Scouts suffering from leadership fallout

Nedburn Thaffe, Gleaner Writer

More than a century since the Scout Movement landed in Jamaica, the leaders of the age-old organisation have managed to maintain its momentum amid economic challenges and changes in popular culture.

However, while these are challenges that continue to linger with the passing of successive decades, finding leaders for the approximately 5,000 Scout members scattered across Jamaica has become a new sore point.

"There are young people everywhere who are still excited about the movement. There are youths even in certain inner-city communities who, when they see us, will ask how they can become a part of it. (However) we are having major challenges with finding leaders, especially at the community level," stated district commissioner for St Thomas, Garth Russell.

"We find that teachers are mostly the ones who are willing to volunteer their time. There are a lot of issues contributing to a lack of leadership. There are those who cannot find the time, while there are others who are simply not willing to take on the burden of leading a Scout group," Russell said, adding that currently Trelawny and St Ann are without Scout groups.

However, despite the challenges, the district commissioner said the current leadership was working hard to maintain its numbers.

"We have recognised a decline also in the overall number of youngsters joining, but we still have a strong group of followers," Russell said.

"The programmes that we have continue to be relevant and attractive for both our Cub Scouts and our older Scouts. We try to ensure that what we offer is geared towards their (holistic) development," Russell said.

Lifetime opportunities

While highlighting the importance of keeping the movement going in Jamaica, he said there were lifetime opportunities that could be gained from being a member.

Russell pointed to the annual Scout jamboree that took place in Sweden last month which saw local Scouts taking part. The event attracted more than 39,000 Scouts worldwide.

"We talk about instilling discipline in our youngsters, but discipline takes time and this is how we can help to create the type of discipline we desire. I always say if I have 10 boys at a camp, that is 10 less boys I will have to worry are going to get in trouble with the law," Russell said.

The Scout Association of Jamaica, the national scouting organisation in the island, was founded in 1910, and became a member of the World Organization of the Scout Movement in 1963.