Parents are very welcome to participate in a range of scouting activities with their children. The benefits of parental participation are many and varied.

There are some procedures required by the Scout Association Victorian Branch and the Victorian State Goverment that must be completed before parents (or any people over 18 years) can participate in Scouting activities.

Adults regularly involved in Scouting activites are known as Adult Supporters, Rostered Parents and Badge Examiners

Occasional outings

Parents are welcome to come along on occasional outings with their children when invited by the section leader. Usually an invitation will be made when parents are advised of the outing details. If not parents are welcome to ask if they may attend. in some situations, it may not be appropriate or preferrable for parents to participate. If this is the case the reasons will be given to you in discussions with the section leader.

There are fomal requirements to attend occasional outings, however it is the responsibility of adults under their Duty of Care to the children to ensure that they are never placed in situation where they are alone with any child except their own children. Also be aware that the section leader has ultimate responsibility for the outing and children attending. You are also under the direction of the section leader while participating in the outing.

Regular assistance and overnight activities

Parents can be a great help assisting at section meetings on a regular basis. In order to assist regularly adults must become registered as Adult Supporters and as such become non-uniformed members of the Scout Association. Often parents are willing to assist at a Cuboree or Jamboree and to do so they will need to become Adult Supporters.

If you are interested in becoming an Adult Suporter, please speak to the Group Leader (GL) about it. The GL will explain all aspects of the role and assist you to complete the necessary paperwork. You will also need to complete the Introduction to Scouting Course. We also recommend the Scout Technical Skills course. Both courses are usually run in conjunction with each other and can be completed in a single days training.

The training sessions will give you valuable insight in to the working of the organsation and prepare you with some basic skills. As well as practical skills you will gain confidence and some useful skills in helping to guide children through their scouting experience.

You will need to complete the following forms:

• Adult Membership Application
• Application to Become an Adult Supporter
• Victoria Police Check
• Register for a Volunteer Working With Children Card
• Training Application

Most costs associated with joining as an Adult Supporter will be met by the Group or the Scout Association. You may need to obtain new passport photos for the WWC card application but this will be your only cost.

We also pay for you to attend the training course. Once registered to attend a training course the payment we make is not refundable, whether you attend or not. So if you miss a training course you will be asked to pay for the next one you enrol in. Training courses are run throughout the year at locations all over Australia. Speak to your GL atbout one that will suit you best.

Adult Supporters' roles also include actively supervising and working with youth in the sections more that once a month, or are regularly helping and supporting at overnight activities such as Sleep Overs, Pack Holidays, hikes and camps.  They must be invested members of the Scout Movement and hold a Certificate of Adult Membership agreeing to do the following commitments;

• Uphold the Scout Promise, the Scout Law and the Scout Aims, Principles and Method
• Abide by the Scout Code of Conduct
• Accept the responsibility of a Duty of Care to the both youth and other adult members
• Apply for a Police Check, obtain a Working With Children Card and be an Adult member of the Scout Association of Australia, Victorian Branch.
• Have an interview and be approved by the District Personnel Committee
• Attend an Introduction to Scouting Seminar

Adult Supporters can only be involved in youth member activities in the presence of a Leader holding a current Certificate of Adult Leadership. 

Rostered Parents are adults who should be formally registered by the Group Leader and who may;

• Occasionally provide expert knowledge of a particular subject used in weekly Section Programmes in which they demonstrate, instruct and test youth in completion of a badges or challenges
• Occasionally scheduled to give general support to Leaders at weekly section meetings.
• Occasionally assist at overnight activities as drivers, cooks and general support

Rostered Parents

Rostered Parents must have a Working With Children card if participating in any overnight activities but should apply for a card even if they are rostered for weeknight meetings once a month or less. 

Badge Examiners

Badge Examiners are adults who are not parents of current youth member and must be formally registered by the Group Leader or District Leader/District Commissioner

A Badge Examiner must;

• Have a Working With Children card unless the Youth is accompanied by a parent or Leader.
• Be registered by a Group/Districtalong with their area of expertise will be recorded on Extranet