What an amazing day last Saturday was!
Lowestoft and Waveney Valley had over 650 young people and 150 leaders at Fritton Lake Activity Park and Landguard Fort, Felixstowe and Bradfield Campsite, Bury St Edmunds had nearly as many young people and Leaders. I was privileged to be at Bradfield where Bury St Edmunds District had laid on a District Survival Camp for Scouts and Explorer Scouts with the Cubs and Beavers visiting on Saturday.
Although the visit was meant to be a secret in case Bear Grylls, our Chief Scout, was unable to attend, I don't think this would have dampened the enthusiasm of all that were present at our three locations. You may have seen from the news coverage just how much it meant to everyone to have the Chief Scout drop out of the sky. Taking time to speak to as many of the youngsters as possible, Bear also stressed publicly how important the need to increase our adult membership is. With over 500 boys and girls on our waiting lists in Suffolk, this demonstration of the popularity of Scouting has been enhanced by his presence. There is nothing like a real live model to spell out the benefits of our Movement in today's world. It is a tribute to the work that you Leaders and Supporters do day in and day out.
My only sadness was that all of our young people in the County didn't manage to meet Bear. Perhaps he may come again one day. Bear told me of his pleasure at seeing just how strong Scouting is in Suffolk and wishes us all well for the future in growing even more.
Just a few days before Bear's visit, Matt Hyde the new CEO visited Suffolk. Jonathan Moore, Chairman of 1st Hadleigh, hosted him. Jonathan had arranged a question and answer session and I was fortunate to be part of the panel, which also included Barry Dallas, GSL 1st Hadleigh and Leigh Foster DCC/CTM. Although the audience was small it was very lively with a number of burning questions put to Matt. Matt stressed the importance of our young people and that we should involve them in our decision making.
All in all, quite a week for the County!
Jenny