Scout numbers surge across Moray
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A Moray-wide surge in the popularity of the Scouting movement means there's now an urgent need for extra help.
The 1st Elgin Scout group is just one of several packs having to turn away disappointed youngsters on an almost daily basis.
And the reason for this is that it doesn't have enough adult volunteers.
Stevie Thomson, who's the pack leader at 1st Elgin, says their waiting list to join is currently nearly two-years long.
He adds: "Following the lockdowns a lot of parents saw the benefits their kids get from being able to go outside and play.
"Due to that there's been a large rise in the numbers of kids wanting to join, not just in Elgin but across most of the groups in Moray."
1st Elgin now has nearly 80 members, spread across its three different aged groups.
These range from six and seven-year-olds in Beavers, seven to 10-year-olds in Cubs, and the Scouts who cater for the over-10s.
But a lack of adult volunteers is stopping any more youngsters from joining.
It's also preventing the plans in Elgin to start a Squirrels group for five and six-year-olds.
Stevie says the need for more adult volunteers has become urgent.
He adds: "We're looking for big personalities who are prepared to give up two of three hours of their time each week.
"A love of the outdoors is good, but it's certainly not necessary – there's a lot more to scouting nowadays than just pitching a tent and lighting fires.
"And it's not like school. The kids are well-behaved and they actually want to be there because they're doing exciting stuff."
Stevie is only 26, but he's already a veteran of the Scouting movement, having first joined 1st Elgin at the age of seven.
He said: "I want to become a teacher so the benefits of working with kids are obvious for me.
"However, I reckon there's a whole load of people who would get a lot of volunteering.
"It's brilliant to see the kids develop and grow in confidence.
"I've worked with youngsters from the age of 7 right up to 14 and the difference you see in them is just phenomenal."
Go to morayscouts.org.uk for more information.
