Scouts in plea for adult leaders

A NORTH Queensland scout group will be forced to shut it doors to young adventurers if it cannot find adults willing to facilitate groups.

Charters Towers Scout Group Leader David “Dingo” Mathieson is urgently seeking parents or local adults to donate one evening a week to teaching kids life skills.

“I just can’t get anybody to come and help,” Mr Mathieson said.

“If I don’t we’re going to have to close … for a scout group that’s been happening for over 107 years it’s really sad.”

He is struggling to operate all age groups and fundraise on his own.

“I can’t continue trying to run the whole thing for too much longer or I’m going to burn out,” Mr Mathieson said. “If I burn out the whole group shuts down.”

He said it was not just Charters Towers that was having difficulty finding adults interested in giving up their time to facilitate groups.

“This is a problem right across Townsville,” Mr Mathieson said.

“Lower Burdekin, Bluewater and River are all crying out for adults.”

Scout leaders are trained to teach kids diverse activities from abseiling to canoeing, hiking and leadership games.

“Every single adult that joins as a leader has the time of their life,” Mr Mathieson said.

“You learn skills and meet people you’ll know for the rest of your life.”

If you are interested in becoming a leader contact your local scout group. Alice