SCOUTING may be more than a century old, but its popularity here in Oxfordshire is growing faster than anywhere else in the UK – so much so that there are currently 600 children on waiting lists to join.

The longest lists are for one of the newest additions to the Scouting family – the Beavers – who celebrate their 25th anniversary this year.

Youngsters aged six to eight take part in activities including camping and working towards badges.

But the only thing standing in their way is a shortage of leaders.

County commissioner Tarquin May said: “We currently have 1,600 Beaver Scouts enjoying the challenge and adventure of Scouting on a weekly basis.

“Beaver Scouting is as relevant today as when it started 25 years ago but the problem we are still experiencing is the lack of adult volunteers.”

This year, new members have risen by three per cent compared to a national average 1.8 per cent.

Brothers Adam and Roy Peach lead the 10th Oxford (Marston) Beavers and are almost as enthusiastic about Beaver Scouting as their excited young charges.

Roy, 23, who works as an attendance officer at St Gregory the Great School, East Oxford, has grown up with Scouting, starting as a Beaver Scout, then becoming a Cub, and later a Young Leader.

Older brother Adam, 30, a self-employed carpenter, became an official helper with the 10th Oxford group before becoming fully warranted as an Assistant Cub Scout Leader when he was 18.

He went on to help resurrect the 10th Marston Scouts in May 2002 and was joined by his younger brother shortly after.

He said: “Back in the early days, we struggled with just a handful of children, averaging weekly highs of four or five.

“We felt despondent, but an old leader kept telling us to keep going. We stood by this advice and numbers rocketed.”

Adam said: “Roy and I love the opportunity to lead activities and games for the children we take care of each week and seeing them grow in the two years they are with us is fantastic.”

Dan McEwan, six, from Marston, said: “I look forward to Beavers every week. The best things are all the games and the sleepovers.”

Six-year-old Freya Wicker, also from Marston, said: “In December we camped out at Youlbury and had a power cut. It was very exciting.”

Roy Peach said:  “Children benefit in so many ways by becoming involved with a Beaver Scout Colony. Oxford has campsites, fabulous history, good transport links to places like London, and plenty of open space to explore safely.

“The children themselves learn self-discipline and self-control, how to care for others, take pride in themselves, their appearance, and how to work as part of a team. We have so many parents who say their child would be completely different if not for Scouting.”