The 2020 Scouting and Me review

 

This year we are doing a short review which isn't something on this blog we ever did before probably because I didn't feel there was much of a need.

The first thing to say is that for reasons I rather not go into on here as they fall under speculation, I lost the Tumblr version of this blog which was disappointing but undeterred I carried on here altering the publishing cycle to make what I felt were more posts of value.

We are not a current affairs blog but Covid 19 as it crept in and regulations emerged around March 16th  had a huge impact on peoples lives not just in terms of the do's and don'ts but upon your mental well-being and many places you may of been able to visit were not possible any more.

I decided to jump two feet in with exploring, hiking and scouting in the open countryside I could get to getting more acquainted with nature, practising skills and learning more about the natural world, taking pictures.

The "& Me" bit grew as indeed I grew on here documenting those things, meeting interesting people, having experiences that I had not undertaken before.

Some of that followed on from February's week in the Lake District, just missing lockdown by weeks where I climbed over rocks and up rugged terrain even if similar weeks are on hold presently.

It showed what I could do, disabilities aside with support and that following the path of scouting was the best thing for me facing fears and conquering them, moving me on.

It also helped my mental health no end.

Image credits: Scout Association

This year was a tough year for the Scouting Movement, not just with restrictions on what could be done although much was done over the internet with virtual beaver, cub, scout, explorer and network meetings with online activities and work done to aid the wider community.

Although things are a bit grim presently with reports of a Covid new strain, Scout Groups had began to reopen for outdoor and some indoor activities following guidance.

One problem as that much of the traditional fundraising though jumble and car boot sales, events such as fireworks and so on meant that 500 groups were at risk of becoming unsustainable losing valuable experiences often in the most disadvantaged areas for children and young people.

Indeed this would have strains upon the National level with posts, paid officials and facilities such as adventure centres used.

The Race Around The World open to all scouts and with opportunities for others such as former scouts to take part raising funds though sponsored activities and the opportunity to make donations was the response.

So far over £250,000 has been raised which will be match-funded on a pound for pound basis by one of the Scouting Associations main sponsors plus additional contributions from the Pears Foundation and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.

This will enable those groups to continue although there remains as in previous years difficulties in some areas with recruiting volunteers.

I made a substantial donation and encouraged friends to do likewise.

The target of £300,000 remains and donations can be made until January 8th