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Chief Scout's mission possible
01/06/2010
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Bear In The Air
Chief Scout Bear Grylls covered hundreds of miles to meet thousands of Scouts over the weekend as part of his quest to visit the UK’s Scouts.
The high-octane weekend saw him visit 10,000 young people at over 24 events in just two days.
From climbing, zorbing and sailing to mountain biking and canal boating he tried his hand at a number of activities the Scouts in the area were already enjoying before their guest of honour dropped in.
He also passed on some of his specialist survival skills at several events, running a master class in fire lighting, shelter building and survival cooking in Blackhills Campsite in West Yorkshire.
Jenny Farrell, County Event Organiser of the camp said: ‘There was a real buzz and excitement as he landed. They were enthralled as Bear showed them some fire lighting tips.’
Jenny also recognised the wider impact of the visit: ‘We’ve had much more interest in our camp than normal with more parents wanting to know what we’re doing.’
Scouts from Ingleby Craggs were stunned to see the Chief Scout land unexpectedly on their campsite. And he presented DofE awards to a group of Explorer Scouts in Bailden.
‘Shining lights’
Bear Grylls saw the weekend as a way to help inspire Scouting’s 500,000 members.
He said: ‘They are an inspiration. It's great to see it. It's all about friendship and fun and adventure – people who might not normally have the chance for adventure. This event is about trying to encourage all of them. They are shining lights in their communities.’
Overcoming adversity
Poor weather on Saturday evening grounded the helicopter, with fears that he would have to cancel his visit to the last two events. Determined not to let any Scouts down, Bear jumped in a car and drove to visit 31st Wakefield Scout Group who were on a canal boat expedition and a Regional Scout Network rafting event at Mixenden Activity Centre.
On Sunday, the weather improved and he was back in the air at 8am for another full day of adventure.
This is the first official tour that Bear has completed in his role as Chief Scout. His mission is to cover the whole of the UK with similar trips over the next five years.
Join Scouting
The Scout Association is the largest mixed youth movement in the UK. It strives to ensure that its young people fulfil their full physical, intellectual, social and spiritual potentials by working in teams, learning by doing and thinking for themselves.
Adults working in Scouting contribute in excess of 364 million hours of voluntary work each year to their local communities. Join the adventure