Add to our list of big and small ways to say thanks to Scouting volunteers

Whether someone has been helping for a couple of Cub Scout outings or serving for decades on camp staff, volunteers’ time and energy fuel Scouting.

The movement doesn’t happen without adult leaders. Week after week, they plan meetings, prep activities and think through every detail that allows Scouts to Scout.

As Cub Scout committee member Jason Melton shared recently on #CubChatLive, “It’s important that we recognize our youth, but it’s just as important we recognize the adult leaders in our units to help keep them energized.”

So what can you do in return for volunteers who pour into the program? Often, some form of a heartfelt thank-you is enough. And this kind of recognition comes in two forms; formal and informal. Both can be powerful, and both help Scouting’s adult leaders feel valued.

Formal recognition for Scouting’s adult leaders

Scouting America has a number of awards designed just for adults. Read about a few below.

• Den Leader Training Award: This award is for den leaders who complete training and tenure requirements.

• Scouter’s Training Award: This award is for leaders with who have served at least two years.

• Cubmaster’s Key: This is for leaders with three years of service, including two years as Cubmaster.

• Service Stars: These pins mark each year of service of a volunteer.

• Adult Religious Emblems: These are offered in many faiths to honor adult Scouting service.

These awards usually include certificates, medals and square knot patches leaders can wear on their uniforms. Learn more on the adult awards and recognition page.

Informal recognition for Scouting’s adult leaders

Not every thank-you comes with a medal. In fact, the small, heartfelt gestures often mean the most. A few ideas:

• Handwritten notes from Scouts or parents

• Public shoutouts at pack meetings so leaders hear applause directly from Scouts

• Scout-crafted videos that capture gratitude in a personal, modern way

• Food offerings: volunteer dessert night (with Scouts serving food)

• In-meeting coffee delivery with “Thank You” jotted on each cup

• A gratitude bulletin board (make it mobile if you don’t have a permanent meeting space) with photos and thank-you notes from families

• A rotating “Leader of the Month” spotlight in the unit newsletter or on the Facebook page

• Thank-you posters signed by the whole unit and delivered to volunteers

• A special meeting segment once a month where Scouts share one thing they’ve learned from their leaders (and name a leader to thank)

Informal gratitude is flexible and easy to personalize. It also sets the tone for a unit culture in which leaders know their time is noticed and appreciated.

How do you show thanks?

By taking the time to say thank you, we build happier leaders and a healthier Scouting community.

Help us add to our lists above with formal and informal ideas for how we can thank Scouting’s adult leaders. Drop your input in the comments.

And, hey, thank you for spending the time to make this resource better for the next Scouter to come along and read it. We appreciate you!