In-line with the Government’s announcement that a third national lockdown will come into effect from 00:01 on Tuesday 5th January 2021, it is expected that the National Youth Agency will move Scouting back into a red status. This means that all face-to-face Scouting will once again stop for both young people and adults.

Whilst this is something none of us want, it is important we stay motivated and maintain a high-quality and engaging programme for the young people. We will dust off Zoom and fire up virtual sessions – digital Scouting will be making a return for the young people. Please look out for invitations via our Online Scout Manager provision in the coming days.

As our acting District Commissioner has written in an email sent to the Barnsley leadership team:

I share your frustrations in this and wish I could bring better news but we must do what we can to beat COVID-19 and support the NHS. This doesn’t mean that Scouting has to stop as we return to digital Scouting… …I am feeling optimistic about the future and excited about where Barnsley Scouts is heading in 2021! In the next few weeks, the District team and I will begin outlying plans for the future.

George Akid, Acting District Commissioner (Barnsley Scouts)

If this move back to virtual Scouting means your young person chooses to step away from Scouting, please let us know before the end of January so that we do not include them in the annual census. Naturally, we’ll be gutted for them to not have Scouting in their lives, but we do also understand circumstances changes.

Thank you