If you have questions or suggestions please contact sectionchanges@2wk.org.uk
For some time the Friday night scout troop has been struggling for leaders, Friday nights are difficult for everyone at the end of the week and people wanting to make the most of the weekend by going away (both Scouts and Leaders).
Between weekend scout events and non scout events there are significantly less "opportunities" for Friday nights than other nights of the week, Friday Scouts miss out on for example, Before large camps there is almost never a meeting on a friday.
Below is some extracts from the presentation that was given in February, we have had 1 extra volunteer since then but it does not change the fundamental issues.
We have an ageing demographic of Scout leaders on a Friday night (A significant number of Friday’s leaders are retired).
We currently have only one (Now 2) parent Leaders on a friday.
Most weeks, we have to seek help from other sections.
Trying to recruit young and enthusiastic 18-25yr olds is a lot more difficult for a Friday night, even trying to get young leaders to commit to a Friday night is very tricky.
When we do ask for help from parents, we don’t always get it.
Without more people stepping up, the longer-term prospect is that we won’t have sufficient adults to continue running Scouts on Fridays
If we do nothing, the current leader team who have been in the group for 15+ years on average have decided they cannot continue with the level of support they have. The troop will have to find new leaders by Christmas with skills and experience to run the troop and we will loose all the experience we have.
Well there is not a great solution out there, every week night has at least one section meeting often two. but this is the proposal.
Monday Beavers and Cubs will continue as before.
Tuesday Scouts will continue as before.
Wednesday Explorers will move from 7-9pm to 7:15pm to 9:15pm to allow the cubs to meet with an overlap.
Thursday Night Beavers will continue as before, Cubs will move to Wednesdays 6:30 to 8pm
Friday night will be free to other groups to use the facilitites, easer access for weekends away etc.
Q: What other options have you considered?
A: Many to be honest, we have been trying to work out a solution less drastic for 18months+ but have not come up with anything workable.
If you have a great suggestion please do let us know, we may not have thought of it.
Q: Aren't you going to loose people in the move?
A: Unfortunately we think it is inevitable that some people will not be able to continue and that is horrible for us all, unfortunately the long term viability of the troop is in question
Q: What if my child is in a section that is moving and they will not be able to attend on the new night/time
A: We will hold their place in the next section if they were 6 months off going to scouts or explorers we will keep their place
A: We will try to arrange space in the other Cub pack if space is available
A: We will provide a list of other scout groups in the area with what space they have.
Q: What if i volunteer to help?
Q: What if i have Football/Hockey/other activity on the new night/time
A: Unfortunatly we are between a rock and a hard place with this, the troop has met on a Friday night since we believe the 1960s but in the last 15 years and especially since Covid we have found it increasingly difficult to attract regular leader on a friday night.