At 1st Shifnal Scout Group, we believe Scouting works best when families feel part of the adventure. To help make this possible, we run a parent and carer helper rota each term. This gives adults the chance to come along to a session, see what their young person gets up to, and support the leaders in running safe, fun activities.
Our group is entirely volunteer‑run, and having a extra pairs of hands each week makes a huge difference. Helpers might assist with:
Setting up activities
Supervising small groups
Supporting outdoor games
Helping with crafts or cooking
Tidying away at the end
You don’t need any experience - just enthusiasm and a willingness to get involved.
A rota is created before the start of each term.
Parents and carers are assigned to one or two sessions across the term.
The rota is shared a few days before term begins so everyone has plenty of notice.
If you can’t make your allocated date, we simply ask that you arrange a swap with another parent.
We’ve been running this system for years, and it’s become a valued part of how our group operates. Many parents tell us they enjoy seeing the activities first‑hand and getting a glimpse of the fun their young person has each week.
Helpers are never asked to run activities on their own. A leader will always be present and will guide you through anything you need to do. Typical expectations include:
Staying for the full session
Supporting leaders with supervision
Joining in with activities where appropriate
Helping maintain a safe, positive environment
Some parents enjoy helping so much that they choose to volunteer more regularly. If that’s something you’d like to explore, just speak to a leader - there are roles to suit every level of availability.