Celebrating our 2025 King’s Scouts
Celebrating our King’s Scouts 2025 | South East Scotland Scouts Celebrating our 2025 King’s Scouts Nine outstanding young people from South East Scotland have earned Scouting’s highest youth award. They’ll be heading to Windsor in April to celebrate. The King’s Scout Award is the top achievement for Explorer Scouts and Scout Network members. Our awardees have camped, learned new skills, undertaken residentials, explored on expeditions and completed work in their communities. Many have also completed their Duke of Edinburgh’s Gold Award alongside their King’s Scout journey. Meet our King’s Scouts Alex G Alex J Andrew Cliona Edward Eilidh Ewan Lara Scott Alex G Edinburgh North East District From climbing Mount Kenya to attending the World Scout Moot in Portugal, Alex’s KSA journey took him across the globe. Read my story Alex J Leader, 103rd Braid Growing up in the 103rd, Alex found his favourite moment finishing his Gold DofE—exhausted, relieved, and absolutely buzzing. Read my story Andrew Cub Leader, Peebles Through Bronze, Silver and Gold DofE, Andrew’s been soaked, roasting hot—and definitely not lost. Next stop: Windsor. Read my story Cliona Beaver Leader (Edinburgh NE) & Explorer Leader (Pentland) Highland dancing in New Hampshire, Explorer Belt in Norway—Cliona finished her KSA just a month before turning 25. It’s never too late. Read my story Edward Explorer & Young Leader, Braid District Edward’s favourite part? Passing on his passion for Scouting to the younger sections. The paperwork was tough—but worth it. Read my story Eilidh Networker & Leader, Craigalmond District From Roverway 2024 to running STEM workshops inspiring girls into science—Eilidh’s KSA pushed her out of her comfort zone. Read my story Ewan Explorer & Young Leader, East Lothian Blair Atholl twice, the Faroe Islands, sleeping rough for charity—Ewan loves that the KSA involves so much variety. Read my story Lara Explorer (GESU, Braid) & Young Leader (4th Cubs & Scouts) Camping across Scotland with friends was Lara’s highlight. The KSA taught her the importance of not giving up. Read my story Scott Scout Section Team Leader, Pentland District Working with the UK Team and running international events—Scott’s advice: just go for it, and choose challenges that push you. Read my story Could you be next? The King’s Scout Award is open to Explorer Scouts and Scout Network members. It’s challenging, rewarding, and—as our awardees will tell you—absolutely worth it. Find out more Get in touch
How Scouts is Reaching Young People in Hospital
As Lead Volunteer for South East Scotland, inclusion has always been an important priority so I am delighted to share an update on one of our key initiatives as we work towards our Strategic aim to actively reduce barriers to membership to help make Scouting in the Region representative of our wider communities. This November, South East Scotland Scouts will launch an exciting new pilot programme bringing the adventure, friendship and fun of Scouting into the heart of the Edinburgh community – the hospital ward. For six weeks across November and December, a trial of “Scouting in Hospitals” will run at the Royal Hospital for Children and Young People in Edinburgh (better known as the Sick Kids), offering young patients the chance to enjoy a taste of Scouting during their stay. The sessions will be open to children and young people staying in the hospital, giving them a chance to take part in creative challenges, hands-on activities, team games, and badgework – all tailored to the hospital environment and each child’s abilities. The programme aims to bring moments of normality, confidence-building, and laughter to young people who may be facing difficult or uncertain times. It has been developed in partnership with the Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity to ensure sessions are safe, accessible and inclusive. This is what Scouting is all about – reaching young people wherever they are and giving them the chance to shine. Even in hospital, young people deserve opportunities to try new things, build friendships, and feel part of something bigger. This programme is about hope, resilience and creating smiles. Volunteers Needed – Join Us in Making a Difference To make this project a success, South East Scotland Scouts is calling for enthusiastic adult volunteers to help deliver sessions as part of a small team. No prior Scouting experience is needed – just kindness, enthusiasm and a willingness to support young people. Volunteers will: Help run fun and engaging activity sessions Support children of different ages and abilities Receive full training and safeguarding support Be part of a pioneering new Scouting initiative Whether you can commit weekly or help occasionally over the six-week pilot, your time could make a real difference to a child in hospital. If you’d like to get involved, or simply find out more, please email hello@sesscouts.org.uk. Together, let’s bring Scouting’s spirit of adventure, resilience and community to where it’s needed most. Thanks for all that you do to support Scouting in our Region. Martin ElliotLead VolunteerSouth East Scotland Scouts
Youth Involvement Team Update
Youth Update Uniform Bank: A SES Scouts we’re really fortunate to have a uniform bank. If you have a young person that is unable to afford a uniform, please email uniform.bank@sesscouts.org.uk, along with their section and size and we will get one sent out to your group free of charge. We also accept donations of uniforms that are no longer used (including badges!), please email us to find out on how to donate! 14-24 Awards Celebration (invites will go out on 15th Oct): We’re really excited to announce that we’ll be holding our first Explorers and Network awards celebration on 29th November. Invites for Young People and Adult Volunteers have already gone out! If you have any questions about the event or want to find out more, please email george.brightman@sesscouts.org.uk Youth Team Vacancies We’re currently looking to expand our youth team! If you’re aged 14-24 and are interested in advocating for the voices of young people across the Region and beyond (or know someone who is), please email george.brightman@sesscouts.org.uk. We’re especially looking for young people interested in programme, governance and engagement but are really keen to hear from anyone who wants to get stuck in with being youth shaped!
Portuguese Scouts Bring Their Spirit to Bonaly!
Last summer, the Portuguese Scout Group from Almada, near Lisbon, brought colour, laughter, and friendship to Bonaly Scout Centre during their week-long summer camp. With around 80 participants from all sections, the camp was a vibrant celebration of scouting and international friendship. Themed around Scottish history and folklore, the scouts were divided into five “families”: the Pookas, Kelpies, Brownies, Ceasg, and Wulvers. Each group embraced the theme with creativity, songs, and challenges inspired by the legends of Scotland. Among the many highlights was João, a 13-year-old from the Serpentes Patrol of the Scout section, who amazed everyone with his lightning-fast Rubik’s Cube skills, earning the title of the group’s pride! Younger scouts also shone — Ema, only 7 years old, proudly earned her Farmers and Construction badges during the camp, showing that scouting values start young. The Kelpies family stood out for their enthusiasm and humour, especially their leader — instantly recognisable by his funny horse mask! Their group salute video became a camp favourite, capturing the joyful spirit that filled the week. As the campfire faded on the last night, the scouts from Almada left behind not only laughter and memories but also a strong message of international friendship, adventure, and scouting unity.
Edinburgh Gang Show 2025: Tickets, Dates & What to Expect
With three weeks to go until ‘curtain up’ the Gang are heading into final rehearsals, and the backstage teams are getting everything ready for another Edinburgh Gang Show at the Festival Theatre. We hope to see as many groups at the show to support our young people onstage. Gang Show has lots to offer our audiences (see promotional video below) so give it a go in 2025! Video Link Here The running time of the show is 2 hours 15 minutes including an interval. Tue 4 to Sat 8 November Festival Theatre Box Office – 0131 529 6000 (Group 8+) 0131 529 6005 – Group Discounts available. Book now – Edinburgh Gang Show 2025 – Capital Theatres
Young Leader Training Weekend in York – March 2026
South East Region Scouts are running a trip to York over the weekend of 6 – 8 March 2026. A note of interest email was sent to all 14-24 Team Leads to ask them to send out the information to all Young Leaders across the Region. Invites will go out to each District through OSM. Please speak to your Team Lead for Young Leaders or your 14-24 Team Lead for information regarding sign-up to this event when it goes live. Any questions then please email youngleaders@sesscouts.org.uk