May 2019
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Why I volunteer #1: The Beaver Scout leader Put your skills to use, learn new ones and play an active role in your local community - with 1st Bradley Stoke Scouts! By Donna Carl, 1st Bradley Stoke Scouts Beaver leader give up two evenings a week, and the odd weekend to run a Beaver colony with lots of six to eight year olds, and two other leaders to keep me sane, as well as some fantastic young leaders, and it’s safe to say I love it! I’m now in my 4th year of being a Beaver Scout leader. I started by responding to an advert when my local group was expanding and were looking for leaders. I didn’t think they would be interested in me as I don’t have any of my own children, and I wasn’t part of Scouting growing up. Being of a certain age, and a girl, I wasn’t allowed to join my brother when he went to Cubs, even though I really wanted to. Fast forward some 40-ish years and thankfully Scouting is now available to both boys and girls, and the same for leaders. Despite my initial reluctance of thinking I might be judged or looked at oddly for wanting to join a youth organisation when I didn’t have any youth, I couldn’t have been more wrong. I applied, went through a relatively straightforward selection process and background checks, and was very soon welcomed into the Scouting family. Before I knew it, I had 18 very boisterous, very loud, very energetic six and seven year olds, whose parents had entrusted into my care for one hour a week. I had the help and support of a great team, who
I
were old hands, and who knew the ropes and could put together a varied programme. Despite my initial reluctance of wondering how I would cope, not only did I cope, but I loved it! The Beaver age is such a great age, they are still exploring the world and get joy from the simplest of things. That joy is infectious! It’s great to see the changes in them as they start their route through Scouts, and often they join as a shy, insecure child, who doesn’t want to leave their parents and they will leave us two years later as a confident eight-year-old that has learnt both practical and life skills and is rapidly gaining that independence and confidence to try new things, wanting to push themselves to achieve more and more. It really makes me feel proud to see just how far they come in such a relatively short time. If I’ve had a bad day at work, just being around my Beavers soon puts a smile on my face again. It’s impossible to be in a bad mood when you have all these eager, excited Beavers wanting to know what this week’s activity will be. We do everything with them, from teaching the basics of cooking to the lifesaving skills of first aid. During the summer months we like to go out and about as much as we can, even if it’s something as simple as making dens from sticks in the wood or going to the local park. In addition to that, we do lots of
Donna Carl, Beaver Scout leader at the 1st Bradley Stoke Scout Group, who are on the lookout for more adult volunteers. With full support and training, you can volunteer on a flexible basis.
adventurous activities; canoeing, climbing and days out to theme/ adventure parks. Being a Beaver leader definitely keeps me active! I’ve also gained some great friends through Scouting. My leadership team are fantastic, and we really do bond as one.
We often meet up socially outside of Scouting, so I’ve extended my friendship circle as well.
Inspired to volunteer?
If you want to find out more about scouting, please visit www.bradley-stoke-scouts.org.uk
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