Amy ended up volunteering with Scouts as the troop leader wanted to have a bank of occasional helpers, to ease the pressure on leaders. She felt it was important to take a turn.
Most troops rely on occasional parent helpers to provide the necessary ratios to run activities. The troop Amy volunteers for have enabled parents to not only offer an extra pair of hands but also to come up with ideas for activities. Often Amy turns up at the same time as her children and helps with games and crafts, but she’s also planned activities, such as a scavenger hunt and a mini-Olympics.
When you volunteer with young people they demand your full attention. She says, “You can’t doom scroll on your phone or flick through social media.” Amy enjoys being involved in something that’s totally absorbing, she finds it relaxing.
Amy has noticed that young people don’t always take part in the activity in the way the leader planned which doesn’t seem to matter. She explains, “We had a nature photography session in the park. Lots of the children were fully engaged but some were doing their own thing. I felt even those that were hiding in bushes or rolling down hills were getting something from it. It just wasn’t what the adults intended!”
Every group across Wales needs parents to get involved. Amy says, “The leaders are all volunteers, if every parent did a little bit, it would make a huge difference. It’s a real eye-opener to see the quality and range of skills the children are learning.” Even though it’s loud and hectic, Amy thinks it’s a good place to switch off. “It’s the perfect antidote to life online.”
If your child is involved in a local Squirrel, Beaver, Cub, Scout or Explorer group, why not talk to your troop leader about lending a hand? It doesn’t have to be every week and even a small commitment can make a difference.
