Northdown Te Rangi scouts Jack Johnston and Alyssa Bentley have been awarded the Queen’s Scout Award — the first time it has been earned in South Canterbury since 1998.
The award isthe highest a scout can achieve, being the equivalent of the gold Duke of Edinburgh award.
The two 18-year-olds invested four and a-half years of hard work and dedication into gaining the award.
Alyssa said it was really good to finally get the award and Jack said it was difficult to get but also good to get it and he was thankful to have his father always there.
Zone leader David Blaikie said they had to present a portfolio to a panel of four people with what they had done and answer questions relating to politics, scouting, career paths and more.
‘‘It’s dedication and hard work and it’s all about how they portray and present themselves.’’
Scout leader and venturer adviser Neil Johnston said the questions were more like job interview questions, not just a simple yes or no answer and the venturers ran their own programme; they had just needed someone to oversee it.
‘‘To do it they have to lead activities. They can’t just show up and follow; they have to lead.’’
Mr Johnston has been a leader for 20 years and said he did it for the children.
‘‘Certain leaders did it for me and I’m passing it on. I’m very proud of them both.’’
‘‘It’s about watching them as they achieve, watching them grow as a person and develop those skills,’’ Mr Blaikie said.
Numbers at Northdown Te Rangi Scout Group had dropped quite a bit in the last year a-half due to Covid-19.
Mr Blaikie said there were no boundaries to becoming a scout.
‘‘It’s what they put in is what they will get out of it. If you’re here just to cruise, you will cruise all the way, but if you put some effort into it you will get great things out of it.’’
Both Mr Blaikie and Mr Johnston agreed that they were always looking for volunteers and leaders.
‘‘All you need is a can-do attitude and a little bit of commitment. What’s stopping you?’’ Mr Johnston said.
