Just days from his 8^th birthday, a Flitwick youngster has become the UKs most decorated Beaver Scout. At his last meeting before joining the Cubs he was awarded his final three activity badges to bring his tally to a massive 24.

To earn his place in history Rory Wilson, 8 has taken part in an impressive range of activities starting his mammoth haul two years ago with a fitness challenge. Next came healthy eating then experimental science and an air activity badge where he made and flew various types of paper aeroplane. Rory said, “I really enjoyed getting all the badges. The fitness challenge was good. I had to do tumbles and leaps on a trampoline as well as learning more ways of keeping fit. The other activities were fun especially hobbies and camping.” The multi-talented Beaver Scout is an accomplished drummer, is a goalkeeper for his school football team, performs scientific experiments and is a whizz kid with computers.

Keeping up the Scouting tradition, Rory took part in hikes around his home town and learned about the local wildlife. Later he attended a family camp for his night’s away award. He has completed six challenge badges including a global test where he learned about Scouting around the world and a creative challenge where he demonstrated his musical abilities to the rest of his colony with a session on African drums. This also earned him his musician’s badge.

For his final three awards Rory set up a bird feeding centre in the garden at home and fed visiting starlings and other wild birds with a range of titbits. His Beaver Scout friends helped him by making tasty treats that he could take home for the wildlife. This gained him his animal friends trophy. He also completed his stage two swimmer badge at a nearby pool and became goalkeeper for his school’s football team for his hobbies badge.

Mum Helen, who has had the job of sewing on all 24 badges said, “The sewing kit was always ready when Rory came home from his meetings. But I had no idea he would complete them all. Now he starts Cubs with an empty arm and 33 more badges to earn.”

Beaver Scout Leader Louise Rutt, who has watched her record breaker with astonishment said, “In the nine years I have run the colony I have never had anyone with so many badges. It’s a wonderful example to the rest.” Louise added, “Rory has now won the top accolade for Beavers, his Chief Scout Bronze Award, a fitting finale to his record.”

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