How to Volunteer in Cub Scouting
Not Everyone Wears a Uniform
Cub Scouting is fun for the whole family. Getting everyone involved makes the experience more meaningful for your Cub Scout. There is a place for every parent, legal guardian, or other caring adults who want to help. Often the challenge is not knowing how to help. Below are some helpful steps in how you can volunteer.
Helping
Being helpful is part of the Scout Law, a value we seek to instill in everyone. The best way to help is not to wait until someone asks, but by providing assistance when you know someone needs it.
When offering to help consider the following:
What things are you good at?
What do you enjoy doing?
What hobbies or skills do enjoy?
Volunteering
To serve in a volunteer position in Scouting requires an adult to register with the BSA.
1. Complete an adult application, either hard copy or on-line.
2. Complete Youth Protection Training.
3. The pack committee chair and chartered organization reviews and approves the application.
Not all volunteers work directly with youth. Many serve in positions that support those who do.
Leading
Being a leader means you are a registered volunteer that takes on a personal commitment to ensure that Scouting is being delivered in a safe manner, the way it was designed, and in a way that makes it meaningful to everyone involved.
Leaders take training for the position that they are in and continue training beyond position specific training, like Basic Adult Leader Outdoor Orientation (BALOO) or Wood Badge. They attend local training events where other leaders share best methods.
Three Steps to Becoming a Trained Leader
STEP ONE: SET UP A MY.SCOUTING ACCOUNT
Visit My.Scouting and create an account. Once you have an account you can access online training.
STEP TWO: TAKE YOUTH PROTECTION TRAINING
The Boy Scouts of America places the greatest importance on creating the most secure environment possible for our youth members.
STEP THREE: POSITION SPECIFIC TRAINING
The BSA Learning Center is at My.Scouting. Select your position and a learning plan will be created for you. The plan includes modules that are designed to allow you to complete them at your own pace.
Position Training
Leaders who complete Youth Protection Training and Position Specific Training earn the right to wear the trained patch on the left sleeve of their uniform, beneath the patch representing the position for which they are trained.
