Cambridgeshire Scouts

This weekend Cambridgeshire Scouts honoured a record breaking 300 plus Young Heroes from across the County. Children as young as eight stepped up to receive awards for dedicated participation in adventurous activities and helping better the community and our environment from The Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Cambridgeshire, Mr David Riddington OBE, who congratulated the Scouts on their successes.

Taking place at the Holiday Inn, Peterborough on Sunday 29th November, Top Awards 2009 celebrated the very best of what young people can achieve together.

Awards included some of the highest merits such as the Chief Scout’s Bronze, Silver and Gold Awards, the Queen’s Scouts Award and the nationally recognised Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.
 

Aimee Barkway, Top Awards MC (Master of Ceremonies), aged 17
Aimee went to Ghana where she helped build a Scout hut, develop friendships and have the adventure of their lives. She was amongst a group of 40 Explorer Scouts and Leaders from Cambridgeshire and Herfordshire who travelled to Ghana, in West Africa, to build a truly memorable adventure.  The team worked alongside Ghanaian Scouts, to install computers in local schools and build a Scout and Community Centre near the town of HoHoe in the Volta region.
Aimee, together with the other Young People that took part in the expedition have spent over 12 months raising a total of £125,000 to cover the purchase of a one acre site, building materials, tools, tents, safety shoes, and the hiring of local craftsmen to assist the Scouts. On her own, Aimee raised £2,500 which is a brilliant achievement!
“The expedition has changed my view of Scouting. It has shown me how powerful Scouting can be in helping others; whereas before I had only thought of it as a good fun, after-school club, I now realise the true power of Scouting in helping others around the world to gain confidence or key skills and in breaking cultural and racial boundaries. In Ghana, Scouting gives young people purpose, self-esteem and something to belong to in a country where there are few opportunities.”

Andrew Stemp, Chief Scout Gold Award holder, aged 12:
"...achievements I am most proud of... becoming a Patrol Leader this year and leading a two-day camping expedition with other scouts and no adults.  I have recently become the editor of our Scout Troop magazine and this is a project I will be working hard on over the next year, as well as working towards the Outdoor Plus Challenge Award.  To complete the Gold Award, my achievements included climbing Ben Nevis, completing Go Ape (high ropes activity), raising money for charity, lots of camping and mountain biking."

Oliver Hancox, aged 14, also Chief Scout’s Gold Award holder
“I joined as a Beaver Scout in 2002 and now I am a Young Leader with the Cub Pack and an Explorer Scout. I have done so many things in Scouts including sleeping on board HMS Belfast in London, winning the District Patrol Camp and undertaking a conservation project at the District campsite”

County Commissioner, Richard Hames says


"Scouting is all about opportunity; the opportunity to challenge yourself through adventure, meet new people, and go to new places. The Top Awards recognise the very best in this achievement"

He added
"All of the young people attending, from the six year old Beaver to the 25 year old Scout Leader are a true inspiration to others and I am delighted that the Deputy Lord Lieutenanthas honoured each and every one of them in this way”

Scouting is more popular than ever, with adult volunteering increasing at the fastest rate for 20 plus years and just as many girls as boys now joining. In Cambridgeshire, some 1,000 Scout volunteers give up their time to provide adventurous activities to more than 5,000 six to 25 year olds.