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On Wednesday, 11 October, our Explorer Scouts unit took to the Chapel to invest their newest members.
Scouting investiture is a historic tradition within the Scouting movement, and every single member, whether a Squirrel or a Network Leader, will complete investiture to signify the beginning of their Scouting journey.
The ceremony opened with Chris C, Teme House, on the Chapel organ playing Bach’s Toccata in E minor while both new and invested Scouts took their position in the aisles among peers. Father Justin Pottinger opened the ceremony with a Bidding Prayer.
Dr Richard Bustin, Explorer Scout Unit Leader, took to the stage to welcome all our Scouts. He listed what badges our newly invested Scouts would receive at the ceremony.
Starting with the World Badge (pictured), the emblem that every single Scout across the World wears. All 53 million Scouts wear the World Badge proudly upon their chest to signify their membership to the global movement.
He next showed the County Badge for West Sussex, the District Badge for Adur Valley, and finally the Unit Badge for Minerva Unit.
While he acknowledged the significance of badges, Dr Bustin also emphasized the enduring importance of The Scout Law. First introduced in 1908 within Robert Baden-Powell's 'Scouting for Boys,' the Scout Law has consistently served as essential guidance for all Scouts, shaping their conduct and preparing them for their journeys in the world. Of equal importance is the Scout Promise. Both were read out by Michelle K, Amelie K-M, Misha S, and Jaz B ahead of the new Scouts reading it themselves.
The Scout Law
- A Scout is to be trusted.
- A Scout is loyal.
- A Scout is friendly and considerate.
- A Scout belongs to the worldwide family of Scouts.
- A Scout has courage in all difficulties.
- A Scout makes good use of time and is careful of possessions and property.
- A Scout has self-respect and respect for others
The Scout Promise
On my honour
I promise that I will do my best,
to do my duty to God and to The King,
to help other people and to keep the Scout Law
After this reading, the ceremony continued with the musical talents of Isaac H, one of the many Explorer Scouts currently working on their Musician Badge. Isaac took to the stage to play Allegro Appassionato, op.43 by Camille Saint-Saëns on cello, showcasing his skills and adding an uplifting soundtrack to the occasion.
Before moving forward with the actual investiture, Dr Bustin took to the microphone a final time to introduce our new Scouts to Chief Scout, Bear Grylls, and his new book How to be a Scout. Bear Grylls was the UK’s youngest ever Chief Scout when he was appointed in 2009, just aged 34. He remains the public face of the Scouts in the UK. In a recent Telegraph piece, titled ‘I have a whole ton of self-doubt: I struggle with confidence a lot’, Bear Grylls recounts how he isn’t always as fearless as he may seem. He shares his Top 10 Tips for Tough Times, a list of advice and self-help tips that he has found has helped him on even his hardest of days. Dr Bustin shared all 10 tips with our Explorer Scouts, encouraging them to heed the words of their Chief Scout.
We all have tough times, but we get through it. My favourite of Bear's Top 10 Tips for a Tough Time are 'Asking For Help' and 'Getting Enough Sleep'!
Dr Richard Bustin, Explorer Scouts Unit Leader
After this, the Investiture begins. Our new Scouts are called by in their patrol groups to make the Scout Honour and say the Scout Promise to become a fully invested Explorer Scout. After all students had made their promise, a new member of the Mathematics teaching staff, Mr Andy Cooper, stood up make his.
Being invested in any section of scouting is one of the most important parts of a Scout or Leader's journey. Becoming part of the family of that section, standing there in front of other members both young and old, and saying the promise, whose words are all about honour, doing your best, and helping others, is a truly spiritual event.
Each time I say the words, I think about what they mean and how I strive to do my best. For me, they sum up the ethos by which I stand.
To be invested here at Lancing and in the chapel is an experience that I will never forget. I look forward to all of the adventures that the Minerva unit has.
Mr Andy Cooper, Teacher of Mathematics and Explorer Scout Leader
However, there is still more to celebrate, as all our Sixth Formers have achieved their Plan U-Shaped Badge. Congratulations to Amelie L, Annabel J, Ellie F-S, Audrey N, Farrah R, Max W, Juli K and Connie W who will go on to run an aspect of the Scouting programme after half term for the rest of our Scouts unit.
To signify the end of a beautiful Investiture ceremony, Chris C played our wonderful Explorer Scouts out the Chapel with the second movement from Mendhellson’s organ sonata in D Minor. The Scouts then gathered in the Rose Garden for the fantastic group photo (below) showing our entire Explorer Scouts Unit in all their glory. A huge congratulations to all those invested and celebrated at this lovely ceremony.
Our Explorer Scouts are currently working on their Chef Badges. You can read all about this here!