Still, there had always been a good relationship between what became Scouting Ireland CSI and what became Scouting Ireland SAI (the Church of Ireland version), with a strong catholic population in the SAI further blurring distinctions. In fact, despite different focuses, many of the real differences lay in the colour of the uniforms - green for SAI and blue for CSI.

2004 marked a significant turning point for scouting in Ireland, with the merging of the two organisations into Scouting Ireland - and membership has grown since the merger. Indeed, despite a drop off in recent times, there are now more than 35,000 scouts in Ireland, with about 6,000 uniformed scout leaders. But, according to Scouting Ireland, the problem with recruitment is not with the boys - it is down to the adults, who need to be in place to guide the youngsters.

"We could double our youth membership if we had enough scout leaders, " said Garrett Flynn, communications director with Scouting Ireland (a voluntary position). "The problem seems to be one of time. Nine-tofive jobs just don't exist anymore, and despite the fact that we have more money now, there just isn't the time for volunteer work. But it is more than just a time issue.

Recent years have seen a decline in citizenship, with a perception that people are less interested in the community - and this is particularly true of people living in urban areas."

Despite the lack of adults to act as leaders, and despite the slight whiff of the public school veranda about the whole escapade, the reality is that scouting is still very popular among youngsters. Kids like scouting. They like camping, cooking food, making decisions. And, above all, kids like feeling in control, which is exactly what scouting gives them.

"Scout leaders are very much in the background, " explained Flynn. "The young people are in control. Scouting gives them responsibilities that they can't get at school, and that they don't get at home because parents are more protective. Kids are looking for freedom, and they get that freedom in a scouting environment, under the protection of an unobtrusive leadership."

The skills and confidences that children learn through scouting can be carried with them throughout their adulthood. Scouting equips children with the skills that they need to be good citizens, and to be good leaders. It would just be a shame if more children could not obtain these skills because of a lack of adult leadership.

Scout leaders tend to come from two main sources - people who have been involved in scouting since they were children and who want to remain involved, and, more often, parents of scouts. A much smaller group comes in which is interested in working with young people, and which wants to make a contribution to that goal.

"Anyone who wants to volunteer is welcome to contact us, " said Flynn. "But it is not simply a question of signing up and becoming a leader.

Every adult who applies is rigorously screened, using a process that is as stringent as it can be under present laws.

We need to ensure that any adult who becomes a leader is suitable for working with children, and this is not simply in terms of child protection - some people are simply unsuitable for the role, because any adult in charge of children will always be a role model."

Scouting Ireland also has in place a comprehensive training programme, delivered by recognised trainers who are there to impart the skills necessary to train other scouts.

"This is not just about tying knots - although the ability to tie a knot could save a life in certain circumstances, " said Flynn. "It is about skills such as putting up a tent. Skills such as cooking for a large group of people. Skills such as planning a weekend away."

Typically, training begins with a welcome session for only a few hours, where the most important messages regarding child protection elements are introduced to the volunteers. This is followed by a weekend session, where a basic level of expertise is passed on including first aid, which is a mandatory skill for scout leaders.

But leadership is about lifelong learning, and becoming a scout leader is about the ability to learn as much as it is about the ability to teach.

And scout leaders will always benefit from a great local support network, which can help them with any issues that might arise.

"I believe in the ideal of scouting, " said Flynn. "The role of scout leader can have a positive impact on young people, and there is also a social element to the role. That is why a lot of people are still getting involved, despite the other distractions in life."