Managing your waiting list
Handle your youth waiting list in a way that saves you time and increases the chance a young person will access Scouts
Quick links
Do you have more young people in your Group than spaces? Take a look at our advice, ideas and resources for managing your waiting list in the best way possible.
If waiting lists in your District are long, uneven or proving difficult for Groups to keep on top of, you can create one that is managed by District. Our resources and tips from those already running them will help you create your list.
Sometimes, the only way to reduce your waiting list is to get more volunteers.
Check out our recruitment toolkit to help you draw more people in.
Communication is key!
If you order something online, you'd expect good communication. Joining Scouts should be no different.
In 2024, the Support Centre received over 5,000 enquiries from adults who hadn’t heard back from a Group.
A simple fix? Set up automatic replies to confirm receipt and commit to responding within a few days, then make sure someone actually does.
Clear, timely communication keeps your waiting list accurate, reduces follow-ups, and makes the joining process smoother for everyone.
If you have a large waiting list and can't fit them all in, you could open a new section or maybe even a whole new Group.
Talk to your District for support and check out our guidance on opening new sections.