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Extra-curricular activities

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Original poster

Scout/Guide leaders (or similar)

31 replies

Aroundtheworldin80moves · 03/02/2021 20:55

How are numbers looking compared to this time last year?

Last year we were a healthy, growing group. Beavers were at their max (14). Cubs and Scouts at the 18-20 mark (24 being the unofficial max due to size of the hut). Also housed one of the Explorer units.

We now have no Beavers, and approx 12-14 each of Cubs and Scouts. 7 Beavers became Cubs. And 5 Cubs became Scouts (but not all at our Group, movement between Groups at this age is common due to there being groups every weekday locally. We also gained from from other Groups usually).

Slight curiosity if we are normal. We do online meetings and met in person outdoors when we could.
Loss of Beavers was due to health of leaders, coupled with there being no interest from current members. We do have three five year olds on waiting list, for when situation improves.

OP posts:
Fredella · 04/02/2021 17:34

We've lost most of the scouts. Cubs are holding, partly through Beavers moving up, and Beavers are doing ok, but we have no waiting list.

Original poster
Aroundtheworldin80moves · 04/02/2021 17:30

It's the adult numbers that are a worry too. DH and I (Scout leader and Cub leader) move away soon. GSL wants to retire. The Beaver leaders are unlikely to return. That leaves on Scout leader, a Cub leader wanting to retire, a Cub leader overwhelmed with work, a keen but new Cub leader, and an 18yo Cub leader trying to work out what he wants to do with his life next.
No young leaders currently.

OP posts:
EstuaryBird · 04/02/2021 16:55

Our Cub numbers are identical to yours OP. We currently only have 4 Beavers and they’re all approaching Cub age.

Scouts are down from 14 to 8 but most only ‘attend’ erratically. We have 0 Explorers.

It is going to take so long to recover from this..😢

underneaththeash · 04/02/2021 16:51

My Brownies unit had to limit numbers to 14 (in order to meet face-face when we could. We’re still at 14, have 15 on waiting list and everyone turns up for zoom most weeks.
Having said that we make it fun and are not doing any of the prescribed brownie activities!

Original poster
Aroundtheworldin80moves · 04/02/2021 10:31

That's reassuring and saddening at the same time.
We average 6-7 online. They want to be outdoors not on the computer.

OP posts:
BackforGood · 03/02/2021 23:41

Yes, that is the picture repeated in Groups across the country.

The census returns will be a sad read.
We've had groups cease to meet altogether. Most groups are hanging on, but your numbers sound at the healthier end of typical as far as our District goes.