By Rachel Chainey

The Levels Scout Group celebrated achievements across all sections (from age 8 upwards) recently when six Cubs (Chief Scout Silver Award) and three Scouts (Chief Scout Gold Award) were awarded the highest award they can achieve for their age. 

  Also four Explorer Scouts were awarded the Chief Scout Platinum Award and Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Awards.  Charlotte Redfearn (Scout Leader) was awarded the Wood Beads Award, Isobel Taylor (Akela) and Tina Geary were presented with thank-you badges and gifts.

The Chief Scout's Silver Award is the highest award available in the Cub Scout Section. It is gained by completing the following challenges; Promise, Creative, Community, Fitness, Global and Outdoor.  This award was achieved by; Sam Norris, Jaque Scriven, George Shurley, Joseph Morley, Alexander Hawkins and Sam Rudge.

The Chief Scout's Gold Award is the highest award available in the Scout Section. It is gained by completing the Promise, Community, Fitness, Creative, Global and Outdoor Challenges followed by the Outdoor Plus and Expedition Challenges.  This award was gained by Amelia Labdon. Max Thompson and Jamie Neslen.

At Explorer Scout age the Chief Scout Awards are run in conjunction with the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme, some more work is required after achieving the D of E Award to gain the relevant Chief Scout award.  To gain the Chief Scout Platinum Award and Bronze D of E Award the Explorers have developed a skill (3 months), undertaken a physical challenge (3 months), provided a service (6 months), planned and completed an adventurous expedition (15 miles over 2 days) and been involved in an international project and an environmental project.  Both the Chief Scout Platinum Award and Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Award were presented to; Dan Schoner, Jake Austin, Becky Owen and Emma Neslen.

Charlotte Redfearn (Red, Scout Leader) was presented with a Wood Badge by John Myers (District Commissioner who has known her since she was a young Scout).  The Wood Badge course is designed so that adult Scouters can learn in, as practical a way as possible, the skills and methods of Scouting. 

On the morning of September 8, 1919, nineteen men dressed in short pants and knee socks, their shirt-sleeves rolled up, assembled for the first Scoutmasters training camp at Gilwell Park. The camp was designed and guided by Baden-Powell. When finished, Baden-Powell gave each man a simple wooden bead from a necklace he had found in a Zulu chieftains deserted hut when on campaign in South Africa in 1888

On completion of adult leader training in Scouts, participants are still awarded the beads to recognize the significant achievement in leadership and direct service to young people.

 

Isobel Taylor and Tina Geary were presented with ‘Thank-you’ Badges and a gift.  Isobel joined the Scouts in this area about 3½ years ago, splitting her time between two Cub packs, one here in Somerset and the other in Surrey.  We would not have had a Cub Pack without her.  So many thanks are due to her.  It’s a shame we have been unable to find a replacement leader (until then there will not be any Cubs at the Levels) but we live in hope.

Tina was originally a member of Curry Rivel Scout Group and has run Beavers, Cubs and also Scouts (to keep them going).  Curry Rivel and Langport Scout Groups merged in September 2006. Tina worked as joint Group Scout Leader for most of that time.   She has been involved with Scouts for a long time and local Scouting will be the poorer for her well deserved retirement from active Scouting.  Our sincere thanks for Isobel and Tina’s commitment and hard work.  We wish them well.

 

To be involved with your local Scout Group please contact Jane on 252813.  Volunteers are needed for all sections but especially Beavers and Cubs.