Nominate a Scouter for the Silver Beaver Award, by Dec 5, 2025
Nominate a Scouter for an alumni award or the Outstanding Eagle Scout Award, by December 1, 2025
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. On a typical weekend campout, Scouts might work with an adult volunteer who teaches the Fishing merit badge and with a Scout mom to learn orienteering, go on a 5-mile hike with another adult leader, and end the day learning how to clean and cook fresh fish from someone else.
The advantages of Scouting are not limited to youth. Adults also develop leadership and physical skills with every training experience.
Volunteers learn, too. Volunteers spend a significant amount of time to ensure the success of Scouting in their communities. The average Scout volunteer gives 20 hours of service each month, and 96 percent of volunteers say they would recommend volunteering for Scouting America to other adults. In fact, volunteers believe their time invested with Scouting America helps them be:
A better citizen
A better parent
A better manager
A better employee
More patient and tolerant of others
More open to new ideas and opinions
We need you to provide the direction, coaching, and training that empowers today’s youth with the skills they will need to lead tomorrow.
Volunteers can find their supplies and uniforms and so much more at our Scout Shop.
Express your interest to the unit leaders—the Cubmaster, Scoutmaster, crew Advisor, chartered organization representative, or members of the unit committee. While there’s no guarantee that a specific role or position will be available—and there may be a selection process among several candidates even if the position is currently vacant—there is usually some way in which you can contribute, and most units are glad for any offer of help.
There are many ways that you can help Scouting in your area. Whether you are volunteering directly with Scouts or helping out behind the scenes, you can make an impact on the lives of Scouts by volunteering your time.
How can you help? Here are a few ideas:
Assisting directly with Scouts on an ongoing basis
Unit leader
Assistant leader
Board of review coordinator/member
Court of honor coordinator/member
Helping directly with Scouts in specific events or activities
Event coordinator/event committee member
Pinewood derby coordinator/committee member
Service project coordinator/committee member
Camping trip participant
Banquet coordinator/committee member
Day camp coordinator/participant
Summer camp coordinator/participant/promotion
Merit badge counselor
Administrative Support
Advancement committee chair/member
Communications committee chair/committee member
Secretary: record keeping, activity permits, meeting minutes, annual recharter activities
Treasurer/assistant treasurer
Youth Protection training coordinator
Life to Eagle coordinator
Merit badge coordinator
Other Kinds of Support
Chartered organization representative
Fundraising coordinator
Unit committee chair/member
Unit youth recruiter
Product sales committee coordinator/member
Promoter of district/council events to parents
Religious award committee coordinator/member
Trainer
District/council committee member
Transportation coordinator
Historian
Quartermaster (supplies)