How Parents Can Help

Encourage your scout to set scouting goals

Encourage your scout to set scouting goals. Participate in scouting events yourself to set the example. Particiapte in monthly Committee Meetings. Seek out areas in the troop that you are able to help. Realize that the boys run their meetings and their patrols. Volunteer to teach merit badge requirements in areas where you excel. Boy Scouts need your guidance and help as their parents in planning their scouting achievements. If you notice your scout is not achieving ranks and merit badges on a consistent basis offer your guidance. Help your scout to set goals and dates to achieve those goals. Have the scout put this in writing and post somewhere in your home where the scout will see it often. Help your scout get started on achieving those goals. Sometimes a scout may need a jumpstart.

Participate in scouting events yourself to set the example

Our troop is made up of scouts that need role models. Be willing to attend scouting events with your scout. Scouts look forward to achieving scouting goals with their parents present to see the achievements. Your presence encourages your scout to acheive. Other scouts will also benefit from your presence as well!

Particiapte in monthly Committee Meetings

Once a month the adults of our troop meet to discuss issues within our troop such as budget, events, rules and fundraisers. This committee is for all parents. No one is elected to this committee. The parents that show up are the parents that contribute to these discussions and make decisions. We encourage all parents to attend and contribute. You will learn a lot about our troop from these meetings. It is also a wonderful way to meet other parents in our troop.

Seek out areas in the troop that you are able to help

Our troop is always looking for willing adults to help with organizational tasks. Find one event or troop task that you have interest in and be willing to help with that particular task. Offer to help the person running that task. You can learn more about where help is needed by talking to the Scoutmaster, Committee Chairman, attending committee meetings, or just by chatting with adults in the adult room during the meetings.

Realize that the boys run their meetings and their patrols

Boy Scouts is very different than Cub Scouts. As a parent in Cub Scouts adults set the events and physically help the boys acheive. Boy Scouts requires the boys to be independent. Parents must step back and allow boys to lead themselves. This transition is difficult for parents and kids new to the troop at times. Boys must acheive for themselves without adult interference. This is not to say that you should not offer guidance to your son. Your scout is still a child and a parent's role is to guide, counsel and influence.

Volunteer to teach merit badge requirements in areas where you excel

All our scouts can benefit from your areas of expertise. When we put all our parents' talents together, we have an awesome wealth of knowledge to share with our scouts. Look through the merit badge book to see where your talents lie. Any adult may teach merit badges. Find your niche and volunteer!

Original Article by Carolin Clark