The Role of the Adult Scouter
The role of the Scouter is one of assisting, supporting, facilitating and motivating. The Scouter is a role model, rather than a boss. Younger age ranges will require more facilitation and direction but this should be reversed in older age ranges to one of ‘mentor or coach’. The Scouter needs to be aware of the young people in their Section, and understand ‘where they are’ in relation to their development as young people. Scouters will assist in reviewing activities and help young people to reflect on their experiences and personal journey through Scouting.
For adults in Scouting, there is a clear opportunity to work with the young people in their community from all age ranges from 6 right through to 20. This opportunity will not only allow you to help develop the future of these young people and their future contribution to your area but will also be a lot of fun!
There is a very close network of adults already working in your local Group and throughout Ireland that will help you develop yourself socially when you join. There is a clear support network from National level right down to the local Group to help you develop and train yourself in the skills needed to develop the young people in your charge and to build your confidence in yourself your organisational abilities.
Do you have a passion for the outdoors? Do you see a healthy and active lifestyle as essential to a happy life? Well, why not instil that love for the outdoors and that healthier lifestyle in the young people you work with? Want to develop a Community centred spirit in the local youth? That’s one of Scouting’s main goals.
One of Scouting’s fundamental creeds is to encourage the physical, intellectual, emotional, social, and spiritual development of young people so that they may achieve their full potential and, as responsible citizens, to improve society. Well, why not join us and help your local young people achieve this development while having a great time doing it?
So, how does one become a Scout Leader?
Note: This is only a brief guide and the specifics will vary depending on local Scouting Groups/Counties!
Step 1
Decide on your motivations. Why do you want to be involved Scouting? How much free time do you have to give to Scouting (don’t worry if you don’t have much – there are roles to suit you however much or little free time you can spend Scouting!)? Do you have any special skills? What do you expect in return?
The answer to these questions shouldn’t put you off: Scouting has many many roles to suit you whoever you are and whatever your skills, interests and however much time you have to volunteer!
Step 2
Which section/age group would you prefer to work with?
- Beavers: 6-9 years old
- Cubs: 9-12 years old
- Scouts: 12-15 years old
- Ventures: 15-18 years old
- None of the above – there are many non-Leader roles in Scouting too, including becoming part of a Family & Friends Support Group.
Each Section has its own specific needs and different people are better suited to different Sections – it may be possible to move between Sections at a later date.
Step 3
So you now know why you want to volunteer as a Scout Leader and have an idea about which section(s) you want to volunteer with. Now you need to contact your local Scout Group – or you can contact us here to inquire about the 4th Kildare Town Scout Group.
Step 4
Once you have contacted your local Scout Group, you will usually be contacted back pretty quickly.
What happens now will depend on how each Group/County run their volunteer recruitment process, but will usually involve having a meeting or discussion with the Scout Group Leader/Deputy Leader. This discussion should cover the role you are to undertake.
Step 5
Once everyone is happy with your role, you will need to complete an Adult Application form and a Garda Vetting Form. This is because Leaders and other Adult Members may have unsupervised access to young people, and safety comes first!
Step 6
Once all the forms are complete and returned, you should be able to start volunteering.
Step 7
By now, you are involved in Scouting and hopefully very much enjoying it! But in order to move your appointment from “provisional” to “full”, there is one final step to take within your first few months.
As Scouting is committed to ensuring that both our Adult and Youth Members are safe, there are compulsory training modules which will usually be covered over a couple of evenings (depending on local training organisation) or weekends:
- Module 1 – Welcome to Scouting
- Module 2 – Child Protection
Step 8
Congratulations! You are now a full Adult Member in Scouting!
I promise that it isn’t as arduous as it sounds!