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An appeal has been launched for more adult supporters to come forward and help ensure the continued operation of the six Scouting groups in the Caithness & Sutherland District.
District Commissioner, Gary Stronach, of Bridge of Westfield, Thurso, feels groups could soon be left struggling to continue and is appealing for additional adults to take up what he describes as a rewarding new challenge.
Throughout the current pandemic the existing team has been striving, to keep Scouting alive.
"Now that there is light at the end of the tunnel and the prospect of getting back to proper face-to-face Scouting my concerns about our collective shortage of adult support needs addressing," pointed out Mr Stronach.
Across the district the Scouts have six groups, four of which – 1st Thurso, 2nd Thurso, 1st Wick and 1st Brora – cover the full spectrum of the organisation from six to 14 years (Beavers six to eight, Cubs eight to 10 and Scouts 10-14). The 1st Dunnet Group caters for Cubs and Beavers, while Reay is only for Beavers.
The older end of Scouting from 14-18 is covered by the District Explorer Unit which is operated via two sections that are partnered by 1st Wick and 2nd Thurso.
When youth members reach 18 they have can choose to take on an adult role as a leader/supporter or stay on as a Scout network member until they are 25. Leaders under 25 are also classed as network members.
Mr Stronach explained that in Caithness and Sutherland, like most other rural districts, most of the young people who stay on until they are 18, head south to university, join the services, get an apprenticeship, a job, or discover life and few stay on to continue their Scouting locally.
"In past years this was not as big an issue as now, as we also had adults moving to the area with work – Dounreay, Vulcan, Highland Council to name but a few," he said.
"My current leaders/adult supporters are brilliant and committed to Scouting, but we are fast approaching the point at which groups/sections will struggle to operate as our adult support numbers do not meet our own operating rules.
"Most of the groups/sections have the bare bones of what we might call a good/ideal leadership team with many leader’s supporting two sections, as well as covering different support roles that we need."
The current average age of leaders across the district is roughly 40 plus which was highlighted with three of the district executive receiving their 60-year service awards in January 2019.
The local commissioner continued: "Modern Scouting is infinitely far from the classic vision that many people I believe still have of Scouting. We are fully inclusive organisation no longer Scouting for Boys but instead Scouting for All."
Outlining what was required, he stated: "We need adults willing to join us and support the development of our young people to learn the Scouting Skills for Life and make the world a better place.
"No previous experience of scouting is required – you do not need to be a Bear Grylls. We have an extensive adult training programme which is modern, modular and with the changes in the last year a lot is becoming available online.
"The Scout Leader Training is recognised by the Institute of Leadership and Management and fulfilling your Leader Training you can become a member of ILM which is good for your CV."
He added: "But we do not just need leaders to work in sections we need adults to take on support roles, every group and the district has an executive committee made up from parents and other adults to run fundraising/social events to help finance the uniformed side of the group and in some cases maintain their buildings. Therefore, people willing to be chairs, secretaries and treasurers are very welcome."
The key thing for any role is that no previous Scouting experience is necessary, and for those not able to commit to a full weekly leader or support role, flexible arrangements can be made.
Funds raised by executive committee allow groups to keep the costs of excursions down so that youngsters can enjoy trips that they otherwise would not experience to outdoor activity centres and overseas on international camps.
Commenting on what leaders considered to be the rewards of their work, Mr Stronach said: "I am sure that they would all agree is the privilege to help a child discover their abilities to do things that they might not get the opportunity to do elsewhere.
"To see them grow in confidence as they progress through the sections and move on with their life. In one case it might be to see a boy who when he joined Scouts still wore trainers fastened with Velcro as he could not tie his shoes help build a pioneering bridge by tying lashings that
his friends could play on. Or another watching a girl Scout who was quite shy and retiring acting as the safety belay for other Scouts on an abseiling trip."
Adults too learn new skills and have adventures that they might not otherwise have thought about but seeing the youth members doing activities challenges the adults to try things as well.
Mr Stronach added: "My favourite saying at Scouts is – Scouting is Fun. Please think about volunteering with us."
Anyone interested in volunteering can get in touch with the District Commissioner by email: dcscoutscands@gmail.com
