Scout Leaders
Scout Leaders have the opportunity to work with young people and their families, improving your community by enriching participants’ lives through fun-filled, worthwhile programs that teach values. By making the commitment to serve as a leader, you can help make a positive difference in the kind of adults they will become and build a better future for our nation.
Overview
Your time and talents can support young people through Scouting. There are two main volunteer tracks:
- Working directly with youth
- In support of those that do
Volunteer positions vary greatly in the amount of time necessary, ranging from several hours each week to a few hours per year. Opportunities are available year-round. Since youth member safety is our primary concern, all volunteers go through an application process that includes a criminal background check requiring a social security number. A Youth Protection Training Course is also required, which can be taken online.
Work Directly with Youth
All Scouting programs rely on caring adults who lead and mentor groups of youth members. Sign up to become a Volunteer today- the amount of time and degree of involvement varies by a number of factors including:
- Program – based on the ages and capabilities of members
- Role – whether serving as a primary unit leader or as an assistant leader.
- Responsibility – may be ongoing such as weekly meetings or task specific such as teaching a merit badge or skill on a periodic basis.
Every leader has the opportunity to participate in leadership and skills training, access to a vast library of helpful literature, and a support network of fellow leaders and full-time professionals in the Scouting organization.
To volunteer, review the specific leadership role information by program and then sign up to become a Volunteer today.
Cub Scouting
Cub Scout leaders support the family. They take an active part in helping to strengthen families and their scouts by providing a fun-filled, worthwhile program that teaches values.
Roles: Cubmasters, Den and Webelos Leaders (and Assistants)
Scouts BSA
Scout leaders can be positive role models for the members of the troop. In many cases a Scoutmaster who is willing to listen to scouts, encourage them, and take a sincere interest in them can make a profound difference in their lives.
Roles: Scoutmasters, Assistant Scoutmasters and Merit Badge Counselors
Venturing
The youth officers lead the crew. The officers and activity chairs work closely with adult Advisors and other adult leaders in a spirit of partnership. The adults serve in a “shadow” leader capacity.
Roles: Advisors, Associate Advisors
Exploring
Exploring provides an opportunity for you and your organization to share your knowledge and culture with young people who are interested in learning about “real-world” fields and careers. Exploring gives volunteer adults a chance to explore leadership and from a personal point of view, allows you to make a difference in the lives of tomorrow’s leaders.
Roles: Advisors, Associate Advisors
In Support of the Direct-Contact Leaders
Thousands of volunteers create and administer the program elements necessary to support leaders in their work with members.
These volunteers work on and through committees supporting operations from the local unit level in neighborhoods, to the districts and council-wide. They conduct the business of Scouting: planning campouts, fundraising, ensuring training courses, assist with large-scale activities, operate and staff the camps, institute health and safety procedures, provide funding, promote Scouting in the community, and much more.
Time commitments vary with some committees meeting on a monthly/ongoing basis and others as-needed. Deliver a successful Scouting experience to young people. Sign up to become a Volunteer today.
