Be a leader. Be a scout.

Your child is a scout. So what are you?

In Cub Scouts we ask that every family signs up a parent or guardian with your child. Why is that? Cub Scouts is design to be a family activity. Your child will learn best when you’re involved.

Each registered adult is required to complete Youth Protection Training (YPT) and a background check. This helps us keep our children safe and helps our parents understand what we expect from our leaders. But don’t stop there!

The same system you use to complete your YPT includes dozens of other training. The committee member training is a great overview of the scouting program and can help you understand the aims and methods of scouting – why and how scout.

But don’t stop there! Sign up for the University of Scouting each November to learn more any any of a hundred topics designed to help scout leaders grow. Don’t feel comfortable camping or hiking? There are classes for that! Want to know how to help your scout achieve Eagle? Yep, a class. Want to learn Dutch-oven cooking? Take a class! Volunteering to be a den leader, cub master or treasurer? You guessed it! There is a class for that.

Not only do these trainings provide you with more information about scouting, they also introduce you to other scout leaders in our region. Those contacts can be incredibly valuable!

If you’re looking to be a better leader, whether inside or outside of scouting, sign up for Wood Badge. This training is five days of teamwork, skill-building and events designed to make you a better leader.

Read about my scout leadership experience.

Heather Sturgill is a den leader and committee chair for Pack 169 and advancement coordinator for Troop 213. Step In was written for an assignment for COMSTRAT 701 at Washington State University.