CAN I BE A VOLUNTEER?
Having read this far you will have seen a number of references to parental help, whilst Boy Scouting is essentially “Scout Led”, parents are also directly involved in activities, or working behind the scenes providing the support work that makes for a happy and healthy Troop.
Everyone in Troop 130 is a volunteer, whose aim is to help the boys succeed, therefore your help is vital to the continuation of fun packed activities, interesting meetings and events. Helping the scouts earn Merit Badges and advance through the ranks require your assistance as well.
Without exception Troop 130 adult volunteers must all complete the online child protection training programme before working with scouts, and must notify Troop 130's committee training co-ordinator once you have received the online certificate of completion. The training is informative and takes about 20 minutes to complete. Adults include Scoutmasters and merit badge councillors amongst others. With the exception of your own son, there should be no one-on-one meetings between adults over 18 and any of the Scouts, and should the need arise for a private conversation (for example the scoutmaster coaching an individual scout) this must happen within close and easy view of other scouts and adults.
There are many ways in which your help as parents is invaluable to the running of the troop:-
Indoor Events and Meetings
Troop Meetings
Scouts normally depend upon their parents for transport to and from troop meetings; you can help by making sure your scout(s) arrive at meetings on time and in uniform. Meetings start at 19h15 and end at 20h45. Late arrival, means a late finish. Arranging to carpool with another family may help if work commitments make getting there on time difficult for you.
Court of Honour
This is a family event where the family demonstrates its support and commitment to their families, to their scout and the Troop by being present at the pot luck dinner. Being there when recognition is given to your son(s) is exceptionally important; they are proud of their achievement and will want you there to share this. You can help the evening be a success by bringing the family, contributing to the meal and by working with the scouts to clean up afterwards.
Board of Review (B of R)
These take place normally three times a year, typically during a troop meeting. Parent’s help is essential to review scouts’ progress so they can pass to their next rank. The Troop needs a pool of available parents prepared to help conduct Boards of Review. (NB. The Scoutmaster and Assistant Scoutmasters cannot take part). Each board requires three adults and frequently a number of boys need a B of R at the same time so multiple teams are required. This is a very important event for the scout and especially disappointing if he is unable to have his B of R because of lack of parental help. Guidance and assistance is available to those volunteering for the Board of Review. See previous reference to B of R, also Annex 3.
Merit Badges
Scouts need to earn Merit Badges to progress through the ranks and take part in high adventure activities. The Troop Parents often act as Merit Badge Counsellors, guiding scouts through the Merit Badge requirements. Your hobby, interest or sport may be amongst the Merit Badges available (see www.meritbadge.org for a full list); why not offer to pass on your enthusiasm to the Scouts by guiding them through a badge. It is not necessary to be an expert on the subject as information needed for each badge is available for your help. You will find being a counsellor a very rewarding and worthwhile experience. Please remember the Merit Badge programme is dependent on parental help and without your help, badges cannot be earned. Depending on the badge, you may need to hold several sessions with the participating Scouts. These sessions are normally outside of meetings and at a time and place suitable to you. See Annex 4.
Committee
The Committee meets once a month when members decide on events, activities and future planning and also discuss all other Scouting business. It is enjoyable and allows goals to be achieved as efficiently as possible. See Annex 1 for the list of committee members.
Outdoor Events and Activities
All Activities
Always need some form of help in organization, supervision and transportation the logistics of moving 30 or more Scouts from one place to another can often be daunting!
Camping
For reasons of safety and security, camping takes place with normally three adults including the Scoutmaster or assistant being present. The number of adults needed is dependent on the number of Scouts taking part. As camping is the best part of scouting for most Scouts, therefore adult help is needed at all campouts. Normally camps involve 1 or 2 nights away
Transportation
As the Troop has become a more “Mobile” hiking/camping orientated troop, logistical complexities have increased so we now need more drivers to transport the scouts to the various drop-off and collection points as the troop explores further afield. This is an issue when planning any camping event, so your help with transportation is important.
Supervising Hiking / Camping Equipment
The Scouts will have been given instructions on lightweight camping and hiking equipment and high protein/low weight food planning. Your help is needed when equipment is bought by ensuring that they keep within the guidelines. Backpacks should not exceed 25% of a Scout’s body weight. In some cases before leaving on a trip the packs are controlled, you can also help with this.
Events
La Chat Car Boot Sale
The troop runs the “Food Stall” as a fund raising event running at the La Chat Car Boot Sale; help is needed with this before and on the day. This is run by a parent or a committee member; the scouts supply the manpower.
La Chat Kermesse
Traditionally the Scouts run the “Burger Stand” at the annual school Kermesse as our “Thank You”, to La Chat for letting the Scouts meet at the school free of charge. This allows the troop to keep fees as low as possible so saving you money, but does needs parental involvement. Again, this stall is organised and managed by a parent with the scouts working on the day.
Next Steps
Support for Volunteers
The Troop provides periodic training for all volunteer leaders and appropriate support at any level of volunteering is always available.
Do you think you can be a Volunteer?
Please do not be put off by what you may have just read, as the old saying goes “Many hands make light work” and that certainly applies to Troop 130. Be it transporting your son and three more Scouts or taking on a Merit Badge, being on a Board of Review or attending a camp, your offer of help is a bonus to the Scouts. Quite simply; it is vital, it is the only way the troop keeps going.
So what about it – is there a volunteer in you?
If you feel you would like to help in any way we would love to hear from you, please do contact a member of the committee, the Chairman or the Scoutmaster.
