THERE are a record number of Scouts volunteering in Cumbria but waiting lists to get into the organisation are at an all time high.

More than 4,400 people are involved in Scouting in Cumbria, including 1,014 adult volunteers

Despite such high numbers of volunteers, the waiting list for young people who want to join the Scouts in Cumbria has sky-rocketed to 281, the highest figure in the history of Scouting in the Cumbria.

Eddie Ward, county commissioner for Cumbria, said: “Our adult volunteers today seek much more flexible volunteering arrangements than in the past so that they can fit it around their busy lives.

"Many adults who are signing up with the Scouts have a limited amount of time to donate to us, and so we need more volunteers as a whole to accommodate the continued demand for Scouting among young people."

The Cub Scouts is the most popular section with 1,140 members in Cumbria.

Kieran Harrop, an Explorer Scout aged 14 from the Duddon Dragons Explorer Scout Unit, said: “My Scout Leaders are awesome! Every week they provide me with new skills that help me develop as an individual. The camps and expeditions are amazing. I’m hoping to take part in the 2019 International Jamboree in the USA.”

Mr Ward said that he was calling on adults to 'make a difference to the lives of young people in their communities to give Scouting a go'.

"We know that not having enough time is the main barrier to volunteering among adults, which is why we want to make it easier by offering flexibility in a range of roles from Scout group leaders to administrative and trustee positions," he said.

If you are interested in volunteering visit www.scouts.org.uk/join