The Guernsey Scout Association hosted a highly successful two-day youth engagement event bringing together about 120 Scouts and Explorers as well as volunteer leaders from across the island to help shape the future of scouting in Guernsey.
The weekend was led by members of Scouting UK’s youth team, including Ayesha Karim, UK youth lead, and Robert Mason, UK youth team member, who travelled to the island specifically to support the event.
‘They were split into groups and asked what they would like to see at Rue Mainguy as we have never really asked them what they wanted, and we also asked them what they think the future of Scouting will look like,’ said Paula Woodland, part of the Guernsey Scout Association’s leadership team.
‘They said they really wanted to go back to basics, which shocked us – they all said they enjoyed the time without technology.’
Mrs Woodland said she could see Scouting growing, but only if more volunteer leaders were recruited.
‘We have loads of young people wanting to get into Scouts, but we need more leaders. The more leaders, the more places we can offer,’ she said.
The Friday’s activities followed on from the UK Youth Forum held last year and focused on sharing and exploring the findings from extensive consultation work involving feedback from more than 1,500 young people across the UK.
Through interactive sessions, young islanders were encouraged to reflect on the analysis, share their own views, and contribute ideas about how Scouting can continue to evolve to better meet their needs.
On the Saturday, the focus shifted to the island’s volunteer leaders. Leaders from across Guernsey were invited to attend two sessions held at Rue Mainguy.
‘We did a pitch of something we designed for Rue Mainguy,’ said 11-year-old Sally Jefferies, who attended the youth engagement weekend. ‘It was really fun.’
As well as what they wanted to see at Rue Mainguy, the groups were asked what else could be done to make Scouts better.
‘We had to write down what we wanted to happen with Scouts and I said that we want to go on more trips,’ said Harry Mahrer, 11.
Mrs Woodland said that she would be interested in replicating the youth engagement weekend with smaller groups, and with some younger Scouts.