So you see the kids having a fabulous time, and you’re ready to join the fun yourself? WUNDERBAR!
There are many ways to get involved as an adult in scouting. In fact, all the fun for kids does not happen without the adults who support them and their program.
All parents are encouraged to help out in various ways. For those wishing to go the extra mile, you can be an Adult Helper or a Leader.
Our Leaders speak German while at Pfadfinder. All other roles can be done by English- or German-speakers. There are plenty of opportunities for everyone to be involved.
Parents
Parents can help by:
- suggesting fun program ideas
- supporting their child to partake fully and safely in the program
- sourcing items the leaders ask for (we reimburse you if there’s a cost)
- helping arrange excursions
- sending cooked/baked foods or salads along to camps
- making nice gestures like bringing coffee to leaders after overnight activities
- towing our trailer to/from camps
- mending broken equipment
- attending our annual working bees at the Scout Hall
- helping out at fundraising events
- letting leaders know what a great job they are doing
- …and lots of other nice things…
Adult Helpers
An Adult Helper does all the things Parents normally do, plus they can:
- attend the evening sessions (from time to time, or regularly)
- assist the leaders to deliver the program
- help with youth supervision and safety
- provide administrative support to the leaders
- come along on excursions (more regularly)
- get involved with supporting all the children (in addition to their own child)
- come along to term planning meetings
- … and lots of other fun and supportive things…
To be an Adult Helper:
- Apply online (red button below)
- Nominate two referees (people outside of our Scout group)
- Get your Working with Vulnerable People (WWVP) card*
- Complete three child safety modules online (about 2 hours total).
Leaders
Want to turn up the FUN and ADVENTURE to “maximum”? Become a Leader! Without Leaders, the program can not run.
Leaders do everything that Adult Helpers do, and:
- support the youth to plan and deliver a great program (with support from other adults)
- interact with the youth members regularly
- take the scouts on camps, events and excursions
- share their knowledge and enthusiasm
- have the best time
- …and heaps more amazing things…
Some FAQs about being a leader:
- Will I have time to be a leader? I have a full-time job. That’s fine. Most of our leaders have full-time jobs. That’s why it is important for us to have enough leaders.
- I travel for work and will be away sometimes. Is that still okay? That’s fine. Our other leaders are sometimes away. You don’t need to be there every week.
To be a Leader:
- Apply online (red button below)
- Nominate two referees (people outside of our Scout group)
- Get your Working with Vulnerable People (WWVP) card*
- Complete three child safety modules online (about 2 hours total)
- Complete some self-paced online leader training modules: preliminary, essentials, adventure and leadership
- Accumulate on-the-job experience at scouts
- Attend two weekend-camps for leaders (in-person in Canberra).
*Child safety is important
One of the many ways we help ensure safety in Scouting, is that all adults working with youth members need to hold a Working with Vulnerable People (WWVP) card.
Any adult volunteering to work with young people can apply for a Working With Vulnerable People (WWVP) card.
When completing the WWVP card application, you’ll need to put:
The Scout Association of Australia – ACT Branch
89 Kitchener Street, Garran, ACT 2605
Role: Adult Volunteer
Contact: Jo Legge-Wilkinson
Tel: (02) 6282 5211
admin@scoutsact.com.au
And under ‘what regulated activity do you intend to engage in?’, tick clubs, associations and movements.
Considering your options?
Apply above or contact the Group Leader to talk about a great role for you.
A mother approached me once after a scout session and said, “Thanks for talking my husband into being a Leader. It has really brought the family closer together. I’m so proud of him, he’s having the time of his life, and our kids love that he’s one of the Leaders.”