Scouts from across Cambridgeshire had the surprise of a lifetime on Sunday as Chief Scout Bear Grylls and his family drove into Littleport as part of his ‘Bear in the Air’ tour.
The adverse weather conditions meant that Mr Grylls couldn’t arrive using a helicopter as planned, but, like all good Scouts, he was prepared and arrived by a car to meet hundreds of Scouts at Littleport Leisure Centre.
Bear started the day by visiting Explorer Scouts who were preparing to go on an international expedition. During the visit he was also given a demonstration of tent pitching and camp cooking as well as sharing his experiences of his adventures with the Scouts.
He also presented awards to some of the Scouts present during his visit.
He then drove on to visit more than 400 Scouts at an event at Exning Cricket Club, near Newmarket.
Scout leader Marc Wiseman said “It’s been a fantastic morning despite the weather. Everyone’s enjoyed meeting Bear this morning. It’s been really inspirational.”
The Bear in the Air visits are organized to inspire young people within Scouting, and during the tour Bear has flown all over the United Kingdom to meet Scouts from all age groups and walks of life. For more information, visit www.scouts.org.uk/get-involved.
Elsewhere during the day Mr Grylls was mobbed like a pop star on a whistle stop tour of scout jamborees.
Crowds of young people surrounded the TV adventurer, when he made flying visits to 13 events over the weekend in his capacity as Chief Scout, hopping from campfire to campfire by chartered helicopter.
At one point he landed at Wolferton, near Sandringham on the Royal Estate, Mr Grylls gave an impromptu address to the 300 or so Scouts who had turned out for the day.
“Scouting is full of inspiring opportunities but it’s like life, it’s all about what you make of it,” he said. “Nobody’s going to make you go on an expedition or have an adventure, so make the most of it.
“Days like this are so special because we’re part of this world-wide force for good, with 30m Scouts around the world.”
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