Scouting volunteers urgently needed

Sir, As Courier readers may have noted in recent press coverage, the Scout Association nationally has 51,000 children on waiting lists due to a shortage of volunteers.

I would like to highlight the issues we are having at a local level.

The 16th Argyll Scout Group currently offers fun, challenge and adventure to approximately 75 children.

We believe in helping our members fulfil their potential by working in teams, learning by doing and thinking for themselves.

We give people of every background the chance to stretch themselves, learn new skills and make lifelong friends.

The Scout Group opened in 2013 with 15 children joining our cub pack and since then it has grown to include a beaver scout colony and scout troop meaning that we cater for boys and girls aged six to 14.

At the end of April Scout sections open in Carradale so that children in the village can share the experiences we have to offer. We have been very fortunate in recruiting parents there to help with the new sections.

There is demand for beaver scouts, cub scouts and scouts to run on a Monday evening in addition to our current Thursday meetings and the time is approaching where we will need to open an explorer scout unit for young people aged 14 to 18.

To enable us to do all of this we now need more adults to join our existing team.

Volunteers typically commit to attending meetings on a regular basis, plan what to do during meetings and undertake training.

In addition, our cubs and scouts go camping for a few weekends per year and in June our cubs will be hosting the John Logan trophy competition for cubs from across Argyll.

Being a leader within scouting is an extremely rewarding role with lots of fun, challenges and new experiences on offer.

No previous scout experience is necessary as full training and support is given. We also offer opportunities for youngsters to become young leaders or to complete the service section of the Duke of Edinburgh award scheme.

I would urge anyone over the age of 18 with a few hours to spare to get in touch and volunteer to be- come part of the growing 16th Argyll Scout Group.

We can be emailed on 16thargyll@gmail.com or call or text on 07940 279271.

We can also be found on Facebook: Campbeltown Beavers, Cubs and Scouts. Lindsay Kenny, Group Scout Leader, 16th Argyll Scout Group.