A SCOUT group in Harrow is hunting for a new leader and help to maintain its meeting place.
The 1st Harrow Weald Scout Group, of Clamp Hill, will bid farewell to scout leader Craig Humpleby this month.
The navy petty officer,who has been with the group for more than two years, is being relocated to Portsmouth.
Mr Humpleby said "It's going to be really hard to leave as we are next to woodland and fields and it's a great location to take the children out. When I joined I ran a group of three scouts and two cubs, and now we have 17 scouts.
"In all my scouting career this is one of the best places."
Forty-nine girls and boys aged six to 14 attend scouts, cubs and beavers sessions each week.
Tony Hassan, the group leader, said: "We are going to be in need of help when Craig leaves.
"There is a shortage of scout leaders, as all the paperwork and checks required can put people off."
The scout group, linked to All Saints Church, in Uxbridge Road, is also 100 next year and preparing for its centenary celebrations, which will include fetes and fundraising events throughout the year.
The organisation has been at its current site since the 1930s and despite renovation works the former RAF hut still needs improvements and general maintenance work.
Andy Downes, assistant scout leader,has been with the 1st Harrow
Weald Group for more than 50 years since he joined as a cub in 1953. The 63-year-old said: "It's like anything else,every building needs maintenance.We had the roof replaced a few years ago, but now the flooring needs doing.
"I'm over 60 and we need young people to join so they can run around with the kids.
"Scouts is great - it teaches young people skills and some life experience.It also teaches them to be a little bit more self sufficient."
* For more details on 1st Harrow Weald Scout group call Tony Hassan on 020 8907 7934, or visit www.1stharrowweald.escouts.net
