VOL. #1 Issue #1
REGION IV SCOUTS NEWS LETTER
KEVIN RICHARDS ELECTED
CHIEF COMMISSIONER DESIGNATE
KEVIN RICHARDS, 42, was elected as the first Chief Commissioner Designate of the Scout Association of Jamaica under a new policy allowing all adult members to participate in electing their chief commissioner.
Richards, who will work closely with current Chief Commissioner Garth Russell through the 20242025 administrative year, is set to assume full responsibilities in 2026.
“I am committed to the growth of the Scout Association of Jamaica, aiming to make it the leading informal education and uniform group in Jamaica,” said Richards, who has been part of the movement since 1990 and currently serves as director of international affairs.
With over a century of service, the Scout Association of Jamaica continues to play a critical role in fostering positive lifestyles.
“I am committed to the growth of The Scout Association of Jamaica, aiming to make it the leading informal education and uniform group in Jamaica,”
“I am indeed committed to the continued growth of the association as we continue to make it the number one informal education uniform group in Jamaica,” said Richards.
“The Scout Association of Jamaica has been serving this country and our youngsters for 114 years, and I look forward to its continuation as a staple in our society," the chief commissioner designate added.
Chief Commissioner Designate, of The Scout Association of Jamaica Kevin Richards
COMING IN JULY 2025 &
St James tops Region IV Cubs & Scouts Culturama Performing Arts Competition
District Commissioner Paulette Downers says the efforts of the Cub Scouts who allowed the St. James Scout District to emerged victorious at the inaugural staging of the Scout Association of Jamaica, Region IV Cub and Scouts Culturama Performing Arts Competition, has paid off.
The event which is sponsored by part by Gray’s Pepper, Beauty Queen Haberdashery Supplies and San Flora, was held at the St John’s Methodist Church Community Centre, in Montego Bay, on Friday, November 15, 2024.
“This victory is a testament to the talent and perseverance of our scouts. They have worked tirelessly to prepare for this event, and their efforts have paid off,” said Downer. “We are incredibly proud of their performances and the positive light they have shone on our scouting community.”
“We want to commend the event sponsors for their support in making the competition a success,” said Downer.
“Their contributions have not only facilitated a platform for young scouts to shine but also reinforced the importance of cultural education and artistic expression in youth development.”
The St James cub scouts, who displayed exceptional skills and dedication, outperformed their colleague scout brothers from the Hanover and Westmoreland scouting districts, competing in a range of activities aimed at encouraging scouts to develop their artistic talents while promoting cultural awareness.
The participants showcased their abilities in various performing arts disciplines, including speech, music, dance, and drama. They were judged based on creativity, originality, execution, costumes, storyline, and
St.JamesDistrictCommissionerPauletteDownerpresentingthegoldmedaltoSandyBayPrimaryCubScoutswhorepresentedHanoverintheSpeechCategory.
overall impact.
Greater Destiny Preparatory Cub Scouts, who won the gold medal for their musical performance, setting the stage for St James to take home the Cubs and Scouts Culturama Performing Art Competition trophy for 2024.
St James also got exemplary performances from the Cub Scouts of the Catherine Hall Primary School Cub Pack, who captivated the audience with powerful oratory and compelling storytelling, in taking the gold medal for drama. They also took the silver medal in dance through the Cub Scouts of Corinaldi Avenue Primary School; and a bronze medal for speech, performed by the DMP Academy Cub Scouts. Hanover
Scout District finished second overall, after winning the gold medal for speech in a vibrant performance by the Sandy Bay Primary School Cub Scouts. The district also won gold in the dance category, thanks to the Cubs Scouts of Askenish Primary School; and a silver medal in music, performed by Esher Primary School Cub Scouts. Westmoreland Scout District, which finished third, won two silver medals for speech and drama performed by the Cub Scouts of Townhead Primaryand Haddo Primary, respectively. They also secured two bronze medals in music and dance done by Townhead Primary Cub Scouts. In the Scout Section, Hanover was the only district that had entries, in which Esher Primary School Scout Group represented and won gold medals for speech, dance, drama, and music.
SandreneHill trophyfortheScoutAssociationofJamaica StJamesScoutDistrict.
Scouting movement committed to steering youth away from crime
Former President of the Boys’ Brigade of Jamaica, Dr Horace Betton, declared that the principles and values central to the scouting movement are essential tools for young people navigating tough challenges in their lives.
Betton spoke passionately about the role of scouting at the 114th National Leaders Conference of the Scout Association of Jamaica in St Ann, highlighting the urgent need to guide youth away from crime.
“These are difficult times, and our kids are going through challenges that we often overlook,” said Betton, a former youth advocate who also served as chief medical officer at St Ann’s Bay Hospital.
“High schools are now plagued by gang influences – you only need to look at the rising number of violent incidents within school boundaries.” Speaking under the theme ‘Scouting Today, Tomorrow, and Forever’, Betton urged scout leaders to recognise the importance of their roles in shaping young lives, stressing that their guidance can offer a much-needed alternative to crime and gang culture.
“Many young people today are in survival mode, facing hardships at home and at school,” Betton explained to the more than 70 leaders and guests who were in attendance at the hybrid conference which also included members of the Inter-American Scouting region.
“Scouting offers a path to adventure, learning, and a positive sense of community, instilling values that build courage and resilience in overcoming life’s challenges.”
Betton further highlighted the movement’s commitment to creating supportive environments that foster personal growth, leadership skills, and a sense of belonging.
“Through these initiatives, we can help our youth avoid the traps of gang culture and, instead, build a future of potential and opportunity,” he said.
FormerPresidentoftheBoys’BrigadeofJamaica,DrHoraceBetton,
The aim of the Scout Association of Jamaica is to help young persons to develop their character as responsible and resourceful members of the community by providing opportunities and guidance for their mental, physical and spiritual development.
The conference also saw the election of 42-year-old Kevin Richards as the association’s first chief commissioner designate, under a new policy allowing all members to participate in electing their leader.
Richards, who will work closely with current Chief Commissioner Garth Russell through the 2024-2025 administrative year, is set to assume full responsibilities in 2026.
During the conference former Custodees of the parish of St. Ann, the Honourable Radcliffe and Norma Walters head a list of individuals who were celebrated and honoured for their individual and collective years of service to the scouting district of St. Ann
The method of training the Cub/Scout is by admitting the young person into membership of a Cub Pack/Scout Group and by offering the young person a succession of congenial activities and achievements in a largely outdoor setting with opportunities for service to others, so that the young person acquires competence, self-reliance, character, dependability and powers both of co-operation and of leadership.
The principles and practice of the Association are founded on the basis of the Scout/ Cub Promise and the Scout/Cub Law.
Strategic Vision:
By 2030 Scouting will be Jamaica’s leading non-formal educational uniform youth organization, enabling over 3,000 registered young people to be active citizens, creating positive change in their communities based on the Scout movement’s core values and principles outline with the Promise and Law.
AIMS AND BASIS OF SCOUTING IN JAMAICA
From left Garth Russell, Chief Commissioner of the Scout Association of Jamaica presents a plaque of appreciation to Vincent Forbes JP, District Commissioner for St. Ann, for a job well done in hosting the National Leaders Conference. Looking on (Centre) is Laferne Lewis, Assistant District Commissioner, from St. Thomas.
Retired Custos of St. Ann, The Hon. Norma Walters (left) accepting an appreciation plaque from Vincent Forbes JP, District Commissioner for St. Ann for service rendered to the Scout Association from the parish of St. Ann
