Young adults from across Northumberland were honoured at Windsor Castle for their scouting achievements.
The special event on April 27 saw Chief Scout Dwayne Fields and the Duke of Kent, joint president of The Scouts, commend the awardees for earning the King’s Scout Award.
This is the highest recognition in Scouting for adventure and skill development.
This year marked Mr Fields’ first time attending the annual event in his role as Chief Scout, and it marked the Duke of Kent’s 50th anniversary of involvement with the organisation.
Scout ambassadors, including Tim Peake, astronaut, and Helen Glover, Olympian also attended.
The King’s Scout Award is presented for outstanding personal achievement and is earned by Scouts aged between 16 and 25 years old.
To earn the award, young people must complete a range of challenges, including service to their community, a wild expedition, a five-day residential project, developing a talent, or learning new skills.
The award also allows young people to undertake projects which make an impact within their communities.
Mr Fields said: “Congratulations to each and every one of you on receiving your King’s Scout Award.
“This is an incredible achievement, and it reflects all the hard work, dedication, and passion you’ve put into your Scout journey.
“You’ve shown great leadership, made a real difference, and embraced the true spirit of Scouts.
“This award is not only a recognition of all you’ve done, but also a reminder of the amazing things you’re capable of in the future.
“I can’t wait to see what’s next for you.
“Keep looking ahead and leading the way.”
Jake Stephenson, King’s Scout, said: “My expedition in the Yorkshire Dales was an amazing experience, it taught me resilience.
“I also taught myself to cook and bake for 12 months, which was a skill I didn’t have before, especially as I was about to move to university.
“I’ve been using those skills ever since.
“As a Cubs leader at my local group, I’ve continued to give back, and I’ve found a love for climbing through the King’s Scout Award.
“I wasn’t into sports before, but now I go climbing every week with my friends, and it’s made a huge difference in my life.”
Sean Mulligan, another King’s Scout, said: “I started Scouts in Beavers and I was very quiet, I didn’t like joining in however I have stuck through the full programme and I then completed all the sections, was a Young Leader and then was an Adult leader myself.
“I became the first ever District Youth Commissioner in Northumberland – which is a testimony to the faith the leaders had in me to inspire and lead the next generation.
“It’s been such a journey and it’s really important to look back and see the impact that the leaders had on me, and I can now do the same for the next generation.
“This is the highest award a Scout can get and it’s the pinnacle of the movement and reflects everything I’ve achieved in Scouting with so much left to do to give back.”
The annual event at Windsor Castle has been held since 1934 on the Sunday closest to St George’s Day (April 23).
Young people, and their families, attend the event.
