I started my Scouting journey as a Beaver aged 6. While I can't remember much of my early times as a Scout, I remember enjoying the experience as both a Beaver and a Cub immensely - from parading along the sea front to sleepovers to displaying my (extensive) Pokémon card collection!

As a Scout, I was introduced to more of a "outdoorsy" skill set, ranging from tent erecting, fire lighting, and map reading to identifying plants and morse code. I remember burning patterns into wood and spending whole weekends shooting arrows at camp. At the time, I didn't realise I was also learning management skills, how to work with other people, confidence, and respect - major elements of who and where I am now.

When I turned 14, I then joined my local Explorer unit where not only was I given the opportunity to further develop the skills I had learned in Scouts, I was also able to support the younger sections. There was a time where I would be Scouting every day of the week! I thoroughly enjoyed being able to lend my skills and experience to the younger people of my group, as well as learning more about the Leader role, including risk assessment, programme planning, and how to maintain attention. I was then able to support with the opening of a brand new Beaver Colony in the District - lending my knowledge to support the Leaders who had taken on the massive challenge of starting this section with lots of knowledge of children, but less knowledge around the history of Scouting.

While as an Explorer, I also earned the opportunity to coach across Europe on a County organised international trip. This was a great opportunity to interact with people of different nationalities, and really helped to open my mind to how life works in other countries. We were able to stay in a castle in Germany, visited Bran Castle, and enjoyed many local dishes.

As an adult Leader, I not only supported the Scout section I had been helping as an Explorer, I also represented all of the young people in Weymouth and Portland as the District Youth Commissioner.
I have since taken on many more roles in my efforts to support Scouting, and am currently the County Youth Commissioner, as well as supporting with organisational transformation and learning and development.

I have also had the opportunity to become a charity trustee learning many aspects of the governance required in a large charity, visit Kandersteg, the permanent Scout site in Switzerland, and support at the King's Coronation early in 2023. All of the activities I have taken part of as a Scout have shaped me into the person I am today, and without the skills for life I have learned in the movement I don't know where I would be in my personal or professional life.