SOCIAL OBSERVERS should have been exceedingly pleased by a recent newspaper photograph and report of the march through Bridgetown of a more than 600-strong contingent of Boy Scouts.

Accompanying such pleasure, might have been the thoughtful hope that the positive visual and verbal pictures portrayed by coverage of the trek through the nation's capital, represented a strong signal thatthe scouts movement in Barbados does have a healthy future after all.

For over the last several years there had been widespread signs of decline in the appeal of the Boy Scouts institution that, since 1912 has been mouldingthe characters of young Barbadian males.

Scouting had seemed to be suffering the same kind of fall-off in popular attraction that was also afflicting other social activities because of competition and distraction from elements in a rapidly changing and developing society.

That is why public tribute must be paid to the leadership of the Barbados Boy Scouts Association (BBSA) who, over time, has refused to be daunted by the challenges, and strove to ensure the survivalof the organisation to the point wherethe successful street march could be staged.

Further public enthusiasm must have been rekindled by the disclosure by current Chief and International Commissioner,Dr Nigel Taylor, that the march was "only the beginning of a drive to bring scouting back to the forefront".

It is, therefore, to be wished that any resulting rise in public consciousness will be translated into community support and participation, given Dr Taylor's assertion of concern by the BBSA that Barbadian young men were losing basic life skills and values.

This announced intention to restore such skills and values in combination with academic achievements to produce "well-rounded" and "responsible" male citizens, is something that should resonate quite strongly in the national psyche, given the popular perception that Barbadian males are supposed to be undergoing a crisis.

In seeking to pursue such a path,the BBSA has seemingly recognised thatin some very fundamental ways males have needs that are inherently different from those of females, and that activities associated with inculcating basic life skills can go a long way towards satisfying these natural demands.

Research has shown that in their formative and impressionable years, young boys have a yearning for the outdoor physical activities and sense of adventure and exploration that scouting provides.

It was significant that followingthe march the scouts were joinedby their parents for an all-day retreatat Harrison College. The organisers areto be commended for this involvementby parents since their presence couldbe taken as support and approval, whilethe parents would have for themselvesseen their charges in action.

It is being recommended thatone important related step would befor the BBSA to demonstrate its resurgence by sprucing up its crest on the walls of the entrance to its Hazelwood headquarters which enjoys such high visibility.

Doing such could be of significant symbolic importance.