Anyone Else a 'Assistant Leader' in the Scouts (Beavers)

Simian

Simian

Simian

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The Wife and me are going through the process of Adopting a child (that's another story, for another time), and we've been told that I need some 'Experience with Children outside our Family and Friends' as the Wife is a Nanny and has been in Childcare for about 25 years (Nanny, Cruise Ship Children's Entertainment Manager etc..).

But I'm a Draughtsman, and have been for 25 years!, so apart from my wife's Niece and friends kids, I have no experience of any other kids!! :(

So I asked around, and a friend of ours runs a 'Beavers Colony' near us, and she needs some more help (the parents are no use!), So I've applied to become an 'Assistant Leader' within the Scouts and specifically within her group!

I start TONIGHT!!!... :eek:

However I'm a little nervous! I know it's only a group of 14 '6 to 8 year olds' but I don't know exactly what to expect!

So I thought I'd ask you lot 'TO THE INTERNETS!!' to see if there are any other Scout Leaders out there who might give me any advice, or tell me some of their experiences!! :)

Cheers
Simon :)
 
Just follow the other leaders. I think you'll find it very rewarding. Many scout leaders end up joining young and staying until they physically can't do it any more. I think that shows how much they enjoy doing it.
 
Not been a leader but I was in Beavers/Scouts when I was young. Don't stress out, it's all fun and games mostly. We used to play British Bulldogs, dodgeball and many other games. Most of which have probably been ruined by PC rubbish (sure British Bulldogs was banned in most youth/school groups?).

Also did skill based learning, knot tying/fire making
 
Burnsy2023 said:
Just follow the other leaders. I think you'll find it very rewarding. Many scout leaders end up joining young and staying until they get arrested and can't do it any more. I think that shows how much they enjoy doing it.
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:o
 
Sisters do it I did scouts for a short while till I moved. Just follow the lead of the others, they will have activities and such planned with beavers it very much just keep them entertained to start with after a while you will start to help with planning the activities and such.
Most of all have fun with it, dont see it as a chore to go to or you wont get anything out of it and neither will the kids.
 
I'm not a leader but my kids have enjoyed scouts and guides and have got a huge amount out of it. As others have said, follow the lead of the leaders, if you are unsure of anything ask, and do understand about safeguarding check out http://members.scouts.org.uk/supportresources/search?cat=299,304 it isn't just to protect the beavers it's to protect you. It isn't nice to thing that it is necessary but it is.

The most important thing is to have fun, because if you are having fun the kids will be, and the time will just fly by.
 
I'm an assistant scout leader :)

Just to clarify, are you joining as a "colony assistant" or "assistant beaver scout leader" ? Just be aware of the difference, as the first is essentially a helper, with min imal training, the second is basically deputy leader, with much greater training requirements. I'd suggest joining as an occasional helper first off; you can always change in future.

Just follow the lead of the others. Beavers is all about learning skills through craft and games - the leaders will run the programme and probably direct you to eg get equipment for the next game, keep score, make sure they follow the rules of the game, help the beavers with the paper folding element of a craft etc. If you find yourself stood around, just ask what you can do to help.

Have fun :)

Sorry if this is rushed, typing on mobile.
 
Good luck !!!

I was in the cubs,scouts when younger and had a fantastic time. Keep us updated on how you get on with it all.

Might be the kick up the backside i need to do something similar. Death slides from massive trees with no safety apart from your own grip ROCKS (well massive when your 12
 
jellybeard999 said:
I'm an assistant scout leader :)

Just to clarify, are you joining as a "colony assistant" or "assistant beaver scout leader" ? Just be aware of the difference, as the first is essentially a helper, with min imal training, the second is basically deputy leader, with much greater training requirements. I'd suggest joining as an occasional helper first off; you can always change in future.

Just follow the lead of the others. Beavers is all about learning skills through craft and games - the leaders will run the programme and probably direct you to eg get equipment for the next game, keep score, make sure they follow the rules of the game, help the beavers with the paper folding element of a craft etc. If you find yourself stood around, just ask what you can do to help.

Have fun :)

Sorry if this is rushed, typing on mobile.
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Going in as 'Assistant Beaver Scout Leader', There's currently only one Leader (my wife's friend) and some part time helpers (the parents that CAN be bothered) but apparently they are not much use!.

I'm looking forward to it!... Just nervous!
 
Burnsy2023 said:
Just follow the other leaders. I think you'll find it very rewarding. Many scout leaders end up joining young and staying until they physically can't do it any more. I think that shows how much they enjoy doing it.
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This. I was part of Scouts as a child in every group (Beavers, Cubs, Scouts, Ventures (and then Explorers) and I'm now an assistant Scout leader.

I did a 2-year stint as an assistance Beaver Scout leader. They were really enlightening (youthful energy!) but damn they are hard work. I moved onto being a Scout leader ~ 8 years ago and they are much easier to handle.

As above, just do as the other leaders do. They won't throw you in the deep end!
 
Simian said:
The Wife and me are going through the process of Adopting a child (that's another story, for another time), and we've been told that I need some 'Experience with Children outside our Family and Friends' as the Wife is a Nanny and has been in Childcare for about 25 years (Nanny, Cruise Ship Children's Entertainment Manager etc..).

But I'm a Draughtsman, and have been for 25 years!, so apart from my wife's Niece and friends kids, I have no experience of any other kids!! :(

So I asked around, and a friend of ours runs a 'Beavers Colony' near us, and she needs some more help (the parents are no use!), So I've applied to become an 'Assistant Leader' within the Scouts and specifically within her group!

I start TONIGHT!!!... :eek:

However I'm a little nervous! I know it's only a group of 14 '6 to 8 year olds' but I don't know exactly what to expect!

So I thought I'd ask you lot 'TO THE INTERNETS!!' to see if there are any other Scout Leaders out there who might give me any advice, or tell me some of their experiences!! :)

Cheers
Simon :)
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Hi Simian,

I can't offer any advice regarding the Scouts specifically, however I was in exactly the same position you are in not very long ago (in fact hoping to start introductions next week! :D).

My wife had loads of experience with kids through her various previous work roles while I, being an engineer, had only really had experience with her sister's kids.

I was able to spend some time at the nursery at the school where my mum worked, so the kids were a bit younger than you'll experience, mainly 3-5 years. All I can say is shadow the leaders for a bit, watch what they do and take your time when it comes to interacting with the kids, and just try not to worry/stress out. You'll soon get in the swing of it and start having fun.

Good luck with the adoption!
 
Simian said:
Going in as 'Assistant Beaver Scout Leader', There's currently only one Leader (my wife's friend) and some part time helpers (the parents that CAN be bothered) but apparently they are not much use!.

I'm looking forward to it!... Just nervous!
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Just to clarify, the colony don't NEEd an assistant leader and you can take a lesser role, so don't feel pressured. Just be clear what's involved. I'd still suggest taking a colony assistant role, as then you can get to grips with everything and aren't commiting to more than the meeting. An assistant role would typically involve assisting with planning etc too, not to mention the training.

Not wanting to put you off, but I'd familiarize myself with the roles if I were you.

https://members.scouts.org.uk/supportresources/search/?cat=268,271,279,595

You can always change role, and especially after not having much experience with children, it may not be for you, or you may want to try a different section. I wouldn't want you to overcommit and be put off. Just my 2c. If you are sure having read the above and discussed with the beaver / group / district leader, good luck and have fun :)
 
No wonder it's so difficult to go through the adoption process, parents don't have any kind of experience when they have a kid and they manage just fine!
 
Scouts+Beavers sounds like something jimmy savile would have liked :)

Good luck with the adoption process. I hope everything turns out great.
 
deuse said:
Scouts+Beavers sounds like something jimmy savile would have liked :)

Good luck with the adoption process. I hope everything turns out great.
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:rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes:

There are not enough rolleyes to reply to that post. Eejits like you are precisely the reason why there is a stigmatism around youth organisations and why we are struggling to get adults to volunteer.

The Scouting movement in particular has some very strict rules on how adults should interact with the children e.g. never should an adult be in a 1-on-1 situation with a youth member.
 
ci_newman said:
:rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes:

There are not enough rolleyes to reply to that post. Eejits like you are precisely the reason why there is a stigmatism around youth organisations and why we are struggling to get adults to volunteer.

The Scouting movement in particular has some very strict rules on how adults should interact with the children e.g. never should an adult be in a 1-on-1 situation with a youth member.
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You can't blame him for the stigma...
 
I have no useful advice to offer you Simian, however, I wish you the best of luck. Out of curiosity, do people working in these organisations go through a DBS check?
 
benjii said:
I have no useful advice to offer you Simian, however, I wish you the best of luck. Out of curiosity, do people working in these organisations go through a DBS check?
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Yes, Scouts require it as do pretty much every youth organisation. I had to get a DBS check to become a DofE supervisor despite the fact that I and other Police Cadet leaders are all Police Officer/Staff and the force were offering to revet us using the normal procedure but the council insisted on a DBS check. The funny thing is the check is still actually done by the Police disclosure unit.
 
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