Advice from Scouters on Finding Female Leaders

(This article appeared in the November-December 2013 issue of Scouting magazine.)

Venturing leader J.P. can’t get his Venturers’ moms to become leaders, making coed outings all but impossible. He asks for ways to recruit more female leaders.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Can dads take their daughters on overnight Venturing trips without female leaders? Not according to the Guide to Safe Scouting: “A registered female adult leader 21 years of age or over must be present for any activity involving female youth.”

Look for Likes

Try to recruit young women who are doing what you want to do. If you want to hike, contact local hiking clubs. If you want to rock climb, reach out to the local rock gym. Post fliers in the local REI or Eastern Mountain Sports store. There are women who would like to share their knowledge and serve as role models for crew members who have similar interests.

Venturing Parent M.B.

Hatboro, Pa.

Family First

Try other female family members such as aunts or grandmothers (like me). If approached, friends or neighbors might be interested. Lots of people don’t know what Venturing is and might like to get involved if only they knew more about the program.

Crew Committee Member S.G.

Austin, Texas 

More than Moms

If you have a partner troop, ask the moms of some of the boys. Most boys are reluctant to have their moms along on a trip, but many of those moms have the camping skills and a love for Scouting. (Remember that a lot of moms camped their way through Cub Scouts!) If your chartered organization is a church, talk to the college or young adult pastor to see if there are any willing 20-somethings. You’d be surprised at the number of folks who would be excited to spend a weekend here or there out in the woods.

Advisor A.B.

McDonough, Ga.

Seek Professional Help

If you live in an urban setting, check with some groups for young professionals, like lawyers, in your area. Most likely they have up-and-coming young women who would really enjoy an opportunity to go camping.

District Commissioner H.J.

Dallas, Texas

Skip the Surprises

Often it is the unknown that holds people back. For each outing, include details on how physically strenuous the outing will be, what bathroom facilities are available, what the sleeping arrangements will be, etc. These things are important to inexperienced campers, and knowing before the outing will help them feel more comfortable and prepared. Have a beginners’ campout so they can learn the basics.

Committee Member E.R.

Manchester, Md.

Think Blue and Gold

When I was a Venturing leader, we recruited from the local female Cub Scout leaders. Most of them were very glad to serve as event helpers, chaperones and committee members.

Troop Committee Member C.H.

Payson, Utah

Combine and Conquer

A solution my crew found was planning a joint trip with another local troop or crew that had adequate adults.

Venturing Committee Member K.S.

Reading, Mass.

Get Help Getting Help

Think outside your crew families. Ask friends to help ask around for volunteers. If the person you ask is not interested, ask for suggestions. You will be amazed at whom you find.

Crew Advisor A.F.

Davenport, Fla.

Think Younger

Recruit mothers of upcoming youth. Many mothers feel that, as their child gets older, they need to be less involved in leadership. Look around, and I’m sure that you will see more females willing to provide leadership. They might just need to be asked to step up and participate, as many of us tend to feel that we are not necessarily welcomed in a mostly male organization.

Cubmaster M.C.

Shelby, N.C.

Go Back to School

Talk to outdoor groups or Alpha Phi Omega [a coed service fraternity] chapters at local universities about volunteer opportunities.

Troop Committee Member S.C.

Mebane, N.C.