In over 50 years as a Scout, perhaps the best quote I’ve heard is “as an adult, what you get back is directly proportional to what you put in”. Helping at our local campsite as a teenager put me in touch with a Scouter who’d spent time as a lumber-jack in Canada in the ‘30s. His relationship with and attitude to the environment set me on a path along which I enjoy guiding others, and what better way than to offer today’s young people the same opportunities I had?

I don’t limit my volunteering to Scouting, but that’s where I come from. You can see photos of events I have attended in the Voluntary Events album.

Working

It doesn’t matter if a Scout or Girl Guide campsite is on a rocky hillside in the Lakes or in the suburbs of Merseyside, there’s always a mountain of effort required to keep it in good condition for the young people to enjoy.

Working as part of a team at these places brings fun, friendship and enormous satisfaction at having made a difference, especially so when young adults are involved and you can send them home with new skills or a new insight into the wonderful world in which we live.

Training

Knives, saws and axes have always been part of Scouting, as has “pioneering”, the art of building impressive structures from simple components of timber and rope, but it has always been important to remember that both the tools and the construction process are potentially dangerous.

“Thinking safety” is the key to the use and care of tools and equipment, and forms a vital part of training in Survival and Backwoodsmanship.

“I know a man who can……” If I’m not qualified or experienced enough to train on a particular subject, I can usually find someone who is, or point you towards the appropriate  Training Provider. There are some useful contacts in this direction on the “Links” page.