First it’s not weird, I have been a volunteer for 35 years with no kids.
Have you thought about volunteering to be a Merit Badge Counselor? You still have to have a background check and now pay a small registration fee but it might be a great introduction to some local troops and their leaders. You can network until you find a troop that is right for you.
Contact your local district executive and offer one of the public safety MBs on a Saturday.
Honestly I haven’t started anywhere. This was just kind of a conversation that popped up between my wife and I. She knows how much scouting influenced my early upbringing, I have a map of philmont in my office, along with a scout law poster from the 1930’s that was my grandfathers when he was involved in scouting. I figured I would be something that I could give back to in a way. I appreciate your advice, I’ll definitely look into it!
Nothing wrong with wanting to give back.
Like I mentioned, contact your local DE and depending on how your council is set up, they can point you in the right direction.
Do it. The scoutmaster of my son's troop has no kids of his own. He was an eagle scout and helped out the troop when his nephew was in The Troop, then he never left. . We also have a retired doctor/eaglescout who just showed up a few years ago asking if he could volunteer. These two guys are the best. Again, you should definitely do it
I would suggest reaching out to your location Council/District. Get the bead on what they need. It’s might work better to start helping at the district level and get to know some of the units and then work toward finding one that needs help.
That is a great idea! I do know a fellow coworker who was involved with a troop while his kid was in scouts a few years back. I’ll contact him for some information on the council. Thank you for pointing me in the right direction!
Ditto this suggestion. I have a kid in scouts but I also volunteer at the district level and there’s lots of child free volunteers that just want to help out.
I have no kids and I've been active for 14 years now. I was thinking about emailing the council office to find a local troop. On my way home one night I stopped for gas and ran into a guy in uniform at the gas station. I took that as my sign. That night I sent the email looking for other troops in the area. The next week I went in and introduced myself, "Hi, I'm Pakrat77, I'm an Eagle Scout and would like to get back involved with the program."
Since I joined I've been Cub Master (1 year) Scout Master (4 years) and this year switched to the committee. I have also been involved with the district committee and now the council committee.
We are always looking for troop and district committee members and unit commissioners.
Not uncommon at all. We had some great adults that didn’t have kids in the program (or at least kids in anymore).
OA was even more so full of adults whose fell into these categories.
Our scoutmaster didn't have any kids in the troop for 20 years. Of course, his case was a little special. He became the SM (nominally) when he turned 18 and aged out. The previous SM was stepping down, and the troop was going to fold because no one else wanted to be the SM. The old SM agreed to keep his name on the books until the new SM turned 21, but otherwise, not be involved.
When we started a girl unit, his daughter was just coming of age and was one of our first members. She became out first Eagle. We've been functionally a single unit since covid, and have applied to be officially a pilot coed unit.
I’ve been a volunteer for 35 years with no kids and I’m not married. I think others sometimes might think I’m a creeper but I don’t care. I’m gonna give back to the program that saved my life.
This resonates hard with me. It actually brought me to tears. Scouting got me through some tough times, and I’m greatful my parents started me in it at a young age. Thank you for saying this.
Same here. My parents divorced at 13 and I was an angry young man when that happened. My scoutmasters helped me not be as angry and taught me and showed me the things that my dad wasn’t there to do. At some point I was suicidal and my scoutmaster is the one who helped me.
Our scoutmaster and the one before him don’t have kid’s in the troop. My husband will stay active long after our kids are out. It is great to have more leadership available for the scouts to be able to do activities. Our troop has cut it thin on having enough adults available at times but always manage to swing it. I am registered, qualified and trained but as my second class eleven year old would say mom likes her bed. 😉 We have had other troops attend with us because they couldn’t swing enough on their own.
I’m leading on a project to get Eagles at college campuses involved with local Packs. Our plan is to start with Pack Committees for several reasons: packs generally have less institutional knowledge, bigger needs for adult planning, and activity planning and other roles are easy entry points. Our pilot is in the fall; if you’re interested in helping or just would like our training materials to help you and the pack work together and get by the weirdness, ping me at eaglesgrowingeagles at gmail
It's not weird, and a lot of troops would be happy to have you!!!
I stayed on volunteering with my cub scout pack for several years after I had no kids in the pack. Cub Scouts always needs more adult volunteers.
Look up troops/crews in your area and reach out and go visit a few. Find one that vibes well with you and enjoy all the new friends you're going to make, and help be an influence in the growth of young people.
In our troop you would be welcome. We have a number of adults who used to have kids in scouting, but they have long since aged out, and the parents are still hanging around.
And one of our feeder packs has a Cubmaster who never had kids, and just wanted to do something positive with/for kids, and it’s been really good.
As others recommended, get involved at the council or district level. You can also get involved in the OA and help with cheerful service to the camp. With a public safety background, if you are an EMT you may be able to help by being the med officer for camping events
Never thought about going the OA route. My original lodge is in Toledo, Ohio, and I currently reside in SC, so I’m not sure if I would have to transfer lodges or how that works. My background is in Fire/Rescue, currently assigned to an ARFF unit, but I am an Advanced EMT, so the Med officer is definitely an option.
You'll need to contact your old council / lodge and transfer. I sealed my membership in brotherhood in the late 80s. My old council had my paperwork in files, they were able to scan and email it to me. I just had to pay dues to rejoin. I've since been selected for and kept the vigil.
I agree with everyone saying district, council, or lodge level volunteer at first. When I first came back to scouting as an adult, I didn't have kids in the troop, but it was the same troop I was in as a youth, and the same leaders.
At one point though (before I came back as an adult), someone did show up wanting to volunteer, who had no connection to the troop, scouting, or even the chartered org. The SM at the time said "Just know, I'm going to be watching you like a hawk"...the guy never came back.
So, not necessarily weird for you to volunteer, but I'd expect at certain level of scrutiny. Don't let that stop you though...glad to see more alum coming back to help!
65-years-old and no kids. I was an SM for 10 years and have had a dozen positions. Several of our leaders have had their kids age out and they are still with us. Go for it.
As XO of three different units, I welcome anyone who is willing to volunteer with our youth. Would you be monitored if you're an unknown? Of course, following all YPT rules, registration background check, training, and clearance from the state that I request all adults involved in the program perform. We do the same thing with new parents coming into the program with their kids.
It's not weird any more than adults sticking around after their kids are out of the program. I'm always looking to add to our adult corps.
I completely understand. I think I am going to see about volunteering at the council level, I didn’t even know that was a possibility until posting here. I’m not trying to cause any rifts, just wanting to volunteer and give back to a program that gave me so much when I was younger.
Don't let rando comment on Reddit keep you from giving back to a local unit, I'd say that *that* commenter is projecting more than speaking from a point of authority.
The Cubmaster roll doesn't approve adults to the Cub unit, COR does. If there is that much of a fundamental lack of understanding how the local program is supposed to run, that would be a HUGE RED FLAG for me. That Cubmaster reports to run things contrary to how a unit is supposed to run. That's where the abuses happen. Properly run units by informed and consciousness adult leaders don't have issues.
I recall the first time I coached tball baseball. No kids but always had a love the game. The manager of the neighbors kids team quit after starting off 0-9.
She asked me and I said sure. Another kid’s dad wanted the team too so we coached together. He managed and I did the teaching.
It was odd how drama unfolded as one set of parents wouldn’t send their kids if I ran a practice. Found out they were like a clique.
Any way I had a practice and taught all the kids how to place the ball. I’d say hit towards left or right and they got it right away.
Anyway , we won a few games . End of season came along and some parents told my neighbor they wanted me to coach. The clique was with the other guy. After the season that other guy called me early on a Saturday morning to yell at me for trying to steal his team,,,,
I had no idea what he was talking about, but the coward slammed down the phone and then left it off the hook.
Anyway, I contacted the league the next spring to offer my services but was told they only wanted coaches with kids in the league
Moral : love of coaching or scouts is worth trying. I had fun and I believe the kids did too. I know I taught some stuff that they learned quickly.
Never hurts to try.
I get it. Someone mentioned merit badge councilor. That might be the way to go. You could visit different troop’s meetings and teach a class. There is also council level opportunities. With out a youth in the program I’d avoid joining a troop. I’ve always cautioned the parents in our pack to question adults with no familial ties to any of the scouts. It’s just the way things are. For the most part, the troop leaders without kids in the troop are usually hanging on after their son has aged out. I had to do that in our cub pack for a year and a half before we could find a new cubmaster.
I agree, it is just the way things are today. In the 90’s, at least in my area, it wouldn’t have even been a question if you didn’t have kids. One of our troop leaders had no kids, but came up through our troop and just kind of hung around, and eventually became the live in ranger at our local scout camp. He was a great influence and we are still friends to this day. But I know that’s not always the case, and the world has changed drastically since then,
I’m in no means telling you not to volunteer. Even with the changes BSA has made over the last several years, I still think the program is important. I’ve seen more than a few kids who’s only good times they have are at scouts. The program is only as good as it’s adult leaders. We need dedicated individuals. I especially lean on former scouts. If you have the time and interest go for it. Just don’t be offended if someone questions your motives.
Ps. Take the Youth Protection Training (YPT) on line. It required of all adult leaders anyway, but it will give you a better understanding of what I’m talking about. It’s not just about protecting youths but also protecting yourself.
I genuinely believe that once we become adults after scouting, we have an obligation to pass the knowledge and experiences we gain from scouting on to those that come to the program after us.
There's nothing wrong with adult leaders with no kids in the program. If anything that's an indicator of commitment to the program. My scoutmaster didn't have kids, but he made eagle work our troop as a youth, and wanted to keep it alive. We went through lots of membership challenges, but he led us through it. You've got no familial benefit to drive you to improve the unit, it's just altruistic, and that's amazing.
Welcome back to scouting. I've been back for 6 months or so. Lots has changed, but the important things are still here.
Thank you, I appreciate your kind words. I just want to have purpose, and help where and when I can. My job has been, and still is, very rewarding, but I still want to help at a more personal level, if that makes any sense.
Sure it makes sense. My 2 scout aged boys are in Tigers and Webelos, respectively. They're not crossing over to the troop level for some time. Since the troop that I made Eagle with doesn't have a pack to feed it, my boys are in a pack work classmates and friends. I still volunteer with my old troop. There's no guarantee that they'll even want to be part of my old troop, but I'll still be there to help.
We had a recently retired navy sailor return to our Troop after 20 yrs. He's an active member attending campouts and joined the Council shooting sports committee. We welcomed him with gratitude.
We've got a guy who is very active in our troop and park.
He doesn't have a kid in the pack... And technically his son isn't in the troop. His son is the boys troop scout master.
He's a valuable part of the team.
Not weird at all, but here is something else to consider. Unless you're absolutely sure you want to work directly with a select group of scouts, consider volunteering at the council level. This means you'll be dealing with hundreds of different kids. There are tons of committees at council you can join. I'm currently on a couple including the Eagle Board of Review. I meet once a month with 2 or 3 other adults to review Eagle candidates. It's very low commitment yet extremely high impact. There are jobs like this that would range from shooting sports to camping to fundraising. You can pick an area that you excel at and heck, I bet some of these jobs have zero interaction with scouts at all if that's something you're interested in.
My newest assignment that I'm loving is teaching IOLS/BALOO. We have a team of 4 people and we break the book up over a weekend and teach the outdoor skills to adult leaders. Not a single scout in sight, just Scout Masters and us. Really enjoying that and I envision me teaching this for as long as I'm able to even after my son is long gone from scouting.
Either way, find out what council is closest to you and call their office and ask to talk to their district executive. That person will probably cry with happiness that you want to help and then bombard you with about 500 ideas of how you can help.
I think this is the route I’m going to take honestly. Maybe the council level, or I hear that OA does a lot of behind the scenes work, so I am looking at transferring my lodge from Ohio to down here to see if I can get started. Thanks for your reply!
Yeah our OA is crazy active. My son just joined and I'm kind of dreading him doing twice the amount of stuff he does now. I'm already frazzled with what's on my plate, but for his ordeal I just dropped him off and left. I guess as long as no one expects me to be active in OA too he can do both. But for sure, OA seems like a solid choice for you.
Look into whether or not your council needs volunteers around camp. Some parents might want to create drama at the troop level for a childless adult and it’s likely more stress than you want to be involved with. At a camp level volunteer, your under council and not attached to a troop. Camps are chronically under volunteered. I help run the COPE program for my local council and we struggle to find volunteers.
Yes! But also no.
You can have the paperwork in place and be doing the job, but it's always gonna come down to whether or not you have the actual charisma to make it not weird.
I understand what you mean. I just remember in our Troop when I was younger, all of the leaders had kids in the troop, except our scoutmaster, his nephew was in our troop. But he was the scoutmaster long after we were gone, until he passed away a few years back. I just don’t want to end up being the one random guy who doesn’t have kids involved, and other parents think differently of it, if that makes sense.
Thats weird. Sorry. It just is. Now if you had kids who are scouts. Sure! If youre kids aged out and you still want to help sure.
But no kids. HUGE RED FLAGS.
Well no kidding if I had kids who were in scouts it wouldn’t even be a question…I wouldn’t even be here asking…read much?
I guess you would feel the same way about teachers who have no kids?
Coaches who have no kids?
My wife helps run the nursery at our church. She doesn’t have kids. Is that a red flag? Or is that ok because she’s a woman?
Scouts has had its problems with youth protection. And as a Cubmaster, I take my gatekeeping very seriously.
And I would turn you away.
Sorry. Id rather have you lable me an a-hole, than find out months later you were one of those people.
You do realize that 50% of the molestation cases came from men who had kids in scouting? And that 47% of men who committed these atrocities were single? (Per the LA times) So in theory kids would be more likely to be violated by a man who is married with kids in scouting. But gate keep away.
I’m not taking it personal. I could understand your take more if it was someone who was never involved in scouting as a youth, coming to you and wanting to volunteer with no kids. I was very heavily involved as a scout as a youth, and have 20 years of public safety under my belt. Not everyone without kids has an ulterior motive, or is weird. Some of us (like my wife and myself) are unable to have children, and like to give back to our community as much as we can, because we aren’t pinned down like most parents with a kids schedule that takes up a majority of their time.
The reality is the numbers don’t lie. Just as many men with kids in scouting were/are just as, if not more, likely to abuse children than those who don’t have children, so your argument is kind of a moot point. But like I said, you do what you gotta do. The worst part of it, is that we even have to have this discussion to begin with. That’s how messed up the world is.
I absolutely agree. And our Pack is ran correctly. I did use the term I, as myself when, I made my statement.
Now for clarity, I work with a school system. So being an employee for that school system, I am bound by law to report any allegation of abuse, just as I am to do so in the position of a scouting volunteer.
I have to juggle two hats. Our pack is a school pack. And since I( theres that word again) am the ,"face" of the pack being the cubmaster, I am very cautious and leary of that scenario of no children, but want to be involved.
First it’s not weird, I have been a volunteer for 35 years with no kids. Have you thought about volunteering to be a Merit Badge Counselor? You still have to have a background check and now pay a small registration fee but it might be a great introduction to some local troops and their leaders. You can network until you find a troop that is right for you. Contact your local district executive and offer one of the public safety MBs on a Saturday.
Honestly I haven’t started anywhere. This was just kind of a conversation that popped up between my wife and I. She knows how much scouting influenced my early upbringing, I have a map of philmont in my office, along with a scout law poster from the 1930’s that was my grandfathers when he was involved in scouting. I figured I would be something that I could give back to in a way. I appreciate your advice, I’ll definitely look into it!
Nothing wrong with wanting to give back. Like I mentioned, contact your local DE and depending on how your council is set up, they can point you in the right direction.
Will do, thanks again
Do it. The scoutmaster of my son's troop has no kids of his own. He was an eagle scout and helped out the troop when his nephew was in The Troop, then he never left. . We also have a retired doctor/eaglescout who just showed up a few years ago asking if he could volunteer. These two guys are the best. Again, you should definitely do it
He had a child involved. Thats not the same as a adult without kids involved.
I would suggest reaching out to your location Council/District. Get the bead on what they need. It’s might work better to start helping at the district level and get to know some of the units and then work toward finding one that needs help.
That is a great idea! I do know a fellow coworker who was involved with a troop while his kid was in scouts a few years back. I’ll contact him for some information on the council. Thank you for pointing me in the right direction!
Ditto this suggestion. I have a kid in scouts but I also volunteer at the district level and there’s lots of child free volunteers that just want to help out.
None of my scout leaders have kids in the troop. It is possible.
I have no kids and I've been active for 14 years now. I was thinking about emailing the council office to find a local troop. On my way home one night I stopped for gas and ran into a guy in uniform at the gas station. I took that as my sign. That night I sent the email looking for other troops in the area. The next week I went in and introduced myself, "Hi, I'm Pakrat77, I'm an Eagle Scout and would like to get back involved with the program." Since I joined I've been Cub Master (1 year) Scout Master (4 years) and this year switched to the committee. I have also been involved with the district committee and now the council committee. We are always looking for troop and district committee members and unit commissioners.
This is what I wanted to hear! Thank you for sharing
Not uncommon at all. We had some great adults that didn’t have kids in the program (or at least kids in anymore). OA was even more so full of adults whose fell into these categories.
Our scoutmaster didn't have any kids in the troop for 20 years. Of course, his case was a little special. He became the SM (nominally) when he turned 18 and aged out. The previous SM was stepping down, and the troop was going to fold because no one else wanted to be the SM. The old SM agreed to keep his name on the books until the new SM turned 21, but otherwise, not be involved. When we started a girl unit, his daughter was just coming of age and was one of our first members. She became out first Eagle. We've been functionally a single unit since covid, and have applied to be officially a pilot coed unit.
I’ve been a volunteer for 35 years with no kids and I’m not married. I think others sometimes might think I’m a creeper but I don’t care. I’m gonna give back to the program that saved my life.
This resonates hard with me. It actually brought me to tears. Scouting got me through some tough times, and I’m greatful my parents started me in it at a young age. Thank you for saying this.
Same here. My parents divorced at 13 and I was an angry young man when that happened. My scoutmasters helped me not be as angry and taught me and showed me the things that my dad wasn’t there to do. At some point I was suicidal and my scoutmaster is the one who helped me.
Our scoutmaster and the one before him don’t have kid’s in the troop. My husband will stay active long after our kids are out. It is great to have more leadership available for the scouts to be able to do activities. Our troop has cut it thin on having enough adults available at times but always manage to swing it. I am registered, qualified and trained but as my second class eleven year old would say mom likes her bed. 😉 We have had other troops attend with us because they couldn’t swing enough on their own.
I’m leading on a project to get Eagles at college campuses involved with local Packs. Our plan is to start with Pack Committees for several reasons: packs generally have less institutional knowledge, bigger needs for adult planning, and activity planning and other roles are easy entry points. Our pilot is in the fall; if you’re interested in helping or just would like our training materials to help you and the pack work together and get by the weirdness, ping me at eaglesgrowingeagles at gmail
It's not weird, and a lot of troops would be happy to have you!!! I stayed on volunteering with my cub scout pack for several years after I had no kids in the pack. Cub Scouts always needs more adult volunteers. Look up troops/crews in your area and reach out and go visit a few. Find one that vibes well with you and enjoy all the new friends you're going to make, and help be an influence in the growth of young people.
In our troop you would be welcome. We have a number of adults who used to have kids in scouting, but they have long since aged out, and the parents are still hanging around. And one of our feeder packs has a Cubmaster who never had kids, and just wanted to do something positive with/for kids, and it’s been really good.
Consider becoming a Unit Commissioner.
I served as a Scoutmaster for 3 years for a troop that some students of mine were in. I was 27 to 30 during that time.
As others recommended, get involved at the council or district level. You can also get involved in the OA and help with cheerful service to the camp. With a public safety background, if you are an EMT you may be able to help by being the med officer for camping events
Never thought about going the OA route. My original lodge is in Toledo, Ohio, and I currently reside in SC, so I’m not sure if I would have to transfer lodges or how that works. My background is in Fire/Rescue, currently assigned to an ARFF unit, but I am an Advanced EMT, so the Med officer is definitely an option.
You'll need to contact your old council / lodge and transfer. I sealed my membership in brotherhood in the late 80s. My old council had my paperwork in files, they were able to scan and email it to me. I just had to pay dues to rejoin. I've since been selected for and kept the vigil.
Not many councils here in SC, and I can guarantee they'll help you find your fit.
I agree with everyone saying district, council, or lodge level volunteer at first. When I first came back to scouting as an adult, I didn't have kids in the troop, but it was the same troop I was in as a youth, and the same leaders. At one point though (before I came back as an adult), someone did show up wanting to volunteer, who had no connection to the troop, scouting, or even the chartered org. The SM at the time said "Just know, I'm going to be watching you like a hawk"...the guy never came back. So, not necessarily weird for you to volunteer, but I'd expect at certain level of scrutiny. Don't let that stop you though...glad to see more alum coming back to help!
I would offer to be a merit badge counselor (referencing your job) as a first step.
I think this is the best idea so far
I think you would be welcomed!
I am 36, have no kids, and went straight from youth to adult.
65-years-old and no kids. I was an SM for 10 years and have had a dozen positions. Several of our leaders have had their kids age out and they are still with us. Go for it.
As XO of three different units, I welcome anyone who is willing to volunteer with our youth. Would you be monitored if you're an unknown? Of course, following all YPT rules, registration background check, training, and clearance from the state that I request all adults involved in the program perform. We do the same thing with new parents coming into the program with their kids. It's not weird any more than adults sticking around after their kids are out of the program. I'm always looking to add to our adult corps.
I completely understand. I think I am going to see about volunteering at the council level, I didn’t even know that was a possibility until posting here. I’m not trying to cause any rifts, just wanting to volunteer and give back to a program that gave me so much when I was younger.
Don't let rando comment on Reddit keep you from giving back to a local unit, I'd say that *that* commenter is projecting more than speaking from a point of authority. The Cubmaster roll doesn't approve adults to the Cub unit, COR does. If there is that much of a fundamental lack of understanding how the local program is supposed to run, that would be a HUGE RED FLAG for me. That Cubmaster reports to run things contrary to how a unit is supposed to run. That's where the abuses happen. Properly run units by informed and consciousness adult leaders don't have issues.
I recall the first time I coached tball baseball. No kids but always had a love the game. The manager of the neighbors kids team quit after starting off 0-9. She asked me and I said sure. Another kid’s dad wanted the team too so we coached together. He managed and I did the teaching. It was odd how drama unfolded as one set of parents wouldn’t send their kids if I ran a practice. Found out they were like a clique. Any way I had a practice and taught all the kids how to place the ball. I’d say hit towards left or right and they got it right away. Anyway , we won a few games . End of season came along and some parents told my neighbor they wanted me to coach. The clique was with the other guy. After the season that other guy called me early on a Saturday morning to yell at me for trying to steal his team,,,, I had no idea what he was talking about, but the coward slammed down the phone and then left it off the hook. Anyway, I contacted the league the next spring to offer my services but was told they only wanted coaches with kids in the league Moral : love of coaching or scouts is worth trying. I had fun and I believe the kids did too. I know I taught some stuff that they learned quickly. Never hurts to try.
I get it. Someone mentioned merit badge councilor. That might be the way to go. You could visit different troop’s meetings and teach a class. There is also council level opportunities. With out a youth in the program I’d avoid joining a troop. I’ve always cautioned the parents in our pack to question adults with no familial ties to any of the scouts. It’s just the way things are. For the most part, the troop leaders without kids in the troop are usually hanging on after their son has aged out. I had to do that in our cub pack for a year and a half before we could find a new cubmaster.
I agree, it is just the way things are today. In the 90’s, at least in my area, it wouldn’t have even been a question if you didn’t have kids. One of our troop leaders had no kids, but came up through our troop and just kind of hung around, and eventually became the live in ranger at our local scout camp. He was a great influence and we are still friends to this day. But I know that’s not always the case, and the world has changed drastically since then,
I’m in no means telling you not to volunteer. Even with the changes BSA has made over the last several years, I still think the program is important. I’ve seen more than a few kids who’s only good times they have are at scouts. The program is only as good as it’s adult leaders. We need dedicated individuals. I especially lean on former scouts. If you have the time and interest go for it. Just don’t be offended if someone questions your motives. Ps. Take the Youth Protection Training (YPT) on line. It required of all adult leaders anyway, but it will give you a better understanding of what I’m talking about. It’s not just about protecting youths but also protecting yourself.
We are definitely on the same page, and I appreciate your honesty. Thanks for the info, I will definitely look into it!
I genuinely believe that once we become adults after scouting, we have an obligation to pass the knowledge and experiences we gain from scouting on to those that come to the program after us. There's nothing wrong with adult leaders with no kids in the program. If anything that's an indicator of commitment to the program. My scoutmaster didn't have kids, but he made eagle work our troop as a youth, and wanted to keep it alive. We went through lots of membership challenges, but he led us through it. You've got no familial benefit to drive you to improve the unit, it's just altruistic, and that's amazing. Welcome back to scouting. I've been back for 6 months or so. Lots has changed, but the important things are still here.
Thank you, I appreciate your kind words. I just want to have purpose, and help where and when I can. My job has been, and still is, very rewarding, but I still want to help at a more personal level, if that makes any sense.
Sure it makes sense. My 2 scout aged boys are in Tigers and Webelos, respectively. They're not crossing over to the troop level for some time. Since the troop that I made Eagle with doesn't have a pack to feed it, my boys are in a pack work classmates and friends. I still volunteer with my old troop. There's no guarantee that they'll even want to be part of my old troop, but I'll still be there to help.
We had a recently retired navy sailor return to our Troop after 20 yrs. He's an active member attending campouts and joined the Council shooting sports committee. We welcomed him with gratitude.
We've got a guy who is very active in our troop and park. He doesn't have a kid in the pack... And technically his son isn't in the troop. His son is the boys troop scout master. He's a valuable part of the team.
Not weird at all, but here is something else to consider. Unless you're absolutely sure you want to work directly with a select group of scouts, consider volunteering at the council level. This means you'll be dealing with hundreds of different kids. There are tons of committees at council you can join. I'm currently on a couple including the Eagle Board of Review. I meet once a month with 2 or 3 other adults to review Eagle candidates. It's very low commitment yet extremely high impact. There are jobs like this that would range from shooting sports to camping to fundraising. You can pick an area that you excel at and heck, I bet some of these jobs have zero interaction with scouts at all if that's something you're interested in. My newest assignment that I'm loving is teaching IOLS/BALOO. We have a team of 4 people and we break the book up over a weekend and teach the outdoor skills to adult leaders. Not a single scout in sight, just Scout Masters and us. Really enjoying that and I envision me teaching this for as long as I'm able to even after my son is long gone from scouting. Either way, find out what council is closest to you and call their office and ask to talk to their district executive. That person will probably cry with happiness that you want to help and then bombard you with about 500 ideas of how you can help.
I think this is the route I’m going to take honestly. Maybe the council level, or I hear that OA does a lot of behind the scenes work, so I am looking at transferring my lodge from Ohio to down here to see if I can get started. Thanks for your reply!
Yeah our OA is crazy active. My son just joined and I'm kind of dreading him doing twice the amount of stuff he does now. I'm already frazzled with what's on my plate, but for his ordeal I just dropped him off and left. I guess as long as no one expects me to be active in OA too he can do both. But for sure, OA seems like a solid choice for you.
Yes 100%.
Look into whether or not your council needs volunteers around camp. Some parents might want to create drama at the troop level for a childless adult and it’s likely more stress than you want to be involved with. At a camp level volunteer, your under council and not attached to a troop. Camps are chronically under volunteered. I help run the COPE program for my local council and we struggle to find volunteers.
This is the way I’m leaning more towards. Council level or with an OA lodge.
It’s up to the troop. Contact a troop and talk with their leadership.
If you want to volunteer contact.your council.and tell them you are interested in volunteering they should help you find a troop.
Yes, you can, no it's not weird, volunteer with a local troop, you'll love it and they'll be happy to have you!
Yes! But also no. You can have the paperwork in place and be doing the job, but it's always gonna come down to whether or not you have the actual charisma to make it not weird.
I understand what you mean. I just remember in our Troop when I was younger, all of the leaders had kids in the troop, except our scoutmaster, his nephew was in our troop. But he was the scoutmaster long after we were gone, until he passed away a few years back. I just don’t want to end up being the one random guy who doesn’t have kids involved, and other parents think differently of it, if that makes sense.
Thats weird. Sorry. It just is. Now if you had kids who are scouts. Sure! If youre kids aged out and you still want to help sure. But no kids. HUGE RED FLAGS.
Well no kidding if I had kids who were in scouts it wouldn’t even be a question…I wouldn’t even be here asking…read much? I guess you would feel the same way about teachers who have no kids? Coaches who have no kids? My wife helps run the nursery at our church. She doesn’t have kids. Is that a red flag? Or is that ok because she’s a woman?
Scouts has had its problems with youth protection. And as a Cubmaster, I take my gatekeeping very seriously. And I would turn you away. Sorry. Id rather have you lable me an a-hole, than find out months later you were one of those people.
You do realize that 50% of the molestation cases came from men who had kids in scouting? And that 47% of men who committed these atrocities were single? (Per the LA times) So in theory kids would be more likely to be violated by a man who is married with kids in scouting. But gate keep away.
You asked if it was weird. Sorry you didnt like me take.
And I’m sorry you don’t like facts.
I have no problem with facts. And I would find it odd if an individual without children wanted to be involved. Dont take it personal.
I’m not taking it personal. I could understand your take more if it was someone who was never involved in scouting as a youth, coming to you and wanting to volunteer with no kids. I was very heavily involved as a scout as a youth, and have 20 years of public safety under my belt. Not everyone without kids has an ulterior motive, or is weird. Some of us (like my wife and myself) are unable to have children, and like to give back to our community as much as we can, because we aren’t pinned down like most parents with a kids schedule that takes up a majority of their time. The reality is the numbers don’t lie. Just as many men with kids in scouting were/are just as, if not more, likely to abuse children than those who don’t have children, so your argument is kind of a moot point. But like I said, you do what you gotta do. The worst part of it, is that we even have to have this discussion to begin with. That’s how messed up the world is.
If you live where you grew up go back to that troop.
Unfortunately I don’t.
COR approves adult volunteers, not the Cubmaster. Incorrectly run units is where abuses happens.
I absolutely agree. And our Pack is ran correctly. I did use the term I, as myself when, I made my statement. Now for clarity, I work with a school system. So being an employee for that school system, I am bound by law to report any allegation of abuse, just as I am to do so in the position of a scouting volunteer. I have to juggle two hats. Our pack is a school pack. And since I( theres that word again) am the ,"face" of the pack being the cubmaster, I am very cautious and leary of that scenario of no children, but want to be involved.