Leaders and volunteers

Overview

Outdoor Service Guides is an entirely volunteer-led organization. There are several different types of volunteer positions in the 64th Brandywine, with various levels of commitment. Leaders can wear many hats.

Organization chart

Leadership positions

Any adult who wishes to take a leadership position in the 64th Brandywine must register as a Rover scout. Previous scouting experience is NOT required. Leaders are expected to attend all group and section meetings and activities, generally 2-4 times per month, September to June. Leaders require enthusiasm, patience, and a willingness to learn new things.

Click on each leader position below for further details on responsibilities and commitments.

OTTER LEADER

The Otter Leader is in charge of the Otter Raft of 4-6 Dens (maximum 32 kids). Otters are ages 5-7, or grades K-2.

  • Plans activities and meetings with help of Group Scoutmaster and Assistant(s)
  • Organizes and supervises all meetings and activities of Raft
  • Participates in planning calls/meetings with Group Council
  • Registered and uniformed as a Rover Scout
  • Completed state-required background clearances (see below)
  • Attends weekend OSG Brownsea Training Camp within 1 year of initial registration (see below)
  • Certified in first aid & CPR (Red Cross or equivalent)
  • Approximate time commitment: 6-10 hours per month
ASSISTANT OTTER LEADER
  • Helps with planning activities and meetings
  • Attends and provides support at all meetings and activities of Raft
  • Substitutes for Leader as necessary
  • Participates in planning calls/meetings with Group Council
  • Registered and uniformed as a Rover Scout
  • Completed state-required background clearances (see below)
  • Attends weekend OSG Brownsea Training Camp within 1 year of initial registration (see below)
  • Certified in first aid & CPR (Red Cross or equivalent)
  • Approximate time commitment: 4-8 hours per month
OTTER DEN LEADER(S) & ASSISTANTS

Den leaders are adult patrol leaders, responsible for a Den of 6-8 Otters. As the Otters are too young to manage their own small group activities, we need Den Leaders to help supervise.

  • Attends and provides support at all meetings and activities of Raft
  • Additional substitute for Leader and Assistant
  • Registered and uniformed as a Rover Scout
  • Completed state-required background clearances (see below)
  • Attends weekend OSG Brownsea Training Camp within 1 year of initial registration (see below)
  • Approximate time commitment: 2-6 hours per month

TIMBERWOLF PACK LEADER (AKELA, CUBMASTER)

The Pack Leader (Akela) is in charge of the Timberwolf Pack of 4-6 Sixes (maximum 32 kids). Timberwolves are usually ages 8-10, or grades 3-5.

  • Plans activities and meetings with help of Group Scoutmaster and Assistant(s)
  • Organizes and supervises all meetings and activities of Pack
  • Participates in planning calls/meetings with Group Council
  • Registered and uniformed as a Rover Scout
  • Completed state-required background clearances (see below)
  • Attends weekend OSG Brownsea Training Camp within 1 year of initial registration (see below)
  • Certified in first aid & CPR (Red Cross or equivalent)
  • Approximate time commitment: 8-12 hours per month
ASSISTANT TIMBERWOLF PACK LEADER
  • Helps with planning activities and meetings
  • Attends and provides support at all meetings and activities of Pack
  • Substitutes for Leader as necessary
  • Participates in planning calls/meetings with Group Council
  • Registered and uniformed as a Rover Scout
  • Completed state-required background clearances (see below)
  • Attends weekend OSG Brownsea Training Camp within 1 year of initial registration (see below)
  • Certified in first aid & CPR (Red Cross or equivalent)
  • Approximate time commitment: 6-10 hours per month

PATHFINDER SCOUTMASTER

The Scoutmaster is in charge of the Pathfinder Troop of 4 Patrols (maximum 32 kids). Pathfinders are usually ages 11-17, or grades 6-12.

  • Plans activities and meetings with help of Group Scoutmaster and Assistant(s)
    • 2 meetings per month
    • 1 day outing a month (hike, bike, or similar)
    • 5-7 camping trips each year
    • Additional summer outings possible
  • Organizes and supervises all meetings and activities of Troop
  • Participates in planning calls/meetings with Group Council
  • Registered and uniformed as a Rover Scout
  • Completed state-required background clearances (see below)
  • Attends weekend OSG Brownsea Training Camp within 1 year of initial registration (see below)
  • Certified in first aid & CPR (Red Cross or equivalent)
  • Approximate time commitment: 8-12 hours per month, plus weekend activities
ASSISTANT PATHFINDER SCOUTMASTER
  • Helps Scoutmaster plan activities and meetings
  • Organizes and supervises all meetings and activities of Troop
  • Substitutes for the Scoutmaster as necessary
  • Participates in planning calls/meetings with Group Council
  • Registered and uniformed as a Rover Scout
  • Completed state-required background clearances (see below)
  • Attends weekend OSG Brownsea Training Camp within 1 year of initial registration (see below)
  • Certified in first aid & CPR (Red Cross or equivalent)
  • Approximate time commitment: 6-10 hours per month, plus weekend activities

Rover scouting

Joining Outdoor Service Guides as a Rover leader is fun! You are setting a great example for your child as a volunteer, a helper, and participant in the game of Scouting.

  • As members of the 64th Brandywine, Rovers pay annual dues.
  • All scout leaders are Rovers, but not all Rovers are scout leaders.
  • The Rover uniform is a green safari-style button-down shirt, a necker, and a hat.
  • In their first year, Rovers should attend Brownsea Training Camp (BTC):
    • Weekend (Friday-Monday) Rover campout with regional leadership and trainers
    • Covers youth safety and program development
    • Rovers earn Tenderfoot badge and become Rover Squires
  • Rovers may organize as a Rover Crew and plan Rover-focused events and service activities.

Non-Rover adult support

Adults who wish to join 64th Brandywine to help out, attend overnight events, chaperone or supervise activities, can join as “Adult Support” members.

  • Register as Adult Support volunteer, paying for OSG background check
  • Attends and supports meetings and activities
  • Approximate commitment: 1-3 hours per month, plus weekend activities

Additional background checks/clearances                                                                  

A scout leader in the 64th Brandywine must register as a Rover AND complete the PA state clearances described below. Any other parent who is interested in a supporting (non-uniform, non-leader) role as a volunteer may register as “Non-Rover Adult Support.” Both Rovers and Adult Support members complete an annual OSG criminal background check at the time of registration or renewal.

Any parent wishing to participate in any overnight activity MUST register as an Adult Support member in order to receive a OSG background check. If a parent has the current state-required clearances (below), they may be submitted in lieu of the OSG registration.

Pennsylvania law (2015 Act 15) requires volunteers with children to complete 3-part clearances:

  1. Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance
  2. Pennsylvania State Police Criminal Record Check
  3. Federal Bureau of Investigation Criminal Background Check*

*Only required if the volunteer has lived outside of PA in the last 10 years.

Links for information and to apply for these clearances can be found on the Members page.

Group auxiliary                                                                                                         

The Group Auxiliary acts as support staff to the scout group. Members of the committee do not need to register as Rover Scouts. The Group Auxiliary should communicate regularly via email and meet at least twice annually.

CHAIR

A Chair should have attention to detail, discipline, organization, basic computer skills, ability to run meetings, and willingness to learn and understand OSG standards and regulations.

  • Organizes and supervises Group Auxiliary Meetings
  • Ensures compliance with OSG regulations
  • Double checks financial reports
  • Seeks out applicable grants or funding
TREASURER

The Treasurer should have excellent financial accounting, discipline, organization, and computer skills.

  • Manages bank account(s), tracking revenue and expenses
  • Files federal and state tax
  • Attends and reports at Auxiliary meetings
SECRETARY

The Secretary should have excellent attention to detail, discipline, organization, and computer skills.

  • Organizes and updates any necessary paperwork for scout group
  • Takes notes at Auxiliary Committee meetings
  • Disseminates information about Auxiliary Committee decisions
PUBLIC RELATIONS

The PR Representative for the 64th Brandywine should have excellent writing and communications skills.

  • Writes and distributes press releases regarding scout activities to local media
  • Updates news section of website
  • Provides info to OSG media
  • Responsible for overall promotion

Frequently asked questions

What does it cost?
The 64th Brandywine makes every effort to minimize costs for volunteers. A breakdown of approximate costs for a new Rover is below. Scholarships are available upon request, please see the Group Scoutmaster.

$30Annual 64th Brandywine dues
$20Annual National OSG membership (covers national background check)
$16Necker
$40Shirt (Long sleeved with epaulettes)
$15Hat (beret)
$24FBI Criminal Background Check (reimbursed upon request)
$40Weekend Brownsea Training Camp

If my role requires me to attend “all meetings and events” what happens if I am sick or on vacation?
Of course, this may happen over the course of a year. Ideally there will be other adults to fill in. Please notify your leaders as early as possible so that we may find a substitute for you during the time of your absence.

What is the OSG background check?
OSG has a contract with an outside security firm to provide background checks. The custom check includes a Social Security Number Trace & Address History Report, a National Identifier Criminal Search (searches criminal records, including sex offender registries, known fugitive database, homeland security databases, and more than 600 million individual criminal records) and a National Sex Offender Search. Results of the check remain confidential and are not available to the GSM or other leaders. As this is a customized product, OSG cannot accept background checks provided by employers.

This page last updated on March 22, 2022 | 10:12 am