Scouting in Northamptonshire
Bear Grylls “Surprise” visit 2011
Our Chief Scout, Bear Grylls, paid a “surprise” visit to Northamptonshire on 19th November 2011.
This was part of his “Bear in the air” tour of the East Midlands Region.
Overstone Scout Campsite was chosen, as the date coincided with 4 local Groups spending the weekend at the site. Very few of the leaders knew until the last minute, and most of the Young people did not know until a helicopter landed in the field in front of the Pack Holiday Centre. Bear specifically asked to visit two small Scouting events of 30-70 people, and Northamptonshire was chosen, along with Derbyshire, to host the smaller events.
Bear was hosted by 17 year old Kimberley Spence from the 46th Northampton Scout Group, who took him on a brief tour of the activities taking place, which included orienteering, tent pitching, air rifle shooting and backwoods cooking. Bear took time on his tour of the site to chat to the Scouts and take part in several of the activities on offer. Bear commented “I have been to several large scale events today, which I have thoroughly enjoyed, but it was nice to attend a smaller event with young people who were spending the weekend together in the spirit of friendship and adventure.”
When Bear visits again, Northamptonshire and Derbyshire will have large scale events, and the other Counties in the Region will hold smaller “surprise” events. These are likely to take place in either 2012 or 2013, and will be well publicised to give everyone the opportunity of seeing the Chief Scout.
Wow what an amazing time. All credit to Bear for wanting to balance big events with intimate ones. He brought his kids, they would need calm. Well done to all concerned and let’s look forward to the return.
The kids had such a great time learning from Bear, and I think he learned from them too. His kids enjoyed themselves as well. And Kim? well that goes without saying, she was stoked to be chosen to represent the County and give bear Grylls the guided tour of our fabulous facilities at Overstone Scout Camp in northampton, and I am such a proud mum.