Service is one of the most important values we have in Scouting. The Scout Oath calls on us all to “help other people at all times.” The Scout Law says a Scout is Helpful, Friendly, Courteous, Kind. These are maybe the most important ideas a young person takes away from their time in our program, no matter how long they’re with us.
Do you want Scouts to help you?
We’re honored you thought of us, and if there is a way our Scouts can help they’ll be happy to do so. Here are a few notes on what we do with all service requests:
Each individual Scout unit in each neighborhood or community works independently; we don’t just call or email them and say, “here’s a project you need to do.” They all have their own calendars and may already have service projects they support where they live.
We do have an email list to promote service opportunities to our Scout units. Fill out the form below and we’ll share the information you provide to our units. If one or more is interested/available in your service project, they will contact you directly. Please do not contact our office asking for the status of any volunteers for your project.
Scout Service Request
Are you a Scout looking to help someone?
You can find project ideas by visiting JustServe.org. Visit the site and search by community or project type to find an opportunity near you.
Still need help finding ideas for a service project?
If you’re looking for ideas for a service project you haven’t done before – or maybe want to start doing as an annual tradition – here are some ideas. Remember, though: if you charge money for any of these you’re not providing service, you’re conducting a fundraiser:
Food – Food Collection
This can include collecting nonperishable foods to take to local food drives or during seasonal food drives. Some locations to send Central Texas Food Bank, Hope Food Bank Austin, Caritas of Austin Food Pantry, Micah 6 Food Pantry, etc. To find more food banks, please see https://www.foodpantries.org
Hosting and helping host a litter or ecosystem cleanup.
Any amount of cleanup or beautification, which can include picking up trash, removing exotic or encroachment flora or fauna, clearing overgrown areas, putting in recreation items or habitat improvement.
Consider working at any public park or one of our camps.
Other
Teaching merit badges at council or district level
Serving as a NOVA or SuperNOVA mentor to other unit
Serve as a Distinguished Conservation Award Advisor
Serve as an Eagle Advisor or District Advancement Chair
Record your service hours!
No matter whom or how you help, make sure your report your service hours so they will count towards your “Journey to Excellence” (or JTE) score. JTE is a self-evaluation tool that lets unit leaders see, quantitatively, how well their unit is meeting the goals of Scouting. To reach JTE “Gold” status (that’s the best), Cub Scout Packs and Sea Scout Ships must report four service projects each year. Scouts BSA Troops and Venturing Crews must report six service projects each year.
Here’s what to do:
Record service hours performed by your unit or from Eagle Scout projects completed by Scouts in your unit using Internet Advancement. Here are step by step instructions:
units can report unit service by clicking the “Activities” button in Internet Advancement and clicking the “+” button
individuals can report service activity by accessing their activity log in Scoutbook and clicking the “CREATE OR JOIN” button
3. Eagle candidates click the “edit” button when their project has been completed. Then, click “save.” The leader will see the activity to be approved in the “Pending Items” in Internet Advancement. Once approved, the Eagle project information will be automatically pulled from the entry when the Eagle candidate generates their Eagle Application in Scoutbook.
CLICK HERE for these same instructions (with screenshots) from the national advancement committee
