Promising start: the new Explorer Scouts gathered together to receive their scarves and hear a message from the King
King Charles has sent a message of congratulations to one of Croydon’s fastest-growing troops of Scouts.
Since starting in 2018, the 30th Purley Masjid Scouts have successfully opened Beavers (for six- to eight-year-olds), Cubs, Scouts and last month opened its Al Ayyubi Explorer Scout Unit for 14-to18-year-olds.
Twenty teenagers were welcomed into the Al Ayyubi Explorer Scouts at an event held at Royal Russell School, where the Explorers made their Scout Promise in front of their friends, family and members of the local community.
They were presented with their scarves by Colonel Ray Wilkinson, the King’s representative in Croydon.
As patron of the Scout Association, King Charles wrote to the group: “Please convey my warmest thanks to the members of the 30th Purley Masjid Scout Group for their loyal greetings, sent on the occasion of the formal opening of their Explorer Scout Section.
“As your Patron, I much appreciate your thoughtfulness in writing as you did. In return, I send my warmest good wishes to you all for a memorable and successful opening.”
It was signed “HM King Charles.”
Explorer Scouts encourage young people to try more, see more and do more. “It provides them with the chance to dream big, find their place, be accepted, and make memories and friends that will last a lifetime,” one of the group’s leaders said.
“The Scouts bring people together and build stronger communities. But most of all, they help young people see that anything’s possible.”
They aspire to meet the aim of the founder of the Scout movement, Lord Baden Powell: “To leave this world a little better than we found it.”
Dwayne Fields, Chief Scout, said “I’m incredibly pleased that the Al Ayyubi Explorer Scouts have opened in Purley. This means we will now have more young people in the local community making friends, building their confidence, and gaining skills that will prepare them for life and work.”
In a recent poll, 94% of Scouts said they had developed useful skills, while 88% said they’ve tried activities they haven’t tried before.
Scouts offers more than 200 activities, from abseiling and coding to drama and water-zorbing.
- The 30th Purley Masjid Scout Group meet at Scout Hut, off Hillars Heath Road, Coulsdon CR5 2JP. To find out more about the group or if you can volunteer and share your skills, please contact the team at www.pmscouts.com/contact
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