by Jess Banham

Young people in Kent are missing out on the chance to abseil down a cliff-face or race through a raging river because not enough adults are volunteering for the Scouts.

About 15,000 youngsters in the county are members of the movement - but there are another 1,340 on the waiting list.

County commissioner Harvey Kennington said: "There is always this demand for more young people wanting to get into Scouting - we've got this waiting list of around a thousand.

"Some of whom are too young, but others are of Scouting age, but can't get in as we don't have enough adults who'll give up their time"

It is hoped the charity's most recent and high-profile volunteer, Kate Middleton, will help boost numbers.

The Duchess of Cambridge will help out at Cub and Beaver clubs as a flexible volunteer close to where she lives with Prince William in Anglesea.

Mr Kennington, a volunteer himself, added: "People have a pre-conceived idea that you have to volunteer for two hours every week on the same night.

"That's not the case in the Scouts - we're very open to the idea of flexible volunteering."

Chris Frankland, from Dover, fits volunteering for the Scouts around his job in retail.

The 24-year-old said: "If I can't turn up one week it really doesn't matter because there's always someone there to step in and help out. It's good for my job where I'm busy somedays, but not on others."

Mr Franklin said volunteering is personally rewarding too.

He added: "I was teaching one young Scout how to light a lamp and the look of astonishment when she managed to do it was priceless because she was very scared about doing it - it gave her such a confidence boost.

"I'd love to see more children get that kick."

For more information, visit www.scouts.org.uk.

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