Scout groups in Nanaimo are seeing a significant waitlist for kids in the program, but the spike in demand from Scouts isn't being matched by the number of volunteers to help run key programs. (Scouts Canada)

By Jordan Davidson

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Local Scouts groups see popularity surge but need more adult leaders

Oct 30, 2021 | 6:15 AM

NANAIMO — A spike in demand for programs run by Scouts Canada is giving the organization challenges in finding enough volunteers to keep up.

While the pandemic caused the group to pivot and shift their operations to primarily outdoors, Scouts Canada was fortunate to keep most of their programs available throughout the pandemic, depending on their jurisdictional location.

Alex Longo, regional manager of the Cascadia council of Scouts Canada, said the Nanaimo groups are some of the strongest in the country, with some Scouters being a part of the group for 20-30 years.

“In Nanaimo, there’s always adult volunteers called Scouters who are the ones that plan and organize and execute scout meetings with and for the youth. They were able to continue doing outdoor adventures like hiking and paddling and camping is now approved once again.”

She said B.C. was one of the lucky provinces who were able to continue operating with fewer restrictions than others throughout the pandemic.

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A move to almost exclusively outdoor activities has seen a spike in registration for Scouts prorgams in Nanaimo, but not an increase in the number of adults helping run programs. (Scouts Canada)

There is now a big need for more local volunteers, specifically for the Nanaimo, Departure Bay, and Neck Point groups.

The programs have a waitlist of at least 35 youths.

Longo says despite the local groups popularity, the pandemic did contribute to the lack of adults volunteering.

“There’s a lot of responsibility on adults to manage and oversee a large group of youth, making sure they are hand sanitized, wearing masks when appropriate, that they are social distancing. We still abide by all the provincial guidelines, and for some volunteers, it was too much depending on what was going on in their personal lives.”

The weekly time commitment depends on how involved you want to be in the planning and executing of meetings and excursions.

Scouts teach their kids to plan and always be prepared for whatever adventure they are set to embark on and the Scouters need to have the same attitudes.

Besides teaching youth about safety, preparedness, and leadership, they also help build resilience and skills that will help them later on in life. Scouts are also active in the local community.

“There are camps that are managed by Scout volunteers that are available to the public at a very cheap rate. Camp Caillet is one of the more popular ones. They also do a bunch of fundraisers, trail clean-ups and partner with organizations like the Nanaimo Search and Rescue.”

Local scout groups are active in the Nanaimo community, helping with trail cleanups in the Nanaimo area.(Scouts Canada)

To become a volunteer, you can go to scouts.ca to sign up and find your local scouting group.

Volunteers do not need to have a child in Scouts in order to contribute, but you do need to be 18 years of age or older and pass their “rigorous” on-boarding process including a recent police record check, three references from past volunteer groups and completing a Scouting Fundamental Program.

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jordan@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @JordanDHeyNow