5th Beckenham South Scout Group celebrate awarding top award to Scouts.
On Thursday 24th March, 5th Beckenham South Scouts were joined by District Commissioner Shelia Howard at their headquarters, based at Bishop Challoner School, in awarding 5 Scouts their Chief Scout Gold Award, the highest award available for 10-14 year olds.
The rare award, which hasn’t been received by anyone at the 5th Beckenham South for over 5 years, was the result of completing 9 different challenge badges in the 4 years of being a Scout. They are designed to develop a variety of skills that can be used in later life, including teamwork, problem solving and team leading. The most challenging of these is the Expedition Challenge Badge which includes a 2-day hike, which fell on the wettest day of the year last year.
The badge recipients, Josh, Alex, Henry, Ishan and Archie, are now advancing to the next section within the Scouting movement, Explorers which is aimed at 14-18 year olds, where the challenges will continue to get harder and more rewarding.
When reflecting on the Challenge badges, Josh, 14, said: ‘The Expedition Badge was my favourite because it was challenging and fun. We had to read a map to get to certain places, we got lost once or twice, but we got there in the end!’ Henry, 14, added: ‘The Expedition Badge was my favourite challenge. We had to overcome many problems but it was a really rewarding feeling knowing that we had navigated from point A to point B only using a map and compass’.
Scout Leader, Alistair Ross, 29, who had organised the Expedition Challenge said: ‘It was a really tough challenge, as the downpours of rain kept coming. The whole team were proud to see their determination in completing it.’ He goes on to say: ‘It is a real honour and achievement to see these young people push themselves and grow over the past few years, demonstrating that anything is possible, even during the difficult few years we have had.’
Alex, 14, was asked about his 4 years spent as a Scout: ‘I have really enjoyed Scouts as I have learned teamwork skills that will help me later in life.’
It is not just the young people that can gain skills for life, adults can too! If you are looking for a new challenge, you can find out more about Scouting at www.scouts.org.uk where you can get details of your local group.
