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Volunteer: Overview

Volunteer with Scouts Canada

You don’t have to be a global adventurer to get involved with Scouting. Do you have first aid knowledge? Are you good with numbers? Handy in the kitchen? Or are you a Do-It-Yourself magician? We all have useful skills and you can volunteer to help in many ways.

The majority of our helpers and Scouters are parents of our youth members. They’ve seen firsthand how Scouting benefits young people and they want to give something back. It’s also a chance to spend more time with their children and learn new skills. No matter how you get involved, we’ll make sure you’re adequately trained and supported.

  • Become a Volunteer
  • Become a Volunteer

    Rediscover adventure as a SCOUTS CANADA VOLUNTEER, and have a great time doing it.

    Do you …

    • Enjoy the outdoors?
    • Have the desire to learn new skills?
    • Like to make new friends?
    • Want to spend quality time with your children?

    If you said, "yes", then you have found the right place!

    Become a Scouter

    Volunteer as a Parent Helper

  • Local FAQ
  • Local Volunteer FAQ

    You should volunteer for the Scouts because it prepares and develops well-rounded youth to be better prepared for the world. We teach leadership and life skills, outdoor skills, and help build self-esteem in youth. Scouting offers opportunities to develop marketing, communication, financial management and fundraising skills. And most importantly, being a Scout volunteer (Scouter) is fun.

    Anyone can volunteer with the Scouts, as long as they meet our screening and training requirements. We are completely co-ed and offer many volunteer opportunities to both males and females who want to have a fulfilling experience helping build the citizens of tomorrow.

    You can volunteer with the Scouts as long as you are 14 years and older. We have Scouters who are in their 80s. You can volunteer for as long or as little as you want.

    If you are passionate about making a difference in the lives of youth and want to volunteer your time, you can contact Scouts Canada by visiting modxtest.scouts.ca, or calling us toll free at 1-888-855-3336. 

    If you’re a parent of a child in Scouts, you can contact a local Group or Troop Leader in your area. Click to check out more information about the Parent Helper volunteer.

    To ensure that our youth are safe and secure at all times, a police check is done to screen all applicants and make sure they have no criminal convictions or charges on their record. While major crimes will exclude them from being a volunteer, some exemptions may be given to those who committed minor crimes more than seven years ago. However, they will have to go through a further screening process.

    It depends.

    • No - if you are a parent to a child in Scouts, you may volunteer as a "Parent Helper" to your child's Group. 
      There are some limitations. Click to check out more information about the Parent Helper volunteer.
    • Yes - if you have more time to give or want to lead your own Group and work frequently with the Scouts.

    There are a number of volunteer positions with the Scouts, where varying skill sets can be utilized. If you’re interested in working with youth 5-15, you may want to consider becoming a Scout Leader. We also have a number of administrative positions such as treasurer, fundraiser, secretary, and recruiter. If you are under the age of 26, you can also serve as a Group Youth Commissioner, whose job is to promote youth involvement and leadership in your group.

    On average 12-to-14 hours a month. This can vary depending on what volunteer position you choose to take on. Scout Leaders normally give 1.5 hours a week for meetings, with additional time for prep work and overnight camps. While a Beaver leader may need more time to prepare, leaders of older groups may not need to devote as much time, as youth take more of a driver’s seat in the program.

    While some groups buy uniforms for the Scouter, some volunteers may be required to purchase his or her own uniform. We do have a No One Left Behind (NOLB) subsidy program, where a Scouter can apply for the cost of courses. This may also include equipment and uniforms. You will be asked to advise on your household income and family size. We don’t exclude anyone because of financial reasons.

    Yes! In addition to 1000 new volunteers needed across Alberta and Northwest Territories, the Chinook Council is looking to fill multiple leadership positions.

    Adult Opportunities

    Youth Opportunities


    Looking for more FAQ?

    Go to National FAQ

    In Their Own Words

    Hear from other volunteers about what Scouts means to them.