UK Youth Commissioner Visits Lincolnshire Scouts

Scout Youth Commissioner, Hannah Kentish, visited Sudbrooke Scouts camp on her first visit to Lincolnshire to see what Scouting is offering to local youngsters.

Scouts from across Lincolnshire attended the camp at Sudbrooke at the weekend which was a chance for the young Patrol Leaders and Assistant Patrol Leaders to receive training for their Scout leadership roles - this included a range of activities, from climbing and caving techniques to survival skills. This was the first camp of its kind in the county.

Deputy County Commissioner, Lorraine Noble-Thompson said:

“It is our intention to build on the success of this camp by running similar events throughout all of our sections, including Beavers and Cubs.

“We have a successful Young Leader training programme and it will be a great experience for our Young Leaders running camps like these.

“We are also looking at launching similar events, including a regular ‘competition camp’ that will start in South Holland District later this year and move around the region to different locations on an annual basis.”

The weekend was an opportunity for the Scout’s UK Youth Commissioner, Hannah, 23, to visit the county and speak to the young people of Lincolnshire; she will take their suggestions back to Scout Headquarters in London.

“It’s really exciting to see so many young people in Lincolnshire being given the opportunity to shape their own Scouting experience.” Said Hannah.

“I was a Scout myself from the age of ten, and I got involved in chairing the Youth Forum before working for my own County Team and eventually getting into my role that I am in now, working alongside our young people to lead Scouting in the UK.

“Not only are there over 100 10 to 14 year-olds here at Sudbrooke today developing their skills and becoming fantastic leaders; the whole camp is being run in partnership with the young people.

“I am absolutely blown away by the talented young people here today and their achievements within Lincolnshire Scouts.”

Explorer Scout Jack Leatherland, 14, currently chairs the Lincolnshire County Youth Forum:

“I think it is great that we have been able to meet Hannah this weekend; it has been a good chance for our Scouts to speak to a senior leader in Scouting and have their say on what they want Scouting to be like.

“For me, Scouting is a great opportunity to do things I wouldn’t get to do anywhere else, there’s loads of activities.

“I started in Beavers when I around six years old and have worked my way all the way up to where I am now, making friends every step of the way.”