by Tom Evans
My name is Thomas & I live on Bassett Green Road. I’m 15 years old and for 7 of those years I have been in Scouting. I started out my time in Beavers and have kept with it, to now become an Explorer. I have had many great experiences including archery, rifle shooting, going to museums, doing trips to local mosques and churches and last year I went on a 3 week road trip in central Europe. I have also learnt key life skills like cooking, first aid, teamwork, community spirit, how to have a conversation and, just in case, survival training. I think that Scouting not only benefits young people by teaching tangible skills like these, but it also teaches valuable social skills. Often children just create friendship groups at their school but Scouting provides a way to make new friends that you don’t see on a daily basis. It also teaches ideas of respect and discipline, thanks to the leader systems and the rewards and privileges given to those that act according to the scout law. I have done this all at the 26th Swaythling group at St. Mary’s church on Wessex Lane.