Of awards

Last entry of the month as the weather keeps alternating between cold sun and trying to rain here.

We don't talk about television on this blog as generally it has little to with Scouting although scouts and girl guides have featured on various programs usally those aimed at family audiences or for children.

One that has had a high level of coverage over the decades is the children's magazine show Blue Peter shown today on Friday's from either whole troups, individual girl guides and scouts and indeed one former presenter Peter Duncan became the Chief Scout and was succeeded by Bear Grylls.

Unexpectedly on last Fridays show after presenting the Blue Peter Gold Badge, the highest accolade the show can present to children who write in or a handful of adults who appear on the show to ten year old cub scout who'd do a lot of fundraising for the environment, he was presented with it himself by Shini, one of three presenters.

In receiving it, he reflected upon what he had loved watching the show himself as a child, the insiration to go on adventures, undertake challenges, learn more about nature and by going out of ones confort zone, learn more about yourself.

As Chief Scout he inspires scouts of all ages along their own journey apart from being a figurehead for the Scout Association and I feel that award is well deserved.

The thing for the Scout

It's christmas so I do look at the odd thing in the stocking that pertains to scouting and this is this years.

Basically it's a  book stuffed like an overfilled rucksack with tips and tricks from one of the world's most celebrated adventurers apart from being Chief Scout from pitching a tent, leading a team, how to keep fit, tie knots, memorise facts, identify trees, stars and birds, as well as learning real survival skills like putting up a tent in the wild and stashing your breakfast in ground to keep it hot for the next morning?

This is the book for anyone who is a Scout, was a Scout, or wants to be a Scout and was very much a wanted present this year.

Bear Grylls OBE

Today in Her Majesties birthday honours, Bear Grylls, television personality and Chief Scout of Great Britain and Northern Ireland was awarded the Order of the British Empire (O.B.E.) for services to young people, the media and charity.
Upon being asked about what he thought about it he said "I really do feel it's a team effort, this award is for every one of those incredible Scout volunteers."
As this blogs author I would like to congratulate him for all his work not least in raising the profile of Scouting here in the UK and inspiring countless children and young adults to get involved in this excellent movement.