Sir - Having read Mr D Rhodes's letter (T&A, January 23) regarding the Scout Association, I feel readers should be given the facts in that Scouting has a global membership of 28 million, is active in 216 countries and has around 400,000 members in the UK.

Today's Scout Association, whose Centenary was in 2007, now promotes the "adventure" that is available to members aged from 6-25.

These are based on the traditional Scouting activities but include those more appropriate to the age range of the five sections; Beavers 6-8 ; Cubs 8-10; Scouts 10-14; Explorers 14-18 and Network 18-25.

We still believe in helping young people achieve their full potential and become positive, active citizens as well as offering them opportunities to travel the world and meet like-minded young people.

More young people should be able to join in the "adventure", but it is often seen as old-fashioned. Then there are adults who don't particularly want to help. Without the adult leaders we can't run groups and allow more young people to benefit from being members.

So don't just sit there, Mr Rhodes, join up, give more young people the opportunity to share in what Baden Powell and you found so great in Scouting!

David Crabtree, Member of Bradford North District Scouts, Acacia Drive, Sandy Lane, Bradford