Volunteers Benefit From Scouting

Although the primary reason volunteers get involved in Scouting is their desire to share their skills and values with young people, volunteers also benefit by gaining skills through training and Scouting activities that help them become better parents, managers, employees, and citizens in their community.

Volunteers show their commitment to improving themselves and the Scouting program by giving on average 20 hours of their time each month. They say volunteering for Scouting helps them develop in several ways. The following results and volunteer quotes were reported in the Volunteer Outcomes Study, No. 02-658.

Community service and citizenship:

• Helps them be better citizens (90 percent)
• Increases participation in service activities (73 percent)
• Volunteer for other youth organizations (66 percent)

"Kids see a good example of their parents being involved with the community."

"I've joined other organizations because I have learned so much about leadership from Scouting."

Enjoyment and self-esteem:

• Adds more fun to their lives (85 percent)

"You get to be a kid again in a way."

Relationship skills:

• Helps them be a better parent (88 percent)
• Builds friendships with other adults (73 percent)
• Helps them relate to young people (70 percent)
• Helps them be more patient with people (69 percent)

"Scout volunteering teaches you to relate to your kids better."

"I enjoy immensely the bonding that I've had with other adult leaders."

"How to deal with the boys and get them motivated was part of our Wood Badge training."

"I think I learned to be more understanding of today's youth."

Management and leadership skills:

• Be a better manager/supervisor (74 percent)
• Be a better employee (66 percent)
• Deal with people of different ages (60 percent)
• Build motivational and influencing skills (57 percent)
• Resolve conflicts (50 percent)

"Whether you're fund-raising or organizing a campout, you have to pull together the resources and people to make it all work."

"I learned some great leadership skills that I've been able to take from Scouting to work."

"You learn to work with people in Scouting—how to work as a team with other volunteers."

The Merits of Marketing (marketing.scouting.org) is a resource for local councils, developed by the Marketing & Communications Division of the National Council, Boy Scouts of America.