The Governor, Mr. Stuart Jack, has enthusiastically accepted personal and official responsibility as Chief Scout of the Cayman Islands, giving a personal undertaking to help address the needs of boys of all ages.
‘The Chief Scout uniform will now be the only uniform I wear,’ Mr. Jack said, expressing his belief in pro-active involvement to shape the young lives of young men.
‘A particular concern of mine is to find constructive things for young people to do – especially boys.’
His wife, Mariko, has also agreed to be the patron of the Girl Guides, the Scouts’ sister organisation. The couple will be sworn in later this year, said a GIS press release.
The support from the Governor and his wife was a prelude to the annual Scout Week observance, which take places 26 February to 4 March.
Mr. Jack’s commitment to the Scouts was given during a recent meeting with Scouts representatives,
Mr. Jack discussed the need for group activities that youth can do with their friends, the release said.
‘It’s a good idea to have young people involved in organised programmes, and there is every indication that Scouting can provide this,’ he said.
He also encouraged active intervention for boys and young men who fall into problem behaviours, having visited Eagle House the previous day. When told by the Scouting officials that there was once an active Scout initiative there, Mr. Jack offered to help re-establish it.
‘Boys need to be given hope and structure, and society should treat them as human beings even if they get into problems,’ he said. ‘If we change even one, we’ve done something invaluable for human life. Law and order is not just about the police, for each member of society has a role to play.’
Mr. Jack’s personal involvement in Scouting spans decades. ‘I was once a Cub Scout and I was very proud to have earned a good collection of badges.’
The Governor added that his son Andrew was also actively involved in Scouting, as well as the Duke of Edinburgh programmes.
‘I especially remember the Father and Cub camping trips, when we did many interesting things together,’ he said.
Asking the Scout leaders about local activities involving parents, he was told that there is an active parent body that supports the boys, and is involved in special events such as Parent Night and the annual Scout Week campfire.
Executive Commissioner Winston Hayle thanked the Governor for continuing the tradition of governors serving as Chief Scout of the Cayman Islands. He further thanked the Scout commissioners, leaders and supporters for ‘their continuing commitment to providing wholesome and meaningful activities for young people.’
Other Scouts representatives attending the meeting included Assistant Chief Commissioner (Cubs) Joanna Clarke; Executive Committee Secretary Brenda Dawkins; Scout Leader Fritz McPherson; and member Lennon Christian. Greetings also were relayed from the Cayman Islands Chairman and Baden-Powell Scout Antonio Hawkins, Chief Commissioner Orrett Connor, and Programme Commissioner Robert Geofroy.
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