06/06/2026
WE ARE ONLY LEADERS
We are only leaders - we are not experts â we are your next-door neighbours â we are not perfect, some are parents just like you.
We donât have any more spare time or energy than you do, we all work full time and juggle our families and our schedules and try to keep it all together as best we can.
The only difference between us is that we believe passionately about what Scouting has to offer. So much so, that we contribute our time, our efforts and our talents to help our children - and your children - grow in Scouting.
We complete authorisation forms, budgets and records and fill our homes with boxes of paperwork you will never see. We are required to take 13-20 hours training in our first year as well as planning meetings every month so we can meet our greatest challenge â providing a variety of programmes and activities which meet the needs and interests of every individual boy and girl in our units. We try to involve parents who want us to understand that they donât have the time to drive to outings or help at meetings. We rejoice in the generosity of others.
Sometimes we find ourselves going in too many directions â we run out of steam â we have memory lapses - communication lines break down â time slips by â but that doesnât mean we donât care. So many evenings we spend on the phone seeking help and advice from other leaders when disappointments or problems occur. âHow do I hold my Scouts attention?â. âHow do you cope with Scouts of different skills levels?â
Our dining tables are covered in bits of rope, menus, permission forms and record cards for each and every member of the Group. A couple of them wonât show up and donât think to call to let us know â sometimes we feel unappreciated.
Yet these boys and girls can fill us with pride at their determination and accomplishments. Their smiles and laughter fill up a room, and when they say âthank youâ it makes it all worthwhile. We help these boys and girls build relationships. Some struggle more than others. Trustworthy, Loyal, Helpful, FriendlyâŚ.all these traits are encouraged by the Scout Promise and Law â and sometimes we too must learn these lessons over and over again with the Scouts â but we are willing to keep learning.
Please be patient if we appear distracted or frustrated or overwhelmed at times. Forgive us if we are not always the kind of Scout Leader you would be - if only you had the time. Instead, provide us with your encouragement â a kind word, a thank you â or offer us your help. Keep us always in your thoughts and prayers.
We are, after all, only mentorsâŚrole modelsâŚleadersâŚvolunteers who have made a Promise to give these young people, your children, the most precious gift we have to offer â the gift of time.
