Life Leader Training
Many people hesitate to volunteer because they feel they don’t have the right skills. At SCOUTS South Africa, the opposite is true. You don’t need to arrive with experience. You simply need the willingness to learn, grow, and make a difference.
Through the Adult Support Programme, every volunteer is guided on a structured journey that builds confidence, practical life skills, and leadership ability over time. Scouting recognises that great leaders each have their own growth journey.
When you begin your adult leader journey in Scouting, you’ll start with an introduction to adult leadership. This stage equips you with the basics of Scouting, helping you understand how to run engaging meetings and support young people effectively. At this point, you may receive a temporary or limited appointment while you continue learning and gaining experience.
Adult Leader Training ECS
From there, you move into role-specific Warrant training within your chosen age group — whether working with Meerkats, Cubs, Scouts or Rovers. This phase develops the practical skills needed to confidently lead activities, manage programmes, and support youth development in a safe and structured way.
The journey then continues to the internationally recognised Wood Badge training. This is the highest level of Adult Leader training in Scouting. This globally respected qualification focuses on advanced leadership, management, and personal development, and connects you to a worldwide network of trained Scout leaders.
But learning doesn’t stop there. A wide range of additional courses are available to support your growth, including First Aid, camping and hiking skills, water awareness, and specialised activity training. Volunteers are also supported in developing programme management skills, including how to guide young people through their advancement journey using digital tools like our member management system Scouts.Digital.
Adult Leader Training GT
What makes this journey truly unique is that it builds on what you already bring. The training programme is designed to develop your existing strengths while equipping you with new skills, ensuring that every volunteer feels supported, capable, and confident in their role.
At its heart, Scouting is about growth and not just for young people, but for adults too. Volunteers are given the tools, guidance, and opportunities to learn at their own pace, in a supportive and values-driven environment.
So, if you’ve ever thought, “I don’t have the skills to volunteer,” Scouting invites you to think again. You don’t need to have it all figured out, you just need to take the first step.