Scouting isn't just for kids!

We are currently looking for more adults to get involved with Group. There are many ways in which you can help the Group depending on how much time you are able to give, and the areas that interest you.  Here are just a few examples of things that you might enjoy and so could help us with:

• At weekly meetings – sports, crafts, cooking, computing.
• As an activity instructor – Such as with our Target Sports, Climbing, Canoeing, hill walking, music, camping - whatever interests you!
• As a Leader assisting with the weekly running of a section.
• Helping with transport​
• Gardening
• Helping to plan and administer activities
• Training
• With Group management on the Executive Committee.

Why do we do it?

Have you ever wondered why people volunteer to be a Scout Leader? Maybe they're just honourable individuals doing their bit to give something back to the community? Maybe they just believe that volunteering is a 'good thing'?  Let's look at the 'real' reasons people volunteer. 

• To enjoy and rediscover adventure for yourself: ‘We had a water fight at Cubs the other week, it was great!’
• There is always somebody to laugh at your terrible jokes: ‘He tells awful jokes, but they are so bad that you can’t help but like them’- Elenya
• To develop your own skills: ‘I hadn’t used a compass since I was a Scout. After I learned how to use one again, I now take my family out on countryside walks - something I never had the confidence to do before. We still get lost, but I'm getting better!’
• To spend more quality time with your child: ‘David used to go on his PlayStation while I read the paper after school and work – now we get a chance to do activities together.’ In fact, 27% of volunteers help out in Scouting as they are a parent of a current Member.  Many were not Scouts when they were young but have learnt new skills and made new friends through Scouting.
• You develop relationships that stand the test of time: ‘My old leadership team is one of the most important groups of friends in my life, we have some of the most incredible memories at camps, coffee catch ups and so on. 
• You become an important part of a close knit community: Whatever your role, all adults join with a common purpose - and that creates a common bond. Many people find deep and long lasting friendships through Scouting
• When you don’t feel like you’re good enough, there are people around you who think you’re the best!: ‘He is amazing! He is always coming up with great ideas and is full of energy.’ - Tim
• It'll help you when applying for jobs, or even getting that promotion: Many of our adult volunteers say they are more confident in their everyday lives as a result of their involvement with Scouting.
• By becoming a leader you can lead young people on the adventure of a lifetime: ‘My Scout Leaders took our group from doing barely anything, with nights just revolving around games to getting out and doing some truly amazing things.’- James

“It is through the enjoyment and enthusiasm of the adults that the young people are encouraged to get the most out of Scouting.”

Being part of Scouting will mean you rediscover adventure while contributing to your local community and developing skills.  You will also personally benefit from a variety of interesting and challenging experiences whilst meeting new people and having fun.  With the provision of free and award winning training  and one-to-one support, we make sure that each one of our volunteers gets to make the best use of their skills and talents.

The myths

Ok, so I now see why people might want to volunteer, but I wasn't a Scout when I was younger and I really don't feel I have anything to offer...

Remember - everyone has something to give, and you won't need to be around long before you pick things up. It's not uncommon to find Leaders on youtube a few minutes before a meeting working out how to demonstrate a fire-lighting technique or a new knot; all you see is their amazing skills! None of us know everything, but being inquisitive and keen to learn will get you a long way.

10 bins, 4 planks of wood, 3m of rope and a river full of crocodiles...
                                                        ...sounds like a normal 4th Ewell meeting night!

Do you have any hobbies and interests that you could share? For example, are you a qualified First Aider who could run an interactive session or do you have an interest in nature and could take a Group on a fun walk through the local woods? If you don’t have time in the evenings when Groups meet could you use your work skills to help out a few hours a month to suit you? Are you a gardener, an accountant or work in Public Relations for example or could you take a Group to your place of work such as a police station or garden centre?

And, while we're here

• 44% of our Leaders are female.
• Not all volunteers have to wear uniform.
• I'm too busy! Many of our Leaders help out on a flexible basis due to other commitments. Some may help out once a week or fortnight whereas others help once a term or at summer camp.  There's no other job quite like it.
• Not all adults who volunteer for Scouting work with young people. There are a variety of other jobs that need to be done. This means that adult Leaders who do work directly with young people do not have to spend all their time doing paperwork.

Students

If 27% of the Scout Association's Leaders are parents of Group members, the rest are made up of Explorer's that didn't want to leave, a few adults rediscovering adventure and the remainder are students that have moved in to the area and want to get involved with Scouting locally. If that's you - please reach out as we'd be delighted to have you on board!

Parent rota

All sections of the Group operate a Parent’s rota.  For the Beaver and Cub sections, this operates as a system to provide an ‘extra pair of hands’ to ensure that we always have plenty of adult supervision at all meetings.  For the Scout section it is task based, and each term we circulate a list of tasks which we would like parents to help with over the term.  We require that all parents participate, as this means that you will only need to help once per term.  Please contact us for more information.

Flexible volunteering

We recognise that the amount of time people are able to volunteer will vary from person to person.  We therefore promote a policy of flexible volunteering, allowing people to give what time they can.  It is through the enjoyment and enthusiasm of the adults that the young people are encouraged to get the most out of Scouting. The more help we have, the better the experience will be for the young people, and the easier everyone’s roles become.

Keeping children safe

Parents and carers expect that the adults in charge of their children have the appropriate skills and knowledge to supervise their children and arrange an exciting and safe programme.  Many adults in Scouting will have frequent access to young people.  To ensure the safety of these people, it is the policy of the Scout Association that all adults over the age of 18 must have a Criminal Records check.  This is done in co-operation with the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB).  This check is to ensure the safety of young people, and the information related to the check is strictly confidential.  Minor offences (such as speeding fines) will not be taken into account.  Other, more serious, offences would be considered with understanding and in confidence.

Find out more

To find out more about how you can support 4th Ewell as an adult, please contact us.