The Scouts in Ely has seen a surge in demand following the pandemic. 

Volunteers from 1st, 2nd and 3rd Ely Scouts were combined to create a new Wednesday night session to cope with an increase in members. 

Although the groups saw a decline in volunteers after lockdown, waiting lists of young people looking to get involved has grown.

There are now 39 young people part of the combined session supported by six adult leaders.

Brian Calvert, a volunteer at Ely Scouts said: “Coming out of lockdown there was a real sense of wanting to reconnect with being outdoors in nature and enjoying the simple things in life.

“Scouts teaches exactly that – skills for life based around being outdoors, self-sufficiency, personal development, teamwork."

He added: “We’ve joined the Friday night Scouts, who’ve been around since 1964, and had a couple of big camps.

“We had a very muddy camp in Bury St Edmunds just before Christmas where Scouts go to take part in axe throwing, archery, fire lighting and all the traditional scout skills.”

As well as outdoor activities, the Scout group has also visited the Houses of Parliament and is due to head to Ireland for an international camp.

Scouts also learn a variety of essential skills including electronics and emergency first aid, as well as leadership and teamwork.

Aimee, a member of the newly combined session said:  "Scouts has been brilliant for me. I’ve been taken out of my comfort zone when I was climbing, I’ve been involved in planning, organising, and cooking a three-course meal and my confidence has increased."

In a recent survey, 94% of Scouts said they had developed skills useful to them later in life, with 88% adding they had tried a new activity.

Brian added: “Scouts is such a great way to take part in new activities and to make lifelong friendships that carry on as you move up through the groups. You don’t need any special skills, just the will to take part and have a go.”