Not only does Alfie have a passion for telling jokes but he really enjoys the great outdoors and especially being part of the ‘Scouting’ movement. 😊🔍🍂🌲🔦
Alfie joined the 11th Farnham Beavers group just as he turned 6 years old and hasn’t looked back. He’s part of the scouting family and love’s every minute of it from raft making, canoeing, cooking, camping to going on hikes…
He’s also very keen on earning those badges which Grandma (thankfully) being head seamstress of the family, has relentlessly been sewing on his jumpers!
As Robert Powel said: “The Sport in scouting is to find the good in everyone and develop it.” which is so true…
Alfie is not a natural sportsman despite trying hard and always being willing to put in the effort. He just doesn’t quite have that sporting ability, especially with sports like football and tennis. He does however, love having ago at everything outdoorsy and really loves playing team games.
Alfie was very lucky that throughout the pandemic, Beavers kept going – it was a very different type of Beavers with camps being built at home (under the kitchen table), marsh mellows being roasted over a candle and with meet ups taking place via Zoom but nevertheless it was fun and gave Alfie another piece of normality in times where nothing seemed normal.
During lockdown last year, I asked Beavers whether Alfie’s efforts of telling jokes and raising funds could go towards earning a badge. Little did I know that his Beaver leaders would go and nominate him for a Chief Scouting Unsung Hero Award.
The Chief Scout’s Unsung Heroes Award is an annual scheme that recognises 20 Scouts aged 6-24 who have shown Scout values. The scheme received over 300 nominations and Alfie was handpicked by Chief Scout, Bear Grylls to receive his award at The Bear Grylls Adventure, indoor and outdoor activity centre at The NEC Birmingham back in October last year.
So, off we went to meet the mighty Bear Grylls who was totally awesome and spoke at length to us and all the award winners. It was a truly inspiring and memorable day and one that I’m sure Alfie will never forget. I am so proud of Alfie – he has a big heart, a ‘can do’ attitude and in the words of Bear Grylls – he never gives up!
If your little one loves the outdoors, I totally recommend joining Scouts – you need to be 6 years old plus full of adventure! To find out more and to join go to www.surrey-scouts.org.uk.
Alfie, has now finished Beavers and has moved up to Cubs – he is loving his new camp mates and is really looking forward to family camp which is coming up in a few weeks time. He has already begun earning those new badges (yes – more sewing Grandma, until at least Alfie learns to hold a needle 😆).
Finally, I would like to thank Austin Tolkien, Janet Elliot and Nigel Davison for supporting Alfie and his joke telling and for the time and dedication they all give to the children of 11th Farnham Beavers.
Alfie also wouldn’t have received this award and be ‘his best-self’ without the support and guidance of Badshot Lea Village Infant School – a fabulous school with the best staff ever!
To learn more about Alfie’s award, take a look at the below… 😊⭐⭐
#MyWorld 