Have you ever stood there, Scout necker in hand, thinking
“I could just hang this up for good”? If you’re nodding along, you’re not alone. After years of leading, that moment hit me hard – and it’s a moment that many Scout Leaders face at some point in their journey.
The truth is, volunteering as a Scout Leader is incredibly rewarding, but it’s also demanding. Between work pressures, family commitments, and the endless list of Scouting responsibilities, it’s easy to lose sight of why we started this journey in the first place. So if you’re struggling right now, take a breath. Let’s work through this together.
Why We Lose Our Mojo
Before we can fix the problem, we need to understand it. For me, the warning signs were clear:
Overcommitment – I’d taken on too many roles: Scout Leader, GSL, Training Advisor, District role, County role, plus managing social media and content creation. Sound familiar? We Scout Leaders are natural “yes” people, but there’s only so much one person can do.
Lack of Recognition – You pour hours into planning activities, organizing camps, and creating magical moments. Yet often, young people dash out with barely a “see you next week,” and parents drop off late without apology. The “thank you’s” become rare, and the effort starts to feel invisible.
Scouting Politics – We try to avoid it, but sometimes we get pulled into the drama. Comparing your group to others, dealing with difficult conversations, navigating organizational bureaucracy – it all adds up and drains the joy from what should be a positive experience.
Work and Family Pressure – I work in a busy operating theatre with constantly changing shift patterns. My wife’s a teacher with a busy schedule aswell,marking homework, planning the next school term and not forgetting parent evenings ! My own kids have Cubs,swimming lessons, school events, music lessons and family commitments. Finding the time and energy to be “on” for Scouts every week became increasingly difficult.
If any of this resonates with you, please know: your feelings are valid, and you’re not failing. You’re human.
How to Reignite Your Passion
1. Take Time Off (Yes, Really)
This might seem counterintuitive, but sometimes the best thing you can do for your Scouting is to step away. Take a week or two off. Don’t disappear completely – you might never come back – but give yourself permission to rest. Enjoy that Thursday evening at home with a cup of tea and your family. The Scout group will manage, and you’ll return with a clearer head.
2. Revisit Your “Why”
While you’re taking that breather, go back through old photos and videos. Look at those Facebook posts from summer camps, scroll through Instagram memories, watch videos from previous adventures. Find those moments that made you smile – the young person who conquered their fear of heights, the campfire songs, the silly jokes, the pride on a Scout’s face when they tied their first bowline.
One of my turning points was volunteering as a parent helper on my son’s Beaver camp. I didn’t organize anything – I just showed up, followed the schedule, and supervised activities. Watching my son and his friends climbing, caving, eating around the campfire, and roasting marshmallows reminded me: this is why I became a Scout Leader. Not for the admin, not for the politics, but for these magical moments.
3. Delegate, Delegate, Delegate
Grab a notepad (my teacher wife swears by lists!) and write down every single task you’re responsible for. Every. Single. One. DBS checks, programme planning, equipment maintenance, risk assessments, parent communications, event coordination – write it all down.
Now ask yourself: Do I really need to do all of this?
The answer is almost certainly no. Look at each task and ask:
- Could another Leader do this?
- Could a parent volunteer help?
- Could a young leader take this on?
- Does this even need doing at all?
Start delegating. Yes, it might not be done exactly how you’d do it, but that’s okay. Good enough is good enough. By spreading the load, you’ll not only lighten your burden but also empower others to step up and develop their own leadership skills.
4. Consider If You’re in the Right Role
This is a tough one, but it’s important. Ask yourself honestly: Is my current Scouting role right for me at this point in my life?
If you’re stretched thin with weekly commitments, perhaps a District or County role that meets monthly would be better. If the admin of being a GSL is overwhelming, maybe you’d find more joy as a section assistant. If you can’t commit to every week, perhaps you could help out at occasional camps and events.
There’s no shame in stepping sideways or stepping back. Scouting needs people in all sorts of roles, and finding the right fit for your current circumstances isn’t giving up – it’s being realistic and sustainable.
5. Make It Fun Again
If putting on your necker and uniform feels like a chore, if you’re forcing a smile for the young people, it’s time for an honest conversation with yourself.
Scouting should be enjoyable. Yes, there’s work involved, but the core of it should bring you joy. If it doesn’t anymore – if it’s truly become nothing but a headache – then maybe it’s time to take an extended break or even step away completely.
And here’s the thing: that’s okay.
The average Scout Leader in the UK volunteers for six years. Six years! If you’ve given that or more, you’ve already made an incredible contribution to young people’s lives. If you need to step away, you’re not failing – you’ve succeeded in giving years of service, and now it might be someone else’s turn.
You’re Not Alone
If you’re reading this and feeling overwhelmed, exhausted, or underappreciated, please know that many of us have been exactly where you are. The feelings you’re experiencing don’t make you a bad Leader – they make you a dedicated volunteer who’s been giving so much that you’re running on empty.
Speak to your fellow Leaders. Be honest about how you’re feeling. You’ll probably find they understand more than you think. Many of them have had their own “necker hanging on the hook” moments too.
Getting Back on Track
Here’s my challenge to you: if you’re struggling right now, don’t make any big decisions this week. Instead:
- Take a short break
- Look at those old photos and videos
- Write down your tasks and find three things to delegate
- Have a honest conversation with another leader
- Remember why you started
If after all that, you still feel the call to be a Scout leader – even if it’s in a different role or capacity – then put that necker back on. Not because you have to, but because you want to.
Final Thoughts
We need Scout Leaders like you. Young people need the adventures, skills, and memories that only Scouting can provide. But Scouting also needs healthy, happy leaders who volunteer because they love it, not because they’re burning themselves out.
So yes, take the pressure off. Delegate more. Do less. Find your joy again. Because if you can rediscover your passion, you’ll not only survive as a Scout leader – you’ll thrive.
You’ve got this. We can do this together.
This blog post was inspired by a video I recorded during one of my own “mojo crisis” moments. If you’re a Scout Leader struggling right now, you’re not alone – and there is a way forward. Watch the original video here: Finding Your Scouting Mojo
and here’s another blog post I wrote for another Scout Leader who had thought he had lost love of Scouting: Is it really worth it?
About the Author: Mark is a Scout Leader, GSL, and the voice behind Big Man in The Woods, where I shares practical tips, honest reflections, and encouragement for Scout leaders everywhere. When I’m not at Scouts, I work in a busy operating theatre and tries to spend quality time with his family.
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