Scouting Snapshots

Youth-Shaped Scouting is ensuring that young people have input and control over what they do, and that they want to do to further their Scouting adventures, in partnership with adults.

Jordan Shuck, District Youth Commissioner, and his team have been visiting all groups in Blackpool and working closely with key members throughout West Lancashire Scout County to ensure we are youth-shaped.

Recently, Jordan visited 6th Blackpool Beavers and ran a fun-packed programme making pizzas full of ideas the young people want to do and improvements for their Beaver colony.

Also, they got a little messy and decorated biscuits in the shape of their favourite activity at Beavers.

These activities ensure that the adults and young people work in partnership to make the programme suitable for their young people and help prepare them with skills for life. Jordan also recently met Warwick Davis, who is a new UK Scouting Ambassador.

Jordan said: “He is such an inspirational man for all. Here’s me and Warwick at a DofE Gold presentation at Buckingham Palace. You too can complete your DofE award within Scouting, just ask your leaders!”

n For more information about joining the Scouts, visit 
blackpoolscouts.org.uk/youshape and follow the Blackpool District Youth 
Commissioner team on social media to see what else they get up to.

Proud moment as awards handed out to Explorer Scouts

Blackpool District Scout Council was delighted to be represented by four Explorer Scouts, who received their Chief Scout Platinum, Diamond and Young Leaders’ Certificates.

The presentation took place, along with many other of their Scouting peers from West Lancashire Scouts, at the BrockHoles Nature Reserve, Preston.

Many proud parents, families, and leaders, plus members of the County Team, looked proudly on as the presentations were made by David Cam, in his position as the Under High Sheriff of Lancashire.

The Platinum Award 
expects the young person to be a member of Explorers for at least six months, complete six nights away, complete two 
activities from the International, Communities, and Values List and, unless the Explorer already holds the Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Award,they must complete the Four Platinum Scout Challenges.

The Diamond Award is the highest award in the Chief Scout Section, with the final award being the Queen’s Scout Award. It consists of similar challenges to the Platinum, but it is more extensive and participants are encouraged to help in the younger sections of Scouting, or offer support to a local charitable body.

The Young Leaders’ Awards, better known as the Explorer Scout Young Leaders’ Scheme, involves Explorer Scouts volunteering alongside adult leaders in a Beaver Colony, Cub Pack or Scout Troop.

The young leaders are a valuable asset to any leadership team, providing an active role in the section and bringing a fresh range of ideas.

The scheme also has a training programme, of 11 modules, which challenges the young people to do things like take the lead, plan programmes and complete a first aid masterclass.