Scout leaders on the Isle of Wight have earned recognition for the work they undertook to help deliver virtual scouting to a group in New Zealand.
1st Newport Isle of Wight Scout Group (The Old Guard) leaders Sam Blake, Steve Kelleway, and Jim Wollweber received the commendation from Scouts Aotearoa New Zealand National Commissioner Clarke Truscott.
During the first lockdown, 1st Newport Scout Troop and Kirikiririroa Scout Troop - who enjoy an international twinning relationship - took turns in hosting a series of virtual Scout meetings using Zoom meetings.
This meant 1st Newport hosted meetings occurred on UK Tuesday nights and New Zealand Wednesday mornings, while Kirikiriroa hosted meetings took place on New Zealand Tuesday nights and UK Tuesday mornings.
Scouts were able to make the most of the partnership, with both British and New Zealand Scouts learning how to recite their whakapapa or genealogy, and many 1st Newport Scouts went on to complete the Maori Life badge.
In return, Kirikiriroa Scouts worked on the UK local knowledge badge for the Isle of Wight.
New Zealand National Commissioner, Clarke Truscott, said:
“Our COVID-19 response was world-leading, and we want to recognise the hard work everyone put into maintaining Scouting at a local level."
The 1st Newport leaders were nominated by Kirikiriroa group leader Chris Gardner, a former member of 1st Wroxall Scout Group.
Speaking of the commendation given to Newport's Scout leaders, he said:
“I am so pleased my nomination for 1st Newport’s leaders was approved by the national commissioner, as they were such an integral part of delivering Scouting online in New Zealand, week in, week out.
“We had a brilliant time, sharing activities and working together with the young people in the groups.
“We wanted to ensure we continued to provide activities for the Scouts and working across the globe was an amazing opportunity. Biggest thanks to all the Leaders and young people for supporting each other.
"This is such an honour, it means a lot to us all.”
1st Newport Scout leader, Steve Kelleway, added:
“It’s been good that we can keep meeting, if only virtually, and great to make new friends on the other side of the world, with each of us setting the others challenges.
"I am not sure I was able to be convincing with my haka! The true meaning of Scouting is making friends and rising to a challenge.”
UK Chief Commissioner for The Scouts, Tim Kidd, said:
“This is a fantastic example of Scout volunteers doing astonishing work to support young people during the pandemic.
"Across the UK, volunteers have been giving huge amounts of time, energy, enthusiasm, and inventiveness to keep Scouting going and brighten the lives of young people.
"Sam, Jim, and Steve have proved how Scouting crosses borders and brings people together across the world – I am very proud of their work”.
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