Whether you are a Network Member, parent of a child in Scouting, or someone who is totally new to Scouting you’ve come to the right place.

One of the biggest myths about Scouting is that Groups are closing down due to a lack of young people wanting to become Members. Nothing could be further from the truth; Scouting in the UK is a growing Movement and we currently have 30,000 young people on our waiting lists simply because we do not have enough adults to help out.

Why help?

There are many reasons why adults choose to volunteer for Scouting. Here are some that existing volunteers have given:

• To give something back to the community: ‘I believe the kids get such a lot out of it; I just put a bit back for what the kids take out.’
• To support the Leaders: ‘They give so much, you’ve got to give some of that back.’
• Because volunteering is a ‘good thing’: ‘I just personally believe that you should always do some kind of voluntary work…otherwise nothing would get done in this world.’
• As an enabler, so the Leader can do more: ‘If I can help Sam, our Leader, out by doing the little things, then it means she has got more time to give the kids and then they get more out of it.’
• To spend more quality time with your child: ‘David used to go on his PlayStation2 while I read the paper after school and work – now we get a chance to do activities together.’
• To develop your own skills: ‘I hadn’t used a compass since I was a Scout. After I learned how to use one again, I take one out on family walks. We get lost less than we used to!’
• To enjoy and rediscover adventure for yourself: ‘We had a water fight at Beavers the other week, it was great!’

‘I wasn't involved in Scouting until someone asked me and I jumped at the chance. Adventure isn't just for young people or those of us already wearing neckerchiefs; it's for everyone. There's lots of talent among our 800,000 parents. Let's bring some of that into Scouting. Just ask - that's all it takes.’

Bear Grylls, Chief Scout

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