Thank You!

We have just completed Census and I’d like to thank everyone for your speedy completion of this process. Whilst we went down 20% overall, we have a strong retention of adults and a healthy waiting list, so we are well positioned for a rebound. We also know that a number of young people have indicated that they will return when we are face to face again.

Without doubt, this is due to the tremendous work put in by our leaders in keeping interest in Scouting going on Zoom, and in a short period of face-to-face Scouting we were allowed to do, over the past year.

It has been a hugely difficult year for so many of our adult volunteers, whether that be in their work, their finances, physical or mental health, and still you gave up time for Scouting for the benefit of our young people. I cannot thank you enough.

Hopefully we can now start to get back to some ‘normal’ Scouting over the coming months. For some that might be difficult. Our County Team – and I know your District Teams – will support you as much as we can.

I do think what we offer in Scouting is now needed more than ever by young people as we slowly come out of this long pandemic, and I am sure by many of our adult volunteers as well.

Again, huge thanks – you continue to make a very real difference to the lives of young people during a difficult year.

Brendan Booth, County Commissioner for Dorset Scouts