Scout numbers in Victoria on rise, but Guides numbers in decline

SCOUT numbers in Victoria are booming, while the Girl Guides are in decline with just a quarter of the numbers from its peak in the 1970s and ’80s.

Scout numbers are booming as parents look for healthy, social options for their children.

SCOUT numbers in Victoria are booming, while the Girl Guides are in decline.

Scouts Victoria has seen a 56 per cent jump in youth membership and 23 per cent more adult members in the past decade.

Scouts Victoria chief commissioner Brendan Watson, OAM, said the Scouts were “exploding in Melbourne’s growth suburbs”. New Scout halls are on their way in Hazel Glen and Caroline Springs.

He said there was “a renaissance in the inner suburbs”. Carlton and Fitzroy groups have reopened, and Richmond will again open its doors.

“Our basic method is unchanged for 108 years: youth leadership, learning by doing, working in small teams and being active in the outdoors,” Mr Watson said.

He said young people and their parents were turning their backs on screens in favour of “adventure — fun, friends, new skills, a taste of independence”.

“Parents like it because it’s active, healthy, social, outdoors, and not screen-based.”

Girl Guides Victoria now has 6000 members, a big drop from the 25,000 members it had in the 1970s and ’80s.

Guides numbers are on the decline in Victoria. Picture: Lawrence Pinder

Chief executive Jennifer Fleming said this reflected more opportunities for women to work in and lead other fields.

But she said the Guides’ activities were critical for girls’ mental health and wellbeing.

A Guides in Schools program has been rolled out this year in culturally and linguistically diverse communities in Dandenong, Noble Park and Broadmeadows.

“We have significant demand to open more of these programs, and are seeking volunteers to support them who may be available during the school day,” Ms Fleming said.

She said that both Scouts and Guides stemmed from the same ethos: to shape tomorrow’s leaders and get them outside.

DID YOU KNOW?

● There are Scout Groups in 411 local communities across Victoria

● There are 47 million Scouts across the globe

● Boys and girls can join Scouts

● Girl Guides Victoria has been dedicated to the girls of Victoria since 1910

● Girls Guides Victoria is made of an army of 1500 volunteers, 800 trained leaders and managers

● Guiding includes values-based, non-competitive activity, including camping, canoeing and orienteering.