The Scout Association of TT trains boys and young men to be better, more independent, productive members of society but they need the support of more donors to broaden their experience.

“We want people to recognise that the organisation is one that aims to train the character of our young people and the members of society. What we need is assistance to get our young people trained, to get the character of the society to be different,” said National Scout Commissioner Mark Ainsley John.

As the association is a non-profit organisation with adult volunteers, it also needs the support of the business community through donations, financial and otherwise, so the organisation would not have to limit what it could offer.

[caption id="attachment_1053031" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Cub Scouts from San Fernando Boys RC sing Christmas carols in the community of Embacadere, San Fernando in December 2023. -[/caption]

For example, it wanted to invite young people to experience the outdoors and help them get a healthy respect for nature and the environment. John said many youths lived in apartments and other locations with no yards or in which they could not play outside in safety or see the stars clearly at night because of light pollution. To do so, it needed tents and other camping gear which was expensive.

"I'm appealing to the public to reconnect with the scout movement. We've had a lot of prominent individuals pass through the organisation. I want them to come back and inspire the next generation of young people to become active in their communities and become active in society.

"We have a growing crime problem associated with young people especially. I think the scout movement can be that beacon of hope internationally," John said.

“Utilising the scout method – community engagement, adventure, working in teams, personal progression, learning by doing, youth leading with adult support and focussing on the scout law and promise – alongside individuals who are already impacting their communities positively, will help us to change young people to become healthy, happy, helpful citizens.”

[caption id="attachment_1053030" align="alignnone" width="576"] South Central District Scouts from ASJA College preparing meals for the underprivileged at a homeless shelter in San Fernando. -[/caption]

He said member numbers were back up to pre-covid19 figures and, at the end of September, there were about 4,000 scouts between the ages of seven-23 and 700 adult leaders. The organisation also made a concerted effort to change its mode of operation and management structure to incorporate the community.

For example, he said the number of scout districts was changed from 21 to six in 2023 and that allowed for easier management and communication. Each district’s commissioner was mandated to go out into their areas and meet with members of their communities, including businesses, religious and youth organisations, and NGOs, to share the work of the scouts and encourage them to partner with the organisation for the mutual a