An Alexandra scout has received one of the highest awards for a youth scout, presented to him by the Governor-General at Government House at the weekend.
Venturer scout Scott Horrell was awarded the Queen’s Scout Kauri Award, after completing all the requirements.
These covered three main areas — leadership training, community service and experiencing the outdoors.
Mr Horrell, who had been a member of Scouts Aotearoa since he was 13, said he had not aimed for the award when he had started out.
‘‘It wasn’t something I strived out to do at first,’’ he said.
He went along to be with friends at first and his main focus was on having fun.
‘‘What kept me coming back [was] the opportunities to get out and go camping and tramping.’’
Receiving the award gave him a great sense of accomplishment, he said.
‘‘[You feel] the work you actually put into ithas paid off.’’
His community service included assisting at the local community gardens and coaching a local football team.
‘‘I helped out at scouts as well, being a leader for the younger scouts.’’
Mr Horrell will be one of the last scouts to receive the Queen’s Scout Kauri Award, to be presented as the King’s Scout Kauri Award next year.
