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A SCOUT’S LIFE OF SKILLS, FRIENDS, AND MEMORIES

The scouts are a familiar sight in Claygate – especially the group’s excellent band at village events such as the Flower Show and on Remembrance Sunday. But to provide insights into scouting’s many other activities, Evie Dawes, a 1st Claygate network scout and now 18 and in her first year at university, writes about her experiences and what scouting has done for her.

When I joined 1st Claygate as a beaver, at just six years old, I had no idea how much this group would become a part of my life. What I do remember is the sense of excitement and belonging that I felt from the very first meeting, largely thanks to the dedication of the leaders and the amazing activities they made available to me. I didn’t realise then how those early experiences would lay the foundation for everything that came after, transforming into the most amazing experience.

I have been through each section of the group, from beavers all the way to explorers. I also joined our band at the age of eight in 2014, which provided a whole new avenue of opportunity and development. Our marching band has enabled me not only to develop my musical skills but to perform with a fantastic group of musicians in locations such as the Menin Gate in Ypres, the Cenotaph in London, and in the Disneyland Parade in Paris.

The friendships I’ve made have gone from simply friends to a form of family. One of my closest friendships began on my first beaver camp, and we now have 13 years of memories, from being in the same patrol in weekly meetings, to working as partners to lead our group in the mountains of Morocco.

As I moved up through the group to cubs, scouts, and eventually explorers, those friendships only deepened. There’s something about the shared experiences, the team-building activities, the challenges, and the camping trips, that create a sense of camaraderie. Whether we were setting up a tent, conquering a mountain, or sitting around the campfire, we were a team.

Over 􀀣me, I learned how to communicate be􀀶er, how to lead when necessary, and how to step back and let others take charge when they had the right skills. This led me to take on more leadership roles within the scout group, and enabled me to grow in confidence and enhance my skills, helping me to secure my first part-time job aged 16. The leaders at 1st Claygate Scout Group are unmatched in their dedication, willing to give up so much of their time to enrich the lives of the children in our community. Their dedication has inspired me and many others in our scout group to volunteer our time, too.

Two incredible memories stand out, the first being our band’s performance under the Menin Gate war memorial in Ypres in Belgium – the reverence of the occasion, and the culmination of months of hard work resulting in a hauntingly beautiful service.

The second was last summer, when the explorer scout unit visited Morocco, climbing Mount Toubkal, the highest mountain in North Africa. After a gruelling climb to the summit, with a 4am start, the memory of the sprawling landscape, almost like an oil painting of the Atlas mountains panning into the dunes of the Sahara desert, was breathtaking. And the sheer feeling of pride, both of my own achievement and that of my fellow explorers who had endured many trials to get there, was exhilarating.

Joining the scouts means becoming part of a global network of people who share a commitment to making the world a better place, to be a part of a globally respected organisation that connects people from all over the world. It’s not just about badges and activities, it’s about building character, teamwork, and lasting memories.

So, If you're considering it, trust me, you won’t regret it. I certainly never have.

For informa􀀣on about 1st Claygate Scouts, visit https://www.claygatescouts.org/