Scouting a Huge Success in Muslim Community
Thursday 13th October 2011: Scouting’s newest adventure officially begins tonight after months of planning and a trial run last week by local volunteers at the new Scout Group.
The Scout Group, in Bobbersmill, is the first of its kind to be opened in the County following a surge in demand by parents from the Muslim community. The 92nd Nottingham has opened it's doors to all young people wanting to join, whatever their faith or race. There are currently 25 young people, being supported by 10 adult volunteers.
Scouting is now well recognised around the county as being open to boys and girls and this latest development shows just how diverse the organisation really is, even though it has been open to different religions for over 100 years. The world famous Scout Promise can also be amended to recognise a variety of different religions. Meaning that Hindu members can replace the word God with 'my Dharma' and Muslim members with 'Allah', whilst promising to do their best and help their community.
Chief Scout and Adventurer Bear Grylls, said, “The reason why Scouting remains the largest youth movement in the world is that it’s got great core values: it’s about faith, it’s about friendship, it’s about fun – it’s all part of what we needed when we were growing up. I think the great strength of the Scouts is that it’s a real family, it’s a really inclusive community.”
Matt Rooney, Head of the Nottinghamshire Scouts, said, "The opening of the 92nd Nottingham group is down to the hard work of volunteers from the local Muslim community and Scouting working together to ensure that Scouting is reflective of the communities in which we live. We are proud that more and more young people and adults are joining Scouting and I am proud to be the head of a movement in Nottinghamshire that celebrates and reflects the diversity of our communities."
The group is providing an exciting programme to the young Scouts and plans are already being made for camps and some of the more adventurous activities like climbing and caving to be delivered.
Yaseen, an adult volunteer from the new group and also Director of Youth and Communities for the Karima Institute, said, "Our new Scout Group provides a strong positive message to our communities the young people are able to take part in a variety of activities and clubs. For me Scouting represents all that is good about communities, young people and inclusion. It really has brought our community together. Scouting has enabled Muslim children to exercise their faith as a service to themselves, their families, communities and country. We need vehicles like Scouting to exercise our faith, commitment to peace and community service"
Worldwide there are 32 Million Scouts from almost every county in the world and there are more Muslim Scouts than Christian Scouts.
If you are from the local area and would like to volunteer to support the new group or have young people interested in joining this, or any other group please contact Jayne in the County Scout Office on 01159 523617.
Fund Raising Achievement
David Huxley, our District Chairman raised over £8000 through sponsorship for walking the Pennine Way in 13 days. The walk started at Edale on Good Friday. David was supported by District Commissioner, Chris Flewit and Kevin Cooper, a former Venture Scout for the walking; and Karen & Dani Ashwell, GSL & Scout from 1st Farnsfield, and Paul Clark, Scout Leader of 45th as general support
There are 2 accounts of the expedition now available:-
DAVID'S LOG
DANI'S REPORT
Send us your reports and stories
We would like you to send us reports of the activities and camps your Scouts have been doing this summer, including pictures, and we will publish them. Our preference is the articles have been written by the young people.
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