There are a number of things I enjoy doing but scouting is without a doubt one of my greatest joys. I have been a member of the Netherlands’ Scouting Association since an early age, about six or seven. Funny story about that, I actually wanted to join a ballet company but then I realised that I was the only boy there. So, I joined scouting instead since it was the only other option at the time and I’ve been playing one role or another in the organisation ever since.
I think a lot of people associate scouting to finding your way back out of the woods, being in the wilderness and surviving. That’s part of it, but I think those are more as a means to something that I think is more important in scouting, which is character building. To me, it is more important to help develop the next generation, 12 to 25-year-olds and help them understand what their capabilities are and also to challenge them to think and discuss about opposing lines of thought. Especially at an age where one can have strong opinion on things. I believe that will develop them further as a person.
While you learn all sorts of techniques as a scout, I would like to clarify that scouting is not a competition. Everybody is good at something and we teach them to find out what that is and appreciate and how to make use of it. This is a great importance as it makes you a better person that is able to understand and cooperate with others. You don’t have to be the best footballer, just know that you are contributing too.
People in the organisation will look after you and guide fiyou to find your path in the group.”
Speaking on my own experience, I really love the aspect of learning how to work in a group and seeing the potentials that the group has and achieving things with them. This sense of cooperation was what essentially made me fall in love with scouting in the first place. Another aspect of scouting that I adore is improvisation. There is always a solution for everything. It may not be something that you’re used to but if you put your minds together, you can find a way forward. There are numerous examples of this, whether it is to find shelter, to orientate yourself to know your whereabouts on a map, how to source and cook food.
My proudest achievement as a scout is definitely earning my Gilwell badge. This scouting badge is awarded to senior scout members in recognition of their leadership qualities as well as self-development after proving themselves in a trial course.
Sometimes people have a misconception that scouting is where people would send children with disabilities, be it physically or mentally, like autism for example, or a place where misfits would get put in but that is absolutely not the case. The way we see scouts with autism for example, they are actually people with superpowers. They are able to do things a great number of things that most people cannot do.
For any of your readers out there who know or are interested themselves in joining as a scout, my advice to you is to just go for it. Don’t be shy, you will feel very welcomed in a scouting association. You will have lots of fun, laughter and of course you get to enjoy fresh air in the great outdoors.
