Young leaders step up at Crawfordsburn

Here’s the thing. When young people choose to give up their weekend to learn how to lead, you know something special is happening.

At Crawfordsburn Activity Centre, 33 Explorers and 16 Scouts came together for a shared weekend of challenge and teamwork.

Across the site, they were planning activities, solving problems, building shelters, pitching big ideas in a Dragons’ Den-style challenge and even running their own brand-new games. They were thinking on their feet, backing themselves and learning how to bring others with them.

The Explorers threw themselves into Young Leader training, completing 10 modules and heading home ready to support younger sections with confidence. It wasn’t all flipcharts and discussions, though. A weekend-long game of “Traitors” ran alongside the training and quickly became a highlight!

Meanwhile, the Scouts were getting stuck into what leading from the front really looks like. One minute they were tackling tricky team challenges or building emergency shelters, the next they were crafting paracord woggles and trying not to let the egg smash. In between, they shared their own talents – from rope skills and origami to crochet, beatboxing, sign language and even an impromptu Tai Chi session.

And none of it happens without our volunteers.

A huge thank you to Jack Fry, District Youth Lead for North Down, for leading the Young Leader training, supported by Peter Wilson, NI 14-24 Team Lead. Thank you to Trevor Hendren, NI Scout Team Lead, for leading the Patrol Leader weekend, and to his dedicated team Karen, Aaron, Michael, Matthew, Louise and Jeanette for the energy, care and commitment they bring.

Thank you as well to Ian and the Crawfordsburn team for their support throughout the weekend.

Most of all, thank you to every young person who showed up with enthusiasm, courage and a willingness to muck in. You’re a credit to your leaders, Groups and families.

This is what Scouts does best. Helping young people step up, speak up and gain skills for life!

Stories submitted by Jack Fry and Trevor Hendren.