SCOUTING IN THE MOORLANDS
Scouting in the Moorland
he Scouting Movement in the Moorlands is
one which has not only been around for years,
but is something which continues to grow
from strength to strength. Within it, it allows
groups of local youngsters and individuals to
flourish, shine and excel in a number of ways.
Perhaps what best illustrates this point is a
recent independent report into the
impact of Scouting which found that
Scouting makes a huge difference
both to the lives of its members and
across the wider community.
For those not in the know, there is
a lot more to the Scouts than you may
first realise. Scouting is for boys and girls with
groups available to kids as young as six years old
with a programme of opportunities for anyone
aged up to 25 as well as lots of volunteering
opportunities for anyone aged over 14.
Based around a programme of self
development, and spreading across a range of
different programme zones including creativity,
global, outdoors and environment, beliefs,
attitudes and fitness, Scouting offers something
new and fun every week. Children in Scouts
groups have opportunities to stretch themselves,
T
8 Leek Life January/February 2014
grow in confidence and develop new social skills.
Under the umbrella of the Scouts, there are
Beaver Colonies, Cub Packs, Scout Troops and
Explorer Groups, not to mention the array of
activities, outings and camps all these groups get
the opportunity to get involved in. It provides the
right challenges at the right levels to help its young
people achieve things that they may have
initially not thought possible.
And of course all of the leaders and
volunteers, for which there are always
opportunities to get involved, are fully
CRB checked and all receive full training
for their role.
Within the Moorlands there has been much to
celebrate for members and leaders of late with
congratulations going out to five members of the
Gold/Queens Scout group, Andrew Wood (22),
Laura Hamer (24), Lydia Walsh (22), Nathan
Shoebridge (18), and Jack Stanyer all successfully
completing their final Gold Duke of Edinburgh
expedition. Despite the driving rain and severe
winds they all did tremendously well with no
hitches except for some slight route changes to
accommodate the weather. They had praise
indeed from their assessor - Mike Breakwell, a