Becoming a Scout Leader?

[HoundOfTheBasketballs]

I'm giving serious consideration to becoming an assistant leader at DS scout group. They are short handed and if hate for them not to be able to continue if no one comes forward.

Am I completely mad? Will it become a complete time suck and leave me with no free time? Or will I take great joy from watching young people have amazing experiences?

All opinions and experiences welcome to help inform my decision!

Not scout leaders but DH and I are both on Exec committees and regular parent helpers, including on camps.

It is hard work and time consuming, do not listen if they say it is only an hour a week! However, it is very fulfilling.

Most leaders start when they have children in the troop, but many stay on after their children have moved on.

There is a lot of red tape, and you have to be on top of issues such as safeguarding. Also some parents can treat the group as cheap childcare, but other parents are great and will muck in when needed. I would say the positives definitely outweigh the negatives.

I had had no experience of Scouts when I was younger, and hadn’t been involved in Brownies etc. But since DS started as a Beaver I have well and truly been sucked in, and seen DS and many other children blossom.

Thank you @ineedaholidaynow, I'm glad to hear that the positives outweigh the negatives!

I too, was never a Brownie or a Guide, I think that's part of the reason I want to do this now!

The leader at the group has said that they can be flexible about how much time they would want me for. I'm happy to give more than just the one evening a week that they meet and to be involved with weekend things. I just don't want it taking over my life!!

I know groups are offering more flexibility, as it is hard to get volunteers who have enough free time.

DH would love to be a leader but due to his commute he can’t commit to help at group sessions, but will help out at weekends where possible.

As an assistant leader you may get reduced subs for your DS

Totally depends on how many leaders there are.
dh ran a group on his own for a while which was a nightmare - didn't feel he could take a week off and the paperwork was relentless.
Now they have 4 leaders and he thoroughly enjoys it. They each get to be more selective in which bits they do and it doesn't become a chore.

I’m a Rainbow leader and I say do it! Watching the kids grow and laugh and get so much out of it makes every second of triple checking consent forms and collating emergency contacts worthwhile!

Did they not tell you, it's only an hour a week

Frances

I have big scary (and probably bad) scan results tomorrow. I’ve been a nervous wreck for over a week. The hour I spent with the little red people tonight was the only hour away from thinking about it, and they were so funny and lovely. It feels like endless work sometimes on top of real work, life etc, but it can be a massive sanity saver.

Or will I take great joy from watching young people have amazing experiences?

This ^

This is why so many Scouters that I know have done 10, 15, 20, 30 , 40 years of more and are still going strong.

Honestly, there are people who let it completely take over their lives. I know people for whom it is their family. So many good friends over so many years. However, you can discipline yourself to do fewer hours, and, indeed, commit to some 'flexibility'.

When you are learning the ropes, it does make sense - if you are able - to go to a few District meetings and events, and even visit other troops to see how other people work too, but it's not compulsory.

There is a training commitment (but you have years to complete it all). Again, if you can make the time, the BEST way to do this is through courses with other people, but, you can do a lot of it through on-line training if that sits better with your life at the moment.

I'm not going to lie, it takes up quite a bit of time in our household, but we consider it our hobby. We have made so many good friends through volunteering with Scouts.

Namechange

Yes. I started last year because my daughter does it and I love it. It can be time consuming but you can just do what suits you too. It’s very rewarding.

Both DH and I are involved in scouting. I started when DS was a Cub (he's a lanky Explorer now) and DH got casually roped in somewhere along the line that neither of us can actually pinpoint
It has taken over my life to a degree and I've recently started to actively refuse to take part in some things- before I would feel I had to do it and occasionally it was to the detriment of our own family life.
A good supportive group will make the world of difference and yes, as a PP mentioned, a clever group will be willing to accommodate what you want to do and when you want to do it- we've recently had a bit of a recruitment drive and now have a small handful of helpers who can step in on an as and when basis to suit everyone.

I started off helping in Beavers and went through each section. Watching children grow into confident young adults is absolutely fabulous and know that you've helped in a small way is lovely.

The first time I realised that what I did had an effect on a child was when their Mum told me their deterrent for being naughty was to be banned from Beavers if they misbehaved and it stopped them misbehaving immediately. .

The training is the worst part of it IMO but a lot of it is to help you as regards safeguarding and a lot of it can be done online nowadays. The camaraderie you get with your fellow leaders is normally second to none, especially if you're away at camp.

Good luck.

DH has been a leader for nearly 2 years having no experience, and not been a cub/ Scout himself.
He loves it, really enjoys finding stuff for the kids to do so they can earn their badges. Has even run a couple of camps.
He probably spends 1-2hrs a week plus the actual meeting time, but could do less.
I think a lot depends on how much (parent) help you have to run the meetings.
But I don't think he's ever going to leave,

he's having too much fun.

Scouting has more bureaucracy than Guiding and both will take over your life if you let them!

Be clear up front how much time you are able/willing to give... and don't be afraid to say No if you need to.

I'm a Brown Owl. DH was Scout District Treasurer. There are so many ways to be involved. I have a Unit Helper who comes 1 week in 4 because of shifts. You just do what suits you.

I’m at the start of my scouting career, I’ve volunteered to be an assistant leader with the beavers and cubs.
I’ve just had my interview with the district commissioner and I’m waiting to start my training proper.
I’ve been a parent helper for the last year and the beaver leader is retiring after 40 years so the plan is for me to take over the beavers sometime in the next year or so when I get my warrant. I’m looking forward to it but I know it will be hard work, I’ve just given up the PTA after 6 years so I know how all consuming these things can be.

Do it!

I was a beaver scout leader for five years and only gave up due to family situation

It was always an amazing feeling watching these kids come in at age six and nurturing them and teaching them life skills, watching them go to cubs more confident than when they started

Thank you for all your replies, and wonderful stories about how volunteering has been a positive experience for you/your family.
I'm going to email the leader today to formally express my interest!
I'm quite an assertive person and they are a really friendly, inclusive group (from my experience as a parent of a beaver/cub/scout) so hopefully I can keep the time commitment manageable.