The BBC is currently running a series of Panorama documentaries based on an observation by Norman Kirk, a former New Zealand Prime Minister. People, he said, don’t want much. They want: “Someone to love, somewhere to live, somewhere to work and something to hope for.”

The same observation could be applied to young people in general and to our members in particular. It would not be too much of a generalisation to say that by and large young people want friendship, a place to spend their time, a purpose in life and something to look forward to. Our ability to fulfil those needs will have a direct impact on the success of Scouting.

We know as children develop into young adults they need the support of their peers as they find out more about the world and gain the confidence to leave the security of their home and family. Some find it a lot easier than others but the knowledge that they have some friends alongside them is an enormous encouragement when trying new things and going to new places. Lodges, Sixes and Patrols are ready made friendship groups in which children can form lasting relationships. We need to remember that such groupings are not just a convenient means of dividing up the section but are critical to the young person’s identity and status within the section and the security they enjoy as a member of the Colony, Pack or Troop. I have never forgotten the resentment I felt when after four years in primary school my form teacher decided to reorganise the class and moved me from Cowdray House to Petworth House: I never forgave him!

Young people need a place to be, where they can mix with their friends, feel they belong and to be warm, dry and safe. One of the Movement’s “underpinning strategies” is to “support Scouting to find, develop and maintain great physical spaces so we can develop and grow”. We need to make the most of what we already have but also to create and identify new places for young people “to meet and go”. I have recently had a conversation with a Group Scout Leader who could open a new Beaver Colony tomorrow if only he could find somewhere suitable to meet. Groups meet in a variety of different venues ranging from their own headquarters to church, and village halls, schools and community centres. The former are however increasingly costly to heat, light and maintain while the latter are often fully booked especially at the times when we wish to use them. The Guides have recently started Rainbow Units on Saturdays. This may be worth considering for Beavers, especially when an increasing number of willing adults seem to have difficulty in attending early evening meetings.

We all need a purpose in life and young people are no different. They need to be doing interesting and exciting things, some for the first time and others on more than one occasion as they improve their skills and experience. Something that is different to the routine of the school timetable. This is why our Scouting programmes need to be of the highest quality. Another of our underpinning strategies says “we believe all young people should enjoy an inspiring and engaging programme that meets the educational principles of Scouting”. This is crucial to ensuring that our members, of all ages, really look forward to their Pack or Troop meeting and when choices have to be made, choose Scouting in preference to other hobbies and activities. We really need to make sure therefore that programmes are varied, structured, youth-shaped and imaginative. Do you discuss your section’s programme with the members themselves? Do you involve the whole team (including the Young Leaders) in planning each term’s programmes? While it may be more time consuming, it’s often much more fun and productive than struggling away on your own.

What do young people hope for? What do they look forward to? Children and young people will answer this question on a number of levels. Many will aspire to a career or professional qualifications. Others may want to travel and explore the world. But they will also have shorter term goals, to achieve a particular award, to attend a camp or take part in an expedition. Just at the moment a good number will be looking forward to taking part in next month’s Gloucester Gang Show. Scouting is great at setting targets and helping youngsters achieve them – sometimes over weeks and sometimes over a number of years. Our award scheme is good at that. But it also means we as leaders need to plan ahead. I hope that most Cubs, Scouts and Explorers are now looking forward to a summer camp or expedition. Leaders need to be planning such events now if the young people are going to get really excited about the forthcoming events and their interest is to be sustained over the coming months. Scouting needs to appeal not just to a young person’s immediate concerns but also to their wider ambitions and give them something to aim for and give them something positive to hang on to when life’s obstacles and difficulties seem to get in the way.

So what do young people want? Dare I say, they would on this analysis, appear to want Scouting, – not just Scouting but good Scouting – with their friends, in a place they can call their own, doing enjoyable tasks with ambitious goals in view. Scouting can meet all these needs – with your care and hard work, it most certainly will.