Ben Walker
Explorer Scout Leader
Can you tell us about your Scouting History?
I started my Scouting life as a Beaver at Golcar and I progressed through Cubs, Scouts and Explorers. Whilst in Explorers I was fortunate enough to gain my Queens Scout Award and my Gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award. For my service part of the award I helped out at Cubs as a Young Leader, it was here that I decided I wanted to be an adult leader. I then completed the Young Leader training modules and became a Young Leader in the Scout Section. At the age of 18 I completed the adult leader training scheme and gained my wood badge. I stayed in the Scout section as an Assistant Scout Leader for four years whilst completing my degree in Music Technology at Leeds Metropolitan University. At University my passion for the outdoor life and hiking grew. I became Secretary of Leeds Met Walking Club and started to work towards my Mountain Leaders qualification, spending practically every weekend away in the hills or on Scout camp!
In the Summer of 2006 I worked at an American Summer Camp, Camp Agawam, as a camp counsellor and activity leader where I taught Scouting skills to American kids. I thoroughly enjoyed this and found it a great experience. I have also worked for a number of UK Summer camps and residential projects including XUK in the Summer of 2009, where I taught Scouting and Ray Mears survival skills to international campers
I have now gained my Mountain Leader Award, am a Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Accredited Expedition Assessor, Hold a Grand National Archery Leader Certificate, an N.S.P.C.C - Keeping Children Safe Award & my Scouting Nights Away Permit.
At present I am an Explorer Scout Leader at Golcar and love every minute of it! Can’t wait until they all achieve their DofE and Queen Scout Awards. Bring it on!
Where is your favourite Campsite?
Bradley Woods is definitely an old favorite as I have fond memories of camps gone by, - but I would say that Walesby Forest is definitely my favorite just because of the size and isolation of the site, it feels like you're in the middle of nowhere, miles from civilization.
Whats your favourite Scouting activity?
Anything outdoors
related. I am up for trying any adventurous activities (as long as it doesn’t involve heights!) - archery, scrambling up ridiculously high mountains and ridge walks, camping and mountain biking. As
most of you are probably aware Geocaching is my latest hobby at the moment. It's a great way to get out and about up and down the country making use of the governments multi million pound satellite
dishes and my GPS unit to go out into the woods to find plastic tupperware boxes which usually contain unwanted junk and MacDonalds toys!
What's your most memorable Scouting Experience?
That’s a difficult
one, as I have many fond memories from my past years in Scouts. Some of these have been gaining my Duke of Edinburgh's Award and getting to meet Prince Philip and Peter Duncan at St James Palace in
London. I was also proud that I gained my Queens Scout Award and went to Windsor Castle to parade in front of the Queen.
What food do you like?
Marios take away
Do you have a favourite quote?
I'm sat in a draft!
