Why Scouting is still going strong (From Malvern Gazette)

Why Scouting is still going strong

3:30pm Saturday 16th January 2010 in News

NOW three years into its second century the Scouting movement remains as strong as ever, offering boys, girls and adults alike a unique blend of “challenge, fun and adventure”.

Scouting celebrated its centenary in 2007, and since then has been on something of a roll, with numbers increasing in the Malvern district by almost 20 per cent over the past two years.

District Commissioner for The Malverns, Derek Barnes, expects figures from the annual census that is conducted at the end of January to show numbers have increased again, and he explained why Scouting has endured so long and continued to appeal to such a wide spectrum of youngsters.

“The aim of Scouting is to promote the development of young people in achieving their full physical, intellectual, social and spiritual potential, as individuals and as members of their local, national and international communities,” he said. “The method of achieving the aim is through the provision of exciting and adventurous activities with progressive training based on the Scout Promise and Law, and guided by adult leadership.”

Scouting is broken down into several distinct sections:- Beavers for youngsters aged six to eight, Cubs for eight to 10-and-a-half-year-olds, Scouts for those aged 10-and-a-half to 14 and Explorer Scouts for 14 to 18-year-olds.

There is also the Scout Network, for people aged 18-25 and Fellowship, which is soon to be re-named Scout Active Support, for people over 25 who want to retain a role supporting Scouting but do not have the time or ability to become a leader or helper.

The Malverns district covers a wide geographic area in both Herefordshire and Worcestershire, including Malvern, Ledbury, Upton, Leigh, Colwall and Cradley.

Following the re-opening of many sections in recent years the district currently boasts 10 Scout groups, most with Beavers, Cubs and Scout sections, as well as four Explorer Scout Units.

An important date on the horizon is February 22, when a new Beaver colony will be opened in Malvern Wells - a remarkable turnaround for the 1st Malvern Wells group, which will soon boast thriving Beaver, Cub and Scout sections when only two years ago it had only eight Scouts and a couple of leaders and was in severe danger of closing.

Demand and enthusiasm from youngsters is obviously vital to Scouting’s ongoing success, but it would not be possible without the time and dedication put in by a network of adult volunteer leaders and helpers.

As numbers grow and new sections continue to open more and more assistance is needed, and local groups have not always found it easy to find assistance.

“There is certainly the demand for all forms of Scouting from young people, with many on waiting lists,” said Mr Barnes. “However, as usual the challenge is to find enough adults to provide the necessary leadership, support and infrastructure.”

Volunteers are always welcome and full training is given so all that is needed is lots of enthusiasm.

“Adult volunteers range from section leaders, through occasional and specific activity helpers to administrators, managers and handy people to maintain buildings and grounds - so there really is a role for everyone,” explained Mr Barnes.

While Scout groups largely operate their own schedules, local groups are regularly united for special events and occasions.

Perhaps the most well-known of these is the annual St George’s Day parade, which rotates around the various parts of the district. In 2009 about 400 Scouts and countless parents, onlookers and well-wishers brought the centre of Ledbury to a complete standstill as they paraded through the town.

The district also holds an annual awards evening to recognise top performers, and large-scale camps are also important and always-popular events.

In Centenary year a full district camp saw about 500 young people head for Warren Oak, just north-west of Ledbury, and planning is already underway for another district camp there in 2011.

For more information about Scouting, joining up or helping out visit malvernscouts.org.uk or call 0844 414 2951.