Scouts in Scotland have appealed to the Scottish Government for help as the century-old volunteer movement faces a mounting cash crisis caused by lockdown.
The beloved children's organisation is the latest charity to warn it cannot sustain services indefinitely without a way to raise income.
Chief executive Katie Docherty told the Record she had tried to engage with Holyrood ministers but was left frustrated with the response.
"The Scouts has been around for 115 years - we've been through two world wars and a great depression, but this is the most serious challenge we've ever faced," she said.
"We've had to stop all face-to-face scouting across Scotland, and close our campsites and residential centres. That's having a very serious financial impact upon the charity.
"We've been writing to Scottish ministers since March, and the responses we get, when we get them, is to tell us to apply to this fund - and we reply saying we have.
"The issue is we have no idea when we can restart scouting. We're having no engagement with ministers on how to ease lockdown on youth work.
"We're not mentioned in the Scottish Government's framework. "We want to get back to the great outdoors and get scouts meeting again. But without the government engaging with us we don't know how we can make that happen."
Scottish Labour MSP Daniel Johnson is calling for ministers to offer more support.
"It's clear from the situation the Scouts and other outdoor youth organisations are facing the steps the Scottish Government are taking are simply not enough," he said.
"Ministers must come forward with new plans to expand the provision of emergency funds to ensure youth organisations like the Scouts and the BBs can continue to operate and prevent these vital services being lost."
A Scottish Government spokeswoman said: “We recognise the importance of youth organisations like Scouts Scotland during this challenging time – and that is why we are continuing to fund the youth work sector through our Children, Young People and Families Early Intervention fund which has been extended until March next year.
“Scouts Scotland have received £60k per year from this fund since 2016/17 to help meet their core costs.
"We are engaging with Scouts Scotland about what further support could be offered and we met with them on 29 May to discuss this .
“Our already published guidance on this recovery acknowledges how essential youth workers will be in supporting young people as learning resumes - and we remain in close discussion with the sector about it resuming services in line with public health guidance.”
