Lucy Onyango, 16 and an Explorer Scout with the Brock Unit in Maulden, had a royal invitation to a special garden party at Buckingham Palace. She was part of a group of other Scouts who helped Prince Charles and his wife Camilla launch YOU London, a project to urge more young people and adult volunteers to join youth movements such as the Scouts and Guides.

Lucy said, “We were there to show the Prince and Camilla all the exciting things we do in Scouts. There was a climbing wall, and water activities as well as a demo of zorbing – traveling at breakneck speed down a slope in an inflatable balloon. We had a great time and the royal couple talked to us about why we liked Scouts and what being a member does for you.”

Prince Charles wants to use the youth project to stop thousands of teenagers getting caught up in the gang culture that is blighting cities. The Prince of Wales and wife Camilla met hundreds of young people at the unveiling of YOU London, urging more to join activity groups such as the Scouts and the Guides.

Prince Charles said, “The key to the Youth Organisations Uniform project is more adults volunteering. I want to help break down the barriers of prejudice which damage our communities and to expand YOU London across the UK.”

Lucy admitted “I have done so many things in Scouts that would have been impossible outside. I love water activities and taking part in adventurous sports such as rock climbing.  I was shy when I joined but I'm a lot more confident now.”

She added, “"There's a huge shortage of young adult volunteers and a massive gap between young people like me and the much older leaders. If we had more adult volunteers we could really make things happen. That’s why the Prince Charles project is so important.”

And this Harlington Upper School music student should know. Lucy has had a grandstand seat at some mind-blowing events. With fellow Explorer Scout Andrew Draycott she had a secret meeting with the new Chief Scout Bear Grylls a month before his appointment. It was a warm up session near Oxford where he met many Scouts and leaders and took part in some of the activities that he has made famous.

Then, a month later, Lucy went on a tour of radio and TV studios with the then Chief Scout Peter Duncan to help publicise the massive 11% increase in female members of the movement. Her efforts convinced one viewer to volunteer as a leader in Bedford just two hours after he saw the broadcast. For Lee Quince, 30 it brought back memories of the happy times he had as a Scout in South Bedfordshire and he decided to give it another go. District Commissioner Graeme Watt signed him up straight away and will be able to use his water activity skills for Scouting events along the River Great Ouse.

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