Scouting can be a potent activity to keep young boys interested in positive pursuits and off the streets, according to one local Cub Scout leader.

And the long-standing scouting tradition also offers men a chance to take up leadership roles, said Denis Emery, 39, a Scout leader from Devonshire.

Scouting provides young boys with a positive outlet "rather than turning to other activities like gang violence", he said.

"Give boys alternatives when they are young, so when they are teenagers the positive attributes of scouting will remain with them throughout life," he said.

"When they are tempted to step off the right track, they might remember teamwork, good deeds, and choosing right and not wrong."

Mr. Emery is an advocate of what he calls "positive peer pressure".

"If boys see others doing something positive it might rub off," he said. "But not all youngsters are involved with gangs and some do good things."

Mr. Emery asks his scouts every Saturday at St. Paul AME what good deeds they tried to do that week.

"Some kids say, 'I got in trouble', but I ask them what positive things they did and I tell them something positive I did, like help a blind man across the street, for example."

He said the Cub Scout law encourages Cubs to do their duty to God and the Queen, to help other people and to think of others before themselves.

But having fun is also a big part of scouting.

"Everyone likes games, fun is the key," he said.

Every year Mr. Emery's troop also puts on a show at the Matilda Smith Williams seniors residence.

"We use the skills Cubs already have. If a boy can play the piano, then he does that. Another boy can read a poem. Once a Cub danced with the Gombeys, so he did that."

Mr. Emery's son Daniel, 10, has been involved with the Cubs since he was seven.

Mr. Emery said: "It's good for him, he can get around other boys his age but not in a school setting."

He said he thinks his son would still want to go to Cubs, even if his father was not involved.

Mr. Emery became involved as a leader three years ago.

"(It is) an extremely good thing for guys to be involved in to contribute something positive to the community," he said.

"It is important for men to take a leadership role in the community."