News Articles - Scouts celebrating getting top honour

RACHAEL Pye and Katie Luxton from Quest Scout Network in Derby have been honoured by international adventurer and chief scout Bear Grylls for gaining their Queen's Scouts Awards - the highest honour in Scouting, which is awarded for outstanding personal achievement.

They were three of nearly 300 new Queen's Scouts greeted by Bear Grylls and The Hon Mary Bayliss, Lord Lieutenant of Berkshire, at Windsor Castle.

This award is given to young people aged 16 to 25 who have completed a range of challenges, including service to their community, an expedition in wild country, a five-day residential project in an unfamiliar environment and learning a new skill.

Rachael said: "I wanted to be able to say I'd achieved something special, so I started working towards my Queen's Scout Award. It was a challenge and there were tough moments on our Snowdonia expedition, but also some really fun, memorable times such as a big water fight from the top of the abseiling tower at Peak 2010.

"When I've been for job interviews, particularly for outdoor instructing jobs, they've always asked me about Scouting, and without it I don't think I'd have got into the outdoor industry, which led me to my current career as a teacher."

As part of her award, Katie Luxton volunteered at Peak 2010 and with Derby Kids Camp.

The pair's proud Scout Network leader, Lee Smith, said: "We are extremely proud to have two Queen's Scouts celebrating their journey and achievements together in reaching the top award in Scouting."

Chief Scout Bear Grylls said: "All these young people have lived the adventure of a lifetime to achieve their Queen's Scout Awards, and I admire that spirit so much."

The Windsor Castle event is held annually and since the Queen's Scout Award was instigated, over 100,000 have been presented to young men and women for outstanding personal achievements and service to their local communities.

This year's event comes at a boom time for Scouting following the recent announcement of the movement's continued growth in membership, with total numbers now exceeding half a million and 9,000 in Derbyshire.