What a surprise! Yes, our numbers have gone down over the past year (just over 20%) due to lockdown but some Groups and Units have grown in size. Well done to all the Leaders involved in not just keeping current members but attracting in new ones.
There have been lots of problems with maintaining an active programme and many of us are now experts at Zoom. However, there are still lots of non-Zoom possibilities:
www.digitalscouts.org.uk
https://www.scouts.org.uk/volunteers/scouts-at-home/covid-19-safe-programme-ideas/
https://www.scouts.org.uk/activities/
https://www.facebook.com/East-of-England-Scouts-Winter-Challenge-108561271066141
https://www.scouts.org.uk/volunteers/scouts-at-home/activities-and-badges-to-do-at-home/adapting-the-programme-during-coronavirus-crisis/socially-distanced-scout-activities/
https://www.scouts.org.uk/news/2020/december/how-to-keep-kids-entertained-and-educated-at-home-with-fritha-quinn/
https://www.scouts.org.uk/news/2020/december/press-play-and-go-programme-videos/
https://www.scouts.org.uk/news/2020/december/what-are-some-fun-activities-to-do-with-family-and-friends-on-zoom/
We now know that the end of lockdown is in sight and that face-to-face Scouting will then be able to resume. I am confident that we will then see a surge in youth membership. Who knows, we might even reverse the 20% drop seen this past year.