Earlier this week, Stephen Metcalfe, local MP for South Basildon and East Thurrock, visited 1st Pitsea and Vange Beavers Scouts to help some of the youngsters complete a component of their Friendship Challenge Award.
The ‘Meeting Other People’ component required the Beavers to find out about the job or interests of someone in their community and to arrange a visit from someone who serves the community.
Mr Metcalfe was more than happy to oblige.
He said, “It was fantastic to visit the 1st Pitsea and Vange Beaver Colony. It was a pleasure to talk to the children about my job and to spend the evening seeing how a Beaver ‘colony’ runs.”
1st Pitsea and Vange Scout group have been an active part of the local community since 1924 and since then have aimed to provide an environment in which young people can gain self-confidence, enjoy new adventures, experience the outdoors and interact with others.
Beavers, usually aged between 6 and 8, are the first and youngest section in the Scouting family which comprises of 400,000 individual Beavers, Cubs and Scouts and Explorer Scouts.
Mr Metcalfe added: “Not only are the young people learning valuable life skills but they are obviously enjoying the time they spend here. It is extremely encouraging to see children so enthusiastic about the organisation and I hope that the long tradition of Scouting in this area will continue for many years to come.”
“I would also like to add my personal thanks to all the adult volunteers who make it possible to run the group, and would encourage anyone interested in supporting our local young people to get in touch and volunteer within scouting."
“Without their hard work and the commitment of the leaders and helpers, our community would lose a valuable local asset.”
