A BAHRAIN scout group could be forced to close only three years after it was formed if a new leader is not found soon.
The First Manama Beaver Scouts is facing the crisis after its head Jo Pawson decided to retire.
The group, which meets at the St Christopher's School Sports Hall every Sunday, has helped hundreds of children since it was launched in 2007.
It teaches boys, aged between six and eight, basic skills such as team-building and tracking in preparation for their graduation to the Cub Scouts.
Former scout leader and the group's Blue Beaver Andy Billington confirmed it could be forced to close unless a replacement leader was found.
"This is a most worthy cause and has seen hundreds of young boys aged between six and eight years pass through and come out wiser and better children," said the Reza Hygiene Systems technical manager.
"As an ex-Scout myself, I would assist in the running but I would be unable to take over as my work is based in Saudi Arabia.
"Every week Jo would engage the little boys in some activity, be it games or field visits to places such as Radio Bahrain.
"Our group is like the kindergarten for these boys who aspire to be scouts in the future.
"They are taught many skills but as it is a preparatory for cubs, they don't learn skills too heavy for them.
"For instance, we organised an overnight camp for them at the St Christopher's School grounds recently where the youngsters were taught the basics of camping.
Mr Billington said the primary qualification for any successor was lots of patience and dedication to work with children.
"You must have a clean record in order to work with children, besides a good imagination for games," he said.
"Those with previous experience in the Scouts will be given preference."
Mr Billington also paid tribute to Ms Pawson's work, saying she would be sadly missed.
"After 15 years of devoting her life to the benefit of young children, Jo has finally decided she needs a break and retire," he said.
"Approaching 60, she now wants to give her time to herself in pursuit of her ambitions."
Before coming to Bahrain, Ms Pawson spent more than nine years working with children in Abu Dhabi as well as spells in the UK, Belgium and the US.
Her last day as a leader will be on June 13 and a presentation ceremony will be held in her honour.
"It is time for a younger person to take over as I have spent 15-and-a-half years in service of the children and it is time for me to pursue something else," Ms Pawson told the GDN. Anyone interested in leading the group should contact Mr Billington on 39880495.
Copyright 2010 Al Hilal Publishing and Marketing Group
'Scout Group Faces Closure', Gulf Daily News, May 23, 2010, Jennifer Gnana
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