Volunteer Opportunities
Our troop is a volunteer organization, and the quality of your Scout's experience depends on parents and guardians like you, pitching in to make a difference. If we all do our part, the load is more evenly spread and everyone can benefit from the variety and abundance of the adult involvement.
Scouting is a youth-led, youth-run program, but the youth must be trained to be leaders. Adult role models in Scouting provide an ideal learning experience for all youth. Every adult volunteer has something valuable to offer.
If there is something specific you would like to do, please let us know, there are always a number of volunteer opportunities you can choose from.
Please be generous with your time when contacted by an adult troop leader looking for assistance.
YOUTH PROTECTION TRAINING
YPT Training is REQUIRED for all volunteers working with our Scouts and any adults attending an overnight event.
Troop Leadership - Assistant Scoutmasters
Assistant Scoutmaster, in consultation with the Scoutmaster, is responsible for monitoring, encouraging and fostering the advancement of scouts from the rank of Scout to First Class. He/she will be requested to regularly attend troop meetings to support the advancement of our Scouts, attend Patrol Leader Council meetings and the Annual Planning Session to encourage the regular and frequent inclusion of advancement related activities in the outings and meetings of the troop.
The Assistant Scoutmaster is an integral role in a functioning Troop and will be asked to attend Summer Camps and other outings to allow us to be able to provide troop outings and overnights. The ASM may also be asked to file as a registered Merit Badge Counselor or encouraged to look into additional Adult Leadership training including certification in the Safe Swim Defense, Aquatics and High Adventure in preparation for the Troop to begin treks to Philmont, Summit, Sea Base and Northern Tier.
Committee Members
Troop Committee's primary responsibility is supporting troop leaders in delivering quality program and handling troop administration. It sets troop policies and handles administrative functions, allowing the Scoutmaster and assistant Scoutmasters to focus on working directly with the Scouts.
The committee also has the responsibility to provide adults for boards of review. This is an important responsibility and is one area where help is always needed and appreciated. The committee consists of parent volunteers or other adults who fulfill various roles on the committee. Committee meetings are held once a month, check the troop calendar for the specific dates and times. All committee members, scout leaders, and parents are welcome to attend committee meetings; however, only registered committee members are allowed to vote on issues.
Contact Brandi Reeder, to discuss available committee roles and expectations.
Event/Activity Volunteers
Throughout the year, we provide the necessary adult leadership required to organize and plan our activities and events. Our adult volunteers we make it possible for the troop to go camping, participate in special event overnights, host a troop merit badge day, complete merit badges while on a campout and attend summer camp. Those are just a few of the activities so please consider volunteering in some capacity to assist with our events.
Merit Badge Counselors
The Merit Badge Counselor is one of the coolest jobs in Scouting!
These volunteers introduce Scouts to a topic about which they are passionate and knowledgeable. As a merit badge counselor, you can teach skills and introduce concepts that may change the course of a boy’s life. Many scouts have been guided to their chosen careers or discovered lifelong hobbies through the BSA merit badge program. This opportunity would not exist without adult volunteers giving of their knowledge and time selflessly to help shape the leaders of tomorrow.
Do you meet these requirements:
Be an individual of good character
Be age 18 or older
Have the skills and education in the subject(s) you want to teach, some merit badges may require additional certifications.
Have good rapport with Scout-age youths and their unit leaders
If so, the first step is to complete an Adult Membership Application, this is required even if you are already a registered adult member. Fill the form out completely including the Position code 42, Scouting position (description) Merit badge counselor, and social security number.
Next, complete Youth Protection training. Existing counselors must re-register annually.
Merit Badge Counselors MUST NOT work with Scouts in any capacity WITHOUT current/valid Youth Protection Training.
Fill out a Merit Badge Counselor Information form, this is where you provide contact information for our council’s merit badge counselor list and explain what experience you have that relates to the merit badge(s) you choose to counsel.
Please take the time to fill the form out completely, this will allow your approval to be processed in a timely manner.
List the merit badges in the left column and note whether you are adding (A)
For each badge you must list qualifications to support your request. The electronic fillable form allows you to enter a limited explanation on the front. If you need more space use the back of the paper or additional paper. Providing more information will enable us to process your application in a timely manner.
Failure to provide any explanation of qualifications may result in delays or return of the application.
Turn in your forms to the local council and pay the required registration fee to the council.
INDIVIDUALS MAY NOT BEGIN FACILITATING MERIT BADGES UNTIL THEY RECEIVE CONFIRMATION THAT THEY HAVE BEEN APPROVED.
Then once you are notifed that you are approved, you simply follow the guidance in the six-page “Guide for Merit Badge Counseling,” if you aren't familiar with the merit badge process, review our troop Merit Badge Process Guide.
NOTE: To Qualify as a Merit Badge Counselor for the Following Merit Badges, Additional Qualifications or Certifications are Required:
Archery Canoeing Climbing Kayaking
Lifesaving Rifle Shooting Rowing Scuba Diving
Shotgun Shooting Snow Sports Swimming Whitewater
Archery - Archery activities must be supervised by a BSA National Camping School–trained shooting sports director or USA Archery or National Field Archery Association instructor, or by someone who has been trained by one of the three; or alternatively, the activities may be supervised by someone with at least Level 1 training in the operation of an archery range from USA Archery, NFAA, or an equivalent.
Canoeing - Those supervising canoeing activities must have either BSA Aquatics Instructor or Canoeing Instructor certification from the American Canoe Association, American Red Cross, or equivalent; OR local councils may approve individuals previously certified as such, or trained by an instructor so qualified.
Citizenship in Society - Unlike other merit badges, there is no Citizenship in Society merit badge pamphlet. Counselors should be skilled in listening and in guiding discussions, and determined to be knowledgeable in the subject matter through an interview process that will allow the counsel representative to determine whether or not the individual should be approved as a merit badge counsel for Citizenship in Society. Completion of the DEI volunteer training is required for all counselors prior to their interview; it includes integral information on key concepts the Scouts will be studying: https://training.scouting.org/courses/SCO_1800. Only an approved merit badge counselor for Citizenship in Society may lead the session, participate in the discussion portion of the session or evaluate whether or not a scout has met the requirement as it is defined. Class sizes are expected to be small unless mutliple approved counselors are available to provide break out groups to complete the requirements.
Climbing - All climbing, belaying, and rappelling exercises and activities must be supervised by a rock climbing instructor who is a mature and conscientious adult at least 21 years old, and who is trained in BSA Climb On Safely and understands the risks inherent to these activities. Training as a BSA climbing Level 2 Instructor is highly recommended. Someone with certification in First Aid/CPR/AED from the American Red Cross (or equivalent) must be present at these activities.
Kayaking - Those supervising kayaking activities must have formal training in kayaking and paddle craft instruction, evidenced by either BSA Aquatics Instructor or Paddle Craft Safety Instructor certification, or kayaking instructor certification from the American Canoe Association, British Canoe Union, or American Red Cross, or equivalent; OR local councils may approve individuals previously certified as such, or trained by an instructor so qualified.
Lifesaving - Demonstrations or activities in or on the water must be supervised by an adult at least 21 years old with certification in Red Cross First Aid/CPR/AED or equivalent, and also as BSA Lifeguard or Aquatics Instructor or equivalent.
Rifle Shooting - The merit badge counselor is responsible for ensuring that all instruction or other activities involving any handling of firearms or live ammunition is consistent with state and federal law and supervised by a certified BSA National Camping School (NCS) shooting sports director, or National Rifle Association (NRA) Rifle Shooting Instructor or Coach. Instruction or other activities involving handling muzzleloaders must be supervised by an NCS shooting sports director or NRA/National Muzzleloader Rifle Association (NMLRA)–certified muzzleloader firearms instructor. Shooting must be supervised by an NRA-certified Range Safety Officer (RSO). If instruction and shooting are to occur at the same time, both the RSO and qualified instructor must be present. The supervisor and instructor may not be the same person. Note that commercial shooting ranges may provide RSOs. See the Guide to Safe Scouting and the BSA National Shooting Sports Manual, No. 30931, for further details on shooting sports.
Rowing - Those supervising rowing activities must have either BSA Aquatics Instructor certification or equivalent; OR local councils may approve individuals previously certified as such, or trained by an instructor so qualified.
Scuba Diving - All phases of scuba instruction—classroom, pool, and open-water training—are limited to instructors trained and certified by one of the BSA’s recognized scuba agencies as found in the Guide to Safe Scouting.
Shotgun Shooting - The merit badge counselor is responsible for ensuring that all instruction or other activities involving any handling of firearms or live ammunition is consistent with state and federal law and supervised by a certified NCS shooting sports director or NRA Shotgun Instructor or Coach. Instruction or other activities involving handling muzzle-loading shotguns must be supervised by an NCS shooting sports director or NRA/NMLRA certified muzzle-loading shotgun instructor. Shooting must be supervised by an NRA-certified Range Safety Officer. If instruction and shooting are to occur at the same time, both the RSO and qualified instructor must be present. They may not be the same person. Note that commercial shooting ranges may provide RSOs. See the Guide to Safe Scouting and the BSA National Shooting Sports Manual, No. 420029, for further details on shooting sports.
Snow Sports - Activities in the field must be supervised by a mature and conscientious adult 21 years or older who is committed to compliance with BSA Winter Sports Safety as defined in the Guide to Safe Scouting.
Swimming - Current certification in BSA Safe Swim Defense and BSA Safety Afloat.
Whitewater - Those supervising whitewater activities must be and certified as whitewater canoeing or kayaking instructors by the American Canoe Association or have equivalent certification, training, or expertise.