results from the survey on retention of young people in scouting

7/29/2019 Results from the Survey on retention of young people in Scouting

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Survey on retention of young people in Scouting

Results of the survey

Background

The Survey on retention of young people in Scouting was designed and executed by the Growth

through Quality Working Group members, Europe Region - WOSM, with the objective to map and

explore the issue of retention of young people in the Region, at a first, basic level. 54 Scout

leaders from 18 countries responded to the survey. 2 of these leaders came from countries outside

of European Scout Region, so their answers were excluded from the analysis.

Synopsis

Working Group members will be using data stemming from this research project in order todrawing recommendations concerning ways of improving the retention patterns of young people,relevant to the Regions NSOs and NSAs.

According to the majority of participants, young people leave Scouting for 5 main reasons;The Scout Program fails to meet their needs, there is lack of good leadership, Scouting

does not enjoy a good social profile or it fails to provide what it promises to (that iscommunicated by the media), there is an ever increased competition for young peoplesfree time, and an ever growing variety of choices on how to spend it and, transitionprocesses are either missing or inadequate.

65% of participants mentioned that their NSAs/ NSOs have been growing in numbers inthe last 2 years.

A third of participants stated that the membership data in their NSO/NSA monitors thenumber of young people leaving Scouting, in contrast with providing data about the totalScout population.

The vast majority of participants reported to have official procedures in dealing with youngpeople leaving Scouting (84%). Procedures mentioned by participants included: direct,personal contact (visiting homes, writing letters, calling home) and exit interviews.

When asked how useful official procedures are in dealing with young people leavingScouting, most participants supported the value of undertaking such practices, because itaids the NSO/NSA to understand why a person is leaving. However, some thought thatsuch practices are very impersonal and should not be considered useful. It is important tosay however, that those who perceived such official procedures to be unsuitable werepronominally individuals coming from NSAs/ NSOs that do not have established suchofficial practices.

Concerning transition processes from one group to the following i.e. from Cub Scouts toScouts, from Rovers to Leaders etc that NSOs/NSAs follow, participants gave a very wide

variety of answers (even participants coming from the same NSO/NSA). Most of themreported informal, locally-based ceremonial-like activities and celebration-themed events.

56% of participants did not know when was the last time that transition processes fromone group to the following were renewed in their NSO/ NSA, whereas 30% reported thatthey have renewed it in the last 5 years or are now on the process of renewing it.

There was a vast consensus among participants that transition processes from one groupto the following, are very important concerning the retention of young people.

When asked who should be taking care of the retention of young people, 63% ofparticipants agreed that it should be the local unit, 20% of participants stated that thisresponsibility should be taken upon the district/county level and the remaining 17%reported that this should be the national levels responsibility.


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Analysis and Conclusions

The fact that participants named transition processes at the top 5 reasons of why young peopleleave Scouting illustrates that when dealing with the retention of young people, the importance oftransition processes should not be underestimated.

The growth trend that participants observe is supported by the most recent membership data thatthe Region has collected (see Membership Report 2011).

The fact that only one third of participants stated that the membership data in their NSO/NSAmonitors the number of young people leaving Scouting, whereas one third stated that membershipdata in their NSO/NSA provides data about the total Scout population is indeed alarming (the reststated that they did not know), since membership data analysis is a very important tool and a firststep in analyzing membership trends and building a growth strategy, as it has been argued (see

Action for Growth Report).

We can anticipate individuals who participated in this research to be involved in the local level andthis can in part at least explain their focus on the more informal transition processes and theiraspiration for the retention of young people to rely at the local level. This does not mean however,

that good practices of formal transition processes are absent in the Region, nor that the regionalor national levels should not take up the responsibility of young peoples retention processes. It ismost probably the case that a better interconnection and cooperation between the differentmanagement levels is needed in order to achieve maximum results.

Participants profile might also explain the fact that although the majority of participants statedthat they have some sort of official procedures in dealing with young people leaving Scouting, theycould not really name a variety of them, but on the contrary, they focused on rather unofficial

procedures.

The tension of unofficial versus official procedures in dealing with young people leaving Scoutingwas not initially anticipated by the research team. These research results point to the direction ofutilizing both forms of procedures, one acting as complementary to the other, so that youngpeople leaving Scouting feel as much appreciated and valued as possible and also stand a better

chance of returning to the Movement, when and if they decide to do so.

Further research focused on the various NSOs/ NSAs that have recently renewed their transitionprocesses would complement this research greatly and this represents a clear direction for futureresearch.

The Working Group should continue encouraging NSOs/ NSAs to study at a greater depth thealready existing toolkits that the Region has provided in dealing with growth though quality

(including but not restricted to the 2 documents mentioned above).

Full results from the survey are provided bellow.

GQWG team


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Complete results from the survey

The survey on retention of young leaders was launched during the World Scout Jamboree in

Sweden, as information about the survey was distributed to Scout leaders that were visiting the

World tent at the Jamboree, and it was published on euroscoutinfo.com

The survey was designed by the Growth through Quality Working Group, with main goal to identify

the current situation with retention of young people in European Scout Region and to identify

opportunities to improve it.

54 Scout leaders from 18 countries responded to the survey, 2 of leaders from countries outside

European Scout Region. Distribution per country is as follows:

Austria 8 Canada 1 Croatia 1 Cyprus 1 Denmark 1 Greece 7 Hungary 1 Iceland 1 Ireland 1 Italy 1 Lithuania 1 Portugal 1 Romania 1 Serbia 2 Slovenia 1 Switzerland 1 Uganda 1 United Kingdom 23The first question in the survey was: In your personal opinion, why do you think that some youngpeople leave Scouting?

The answers to the question are:

Wrongscoutleaders-Moreimportantleisureactivities(sport&musik)-friendsquit-lackoftime-otherfocusofteenagers(aspartiingandalcohol)

AsIformyselfleftthescoutsforafewyearstocomebackagain.IknowthatIleftthescoutsbecauseSchoolwastointenseanddidnothaveenoughtimetogotothescouts.Furthermoresomechildrenleavethemovementasthejoinedtogetherwithfriends,buttheylefttooorfoundnewfriends,leavingtheotheronebehind.OfcoursethisisthechallengeoftheLeadertomakethosekidsstay,butitdoesnotalwayshelp.OnourCampsithappenedthatsomekidsleftbecausetheyfelthomesick.Wetoldthemthatthatisnoproblemandthataftersummerwewouldbedelightediftheywouldcomeback...butsometimesthe


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parentsdon'tletthemor...theyaretoscaredandashamed.

Notime,not"cool"enoughintheirearyteens,notdoingwhatyourparentstellyoutoso

Scoutactivitesdoesnotfitintotheirliveanymore.Thatcanhappenbecauseofchangesintheirliveslike-newschoolwithdifferenthoursofattention-educationatadifferentplace-otherfriendsandinteresstsbecamemorimportantOftentheparentsdonotsupportaprogressinscoutactivites.-Itdoesnotseemthatimportantforthem,theywantnottoaffordthetimemanagmet.-Theydonotgettherealvaluetheprogramcanhavefortheirkids.Oritstheleaderswhocannotofferappropiateprogram:-Theydonotgetthe"mental"changesofthekidsintheexplorer/caravells-agesection.-Theydonotfindspaceforkidsideaswithinthescout-programmframework.-Theleadersteamis"incapsulated"intotraditionsandbehavioroflastgenerationofkids.

Therearetworeasonsinmyopinion.1)Theirenviromentischanging.Newschool,newfriends,maybenewhobbiesandinterests.Inmygroupmanyyoungpeopleleaveattheageof13-15.That'sthetimewhentheyhavetochangeinthenextschool-level.(meansmostofthetime:newschool)2)Ifthereisnorealchallengefortheyoungpeople,soitgetsboring

forthem.(dependsalwaysontheleaders,theotheryoungpeoplewithinthegroupand/ortheprogram)orthetransitionprocessfromcubs/browniestoguides/scoutstocaravelles/explorerstorangers/rovers.

Theagegroup(10-14years)imleadingmostoftheyoungstersleaveduetoschoolchangeandoverloadofotherhobbies.Itdependsaswell,whatthebestfriendisdoing.

SmallScoutunitsjusthaveafewolderyouthandallothersarechildren-youngpeoplebecomeleaderstoearly-manyyoungpeopledontknowabouttheoppurturnitiesScoutingoffersthem(international,Training,bepartofdecisionmakingonalllevelslocal,national,international)-newschool/jobandsotheyhavenewfriendsandfewertimebecausetheneedthetimefortheirnewjoborstudying-newschool/joboutsidethevillagewheretheirScoutGroupis-thinkScoutingisgoodforchildren,butnowtheyfeeltoold.

Toolittlesparetimebecauseofeducation.)toomanyothersparetimeoccupations.)

otherfriendsleaveScoutingtoo.)someyouthsareofferedbytheirparentsother"moreluxurious"summercamps(tennis,sailing,surfing)includinghotelaccomodation(nocamping,nocuttingwood,...).)it'snot"hip"toco-operatewithotherscommittedlywithoutaskingforimmediatebenefitand100%fun(whydosomethingthat*sometimes*meansworkandmaybeinconvenience?).)someparentsdon'tappreciatethebenefitsofScoutingenoughtofostertheirchildren'sattendance

Therearemanyoppurtunitiesforyoungpeopletobeinvolvedinallwhichrequiremuchtime.Mostoftheyouththatwelosetendtobegoingtosportsandotherprogramsthatdemandmoreoftheirtimeastheygetolder.

Becausethesistemistooold! PourprogrammesLuckofactivitiesToomuchtheoryandaimlessinstructionBad

leadership

Youngpeopleleavescoutingforavarietyofreasons,butprimarilybecausewefailtoofferthemwhattheywant.HereIthinkthe"whatwedo"and"howwedoit"aspectsoftheyouthprogrammearethekeyissuestomanyyoungpeople.Thespecificsare,however,individual-somethingsdependonlocalissues(whatisthegeneralattitudetowardsScoutingintheirschoolandclass?),whileothersmaydependonstructuralissuesinthesocietyandNSA.Mostimportant,however,are,inmyopinion,theindividualissues--mattersoftaste,really.

Mostchildrenattheageof18studyinguntiltheageof23atbest.ThestudiesinGreecearefrom4till7or8years(especiallymedical).Immediatelyafterthemenshouldgotothearmyandthenreturntofindajob.Iftheyareluckytofindworkimmediatelyotherwiseonhold.


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Thatmeansthatinscoutswillreturnattheageof27or28years.Manywomenarestudyingtoo,iftheyarenotmarriedandhaveachildimmediatelyiftheyfindajob,willturnaroundthesameage.FromwhatI'veseena40%returnafter30andonlya10%notstudiedandremainsinplacedidnotleavefromscouting.Anotheritemwenoticedismarriage.Togetbacksomeoneshouldbeagreeduponbythecoupleandseveraltimeshascreatedproblemsparticularlyinwomenrank.Speciallyifoneofthemhaveneverjoinscoutsandcantunderstanwhywelovebeinginscouting.

Theyneedtimetoexplorenewthingsabouttheirlifethingsthathavetodowithjob,marriage,kidsadultthingsandnewinterestthatmanytimescomefromscouting.Anotherthingisthattheyneedtheirfriendstojointheminscoutingortomeetnewfriendsthere,friendslikethemsameagesamethoughtssameproblems.Ibelievethattheyoungadultswehaveinscoutingweputonthemonlyproblemsandsomanythingstodothattheyhavenotimetodoanythingelseandtheyloseallthefunofitsotheyfindgoodexcusestoleave.

Therearetwomainreasonsforayoungermembertoleavescouting.Thefirstoneisthetime.Asyearsarepassingbyinthelifeofanindividualdaybydaygetshardernomatterifyouareastudentoraworker.Thisaloneleavesyouwithlimitedifnotimeatall.Secondlyamainfactorinthatdurringthepastdecatesscoutingistryingtobecomemoremodernized.Unfortunatelysuchthinghashappenedinmanyscoutingcentersaroundtheglobe.Manyscoutorcubscoutleadersthesedaysfinditmoreattractivetoletthechildrenexlorenaturethroughapcorjustshowthemtheuseoftheinternetinsteadoftakingthemoutinthefieldsandtheforests.Letthemgetdirtyandshowthemthetruenatureofthescouting.Kidsthatcomestouscomestolivethemagicofataleunderastarlitskymidsummerintheforest.Nottobebetweenfourwallslearningthingsthateventeachersfriendsoffamilycanshowthem.Sotheygetboredeventuallyandleave.

AsIseeit,thereare2reasonsforwhichapersonleavesScouting:a.Theyarenotsufficientlymotivated.Speakingformyself,I'vealwaysknewthereasonIwasvolunteeringinScouts.Itwasthejoyofdoingsomethingwithagroupofpeopleandofcourseitwasthecompanyitselfthatkeptmeworkingandwillingtocontinueparticipation.Anyway,eachoneofus,hasareasonforkeepingitupwithScouts.Andeachleadershouldknowthatreasonandboostit.Inotherwords,eachleadershoulddependonthesereasonsandworkuponthem.b.It'sahardworld.Everyday,oneofus(scouts)hasahardtimeinhislifeanddecidestoconsumehis"mental"energyotherwise,soastoprovidetohisselfabetterchanceofmakingmoney.It'scommonlyacceptedthatparticipatinginScoutsrequirealargeamountoftimeandeffortandcourage.It'scool.Butwhenitcomestodosomethingaboutyourlifeandyourfuture,scoutsisthefirstthingweabandonarweputon"thebackendofourhead".

1.becausetheirfriendsleaveordon'twanttojoin2.familydoesn'tpromoteit,takestimetodrivethekidtothemeetingareaandthey'retiredovertheweekend3.familyprefersthatkidsstudyforschool,foranotherlanguageorsth-scoutingisnotthepriority4.notanatureperson(thatusuallygrowswiththefamilyaswellthough)5.boringactivitiesthattheleadersmightdo6.don'twanttofollowrulesandworksohard-backathomemommydoeseverythingforthemandneversaysno..7.theyprefertoplayvideogamesathome(allexamplesofwhati'vedealtwithsofar)

Inmyopinionmostofyoungpeopleleavescoutingbecausetheydon'thaveenouphtimetomaketheprogrammethattheywantforthekids.Mostofushavealotoftimeinthebegginingbutwhenwemoveonwithourstudiesthefreetimewehaveisnotthesameanymore.Inadittionishouldalsomentionthatscoutingisnotacheapentertaimentandasaresultmanyyoungpeoplecan'tafforditforalongtime.ForexamplehereinGreecetheeconomyisgettingworsteverydayandmanyofushavenootheroptionbutleavingscouting.Weneedatleast90eurostobuyfullclothingalsoabout30eurosforourregistrationatthegreekscoutorganizationandeventuallyabout200eurosforourscoutingeducation.Thisisjustthebegginingbecauseasyoumayunderstandwealsoneedsomemoneytocovertheexpencesofthetripsweorganize.Asyoucanseewehavetoofferan

averageamountofmorethan320euroseachyear,andtherearefewyoungpeoplewhohavethiskindofbudgetavailable.


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Themodernwayoflifeandtheprototypesthattheyoungstersknowgetfromthemediaandthepeoplearoundthemdon'thaveanythingtodowithascout'swayoflife.Alsothefactthatnowadayskidsliveintoandwithnature.AndtobothofthesefactsyouhavetoaddthefactthatespeciallyinGreecemoreandmorecitizensliveinbigcity.Thisurbanizationmakestheproblembiggerandaddsthefactoflackofspaceandtimeforplaying.Averyfastandunhealthywayoflife.

Afteracertainage(inHungaryaround13-14and,thesecondwavearound17)itcan'tofferyoungpeopleattractingactivities.Forusitisaspecialproblemsinceattheseagesthe"best"becomeleadersandtheothersare,unfortunately,therest.Patrolsareprivedoftheirbestmembersandfortheremainingitisnotveryinterestinganymore.(Sometimesitisnotcoolenough.)

Thespectrumofactivitiesistoolimited,forexample;aleaderisanoutdoorloverandhasabigemphasisonoutdooractivities.Ifthere'snobalance,he/shemightlosesomeofthemorecreativity/society/etcmindedScouts.-Theleaderisnotqualifiedenough(unorganized,unimaginative,unsupportive,etc).-Otherafter-schoolactivitiesaremoreinterestingtotheperson,forexamplesports,musicclasses,etc.-Theindividualhasalreadydevelopedhimselforherselfsowellthroughscoutingthatheorsheisactivelyparticipatinginsociety,andisdoinggreatthingsinhiscommunity(andthereforhaslesstimeforscouting).

Duetootheractivities,school,friends.

Ithinkyoungpeopleleavescoutingbecausewemeetonsaturday.andsaturdayisthedaytheycangooutwithotherfriendsordowhatevertheywant.sotheyleavescoutingbecausetheywanttoseemoreotherfriendsoutofscoutingworld.Alsotherelationshipwiththescoutleaderisanimportantfactor:iftheyoungboy/girldoesn'treallyliketheleader,he/shewillleave.

Otheryouthorganisationsfitstheirneedsbetter.-Thinking,thatscoutingisjustforchildren-Changingprioritiesinlife-Athinking,thatyouhavetocreateabetterworldforyourselfandonlythenstartcaringabouteveryoneelse:)Therearealotofdifferentcases-it'salwaysbettertoaskthose,wholeft,notthosewhoarestillthere

Lackofinterest,languagenotappealinglackoftime,lotsofextraactivitiesparentsdon'thelp,don'tcareifthey'reinorout

Let'sbehonestonthisone.Therewasatimekidswerehearingaboutscouting,startedtheirownactivitiesandlookedforadultstojointheirmoveandhelpthemontheway.Thatwasamovement.Nowscoutorganizationsarepreparingcomplexrecruitingtechniquestobringkidsaboard.Indoingthattheyusemodelsfrombusinessthattrytogetmorecustomers.Thatmeanssomethinglike"kids,cometousandwewillprovideyougreat

activities"andthisissimilarto"youpayforsomethingandwewillprovideyouwhatyouwant".Itistoomuchofanorganizationandnotmuchofamovement.Therulesneededbytheorganizationarekillingthespiritthatkeepsthemovementalive.Whentheorganizationpreparestheactivities,thekidsareonlyparticipants.Theypayandexpectsomethinginreturn.Thisisverydifferentfromwherewestarted.Evenworse.Inpreparingactivitiesbytheorganization,theneededmoneycomewithstringsattached.Variousgovernments,foundations,programsthatprovidethemoneyalsotellyouwhichactivitiesareacceptableandwhicharen't.Youstartdoingthingslike"alldifferent,allequal","globalvillage",etc.thatbecomebetterfundedthanthe"right"scoutactivities,makingscoutinglessascoutingmovementandmoreayouthmovement.Allthosemoneykillourmovementstartingwiththeimpliedactivitiesandendingwiththerulesneededfortheiraccountability.Asmoreandmoreorganizationsdonon-formaleducation,thescoutsnolongerhavemonopolyonthesemethodsandishardto"compete"ifyou'rejustlikeYMCAandalltheotheryouthassociations.Therewasatime,whenatacampfireBPwastellingstoriesaboutboysthatprovedtheirextraordinarycharacter,boysthatcouldbetakenasanexamplebyscouts.Let'sgobacktowherewestarted.Thescoutswanttochangethemselvestobecomereal


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modelstokids.Theirdriveisthe"modelscout"describedinthescoutlaw.Letthekidsdiscussoursocietyanditsmodelsandcompareittothe"scoutmodel".Aretheyreadytochangetheworldbychangingthemselves?Dotheycareabouttheworld?Aslongastheyfollowthemodelandwanttobemodelseverythingisalive.Youarenotbetterbecauseyou'vedonesomeactivities,butyouarebetteryoumadeanothersteptowardthemodel.

InsufficientlyengagedNewSchoolboredomlittletrip

Inmycountryyoungpepoplefrom14-19yearsoldareusuallyleaders.theystillwanttoenjoyprogramandactivitywiththeirstroops,butiftheywonttocontinuewiththis,theyhavetoacceptobligationsofbeeingleaders.itisusuallyhardtocopwithallstuffandtasks,butthebiggestproblemisthattheyarenotrespectedasleaders.alotofolderscoutsdon'twanttohelp,toacquireresourcesandcreategoodconditionsforleadersandtheirsideas,justcreatisize.that'swhyyoungpeopleleavescouting.

Lackoftime-unmotivatedleaders-changingschool(inanothertown,university)-parentsdoesn`thavetime

OtherornewInteresstings,startnewschool,notenoughtime,it'snotcooltobeascout

PeerpressureEducationalcommitmentsOtherhobbiesegFootballorSwimmingclubswhichdemandahighleveloftraining.

Itsnotsociablyacceptedandtheybelievetheyhavegrownoutofscouting

Lackofchallenge,difficultywithagegroupsbeingtoowide,peerpressureallcontributetoyoungpeopleleaving,Lackofqualityprogrammes,lackofadultleaders,inappropriateleaderswithlittlebackgroundtrainingorsupportalsoleadtoretentionissues.

Ifeelthereareanumberofreasons:Beaver/Cub/ScoutAges:Withintheseagegroupsihavecomeacrossafewissues/areaswhereyoungpeoplehaveleftthesections-these

canrangefrom-notgettingonwiththeleader(shouts),togrownoutofit(agelimitatthetopendcanbequietdifferenttotheagelimitatthebottom),otheractivitieshavetakenover-football/netball/athleticsclubsetcandaselementsofbullyinginschool(withmembersofthegroup).Althoughialsoenjoythenewchallengebadgeworkstructurebasedaroundexperiencingelementsofscoutingwehavemovedawayfromsomeoftheachievementawardsthatkepttothemajorityofthetimetheagegroupstogether(i'mtalkingabouttheoldscoutawards,pathfinder,explorer&chiefscoutawards).Thebadgearenowtoosimpletoachieveifthescoutgoesonallthecamp(ofcoursedependingontheprogrammeofthetroop/pack.Wealsodoneedabiggervarietyofnewactivitybadgescomingin.Scoutage+:IreallythinkwearelosingalotduetotheintroductionoftheexplorerDISTRICTprogramme.Icanunderstandthatnotallgroupscansustaintheirownunits(asinventurescouts)butweshouldhavelookedaclustergroupsthatstilllinkedwiththenearbygroups(helpingtokeepidentitytothearea&thescoutaswellasprovidingfutureleaderswhen

theyturn18-theycurrentlystaywheretheexplorergroupisbased).Thisdistrictexplorerprogrammealthoughisrightintheagegroupithasdevelopedhasprovidedproblemsinsomeareasastherearesometimesonlyoneunitforthewholedistrict(50-60plusexplorerswith3leaders-thereisnowaytheprogrammecandevelopintheseenvironmentscausingboredomandalackofinterest).Thebiggerproblemisleaders:ifyouhaveenergeticskilledexperiencedleaders(innumbers-ateam)youwillbeabletoprovideagoodexcitingprogrammefortheyoungpeople.withoutthistheywillbesimple,basicandsometimesboring(notthefaultoftheleadersashalfthetimetheyhavebeenthrownintherewithnosupport,noTAandnootherleaderstoworkwithonatroopnight).

Inmyview,thereareseveralreasonsbehindthelossofyoungpeoplefromScouting.Inparticular,IthinkthattheUKScoutAssociationhasdevelopedagreaterfocusontheyoungersections(6-8and8-10yearolds),bothintheirmediaandprogramme

arrangementswhichhasledtoScoutsbeingseenassomethingpredominantlyforchildren,ratherthanyouths.Wealsoarenotgoodatdevelopingleadershipwithinthesectionsthemselvesandallowingyoungpeopletoruntheirownactivities,incomparisonwithother


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countries.Thereisalsoanadditionalproblemwiththeoldersectionsbeingrunatadistrictandcountylevel,whichinmyviewresultsinalargedrop-offasscoutstendtobeloyaltotheirgroupratherthantheirdistrict/county.Inaddition,thereareculturalfactorsofthehighleveloftestingandexaminationforteenagersintheUKwhichincreasepressuresontheirfreetimeandabilitytoregularlyattendtoactivities.However,Ithinkthatthisismademoreofaproblembecauseoftheverycentralisedandleader-ledapproachthatUKscoutingtakestowardsitsprogramme.

Threemainreasons:1.Theactivities&experiencesprovidedintheirareabytheirlocalGroupdonotliveuptotheirexpectaiions(expectationsinitiatedoftenbynationalmediaorGilwell).Thismaybeforavarietyofreasons,oftenthelimitednumberofleaderswithlimitedtime.HQusuallypromotestheideathatGroupshavelotsofleaders&lotsofmembers-asweallknowthisisnotthecase.2.Competinginterests.Manyyoungpeoplehaveotherintereststhatclashwithsectionmeetingnight.Thisoftenbecomesapparentwhenmovingon&thesectionsmeetondifferentnights.3.No-wheretomoveonto/lackofcontactbetweensections.ThisismostapparentbetweenTroop(atGrouplevel)andExplorers(atDistrictlevel).

Doesnotmatchmodernsociety-doesnotcompetewellwithcommercialactivities-doesnotcompetewellwithsportsandotherdrivenandcompetitiveactivities-doesnothaveaclearlydefinedfocus

Peerpressure;breakdownoffamily;dis-interestinchildsdevelopmentfromparents/guardians;boredthroughpoorprogramplanning;bullying(usuallypartofpeerpressure);movingtoanareawithoutScoutingfacilities(stillpossibleinUK)ordistancetotraveltonearestGroup;Developinterestinsomethingelseonsamenight.

Severalreasonsa)Therecanbeagapbetweenthepromiseof"EverydayAdventure"thattheNationaladvertisingmayportrayandwhatthelocalvolunteerscandeliver,eitherduetolackofsuitablevolunteersormoneyb)Competitionfromotheractivities(football,gymnastics,tennis,judo,theatreclubs...)meansthatyoungpeoplecanonlycommittooneactivity-oftenthesearemoreexpensivefortheyoungpeople'sparentsbutmaydeliverahigherqualityprogrammec)PressuretoachieveatschoolleadparentstobeleivethatScoutingislessimportantthanschoolwork-whichatonelevelitis,butagoodScoutprogrammeprovidesabalancetoschoollifewhichcanbeverybeneficial,Scoutingisnotgettingthatmessageoververywelld)ClashofthetimethattheScoutmeetinghappenswithreligiousservices

Therearesomanyreasons.Tehkeyonesarethatwhenyouryoungaprenstmaketehchoicesandasyougrowolderyoumakethem(butareinlfuencedbyothers)Soifyoudontlikeityouwillleaveorifyoudoabit,butyourfrinedsdontyouarelikleytoleave.Alsoprogramme.Ifyouarehavingfundoingchanngingactivitiesyouwillenjoyscoutingbutifyouareyouwillleave..

Costtoparents,notadventorusenough,bored

Pressurefrompeersastheychangetheircircleoffriendsastheygrowolder,duetolackofknowledgeinpubliceyofwhatScoutingisandwhatitdoes.Limitedsupport/encouragementfromparentstotakepartinactivities.Activitiesnotenthusingparticipantstocontinuewithmembership.

InmyTroopwerarelyloseScoutsbutofthosewedolosetheyeithermoveawaytoanotherareaortheScoutsinmyTroopusuallyhavetogiveupafterbattlingwiththepressurefromschoolsandhomework.AlmoseallofourScoutsprogresstoourExplorerUnit.

1)Difficultiesaroundtransitionbetweensections,especiallyfromScoutstoExplorerswhichofteninvolvesachangeofvenue,leadershipteam,andpeersatatimewhenayoung

personinunderincreasingsocialandeducationalpressures.2)Changesinfamilycircumstances,e.g.movinghomeandnotbeingsupportedinfindinganewgroup.3)Poordeliveryofprogrammeleadingtoboredom/disenchantment.4)Educationalpressures-I


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knowofschoolstellingchildrentocurtailout-of-schoolactivitiesincludingScouting.5)LackofsupportforLGBTyouth,includingleadersfailingtochallengehomophobiclanguageorbehaviour,orengaginginitthemselves.

Peerpressure-itmaynotbecooltobeascoutPressurefromexamsoreducationalrequirementsPooractivites/programmeintheirgroupOutdated/traditionalviewsfromleadersandthenreflectedinactivitesprovidedInsularattitudes,notgivenexposuretowiderviewofscouting

ThesearesomeofthereasonsIthinkinfluenceyoungpeopleleavingScouting.Theymaysoundnegativebuttheyhighlightissuesinsomeareaswhyyoungpeopleleave.BelowaresomereasonsthatIhaveheardwhenIhaveresearchedinCountyandDistricts.ItisimportanttosaytherearelotsofpositiveexampleswereScoutingisgoingfromstrengthtostrength.Competitionfromotherinterests(Football,sports,exams,study)Badlytrainedornottrianedvolunteers(AdultLeaders)LackofinvolvementandresponsibilityinprogrammeplanningNoadventureNoopportunitytocamp(WhydowejoinScouts?)NotyouthledSupportstructureforadultsnotasitshouldLackofadultvolunteersImageofScoutingLackofrecognitionforthegoodthingstheydoProgrammenotbalanced(Playgamestomuchornotenoughetc)

Differentactivitiesopenuptotheyoungpeopleatdifferentagegroups.GetboredwiththeprogrammeParentsdontwantthemtogo

DonotliketheUniform.Moreotheractivitiesavailableastheygetoldertomilitaristic

Peerpressure-fromfriendswhothinkscoutingisirrelevant,Autonamy-someyoungpeoplearereluctantscouts,theygobecausetheirparentsmakethem,Oncetheyareallowedtoleave,theydo.Changeinattitude-some"growout"offirelighting/ropework/widegamesastheymovethroughadolescence.However,wegainnewmemberstoowhohave"grownin"toanenthusiasmfortheseactivities.Parentalsupport-manycampsetcarelengthierinscoutsandassucharemoreexpensive.Someofourscoutsfeelthatitwouldbetooembarrassingtoaskforfinancialsupportfromthegroupandsoleavebecausetheyaremissingoutonsharedexperiences.

Becauseofpeerpressurefrompeoplewhoarenotmembers.Becauseofcompetingdemandstoundertakeschoolworkandfpassexams.

1.Thereisaclashoftimecommitmentbetweenscoutingandotheractivities;2.Thereisanincreasingdemandoftimeplacedof13-18yearoldstostudyandachievegoodexampasses;3.Thequalityoftheexperiencesofferedinscouttroopsisnotexcitingoradventurousenoughtokeeptheyoungpeopleinterested;4.Manychildrenhavejoinedbeaversat6yearsold.After7-10yearsinthemovement,theymayjusthavespentenoughtimeonthisspecifichobby.

IfeelthemainreasonforpeoplewholeaveScoutinginmyareawouldbepeerpressure.WhenchildrenleaveprimaryandmoveontotosecondarySchooltheyaredesperatetofitinandsometimesScoutingis'notcool'.Wellthatswhatournonmemberssay.....

peerpressure(weneedtocontinuetoimprovetheprofileofScoutingamongstyoungpeoplewhoarenotmembers-pooryouthprogramme(peoplejoinwithexpectationsandleavewhenthoseexpectationsarenotfulfilled)-inappropriatecommunicationsmethids(therearegenerationaldifferences)-lackofopportunitytoinfuencethedecisionsmadeontheirbehalf

Theythinkscoutingisforchildren


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The next question - Has your NSO/ NSA grown in numbers in the last 2 years?

Results from this question are:

To the question: Does the membership data system of your NSO/ NSA monitor the number of

young people leaving Scouting?, the answers were following:


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The answers to the question Do you have any structured/ official procedures in dealing with young

people leaving Scouting? (i.e. exit interviews, goodbye letter etc)?, were as follows:

Those leaders that answered with YES, provided the following explanations:

AsIalreadyexplainedabove...wedoeverythingtokeepourkids.Ifsomekidsdidn'tshowupinalongtime...wecallthemandaskthemiftheyaretobusyoriftheirisanythingwecanhelpthemwith.Wethenletthemknowwhattheprogramisforthenextweeksandinvitethemtojoinand


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comeback...AlsoifKidscannotcometotheweeklymeetingbecausetheyhaveclassorso.Westillsendthemaninvitationtojointhecampsthroughouttheyear.

Weaskthemforthereasonofthemleavingtrytohelpthemwithsolutions.Ifitdoesn'twork,wekindagivethemagoodbyetime,playingtheirfavouritegameorsingingtheirsongiftheygiveustimetodoit.Ifnotwesayhowsorryweareandthat'sit.

Alwayspeakwiththescoutsparents&scout-feedbackinformationetc

Iamtryingtogetmyleaderstovisitandinterviewtheyoungpersonwhowantstoleaveorhasleftwithoutnotifyingus,totryandfindoutthecausesinorderthatIandthegroupleaderscantrytohelpkeepthatpersoninScouting.Myleadersarecurrentlyreluctanttotakethisupseriouslyastheyknowfrommethatthefirstcauseisthepoorprogrammeplanningandlackofvisionintheirplanning.TheothermainproblemninourgroupisparentslackofinterestintheirchildsdevelopmentandthereforedisinterestinwhattheydowhichmakesthechildthinkthattheyaresenttoScoutstogetthemoutofthewaywhichmakesthemrebellandwanttobeathomeallthetime.

Wealwaysringparentstoaskwhy.

IamanewGSLandhaveintroducedaletterforwhenaScoutleavesunexpected,theletterexplainsifforthesereasoni.ecost,ornotgoodactivitiesthatwiththierhelpwecanchangethings.

Scoutsand/orparentsusuallyinformmefirst-thosewhodon'ttendtohaveScoutswhohavelittleinterestinScoutinganyway.

Weinterview(informally)togetsomefeedbackonwhytheyareleavingiftheparentsorcarershaven'tofferedareason.

Iasktheparentwhy

The next question was: Do you think these official procedures in dealing with young people leaving

Scouting are useful? And if yes, in what way? Scout leaders provided the following answers:

Ithinktheyareuseful,becauseinthismanner,theyoungpeoplegetagoodlastimpressionofscouting.Furthermoreisthereandefinedendpointandtheyhavetodeclareinpublic,thattheywanttoendthisactivity.Forthescoutingmovementitmightbeveryhelpfultogettoknownthereasonsforyoungpeopletoquit.

WellIguesstheysometimeswork,butforsurenotalways.

Maybetheyareuseful,butthatdependsoneverysingleperson

Itisverydifferentdependingontraditionsinthescout-group.Forsureitwouldbeusefulltoimproveanddesignsuchanofficialprocedure.Ithinkanyleaveshouldberecognizedandmoderated-justtobirngattentiontothechoiceoftheyoungperson.Thispersongetsthechancetothinkifitwasreallyhis(her)choiceormaybeejusttheideaoftheparents-orsomeoneelse.Weasleadersgetabetherunderstandingforfeelingsandsituationsofthekidsandtheirsituations.Thisfactwillhelpanywayinfurtherprogramdesign.

Idon'tknowifwehaveofficialproceduresinourNSO.Ijustcanspeakformyunitandwedon'thavesomethinglikethat.Weonlycanlocatethesituationwithourregistration-programwhichgivesusinformationabouttheentering/leavingofamemberandpersonaldetails.But

wemostofthetimedon'tevaluatethecauseofleaving.Thisonlyhappensthroughpersonalfeedbackswhentheleadersasktheleavingmember.(Andthishaven'tbeenwrittendownsomewheretillnow)Buttheideatoinstallsomethinglikeanevaluation-surveyovera


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longtermwouldbegreat.Soeverygroupcanreflectafteratimeiftheirworkgoesintotherightway.

Itsusefulltokeepincontactwiththekidsandinvitethemforyearlyparties/events.Sincemyvillageisverysmall,wemeetfrequentlyinstores,bars,restaurantssoitspossibletogetintouch.Sometimestheyreturnafterawhile.Butiwouldntmakeanofficialprocedurelikeagoodbuyletter,thatseemsveryunpersonaltome.Iwouldsavethestampforaletterofinvitationforanevent.Ourgrouporganisesaswellayearlyskitripwherepeople,whoalreadyleftthegroup,stillparticipatebecausetheywanttosomehowkeepincontact,soIguessitsawayofhavingaconnectiontothegroupwithouthavinganyresponsibility.

Theyareahelpfortheleaders.Ifafeedbackisincludedtheunitcanlearnfromitandtrytomakeitbetter.ForScoutsleaving,becausetheirfamiliesmovedortheywenttoboardingschooloruniversitywewrotegoodbyeletters,hadafarewellpartyandgavethemcontactdataofScoutunitsattheirnewhome.WealsotrytokeepRoverScoutsaboard(boardingschools,atuniversity,militaryservice)informedandstayintouch.Andgivethemthefeelingtheyarewelcomewhentheyarebackhomeagain.

Couldbeusefulforfindingoutthereasonsforleavingnotsureabouthowdetailedanyresponsesfromleavingyouths(ortheirparents)willbeiftheyhaveloseninterestinScoutinganywayinourtroop,wehaveaninformalprocedureofhavingtheparentsgivenoticeabouttheirchildren'squittingscouting,butnotmanyparentsdothat-it'smostlythosewhosechildrenhavetoquitforratherinevitablereasonsandtheyusuallyregretitandexpresstheirappreciationofScouting

Iamnotawareofanysuchproceedures

Officialproceduresmayhelptounderstandthesituationbetter,andthusenableourNSAtoaddresstheissueswithaninformedstrategy.Insteadofofficialprocedures,however,wehave,togetherwithotherNSAsofourcountry,hadanexternalagencymakeasurveythatinvestigatethereasonswhyyoungpeople(specificallythe14through17yearsold)leavescouting.Officialproceduresmightalsomaketheyoungpersonfeellistenedto--givethemtheimpressionthatwe,theNSA,wishtoheartheirvoice.Thiscould,albeitprobablyonlyinquitefewcases,maketheyoungpersonreconsidertheirdecision.

Yesbecausethefeelthatwehaventforgottenthem,thatwearestillwaitingthemtocomeback.

Yestheyareusefulbecausetheyhelpusseetheproblem

Notreally.Whensomeoneisdecidesthere'snothingyoucanreallydototurnhismindaround.Youjusttrytofigureoutthewrongandcorrectitasmuchasyoucansotherewouldbeunlikelyforotherstoleavetoo.

AlthoughI'mnotafanofofficialprocedures,astheyseemtometootypicalforsomethingthatisemotionallyoverweight,Ibelievethatmakingthe"leaving"officialinaway,shouldmakesomepeoplereconcidertheiroptions.It'shighlypossiblethatsomepeoplejustleaveandthereisnothingintheirway,tomakethemthinkagain.Maybeapplyingagoodbyeletter,mightputtheminthepositiontothinkandre-evaluetheirpoints.

Idon'tthinkitshouldbeofficialandimpersonal,likeastandardizedletter.weusuallytalkalotwithparentsandthescoutsthemselvesandtrytotalkthemoutofit.ifweareunsuccessful,thenwe'vealreadykindofsaidgoodbyeandtheyknowhowweworkandthatwewouldlovetohearfromthemagain.sometimesotherparentscalltofindout.andsometimes,ifwethinkwestandachancewecallagaininayearorifweorganizeaneventandweinvitethem.

Ibelievethatofficialprocedurescouldhelpinsomecases.Tobemorespecific,someyoungpeopleleavescoutingforminorreasonsthatcanbeeaselyresolved.It'sreallyusefultohaveaconversationwiththepeoplewholeavebecauseyoumightfindasolutionandpreventthem


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fromleaving,andalsoyoucanlearnyourmistakesandthereasonsthatleadsayoungpersontoleavescouting.

Iamnotsure

Yes,theywouldgiveusinformationaboutthereasonsandthenwecouldworkon.

Yes.Itwouldbeusefultotakesomemeasurestoresearchwhythepersonleaves.However,I'mnotsure,tobefrank,thatiwouldactually,asaleader,havethecapacitytoadministratethis.Aswell,usuallythememberwouldn'tleavemid-term,butsimplynotstartagaininseptember.ThenIwouldhavetoquestiontherelevanceofsuchasurvey(askingthekid"why"3monthsafterhe/shereallyquitscouting,makeslittlesense...).

yes,Ithinktheseproceduresmightbeusefulinordertounderstandifthere'ssomethingwecandotopreventtheexitofyoungscouts.maybeweneedtochangemethods,language,activities,etc.

no

yes,officialprocedurewouldbeusefulifitidentifiesproblemandcansolveit.

yes,becauseyoucanseethereasonwhytheyareleavingscoutingandyoucanfindthesolution-youcanseewhataretheirneedsandexpectations-youcangetfeedback

No,Idon'tthinkso.Ithinkit'sbettertomakesurethatyoungpeoplestaybythescouting.specialproceduresindealingwithyoungpeobleleavingscoutingshouldbehandlebythelocalgroup.

Notreally

Yes-itwouldbeabletoprovideuswiththedataweneedtoselfevaluatewhatsomeoftheproblemscouldbeandhowwecanaddressit.IfitisabiggerproblemsandweneedtosharewithDistrict,County,regionalornationalteamsitwouldusefultohavethedatatohand.Infactasiresultofthesurveyiwilldesignoneforthegroup!thankyou!

Ithinkitwouldbeusefultohavesomesortoffollow-upwithpeoplewhoareleavingscouting,sothatpotentialareasforimprovementcanbeidentified.However,inmyownexperience,thepeoplethathavelefthavegraduallydriftedaway,soithasnotbeeneasytoidentifyanoccasionforsuchaninterview.

Thereshouldbea"formal"proceduretofollowonceayoungpersonleaves(orevendoesnotstayaftertheinitialmonthorso"trial").Thisshouldnobelongortimeconsuming,butsomerecordneedstobemadesolong-termtrendscanbeidentified.

Wedon't,andiwouldn'twantthatlevelofrigidity. Theyhelpprovideleaderswithfeedbackontheirprogramminginparticularandits

effectivenessinengagingtheyouthoftoday.Italsoprovidesuswithasocialpictureofthatfamilysothatwecantrytomeettheneedsoftheyouthanddrawthemmoredeeplyintoscoutingbyseeingitasanalternativefamily(whichitshouldbe).

YES-Iftheyareeasytoaccess-e.g.asimplewebbasedquestionnarelikethisone

Yesbecausitconfimstheyhaveleftandwecanunderstandandlearnfromwhytheyhaveleft.

Yessoweunderstandwhyandworkonsolutionstoretainthesescouts


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IthinkthattheywouldbeusefulasitleavesthefdooropenforthemtotakeScoutingupagainlateriftheychangetheirminds.IfmovingitisgoodtobethankedfortheirparticipationandgiveinformationonpossibleScoutingnearwheretheyaregoing.

LeadersneedtobelookingatthereasonswhyScoutsleave-theTroopisusuallyonlyasgoodastheLeadersandthetimetheyputintoitandtheprogramme.

Ithinktheycouldbehighlybeneficial,asanunderstandingoftheissueswouldenableustoaddressthemconstructively.ItcouldalsoprovideanopportunitytofindaformofScoutingsuitabletotheyoungpersonconcerned.

Yes-allowsustochangethingsthataffectyoungpeopleleaving

Indeterminingifthereasonissomethingthatwecandosomethingaboutorifitissomethingbeyondourcontrole.gfootballteampracticetakinguptime,studyincreasedetc.Eventhenweshouldbeabletoatleastofferalternativesandsoloutionse.g.thisgroupmeetsonthisnightwhenyouarefreeorjustcomewhenyouareableetc.Aflexibleapproachtomembersshouldbeasitisforadultvolunteers.ItistheirScoutingandtheyshouldhaveanelementof

choice.

Sometimes-ifthereisatrendinwhytheyareleaving,wecanatleasttryandchangethings.

Youngpeoplejustleave,itisdifficulttoalwaysfindoutwhy.Asaleaderwehavelimitedtimetodealwithsuchissues.

Wouldbeusefulbutgenerallytheyjustleavewithouttellinganyone.

Itmighthelpifleaderswereaskedtokeeprecordsofwhychildrenleavescouting.AsaGroupScoutLeader(GSL),Ikeepsucharecord,buthaveneverbeaskedforthisinfo,byanylevelofmyScoutAssociation.

Yes,ifdoneatalocallevel,personallyifpossible. Yes,theyareusefulbecauseweneedtoeradicatetheperceptionthatScoutingisonlyfor

StudentsandforthosewhoareinSchools.

On the following question: Please describe the transition processes from one group to the

following i.e. from Cub Scouts to Scouts, from Rovers to Leaders etc that you follow in your

NSO/NSA (please include both official and unofficial methods used), Scout leaders have provided

the following answers:

Thereisatransfertradition,whereyouhavetofacesomechallengesandafterclearingthem(ifyoucan'tcope-theotherswillhelpyou)yougetafarewellbyouroldagegroup(pictures,signedpostcards,...)andthanbeeingwelcomedbythenewgroup.Thisisoftendoneonthesummercamporataspeciallydesignatedtroopweekendactivity.Forchangingfromroverstoleadersitismostcommon,thateithertheroverasksifhecanbecomealeaderorheisaskedbyaleaderifhewantstojoin.Thereisalsoamethodofinvitingthemtoaleadersmeetingasactivedemocracyparticipating!Sotheyseewhatthetaskandchallengeandfuninbeeingaleaderis.

WellinAustriaeveryscoutgoesthrough5levels.Thetransmissionisalwayssimilar,astransmissionhappensthroughthesummer.Thefirststepwedoistolettheoldestkidsknowthattheyarethebigonesandthatsoonsomethingspecialwillhappen.OntheSummercampweusuallylettheoldersleeptogetherinourtipyorsomewherespecialandthanwetalktothematthebeginningtoletthemknow,whatourexperienceswere.Howitisandwealsoaskthemabouttheirexpectationsandsoon.Whenschoolstartsthekidsarestillinthereoldtroopforoneortwoweeks.OnaSundayweusuallycelebratethenewscoutyearandonthisoccasionwedosomeTransmissionGameswherethekidshavetofighttherewaythroughfromtheiroldleaderstotheir


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newones....ortheoldonescarrythemthroughaparcourtotheirnewones...alwaysdepends.Buttheaimisclear.Wewanttoletthekidsknowthatleavingusisnotonlysadbutalsoastartintosomethingnew...anewadventure!Afterthisweekendweaccompanythemintotheirnewtroopmeeting.

Tipinight,stayingwiththescoutsleadersforoneevening.

Officialthetransitionfromoneage-sectiontotheothershouldbemoderatedinanyway.Theirisnoofficialruleorsetofmethodsforhowtodothat.Therecommendationssaythatleadersoftheoldersectionshouldvisittheirnewkidsatthecamp.Andtheleadersbringtheiroldkidstoanactivityofthenewgroupwheretheycanrecieveawarm(orspecial)welcome.

Officialayoungmemberwillbetransitionedifhe/shehastherightagetobeinthenextlevel.Butitalsodependsonthepersonaldevelopementoftherespectivemember.Insomeunits(likeinmine)there'sanothersystemused.(Butit'svery,veryrareinourNSO)Wetransferthewholebunchofkidstothenextlevel...Theyallstarttogetheratcubsandbrowniesandwillbetogethertilltheranger-roversection.Eventheleaderswillbetransferedwiththemiftheyorthekidswishso.Tillnowitworkedoutprettywell.Butitalwayscausesdiscussionsaboutthisway.Ithasit'sadvantagesalsolikeitsdisadvantages.

Wichtel/Wlfling(7-10)Guides/Spher(10-14)Caravelle/Explorer(14-16)(firstcontactwithleadinginourgroup)Ranger/Rover(16-20)(usuallyleadingWichtel/WlflingeorGuides/Spher)Leader

ThetransitionprocessdiffersfromScoutGrouptoScoutgroup.WeinourScoutGrouphaveaceremonyatSummerCampandatthestartofthenewScoutyearinSeptember.Beforethetransistionthekidsgettoknowthenewleadersandtalkaboutthenewagesection.Theleaderoftheoldandnewsectionalsotalktotheparents.ParentsandScoutsareinformedabouttheprogrammesandleadersthroughourlocalScoutmagazine,throughourwebsiteandthroughpersonalcontact.WehavealsosomeactivitiesofallagesectionstogetherinourScoutGroup.SotheyoungerScoutknowtheolderonesandalltheleadersofallsectionsintheScoutGroup.AlsobeforetransistionwetakealookoneveryScoutonhisschool,onhisdevelopment,onhisfriends...-Ishe/shereadyforthenewagesection?Whatshouldbedonetosupportthechild?AfterthetransitionthenewScoutiswelcomedintroop/crewandpatrol.AndsomeScoutsgetthejobthesupportthenewonesduringtheirfirsttimeinthenewagesection.IfaRoverisinterestedinbecomingaLeader.HehastalkswiththeLeadersoftheGroupandtheGroupScoutmaster.Healsogetstimetotryitout.HeisalsosupportedwithhisTraining-PersonalTraining(books,magazines,Internet)-TrainingintheGroup(supportfromolderLeaders,Learningbydoing)-Trainingoncourses.

Afaik,thereisnogeneralruleforthetransitionprocessHowever,it'sstronglyrecommendedtoofferwelcomingevenings,ceremonies(ifpossibleduringsummerorweekendcamps)andgettingacquaintedwiththe"new"leaders.Inourtroop,wehaveregular"transitioncamps"everySeptember(occasionallyinMarchadditionally)-wecelebratethetransition,saythe"old"childrengoodbye,welcomethe"new"onesandtrytomakeitvisibleinagameforthewholetroop.Inaddition,usuallytheleadersofthe"older"groupvisitthe"younger"groupinadvance,introducethemselvesandthemethodsandfeaturesofthe"older"group.Leadersofthe"younger"grouppassonaddressdataofthechildren/youthstotheleadersofthe"older"groupandgiveinformationaboutanyspecialneeds.Someweeksafterthetransition,mostgroupsholdinformationeveningsfortheparents,explainingthedifferencesofthe"older"and"younger"groups,showingcampphotographs,presentinginformationonupcomingcampsetc.

Thetransitionprocessmayvarygrouptogroup.Inourgroupwetrytohavesomelinkingactivities.Towardstheendoftheyearwehaveanall-sectionscampwhichincludesanadvancementceremonyforalllevels.Youtharetheninvitedtoattendthemeetingsofthegrouptheyhaveadvancedtofortherestoftheyear.Thenumbersinourgrouparegrowingyearly.Thisyearwehadtostartasecondcubpackaswehad21Beaversmoveuptothatlevel.Ibelievethatpartofoursuccessisduetoourleadershipteam.Wehaveafirmbeliefthatifourleadersarehavingfun,ouryouthwilltoo!Wetrytosupportourleadershipteamtomakesure


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thattheyareenjoyingtheprogram!IknowthattheArealeveltherearediscussionsonhowtoimproveretentionandattractnewnumbersasmanygroupsareshrinking.

Idontknow

UsulallyCubsmovetotheTroopinSeptemberwhentheygothe6thformofElementarySchool.SimilarlyScoutsmovetotheVentureScoutswhentheygotothefirstformofLeceum(say4thformofHighSchool).OfficiallyaVentureScoutbecomesaLeaderattheageof17.UnoficiallylargenumberofVentureScoutsarehelpingwiththeTroopsandPacks,andinsomecasetheyruntheSectionswithoutanyAdultsInsomeGroupsolderCubsandScoutsparticipateinactvitiesofthenextsectionbeforegoinguptogetfamiliarwiththenewsection.Myfeelingisthatthisisnotwidelyfollowed.

TherearenoofficialtransitionprocessesinourNSA--everygrouphastocreatetheirowntransitionprocesses.Inmyowngroup,wemovetheyoungpeopleonceeveryyeareitheratthesummercamp(ifitisacommoncampforthewholegroup)oratthefirstmeetingfollowingthesummerbreak.Thefirst3-4meetingsafterthatarecommonforthewholegroup,sothattheyoungpeoplearestill,inasense,withtheirfamiliarfriendsandleaders,whilealsobeingwiththenewagegroup.Wehaveatleastoneothersetofcommonmeetingsduringtheyear(inspring),sothatallourscoutshaveachancetobecomefamiliarbothwitheachotherandwiththeleadersoftheotheragegroups.Wefindthatthisreducessomeoftheanxietythatmaybeinvolvedinthetransition.

7-11lykopoula(cubscouts),11-15omada(scouts),15-18anixneyteskoinothta(rovers),18-30diktyo(network).Fromtheageof18achildcanbealeader.Innetworkcanbetill30yearsold.Aleaderincubscoutscanstaytill40yearsold,thesameinscoutsandrovers.

Wetellthemhowgoodthewereandweexpectthemtobegoodweretheyaregoing.Thefollowinggrouptheytellthemhowgladtheyaretohavethemandthatthearegoingtohaveagoodtime.

Incubscoutswehavesomesortof"ritual"inwhichthecubthatistogotoscoutshashisshortofspecialday.werememberandtalkabouthowwasthejourneyinthecubscoutsbestandworstmemoriesweplayfewofhisorherfavouritegames.Themwemeetwiththescouts.Cubsformacircleinwhichwesingthegoodbyecubscoutsongandthentheleadertakesthecubtothescoutleadergivinghimawaywithwordssuchas"He/Sheisagratekid/wolfandhehasjourneyedaroundwithusforalongtime.Takeagoodcareofhim/her.AsacubscoutleadermyselfIalwaysmakeagifttothechildbeforeheexitsourcircle.Fromscoutstoroversit'salmostthesame.theonlydifferenceisthatroverscomewherethescoutsarewiththeirwoodenstickshittinthemhardonthefloorandgivethenewkidhisfirststick.Fromroverstoleadersthere'snothingspecial.Theyjustcomeandtakeofthebrowncolorpatchesthatroverswereintheiruniformandplacetheredone.(I'vebeentoscoutssincetheageoffive.Andabsolutelylovedeverysinglepassingforthewaythattheyaredone)

Well,Idon'treallyknowifthereisanofficialprocedure,butIsurelyknowhowwedoitinmyGroup:-fromCubstoScouts:beforethenew"scoutyear"commences,weorganiseanactivity,whereearlyScouts,gettoknowourPatrols.EachPatrolleadertriestodescribehisownPatrolandwelcomesanynewmember.Then,theyoungScouts,decideforwhichPatroltheywilljoininto.Then,aweekendafterthat,weorganiseareligiouschristianorthodoxblessingfortheyearcoming,afterwhichtheoldCubsleavethe"sircleofthewolfpack"andenterthecircleoftheScoutGroup.-fromRoverstoLeaders:here,it'squiteunoffcialthewholething.wemeettheoldRovers,drinkacoffeewiththem,askthemabouttheirthoughtsontheirfuture,anywaywediscusswiththeminapersonallevel.Ofcoursewegettoshowthemthereallygoodtimethatwehaveasacompanyofleadersandasadultfriendsthatweare.Sometimes,weorganisea2-daytriponlyforleaders,eitherinhotelsorcampings,wheretheonlygoalittohavesomegoodtimeamongfriends.Campfire,guitars,someswimming,shouldmaketheearlyLeaderstorelaxamongtheirformerLeadersandtoreallywanttojointhathappycompany.EarlyinSeptember,wehavethefirstanualmeeting,whereeachLeaderannouncesinwhichsectionhe/shewantstoparticipate.Ofcourse,thatchanceisgiventoyoungLeaders,too,accordingtotheirage,experienceandelementsofhis/herowncharacter.


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Rightnowinmygroupthereisnotransitionprocessfromcubscoutstoscouts-wedon'treallypreparethemandwewanttochangethat.fromRoverstoLeadersitstartsearlier,weinvitethemonthesummercampsoftheyoungergroupstohelpandseewhatitsallabouttobealeaderandtodevelopabetterunderstandingofeachother.

InGreccecubscoutsincludekidsfrom7yearsoldto11yearsold.Scoutsarekidsfrom11-12yearsoldto15yearsoldandroversare15-16--->17yearsoldandover18youbecomealeader.(thisistheoficialmethodsused).Althoughsometimesatcubscoutstherearekids6yearsoldbutthathappensonlyinspecialocassions.Forexampleifthereisaclubwithfewkidstheyrecieve6yearsoldkidsinordertokeepopen.Peopleovertheageof18canbeleadersatcubscoutsandatscoutsbutnotatrovers.Inordertobeleaderatroversyoumustbeover21yearsold.Althoughthetransitionfromonegrouptoanotherisbasicallyapersonaloption.

Afewthingsareofficialandalotareunofficial1.FromCubScoutstoScoutsbothoftheunitsmeetandtheCubpackstartssingingandtheAkelaissayingafewwordsaboutthekidwhoisleaving.TheremightbearememberinggiftfromtheAkela.TheAkelathentakesthekidandgethimtotheTroopLeader.TheLeaderwelcomesthemandthekidsgivetheirScoutpromisebecauseherewehaveaCubpromisedifferentfromtheScoutpromise.AlsoawoodenstickisgiventoeachofthekidsbecauseherethestickisapartoftheuniformforScouts.Thenthepatrolsarepresentedtothekidssotheycanchoosewhichonetheyprefer.AndtheceremonyendsherewiththepatrolssongsandtheTroopsong.2.FromScoutstoVenturersisaboutthesame.3.FromVenturerstoScoutNetwork(Rovers)wedon'thavesomethingofficialbecausetheScoutnetworkwasfoundedinGreecein2007.4.FromVenturersorScoutNetworktoleaderswedon'thavesomethingspecial.

Officiallytherearenorealtransitionprocesses.(Ashame,too...)JustinSeptemberyoubeginwiththenextagegroup,mostlyinthesamepatrolwiththesameleadersetc.ThisalsohappensmostlyonlybetweentheCubScoutandtheScoutagegroup.ThereareveryfewRoversinHungaryandtherearenoofficialwaysto"doRovering".ThereareScoutgroupsinthecountrywhichhavespecifictransistionprocesses,methods,ceremoniesetc.Theyaremostlyamixofinternationalexperiencesandlocaladaptation.

Thescoutsleavingaagegroupsometimesvisitthemeetingsofthelevelthey'regoinginto.There'saceremony,invitingthenewscoutstotheirnewunit.Theceremoniesdifferfromgrouptogroup.Somedoitinfrontoftheparents.Somedoitduringacamp.Somedoitinformallyinameeting.Thedifferentagegroupshavedifferentscarfcolours,sogettinganewscarfisabigpartofthewholeexperience.Therearesomeeventsonnationallevelsthataimtogivetheoldestscoutsfromanagegroupthechancetotryoutacamp/eventwiththeoneabove.

Thereisalinkprogrammeattheendofthescoutingyeartohelpmembersadjusttotheirnewsurroundings.

Fromcubscoutstoscouts:duringtheyearthechildrenthathavetopassdosomeactivitieswiththescoutgroup(wecallthem"linkbadgeactivites").Atthebeginningofthenewyearwedoaceremony,callingeachchildandrememberinghimhisgrowingprocess.then,Akelatellsthem(farfromtheherd)thejunglestoryofMowgligoingbacktothevillageandattheendtheygotothescoutgroup(weusuallydothisceremonywhenthecubs,scouts,androversareallinthesameplace,sotheycanreachtheothergroupimmediately.

Itvariesindifferentlocalgroups.Insmallercitiesonegrouphaseveryonefromcubstoexplorers,sothereisnorealtransition.Theproblemstarts,whenyoungpersonfinishesschoolandgetsintoauniversityindifferentcity.WearetryingtoworkwiththisissuebytalkingwithbothleadersandscoutsaboutpossibilitiesinNSOforyoungadults.Inmyownunityoutransitfromgrouptogroupasyouchangeyouragegroup.Itdependsfromleaders,butwetrytoensurethatbothscoutandhis/herparentsknowswhat'shappening,get'stoknownewleaderandarefullyinformedaboutallactivities.Therearenoofficialmethods,soitreallydependsfromtheleaders.


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Wehaveapublicceremonywhereyoungscoutssaygoodbyetotheirgroupandleadersandarereceivedbythenewgroup.thisceremonyislettothecreativityofeachlocalgroup.inthelast3monthsbeforetransition,youngscoutsareinvitedbythefuturepatrolguidestovisitthenewgroupandparticipateinsomesimpleactivitieswiththem.

n.a.

Norules

Thehardesttransitionisfromroverstoadults,especialyinsmalltowns,wherealotofscoutsleavetheplaceoflivingandgotouniversitycenters.theyusualyleavescouting.thereisnotanyoficialproceduretostopleavingoflargenumberofscouts.

Everygrouphashisownprocedure.dependsoftradition,whoispreparingthis....themostcommonwayislocalgroupgeteringon22nd.ofapril(oraroundthisdate)infrontoftheparentsthere.usuallytherearesomescoutactivitiesorgamesinvolved

Thisprocessesisverydifferentfromonegrouptotheother

BeaverScoutstoCubScoutstoScoutstoExplorerScoutstoScoutNetworkorLeadershipinalargenumberofcasesboth.

Theofficialmethodisa3weekprocesswhereyoungpeopleattendbothsectionsbutgenerallybetweenagroupandyoungpersonwilljustmoveon.Inmygroupwehaveseveraljointmeetingsthroughouttheyearwiththesurroundinggroupagessotheylearntoknoweachotheroftenandseewhattheoldersectiondo

Weworkonthejoininginbadgeswithyoungpeopleattendingboththesectiontheyareleavingandthesectiontheyaremovingintoforaperiodoffourtosixweeks.Ourgroupthenholdsajointgoingupceremonyatwhichalltheyoungpeopletransferringbetweensectionsareinvestedonthesameeveninginfrontofpaterntsetc.Thisaidsgroupbondingasmemebrsofeachsection

canmeetupwithotheryoungpeoplefromdifferentsectionstheymaynotnecessarilyseeonaweeklybasis.

Beaver-cubs(packmeetingwherethebeaversswimupunderablanketmetattheothersidebyagroupofvisitingcubsonthedayandtheleader.Cubs-scouts:Thecubscoutsgotobothcubs&scoutsoverasixweekperiodtogetfamiliarwiththescoutsectionaswellashavinglinksstilltothecubs.Thescoutleaderwillmeetwiththeparentsandthecubanddiscusstheprogrammes,setupandiftheyhaveanyfriendsalreadyinthetroop(trytofittheminwithsomeonetheyknow).Thescoutleaderalsorunsanumberofjointactivitiesthroughouttheyeartoprovideaexperieceofscoutsandsomefamiliarityforthecubs.Scouts-Explorers:Notmuchtobehonest-wephonetheexplorerdistrictleaderupandprovidethemwiththedetails(thescoutssometimesvisitbutthisiswheretheyleave)-thereisnottoomuchcontactwithexplorersandscouts-theexplorershavetoomuchonwithdealingwiththevastnumberstocomeanddo

outreach!

Betweeneachsectionwehavea'movingonAward'.Thisissupposedtoencouragepeoplemovingbetweensectionstogettoknowthesectionthattheyaremovingontoanddosomeactivitieswiththem.Inpractice,thetransitionprocessvariesgreatlydependingonthegroup.Inmyowntheyoungersectionstendtospendseveralmeetingnightsspendinghalfthetimewitheachsection.OurExplorerUnitisslightlydifferentaswecompletemanyactivitieswiththeScoutsectionandthereforetransitionisrelativelyeasy.

IamaTroopLeader.WeareinconstantcontactwiththeCubLeaders(bothformal&informal)sowhoisduetomoveupandthebest/mostappropriatetime.Wehaverecentlystartedtastersessionsoneeveningamonth,for2or3monthsbeforetheCubsstarttheofficialmove.WehavenoarrangementswiththelocalExplorerunitandvirtuallynocontact,eitherformalor

informal.


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Jointactivities-meetingsrunbyoldersectionsCubstoScouts-dedicatedprogrammesforincomingmemberswithjustthemandafew"olderbrother"assigneestobefriendthem.ScoutstoExplorers-Usuallytheydidn'twanttoleaveScouts,soIrunExplorerprogrammesundercoverofYoungLeaderTraining.-Specificpopularprogrammesofthestufftheyweren'tallowedtodoinScouts,suchasplayingfootballwithaflamingball.

InmyGroupwehaveaparachuterunforbeaverstomovetocubsandapioneeredbridgeoveramade-upriverforcubstoScouts.ThemovefromScoutstoexplorersisnormallyaformalleavingoftheGrouptogototheDistrictUnitwheretheyareformallywelcomedintotheunitonheirparticularnight.CurrentlyourDistrictdoesnotdoajointeveningtofacilitatethismove.

LittlerealqualitycontrolimposedinUKScoutingsoprocessesmayvarywidely

Idnetifyyoungpeopletotransfer,informbothesetsofleadershwodiscousarrangemnetsforimpendingtransfer.Audltsfromoldersectionvisityoungersectiontoworkwiththemandtakethistroughintonewsectionfollowingaspecialprogrammedesignedfortheosegoingup.Alwaysletparenstknowwhatshappeninginwortingandwheninadvance.Reveiw.

Cubstoscoutsweinviteoldercubsonaweekendcampwiththescoutsandthecubsattendbothsectionsfor4weeksbeforemovingon.Explorersintoleadershappensbutduetotheageanduniversity/collegeetctheprogressishitormiss.

TSAhasaMovingOnceramonythatloslytiesallSectionsinthecountrytogethertopromotejointactivitiesbetweenSectionswhenmoving.AlsojointactivitieshelptoshowwhattoexpectinthenextSection.

AllsectionsinourScoutGrouphavea'GoingUpCeremony'3timesayeartoofficiallymovetheYoungpeoplefromonesectiontoanotherandparentsareinvitedtoattendtomakethisaspecialevent.

Withinthegroup(e.g.beaverstoCubs,CubstoScouts)childrenareintroducedtotheirnewleadersandgiventheopportunitytoattendbothsectionsforawhile.Wealsotrytomakesurethatyoungpeoplemoveupwithafriendortwo,sothattheyfeellessalone.FromScoutstoExplorers(fromagrupprovisiontoadistrictone)itismuchhardertoachievethislinkage.WhatIhavefoundhelpfulistoarrangejointactivitiesbetweenScoutsandExplorers,andtohavesomeexchangeofleaderssothattheyareknowntothenewExplorersbeforethetransition.FromtalkingtootherleadersthisseemstobeaproblemtransitioninmanydistrictsintheUK.

Atmygroupwehavelinkedthesectionsbyrunning1or2jointmeetingswitheachothersothatforexampleacubmovingontoscoutsgetstoknowthescoutsandtheleadersbeforehand.Cubswillalsoattendmeetingsatbothsectionsforaperiodof6weekssotheycansettlein.

WeusetheMovingonmethodoutlinedintheProgrammebooksoftheUKScoutAssociation.WealsofindthatLeadershavingapresenceineachsectionofthegroupisessentialinsmooth

transitione.gScoutLeaderattendingCubmeetings,jointactivitiesandrelationshipsalreadyestablishedbeforetheCubmovesuptoScoutsorBeaverscoutmovesuptoCubs.

Theyoungpeoplewillmoveuptoadifferentsectionastheyreachtheagelimit,butwillattendbothsectionsuntiltheyareinvestedinthehighersection(iftheywanttocarryonwithScouting).ALeaderfromthelowersectionwillnormallyattendforthefirstmeeting(forBeaversandCubsmovingup),asthentheythenhaveafriendlyfacethattheyknow.

ThereisthemovingonawardScoutsaregiventhiswhentheymoveuptoanoldersection.TheScoutsbeforetheygettheaward.Hastogettoknowtheleaderandthesix,patrolheorsheistojoin,andtojoininaplannedactivityrunmythesectiontheScoutisabouttojoin.Theyoungpersonisencouragedtovisitthenewsectionweeksbeforeheorsheisdueuptothenextsection.Wealsoencouragedintersectionactivitiessothatyoungerpeoplegetusedtoolder

membersofthegroup.Itseemstowork.


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InourgroupScoutleaderscometoCubcampandviceversa.ThisallowsmemberstobuildarelationshipwithleadersbeforestartingScouts.Bothsectionsmeetatthesameplaceandtimesoitiseasytohaveaninductionperiod.Scouts-Explorers(Rovers)ismoreproblematic.WeencourageformerScoutswhohavemovedontoExplorerstoreturnforbigevents/camps/expeditionsetcwhetherornottheyareaYoungLeader.WeaskthemtohaveinformalcoversationswithScoutsabouttomoveonand,withoutprompting,theolderExplorerScoutusuallyarrangestomeettheyoungeronepriortoExplorermeetingssothattheycanwalktheretogether.ThisworksfarbetterthanwhenaleaderusedtoaccompanyaScout.

Membersattendthenextsectionupforamonthandthenwehacveaformalgoingupceremony.probablyhelpedbythefactthattyhesectionsallmeetonthesamenight.

InthescoutgroupwhereIamGSL,weoperatethenationallyrecommendedmethodologyofeachbeaverduetomoveontocubs,andeachcubduetomoveontoscouts,attendsbothweeklymeetingsfora4-weekperiodtohelpintroducethemtothenewsection.Thereisasyetnosuchequivalentprocessformovingscoutstoexplorersinmyscoutdistrict.TheuseoftheExplorerScoutYoungLeadersschemehassuccesfullyproducedmygroup1newadultleader,andwillproduceanotherearlynextyear.

Wehavelinkactivitiesandcamps.wedonotusuallyloosemembersduringtransition

ThereisaformalsystemofMovingOnawards,whicharetheoutwardsignoftransferringfromonesectiontothenext.Thereisnofixedprocessandgroupsdeveloptheirown(tosuitlocalneeds)withguidancethroughWoodBadgetrainingandadvicefromlocalcommissionersetc.Thegeneralapproachis:-discussionwiththeLeaderabouttheoptionsavailableinScouting.-takepartinanumberofactivitiesthatareofinteresttotheyoungpersonbeforetransferringtothenextsection


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The responds to the question: When was the last time the transition processes from one group to

the following were renewed in your NSO/ NSA are:

The next question was: In your opinion, how important are transition processes from one group to

the following, in dealing to the retention of young people?, and the responses are:

Itisquiteimportant.Mostoftheyoungpeoplegetlost,whenchangingfromage10-13to14-16.Youhavetofeelwelcomeandaccompaniedinthefirsttime.

Ithinkitisimportantasitshowsthekidsthatlifeismadeoutoftransitionsandthatitisnotsomethingbad,butsomethingexciting!Ifwewouldnotguidethemtothenewtroop...Iamprettysurethatkidswouldgetlostontheway.Thereforeitisofimportancetoguidethemthrough.

Theyareniceforthekids-soIthinktheyareimportantbutnottoomuch.

Inmyexperianceusuallykidsleavescoutingatachangeofagesectionsorcloselyafter.Whentheychancetogetherinagroupitisforsureeasierforthem.

It'simportantforthedevelopmentofyoungpeople.Theylearntodealwithnewsituationsandnewpeople,alsowithanewprogramwithintheircommunity.Alsoitgivesthemthechancetogetintoabetterand/ormoreinterestingenviroment.Theprogressoftransitionoffersabigchallengeforsome(ormost)oftheyoungpeopleandisabigstepintheirpersoneldevelopement.

Itsimportantthatthekidsgettoknowtheleadingteamofthe"newagegroup"alreadyinadvance.Wemakeonedayduringthesummercampwiththisagegrouptogetherinordertheygetaviewwhatstheprogramminthenewgroupandhowarethepeopleleadingit.

Important.Transitionisoneofthebigpointswhereaunitloosesmembers.


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Verycrucial-mostyouthswhoquitscoutingdothatduringatransitionprocessmaybeit'sjustanoccasionandnotthecause,butwedon'tknowforsureIt'swellknowninourtroopthatsomechildren/youthsareafraidofthe"older"group-frequently,theirfriendswhoalreadydidthetransitiontellthemexcitingandsometimesexaggeratedstoriesaboutwhathappensinthe"older"group-justforboasting.:-(

Ibelieveitisanimportantprocessasitinvitestheyouthtocontinue.Italsomakesitlessscaryastheywillhavealreadymettheleadersandyouthandknowabitabouttheprogramandwhatitoffers.

Veryimportant

Extreemelyimportant

Ithinkthetransitionprocessassuchhasrelativelylittleinfluenceontheretentioninthelongerrun,however,itmayhavesomeinfluenceonthetimingofthedecisiontoleaveScouting.BythisImeanthatsomeonewhoisalreadydissatisfiedwiththeircurrentexperiencesinScoutingismorelikelytomakethatfinaldecisionjustaboutthetransition-inparticularifthetransitionisvery

abruptanddoesn'tmakeanefforttomaketheyoungpeoplefeelsafeandconfidentaboutthetransitionandtheirnewsituation.Aboutquestion10:Essentiallyalllevelsshouldtakecareoftheretention.AtthenationalleveltheNSAmustensurethatdataisgatheredandmadeavailableinanunderstandableformat.ThisdatamustincludethereasonswhyyoungpeoplechoosetoleaveScoutingaswellasgatheringbestpracticesfromlocalunitsthatconsistentlyhaveaverygoodretention.Atadistrictlevelthedistrictleadersshouldmonitortheretentionofthegroups,anddiscusstheretentionwiththegroups.Thelocalunitsareinthis,asinmostotherquestions,thekeyagentsforScouting:theregionalandnationallevelscanaidandadvise,butintheenditisinthelocalgroupsthattheretentionishappening:itisthelocalleadersthataregoingtoworkforretainingtheyoungpeopleandimplementanynationalorregionalstrategiesand/oradvice-itistheywhohavetheopportunitytoactiftheydiscoverthatamemberappearstobelosinginterest.ForthisreasonIhaveanswered'Localunit',butthisdoescertainlynotmeanthatIthinktheotherlevelscanignoretheissue,orthattheydonothaveanimportantandnecessaryparttoplayintakingcareoftheretentionofyoungpeople.

Isveryimportanttomovefromonegrouptoanother.Thechildunderstandsthathegrewupandrecognizedandnowgoestoanothergroupbigger,strongerwithchildreninhisage.

Notveryimportant.naturetakescareofthat.theyarereadytheyonlyneedweretheygoingtobeOKthehowisnotimportantfortheretention.

It'soneofthemostimportantpartsinscoutinglife.Aslongasit'snotbecomerenewedandchangetosomethingtoomondernized.Somethingsarebetterleftliketheywere.Theoldfashionedway.

Thereisonesong,hereinGreece.Itsays"Happinessisthatthingwewaittohappen".Havingtransitionprocesses,makesthenextstepsomethingyouWANTtomake.Itgivesanotherperspectiveandmakesyoutakeitmoreseriously.It'snotwrongtoseeitasarewardforalltheeffortyoumadeallthepreviousyearseitherasaCub,orScout,orRover.Andasit'sareward,youhavetocontinuetostanduptoit.Asaresult,thenextstepwillfindyouenthusiasticfromthestartandwiththerightguidenessfromexperiencedLeaders,thetripwillcontinuefarmorelonger...

Veryimportant.i'vebeenaleaderofthescoutsfor2yearsandhavelostmostofthecubscoutsthatcameinthatperiod.however,otherchildrenofthesameagethathadneverbeentothecubswereveryinterestedandstayedwithus.WhenthissummerIvisitedthesummercampofthecubscoutsIrealizedthatweworkindifferentways,thatthekidsdidn'tlearntobescoutsanddoanythingwithnatureandwereonlyplaying.Furthermore,IwashavingtroublewiththeparentsofthecubscoutswhowerenotenthusiasticaboutthewayIwasmoreindependentandusedtorun

thingsinadifferentway.Again,newparentshadabsolutelynoproblemwithme.Inowknowthatpeoplereacttochange,becauseofchangeandwe,theleaders,must,beforeall,ensurethatwe


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areconsistentwithourmethodsandopentoeachothersothatwedon'tcanceleachotheroff.(workingonthat:))

Mypersonaloponionisthatyoucan'tbeatonegroupoverthreeormaximumfouryearsandthat'sbecauseit'sgoingtobecomearoutineforyou.Ithinkthatisvitalforyoungpeopletochangegroupseverynowandthensoastheycancomeintouchwithkidsofallagesandlearnadifferentwayofworking.Transitionshelpeveryonetobetterunderstandthewholescoutorganizationandalsotoplaynewgameswiththekidsanddealwithdifferntproblemsgainingnewexperience.

Itisveryveryimportantespeciallyforyoungerkids.likecubscoutsandscouts.

Itwouldbeveryimportant.Newagegroupsshouldmeannewmethods,newpeople,newchallenges,newactivities,akindoffreshmomentumforyoungpeople.Thisspeaksagainstboredom(thesameceremonies,gamesetc.foryears)whichmaycontributetotheretainmentoftheyoungsters.[Forthenextquestion:Ithinkeachlevelisimportant.Oneshoulddealwithproblemnationally(speakingaboutit,developingcommonapproaches,oraframework)whichshouldthenbeimplemented-andalsoadaptedtothegivensituation-locally.]

They'reimportant,butIthinkthequalityoftheprogrammeismoreimportant.

Ithinkit'saveryimportantprocess,especiallyifthechangealsoinvolvesalifechangei.e.changingfromjuniortoseniorschool,orifthechangingofsectionsoverlapswithadifficultperiodinachild'slife.

Ithinkisveryimportant,becausethetransitionisamomentwhentheboy/girlleaveagrouphe/shebelongsandlivesstrongly,togotoanotherhe/shedoesn'tknowwell

InLithuanianscoutingtransitionisonlyimportantfor17-19yoldscouts.That'swherewerewelosemostofouryoungpeople.Butit'snotonlytransition-it'salsochangesinlifestyle,placeoflivingandetc.

Ithinktheyareofsomeimportancebutthereareotherfactorslikeschool,family,friends... n.a.

Sporadicallyimportant

transitionsareveryimportant,butnotmoreimportantthatconstantlyworkonkeepingthemembers

Itmustbe"bigdeal",verryimportant

Veryimportant

Very,itswheremostleavingtakesplace.

Itisgoodbetweentheyoungersectionsbutbadintheoldersections

Very.Incorrectlyhandledtransferscanleadtodropout-fearoftheunknown,lackofafriendtogoalongwithandsooncanbedifficultfroyoungpeopletoovercome.

Itisamassiveimportantpart-itismorelikelyatthesepointsthatgroupswillloseyoungpeoplethanatanyotherpoint!

Ithinkthisisaveryimportantpartofretainingyoungpeople.However,Ithinkformalprocessesarelessimportantthantheneedforgoodcommunicationbetweensections.Ifyoungpeopleknowthepeopleandabitabouttheactivitiesintheoldersection,theyaremorelikelytostayonintheirownsectionandalsotomoveonsuccessfullyintotheoldersection.

Very.


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Critical.

Very.Frombeingtheoldestandusuallythebiggestyouthofthesectionyouaresuddenlyattheotherendofthescaleanditisveryimportantthatthenewindividualmeetseveryoneinthenew

sectionsothattheycanseethateveryoneisfriendlyandhelpful.Itisespeciallyusefultoholdajointeveningsthroughouttheyearsothatonesectionisalwaysawareofwhoisintheothersectionssothatwhenmovingonitisnotascareyprocessandtheyhavefriendsinthenextsectionalready.

CertainlyattheCubtoScouttransitionwhichseesbiglossesintheUK,amorestructuredapproachbasedonSchoolyearsmaybemuchmorelikelytosucceed,thanpurelybasedonbirthdate

Very.

Veryimportanthowdoyougrowifyoudonotprogress?

Ithinktheyarefairlyimportant,especialyifGroupsfinditdifficulttocarryoutjointactivitiestoshowmemberswhatitwillbelikewhentheymoveon.

Veryimportanttorecognisewhattheyoungpeoplehaveachievedinthesectiontheyareleavingandwhatagreatexperienceetocomeinthenextsection.

Vital!

Veryimportantitswhenwelosemostofourmembers

Veryimportant:Establishlinksandrelationshipsallthewaythroughonesectionintoanother.

veryImportant

Veryimportant,it'siswerewelosethemostScoutsduringatransitionfromonesectiontotheother.

Transitionpointsarealwaysgoingtothepointatwhichsomeyoungpeoplequit.Theyhaveprobablydecidedtoseeonesectionthroughtotheendandthenfinish.However,othersmaynothavedecidedeitherway.Itisimportantthatweeasethemintothenewsectionratherthanhavingadefinitecutoffage.Flexibilityandsupporthasallowedustoretainatleast3membersinthelastyearwhowouldhaveleftwhenmovingfromscoutstoexplorers.AlsowhenmovingfromCubstoScouts,ithelpsifthecubhassomesayinwhentheymove.Ifitisimposedthentheywillprobablyleave.

Veryimportant.ithelpstoprovideastructuretotheprocess.Thebiggestproblemislosingthemayearortwoafterastheychangeschoolsorhavetoundertakeexams.

VeryImportant.Iftheydin'texistitwouldbemuchmoredifficultforthetransitiontobesuccesful.

Wedontloosmembersduringtransition

Theyareveryimportant,aspartofofferinganattractiveprogrammetoyoungpeople.Thenumberofmemberswhodonottransfertothenextsectionisstilltoolarge.Butitisimportrantalsotohaveanattractiveandrelevantprogrammeonoffertoeachagerange.

Thetransitionstakeplacebutthescoutsdonotidentifythererolesandresponsibilities


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Responses to the question: According to your opinion, who should be taking care of the retention

of young people?, are as follows:

results from the survey on retention of young people in scouting

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