SCOUTING in Golcar is growing apace.
The movement across Huddersfield as a whole continues to expand.
But the 4th Huddersfield (Golcar) Scout Group have seen the biggest increase in members with a rise of almost 13 per cent.
The 4th Golcar has 180 youth members and 20 adult volunteers.
Scouting has undergone a resurgence in recent years after a drive to modernise and update.
All the traditional activities are still on offer such as camping, abseiling and archery.
But they have been joined by zorbing, challenge expeditions and paragliding.
The old familiar camp and cooking badges are still there joined by badges in the likes of public relations and information technology.
Scouting’s bid to become ‘cool’ again was sealed last year when Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge, joined the scouts as a volunteer.
The Duchess, who was a brownie and a girl guide, helps out at a group close to her home in North Wales.
Since she joined the scouts more than 2,800 new adult volunteers have signed up – the second biggest rise since 1986.
Daniel Haigh, assistant scout leader with 4th Golcar, said the Duchess effect had also boosted volunteer numbers locally but more adult leaders were needed.
“As we get more young people we need more adult volunteers,” said Daniel.
“Our leaders just need to have skills to pass on to our young people, which could be anything,” he said.
People don’t even need to have experience of the scout movement as full training will be given, free of charge.”
The 4th Golcar meet at the Golcar Scout and Community Centre in Manor Road, Golcar, and have beavers, cubs, scouts and explorer scouts which takes children from the age of six through to 18.
At 18 they can become leaders or continue as a network scout until they are 25.
Modern-day scouting is just as much for girls as it is for boys with the Duchess proving a role model for young women.
To find out more about 4th Golcar go to www.4thgolcar.org.uk
