By James Tonin, Clubspaces Editorial Team
How much your child gets out of his or her Scout pack is enormously impacted by parent involvement. When more people are working together to make Scouts the instructive, rewarding experience it’s meant to be, kids get exposure to a wider range of skills. If you’re active in your child’s pack and you want to drum up some more support, think interactive--find ways to make everyone feel like they’re contributing something to the overall good.
First, identify ways people can get involved. Everyone brings something different to the table, and just about any skill can be put to good use. Scout packs depend upon volunteers to fill these positions:
Board Members manage, coordinate and execute the day-to-day operation of the Scout pack, handling the budget, advertising and any other items of business that must be taken care of.
Camp Directors head the organization of summer camps for Scout packs. They also need counselors and seasonal volunteers for the camps – an excellent opportunity for youth to get involved as well.
Fundraising Volunteers spearhead efforts to raise money for the Scout pack from within the community with a variety of drives and events throughout the year.
Leaders, Co-Leaders and Coordinators are always needed to work directly with the Scouts themselves.
Special Event Coordinators come together to help facilitate special events organized by the Scout pack.
Work with other parents and volunteers to come up with a list of the particular positions you need more help with in your Scout pack, and send a letter to the parents of the Scouts in your packs asking for their help in particular areas. Many parents may not realize that just because they can’t build a fire without matches that they have nothing to offer and that’s simply not true.
You can also make an effort to help your pack plan more events that encourage p arent participation. Mother-daughter and father-son Scout weekends and excursions are a tried-and-true way to raise both attendance and awareness. Plan camping trips, skill exhibitions, friendly pack competitions and sporting events. Remember, too, to let parents know that volunteering with a Scout pack is flexible and rarely requires more than a few hours a month. In no time, you’ll be building a Scout pack that will help your kids make the most of their youth.