The Committee has three working bees each year and each family is expected to assist at one of them. You can offer specialised skills for a particular project – for example electrical, plumbing, carpentry or help with general maintenance and cleaning).

Assisting on meeting nights

Some activities are better and safer with an extra pair of hands, eyes and ears. If we call for a little extra help, it is good to know that there are parents willing to assist!

Sometimes our groups will have a roster as we require additional help each night to ensure we can maintain an effective adult/child ratio. It is usual that two parents are on a roster to assist with each meeting.

Parents Committee

The Parents Committee’s main function is to support the Leaders to ensure that we have an active and healthy group. It is elected at an Annual General Meeting and includes at least a chairperson, a treasurer, a secretary, and a group leader. Members are required to attend a monthly committee meeting to plan and develop activities with the Leader in charge. Visitors are welcome.

The committee:

• controls group finance,
• maintains the hall and grounds,
• completes submissions for special funding, organizes fundraising and social activities,
• seeks potential leaders,
• promotes the Group and Scouting in the community to ensure growth in membership.

Joining the Parents Committee is one of the ways in which interested parents can support their child’s Scouting without the weekly commitment of being a Leader. Participation is also a good way to get to know other parents and to find out what is happening in the Group.

Conduct

We ask parents to observe and reinforce with their children the following conduct and ensure our Scouting activities run safely, timely, and with fun for all:

• Please, try to be on time for activities, and have the appropriate paperwork with you. This just maximizes the time we get having fun on activities;
• Please show your face and sign the presence list when arriving and leaving. It is for your kid safety. Try not to be a drop-off pick-up parent;
• We have a few ceremonies for a number of occasions, some are for beginning and ending our meeting nights. They can be a time for celebration, reflection, or sharing information. Please, help educate your children about the importance of respectful behaviour during these ceremonies;
• Hold your catch-up chats with other parents outside the Scout Hall, in the kitchen, or backroom;
• Effectively manage siblings within the Scout Hall and other activities sites for their own safety and the safety of our youth members;
• Parent help is crucial to our Scout Group and encouraged to seek out things to help with;
• Finally, a reminder that all our Leaders happily volunteer their time to Scouting and your child – please ensure your child is respectful and responsive to all Leaders at all times.

Becoming a Volunteer Leader in Scouting

Check it out. No experience required. It’s life-changing!

Most Leaders in Scouting are adults responsible for the delivery of the Youth Program. These Leaders undertake fun activities with young people, usually on a weekly basis. As a Leader of Youth, you work with your team to support young people learn new skills through the Scout method. This means that young people lead and the adults support.

Delivering the Youth Program can be very rewarding! Plus, Scouting gives you access to accredited training to support you on your journey.

Leaders of Youth told us what they enjoy about their experience:

• You get to meet such a diverse group of people through Scouting.
• Scouting teaches a sense of community.
• Just get up and out into nature and fresh air!
• The more energy that you put in, the most you get out of it!
• Scouting is one big family.

An opportunity to learn new skills, enjoy adventure, and meet new friends while making a difference to young people in your community. Contact us.