Peter Duncan, currently of The Games fame, is the chief Scout. This is unusual because usually the Chief Scout is some well to do suited and booted Scouting through and through man. However eighteen months ago Peter Duncan was invested as the new chief Scout in a move away from tradition. It is part of an attempt to drag the Scout Movement into the 21st Century and Peter Duncan was seen as a good role model and example of an active fun all round good guy. He is certainly trying to raise Scouting's profile and the Association is his charity of choice whilst competing in The Games. I was lucky enough to share a beer with him in December when he joined our Scout Network in the pub after we'd watched him in panto. I was slightly star struck - I'm a child of Blue Peter you see - but I found him enthusiastic, engaged and realistic about what Scouts is now and what is Should be trying to achieve.Next year Scouting celebrates its centenary and whilst thousands of young people - boys and girls - across the UK and the World enjoy Scouting at its basic level there are still some things that mean Scouts have a poor reputation. Politics gets in the way of Adults volunteering and kids having a good time. There are still too many people more concerned about the right way to do things rather than worrying about doing things at all.
There are some positive changes though. Scouting is now a multi-faith multi gender organisation. In January the first UK Contingent of Muslim Scouts undertook their pilgrimage to Mecca. You can read their story here. I was so moved by their account, and the uniting strength of Scouting that I posted a comment: Scouts' Hajj experience
Scouting has done awesome things for me, including finding me a husband! Are you prepared to find out more....? Scouts, Join the Adventure
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