FAQ

"How do I volunteer with Scouts Canada?"

Volunteering with Scouts Canada is easy, fun and flexible. You will be supported by a team of dynamic adults who get as much fun out of Scouting adventures as the youth they mentor. We provide the training and adventure. You provide the enthusiasm!

"Why is Scouting a great volunteer experience?"

Many people are looking for ways to develop skills that help them achieve personal and professional goals. Scouting has a long tradition of providing such opportunities.

A fully trained leader completes thorough online and experiential learning in understanding youth, program planning, leadership and risk management.

Scouting offers many opportunities to develop marketing, communication, financial management and fundraising skills.

Scouts Canada also offers excellent volunteer development courses.

"I want to volunteer, will Scouts Canada accomodate my disability?"

Yes, Scouts Canada encourages applications from all qualified candidates. Scouts Canada has a great record of accommodating persons with disabilities. Contact The Help Centre at helpcentre@scouts.ca or 1-888-855-3336 if you need accommodation at any stage of the application process or want more information on our accommodation policies.

After you're registered as a prospective Scouter volunteer, the 3rd Kanata Scout Group can engage with you throughout the process to ensure that you have the support you need.

"I don't have time to volunteer every single week!"

We get it! Balancing personal and professional responsibilities is very difficult at the best of times, so why would you add another responsibility? Because someone likely did it for you in your youth activities and you remember the impact that it had on your life.

"I'm not very 'outdoorsy.' I don't think I have anything to contribute."

You've heard the expression, "many hands make light work," right? We all have something to contribute!

Maybe you're really handy with tools. Did you know that our youth members build "Kub Kars" and race them each year (see video here)? Once a year, you could be our contact to show the kids how tools work so that they can build a winning Kub Kar!

Or else you're an amateur astronomer with a some cool telescopes! The "oohs and aahs" of young Scouts seeing the moon, a planet or a star through a telescope for the first time really make you feel good. Sharing your passion or hobby with a new generation is very rewarding.

Lastly, helping us set up an online auction for a fundraising activity can be done whenever and wherever. Without having to put on a uniform or necker, your time and energy can really make a impact on the success of the Scout Group!

"Is it all or nothing? Will the program fall apart if I suddenly can't be available?"

Don't think about volunteering with Scouts Canada as an On/Off switch. Rather, think about it like a dimmer switch that you can dial-up and dial-down as necessary.

Scouts Canada has a unique model among Scouting movements around the world. We don't have "Leaders" and "Assistants." Instead, all volunteers work together as equals in a shared responsibility model. Here are a few example situations:

• You have a business trip coming up and you won't be able to attend a weekly Scout meeting? No problem! Your fellow Scouters are there to pick up the slack! Are you a "road warrior" and you're only available on weekends? That's fine, just make this clear to your fellow Scouters and you can help as a Section Scouter, but according to your weekend availability.

• You need to focus on a personal issue for a few weeks or months and you can't make yourself available for in-person activities? You can pause completely if necessary or perhaps you could help on a schedule that is convenient to you by inputting the meeting details on our ScoutsTracker platform and sending the invitation to the members. This type of help is equally important and may allow the in-person Scouters to focus on the meeting.

• You don't love being the focus of attention and you prefer a quieter role in the background. But you do have a passion for STEM activities and you'd love to create an activity. Wonderful! You don't have take centre stage to present it, but your fellow Scouters and the youth members may want to give you a round of applause for a fun and enriching activity.

• You weren't a Scout or Guide during your youth and you grew up in the city, so you don't feel comfortable with camping or other outdoor activities. Would you like to learn? We'd love to teach you! A desire to learn is the most important trait for a successful Scouter volunteer and it's one that we try instill in our youth members.

• You're a stay-at-home parent and it's very difficult to make time outside of the home for volunteer activities. We understand, but perhaps you're looking for some adult interaction and are available to help manage our social media channels. This could be using "MarCom" content from Scouts Canada or replying to a Scouting-related message in the Kanata Moms or Bridlewood Parents groups on Facebook.

We're willing to meet you where you are according to your interests, your skills and your availability. It's not "all or nothing!"