Introduction

Scouting is very successful in rural areas, particularly in larger settlements where there are sufficient young people to sustain conventional Sections. But what about those smaller settlements where the population is quite small or fluctuates?

The remote rural setting may be affected by:

• low population density;
• geographic and social isolation;
• distance from larger settlements and towns;
• limited cultural and social opportunities;
• poor public transport, poor access to transport or a lack of car ownership;

All of the above may make it difficult for people, with or without transport, to attend centrally located meetings. Transport networks can help those who have access to cars but cost, working commitments and weather conditions can sometimes hamper such arrangements.

The Movement can address these issues, and provide good quality Scouting, for young people living in small or remote rural settlements. The need to overcome isolation has resulted in some imaginative schemes to bring Members together.

In some Districts conventional Sections with very small numbers are established. In many more, provision is not made because the limited number of young people is perceived as "not enough". Working outside the Movement's traditional Sectional structures enables us to better meet the needs of young people and the environment in which they live, and to take a pragmatic view of the circumstances we find ourselves in.