Kilmore Scouts is on the lookout for new volunteers to help lead all four sections amid significant adult volunteer shortages.
Volunteering with Scouts requires people to commit about 60 per cent attendance, usually comprised of one night a week and an occasional weekend for planned camps and adventures.
Scouts volunteers do not need to have any previous experience or have been a scout before, as the group provides all necessary training both online and in-person.
Kilmore Scouts leader-in-charge and Cub Scout leader Martin Shaw said while the group was in need of both leaders and adult helpers, leaders were what helped keep Scouts active.
“The primary focus is around our leaders because essentially without leaders, we can’t run a section,” he said.
“Ideally we want to have four [leaders] in every section because that ensures people can have time off during the term, and also ensures that we can take more youth because, at the moment, we’re actually turning people away.”
Kilmore Scouts is made up of four sections including Joey Scouts for children five to eight years old, Cub Scouts for eight to 11-year-olds, Scouts for 11 to 14-year-olds, and Venturers for 14 to 18-year-olds.
There are also several different positions that volunteers can train for, while Mr Shaw said Scouts aimed for a ‘six to one ratio’ with one adult leader to oversee about six children.
Kilmore Scouts, however, is not the only group struggling with volunteer numbers as other groups in the area including Wallan and Broadford are also facing the same difficulties.
He said it took about six months for people to complete all online training – depending on how much time was dedicated – and everyone was welcome to be involved regardless of age.
“We’re not saying that everyone has to be there the whole time. If you want to be a part-time leader you can do that, or you can be a full-time leader,” he said.
“Scouts are great because you get all this free training given to you with experts in the field where you would typically pay thousands of dollars to gain those skills.”
Mr Shaw said an advantage of Scouts was also becoming involved in the community, as Kilmore Scouts often assisted other community groups with various initiatives including the Good Friday Appeal earlier this year.
“I’m absolutely loving doing it, but it’s even more fun when more people help and it really makes it easier for everybody else,” he said.
“The important thing is really that we’re doing it for the youth, and it’s sad to have to turn them away.
“It’s incredible when everyone does come together from a community perspective – it just makes it a better place.”
For more information or to get involved, visit 1stkilmorescouts.com.au.
