Local scout numbers experience a revival

LOCAL Scouting is on its way back after 20 years of decline, the Regional Commissioner for Scouts said this week.

This year marks the 100th anniversary of World Scouting and the Scouts Commissioner for South East NSW Ron Critcher proudly stated that it is also the third consecutive year in which Scout numbers in the area have increased.

The increase follows a steady decline in scout numbers over the last two decades and though small, is seen by Mr Critcher as a turning point for the region's Scouting.

"It's only been just over two percent (increase in numbers) this last year but over the last the three years it been over five percent," Mr Critcher said.

"I think the people are perhaps coming back to some traditional values about what their kids can gain out of scouting."

The Cummins family, of Thirroul, have been a big part of Thirroul Scouts for around 14 years, sticking with the organisation while its popularity waned.

17-year-old Therese Cummins is the youngest of nine children, eight of whom have been through the Scouts.

She is currently the only Venturer (14-17 year old division) in the Thirroul Troop.

Therese's father Brain was a Scout as a child and is now part of the committee that runs his local scouting branch.

Therese said that some of her friends didn't understand her interest in the scouting movement.

"Some think it's fine- others just think it's knot tying," she said.

"It's fun - you meet new people and you learn stuff that you wouldn't normally."

Mr Critcher said Scouting Australia was still working hard to increase interest levels among the young throughout the local area.

"We offer what we call skills for life," Mr Critcher said.

"But what we're after under all that is training children to be good citizens in the community."

While this year is the 100th anniversary of World Scouting it is actually only the 99th year of Scouting in Australia.

2008 has been officially named The Year of the Scout.