Chief Scout congratulates Hillingdon volunteers

The volunteers have been praised their efforts to motivate young people to try new activities and go beyond their comfort zones. The Explorer Scout units offer a range of activities, and the young people have enjoyed taking part in survival skills camps, dragons den style challenges, connecting with nature, and have an expedition planned this summer to Switzerland.

Every week Scouts gives young people the skills they need for school, college, university, the job interview, the important speech, the tricky challenge, and the big dreams: the skills they need for life.

A recent survey revealed that 94% of Scouts said they have developed useful skills through their involvement, while 88% said they’ve tried activities they haven’t tried before. Scouts offers over two hundred activities from abseiling and coding to drama and water-zorbing.

Dwayne Fields, who replaced Bear Grylls as Chief Scout in September said ‘’I’m incredibly pleased that the Pyro and Excalibur Explorer Scout units opened in 2023. This means more young people in the local community are making friends, building their confidence, and gaining skills that will prepare them for life and work.

It’s vital our young people get the encouragement and support they deserve to help them find their place in the world and become the active citizens of the future.

When I was young, as quite a shy kid, I remember walking into my local Scout meeting place and getting such a warm welcome. I found people who believed in me, and that helped me believe in myself. This set me a path to adventure – taking me to Antarctica, the Galapagos Islands and even the North Pole.

What made the difference were inspirational volunteers who became role models for me. I’ll also never forget the kindness and friendship of the other Scouts.

I’m so pleased that young people in Hillingdon are getting the same chance I did – to discover their talents and find their place in the world.

A massive thank you to everyone at the Pyro and Excalibur Explorer Scout units. You’re making all the difference to young lives and bringing people together. Well done to you all’’

Hillingdon Explorer Scouts have opportunities for adult volunteers to join the team, put their skills to good use, learn new ones and be part of the local community. Volunteer Mike said ‘’We are a friendly welcoming team and volunteering with the Scouts is flexible and whatever time you can give we will find a role for you’’. To find out more contact Mike at [email protected]