On Thursday Tim Taylor, the Deputy County Commissioner for Scouting in West Sussex, came to Ifield Scout headquarters to present both the Duke of Edinburgh’s Gold Award and the Queen’s Scout Award to Jamie Keeley, who has become a Queen’s Scout, the highest training award in the Scout Movement.
In arriving at this Jamie has not only progressed through the Scout movement, from when he joined 2nd Ifield (St Margaret’s) Scout Group as Beaver Scouts at the age of six through to being active members of Drake Explorer Scout Unit and now a member of Crawley Scout Network Unit, but has achieved his Duke of Edinburgh awards reaching the Gold Award as a stepping stone to becoming a Queen’s Scout.
Jamie did his Duke of Edinburgh expedition with other members of Drake Explorer Scout Unit hiking across mid Wales. Jamie has travelled to Ireland, Sweden and Norway for international expeditions with the Explorer Scouts as well as numerous camps across the UK. He spent a week on a National Trust project in Devon. Jamie trained in kayaking starting at Tilgate Lake and progressed to lakes in Ireland and Sweden. He developed cooking skills doing voluntary work in hotels. Jamie spent 4 years volunteering at 2nd Ifield Scout Group helping lead both Cub Scouts and Scouts.
Jamie was supported throughout his achievements by his leader, Andrew Eastman, who said it gives him a great sense of achievement every time one of his scouts achieves the top award of the Queen’s Scout and his proud of Jamie for progressing to this level.
Well done Jamie – enjoy going to Windsor this year for the formal presentation. With a bit of luck, you wont be the only member from Drake / Ifield eligible this year!