Proud to be a Guide, and a Scout.

I didn't think I'd write anything about what I did last week, except for what I posted yesterday, but actually I do want to talk about it. The thing about the event on Brownsea was, despite the fact that the staff on the camp (mainly Scout leaders) did not see us (the band) as proper Scouts, I was so proud to be there. Because having been in Guiding for most of my life, and seeing the way it has shaped who I am, the chance to be in the place where it all started, exactly one hundred years on, surrounded by two scouts from every country in the world specifically chosen to be there, was too good to miss. I found the Sunrise ceremony to celebrate the centenary really moving, particularly when every scout shook hands and saluted every other scout. To be able to play an integral part of that ceremony, writing and singing one of the songs (lisbee wrote the other!!) that everybody at that ceremony will forever identify with that moment - that will always make me feel incredibly lucky. And to be honest, I feel very strongly that despite the bureaucracy that surrounds every large organisation, Scouting and Guiding really does something great for millions of people across the world.

That may not make much sense. But I really think that Brownsea was a fantastic event, despite the food and the stress and the dirty looks. I'm still proud to be a Guide, and now a Scout too. I wish more people would take an opportunity to give them a chance!