Cub Scouting has many opportunities for your whole family to get involved. As a volunteer you do not have to work directly with the scouts and can take a role that supports those that do. If you do enjoy working with scouts you can help your child’s den leader or even register to become an assistant den leader. BSA has summarized the key points in how you can contribute to your pack:
Helping
Being helpful is part of the Scout Law, a value we seek to instill in everyone. The best way to help is not to wait until someone asks, but by providing assistance when you know someone needs it.
When offering to help consider the following:
- What things are you good at?
- What do you enjoy doing?
- What hobbies or skills do enjoy?
If you have not already been asked, you should complete the Family Talent Survey. This one page survey is given to a leader in your pack so they know what resources are available.
Any leader or volunteer in your pack can tell you how you can help the group. If you help by doing something you are good at you will find it rewarding and may lead you to becoming a volunteer.
Volunteering
Volunteering is another way you can get involved. Being a volunteer in the BSA means you have registered as an adult and have gone through an approval process.
Registering as an adult in your Pack lets others know that you are willing to go beyond just helping others but willing to take on responsibilities in the Pack. To serve in a volunteer position in Scouting requires an adult to register with the BSA.
- Complete an adult application, either hard copy or on-line.
- Complete Youth Protection Training.
- The pack committee chair and chartered organization reviews and approves the application.
Not all volunteers work directly with youth. Many serve in positions that support those who do.
Leading
Being a leader means you are a registered volunteer that takes on a personal commitment to ensure that Scouting is being delivered in a safe manner, the way it was designed, and in a way that makes it meaningful to everyone involved.
Leaders take training for the position that they are in and continue training beyond position specific training, like Basic Adult Leader Outdoor Orientation (BALOO) or Wood Badge. They attend local training events where other leaders share best methods.
Being a leader means you care about the Cub Scouting program beyond your current position. You want to see it strengthen and grow long after you and your Cub Scout have moved beyond the pack.
Leaders in Scouting find it to be the most rewarding way to spend their time and share their talents.
Pack Leadership
The Pack and Dens rely on parent participation to run a successful program. Cub Scouting operates through volunteer leadership. Please consider volunteering as a member of the Pack leadership team or as a parent helper. While volunteer leaders are an example of Scouting’s principle of service to others, you are also giving your son the gift of your time. What could be more valuable? To ensure quality leadership, the Pack will also fund most Council-sponsored training opportunities. Youth Protection Training is required for all BSA-registered volunteers. Here are some ways you can volunteer:
| Den Leader | Leads the den at scheduled den and monthly Pack meetings. Attends the monthly Pack Leaders meeting. |
| Asst. Den Leader | Assists the Den Leader at scheduled den and monthly Pack meetings. Attendance at the monthly Pack Leaders meeting is optional. |
| Cubmaster | Helps plan and carry out the Pack program with the help of the Pack Committee. Emcees the monthly pack meeting and attends the monthly Pack Leaders meeting. |
| Asst. Cubmaster | Assists the Cubmaster in planning and carrying out the Pack program. Attends the monthly Pack meeting and Pack Leaders meeting. |
| Committee Chair | Presides at all Pack Leaders meetings and is largely responsible for overseeing the planning and coordination of Pack activities and events. Helps recruit adult leaders and attends the monthly Pack meeting and Pack Leaders meeting. |
| Secretary | Keeps minutes for the Pack Leaders meeting, maintains an inventory of Pack property, and maintains up-to-date information on membership records. Attends the monthly Pack meeting and Pack Leaders meeting. |
| Treasurer | Manages the Pack bank account, reimbursements registrations, fundraising activities, etc., and oversees the planning for the Pack’s annual program budget. Attends the monthly Pack meeting and Pack Leaders meeting. |
| Advancement Chair | Maintains advancement records for the pack. Orders and obtains all badges and insignia. Attends the monthly pack meeting and pack committee meeting. |
| Other Positions | There are various positions that parents can volunteer for including individual event coordinators and assisting with the positions identified above. |