Young people in Bedfordshire enjoy all sorts of activities

One of our big missions is to encourage people across Bedfordshire who have the enthusiasm and ability to put something back into their communities. That’s why we are so excited that the Duchess of Cambridge has chosen to help out in Cub Scout Packs and Beaver Scout Colonies. She will be an incredible inspiration to young people and adults showing that busy lives are not a barrier to volunteering.

The half a million young people and adults involved with Scouting across the UK make volunteering easy. Scouts are naturally good at helping others as it is part of the Scout Promise. They embrace and encourage people and we just know that The Duchess is going to instantly feel welcome and will inspire the adults and young people. And with children and adults in Bedfordshire doing so many inspirational things; like providing Scouting to poorly youngsters in hospital, raising money for homeless children, clearing and maintaining community gardens and visiting the elderly, I think we will inspire The Duchess in return.

You don’t need to be an outdoors expert to join Scouting; we do so much more than just camping and climbing. From arts and crafts, to drama, street sports and international expeditions, there’s a new adventure every week for the 6000 plus leaders and young people who are part of Scouting in the county.

Frances Craven and Chris Bent

Young people have a natural instinct to do the right thing, and we try to encourage that. But they need guidance and positive role models, which is very important with the development of any young person. Explorer Scout Hannah Winslade, 16 said, “What a coup. We all think the news is such a boost for Scouting. We’d be delighted to show her what we do like kayaking on the River Ouse. We just love getting wet.”

What can the Duchess expect on her first day as a volunteer? Well we think the first thing she will notice is the enthusiasm; when you walk into a Scout meeting place you really can feel the positive energy. She will see young people helping other young people – passing on skills, working together on tasks as varied as map reading, community projects and learning about Fair Trade. She will see parents and other helpers running games and activities. The Duchess, who at the age of eight enrolled as a Brownie with the 1st St Andrew’s pack in Pangbourne, Berkshire, will be joining over 106,000 girls, young women and female volunteers in the UK Scouting movement. It’s part of a family of half a million.

But it’s unlikely she will see the same faces every week. Scouting in the UK has over 100,000 adult volunteers and many of these help out on a flexible basis. This means that they can fit Scouting around work, social and family commitments. The Duchess is willingly helping out where she can, when she can, and we need as many other people as possible to do the same.

So, this week, we have a wonderful new face joining us – and it's a brilliant boost for Scouting near her home and across the country. But we still have 350 young people on waiting lists in Bedfordshire due to a lack of volunteers. Next week it could be your turn to go to your first Scout meeting and experiencing the great Scouting spirit for yourself. It’s not signing your free time away – it’s about experiencing everything life has to offer and helping young people see a more positive future. When you give, you receive. There’s no one in the world busier than the Duchess and if she can do it, so can all of us. All you need to do is click on to www.scouts.org.uk/join or dial 0845 300 1818.

Chief Scout Bear Grylls says, “Follow the Duchess’s lead.”

By BEAR GRYLLS, UK chief scout

At the age of 30 the Duchess of Cambridge is an inspiration to young adults up and down the country. I have been on many missions in my life, but one of my biggest is to encourage more adults to take part in Scouting.

There are 30,000 young people who have been left waiting to join the movement because of a lack of volunteers. Volunteering isn't difficult. You can fit it around work or family commitments — many of our 100,000 adult leaders do just that. It will offer you new skills — not least confidence, organisation and teamwork. And, of course, nothing beats that feeling of knowing you're making a difference to the lives of young people.

Her Royal Highness is now on board. Why don't you join the adventure, too?

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