Dear Editor, Recently, at the age of 72, I decided to join – or, more accurately, rejoin! – the Scouts. Here’s why: For me, gaining my Queen Scout Award back in 1972 was a pivotal point my life, though I didn’t know it at the time. The Queen Scout Award (now King Scout Award) is the highest youth achievement award in Scouting. It took me two years to earn the award, completing various service and adventure challenges, and gave me my first experience of international travel and being thousands of miles from home.
I spent a summer at Scout Camp in Wisconsin USA. And these were the days of no mobile phones and no emails – just the post! This experience meant that a few years later, when I decided to work aboard for a couple of years in Libya, in the Sahara Desert, I had the confidence and skills to meet new and exciting challenges. I was well out of my comfort zone but just as when I was a young Scout in the States, I found that my Scouting experience and skills – taking the initiative, problem solving, and working with people – came in very useful. And I became lifelong friends with many of those American Scouts I met over 50 years ago. I have visited them in States many times and have even attended their weddings. All because we were Scouts.
Fast-forward to today I now help the City of Bath Scout District to organize and develop Scouting in the area. My life experience – a career in project management, being married, bringing up a family – are now helping me give back for the benefit of today’s young people.
Just as when I was a Scout, modern-day Scouting offers young people (ages 4 to 25 years) a safe and friendly environment in which to learn new skills and face new challenges. They learn to work as individuals and as part of a team. They grow in confidence and develop self-reliance and skills for life. And along the way they, and us volunteers, have fun!
Scouting is not just in the local Scout Hall or HQ. It is a worldwide organization and young people are encouraged to be part of the global Scout network, visiting different countries to learn about each other, exchange ideas, and help communities.
This year, some of the Scouts in the Bath district are off to Kandersteg International Scout Centre Switzerland later this year. Next year, others will be joining Scouts from across the world in Poland at the World Scout Jamboree.
There are plenty of opportunities for Scout volunteers at these events too. This July, I will be back in the States as a staff member at the National Jamboree of Scouts of America.
The Scouts is an inclusive organization and open to all, young people and volunteers. We believe in the values of integrity, respect, care, and co-operation, regardless of age, gender, race, ethnicity, faith, or ability. So, why not join us yourself and encourage the young people you know to join?
Contact: join@bathscouts.org
Clive Humphries, Bath
Team Lead Development
www.bathscouts.org
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