Volunteering with kids is very important , being alone with them is nuts. I know it is very impractical for single men and does come with some risk for anyone. I volunteer in my kid’s classes for some things. Never will I let the teacher leave me alone with them. I did the screening and coached soccer. I made the parents stay at the field, or have a old enough sibling stay there so that I wouldn’t get stuck with a kid waiting for the parent to come pick them up after practice. Some of the parents griped about it but the league will support you on this.
On field trips I stay very close to a trustworthy woman.
My kid wanted me to go to a swimming field trip with his 5th grade class, I won’t go near that. Maybe you have to pick and chose, but dropping out isn’t cool. Kid’s need us, it is very affirming to my kids to see me pitch in. It’s great to for them to see the life skills and responsibilities and commitment to community up close. It helps them receive respect from their peers.
Once a week this year and twice a week last year, I have worked with the lagging readers in my youngest kid’s class, he isn’t one of them. I have the heart and interest to help out these kids and the teacher, but I also know that its up there with the best things I have ever done for my kid to demonstrate this in front of him. You can see him beaming with pride over it. He never wants me to miss and reminds me of every volunteer day. It has helped boost his own desire to be a good student and good citizen, not that he needs much help with that, of course..