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As a new parent, a great way to try out volunteering is to chaperone a couple of weekend outings during your scout’s first year. Troop 455 encourages each scout family to chaperone two trips per year. It is a great way to get to know the other parents and scouts. Here are few things to keep in mind when chaperoning a weekend outing:
Since Scouting America is scout-led, the major role of the chaperone on an outing is to supervise in a hands-off way, only intervening when necessary to coach or handle a safety issue. A lot of your time will be spent relaxing and hanging out with the other adults.
The other responsibility of the chaperones is to help shuttle the scouts to and from the outing, so you usually are also driving several scouts with you.
You should RSVP for the outing via ScoutBook just like your scout will do.
You must be a registered adult leader with the troop and have completed Safeguarding Youth Training and that training status has to be active currently (i.e., not expired). There are no exceptions to this policy.
As with your scout, you must have submitted to the troop the required annual medical forms for yourself before going on an outing.
If the outing is water-related (e.g., a rafting trip), you must meet the swim test requirement the same as your scout in order to participate in the water activity.
You are not allowed to tent with your scout. There are no exceptions to this policy. You must have a separate tent. You will be camping with the other adults, while your scout will be camping with their patrol.
You need to have basic camping gear for your use (e.g., sleeping bag, camp chair), but the trip leader or a designated adult will provide the food for the chaperones.
Sitting around a camp fire with a cold beer or glass of chardonnay might sound great, but hold that drink off until you get back home. There is a strict no alcohol rule for all participates during outings.
As you get further into your scout parent career, you can explore other volunteer opportunities. With no paid staff positions, Troop 455 depends on parent volunteers. There are many ways to volunteer with the troop, including ongoing roles within the troop committee and scoutmasters as well as single-day activities like helping with fundraisers.
For additional information on volunteering and current opportunities, refer to the Toop 455 website here:
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