[pro-player type=’video’]http://troop501.net/wp-content/uploads/SCOUTS_BG_BEAR_GRYLLS_DOT_COM.flv[/pro-player]
Bear Grylls is Chief Scout to over half a million brilliant scouts in the UK! When asked why he chose to volunteer for the UK’s largest mixed youth movement, Bear said: ‘In short, because I love adventure and I love hanging out with good friends. For me this is what Scouting is about.’ On 17 May 2009, The Scout Association announced Grylls would be appointed Chief Scout following the end of Peter Duncan’s five-year term in July 2009. He was officially made Chief Scout at Gilwell 24 on July 11, 2009, in a handover event featuring Peter Duncan in front of a crowd of over 3,000Explorer Scouts. He is the tenth person to hold the position and the youngest Chief Scout since the role was created for Robert Baden-Powell in 1920.
Born on 7 June 1974, Edward Michael “Bear” Grylls is the youngest ever Chief Scout and the movement is currently experiencing its biggest surge in membership since Scouting began.
He first got involved in Scouting aged eight as a Cub Scout. Bear attributes this time as a big part of the inspiration behind his adult adventures presenting TV shows such as Born Survivor: ‘So much of who we are as an adult is formed when we are kids,’ said Bear. ‘What Scouting says to people is: “it’s okay to go for it in life”.’
‘Every child has a right to have an adventure. Life is about grabbing opportunities. The prizes don’t always go to the biggest, the best and the strongest – they go to those who persevere. These are simple life lessons that Scouting teaches people.’
The Chief Scout is the lead volunteer of The Scout Association, providing inspiration for the 100,000 adult volunteers involved across the UK.
The position was created in 1920 with the appointment of Robert Baden-Powell, who founded the Scout Movement in 1908.
Bear joins 100,000 Scout volunteers who give up their time to provide adventurous activities to 400,000 6-25 year olds, in the UK.
Skateboarding, climbing, kayaking, camping, sailing, orienteering, cycling, hiking, grass sledging, potholing… Scouting is all these things, and more.
Scouting encourages young people of all backgrounds, male and female, to have self-belief and a voice; to develop physically, intellectually, socially and spiritually.
