Levin Scout troop proud their member received top Scouting award

14-year-old Ryan Winstanley receiving his Chief Scout Award badge after a year of challenges and activities.

A Levin teenager, who's been part of the local Scouting movement since he was a 5-year-old Kea, has had his eye on the Chief Scout Award for at least five years.

Ryan Winstanley, of St Mary's Scout troop, received his award last week after completing a wide range of activities over the past year.

Scout section leader, Rob Winstanley, said these included planning and running camps for the entire scout troop and arranging visits from speakers for fellow scouts to learn new things.

"They are [also] required to complete 20 hours of community service," said Winstanley.

Ryan helped out as a leader for the Cubs troop, as well as being part of Horowhenua College's Open Days, and planting trees.

He also had to do three months of some type of sport: "I already play canoe polo so that bit was easy," said Ryan.

The final, and biggest, activity was the planning and undertaking of an expedition with a smaller group of Scouts.

Ryan organised a four-day tramp into the Tararua Ranges over Easter 2021, with three 13- to 14-year-olds from his troop.

St Mary's Scout troop, Levin, gathered to celebrate Ryan Winstanley being awarded the top Scouting badge.

The group tramped to Waiopehu hut on Good Friday then onto Te Matawai hut on the Saturday; stayed at South Ohau hut Easter Sunday night, then tramped back out via the upper end of the Ohau River.

"This was the longest tramp I'd been on and the first one I'd organised, so I was a little nervous and hoping nothing went wrong," said Ryan.

A number of his Scouting peers volunteered to be part of the expedition, and he chose three based on skills they'd displayed on previous tramps they had all been on together.

All of the group enjoyed the adventure and Ryan said at least one of the other Scouts had been inspired to try to attain the award themselves.

For Ryan, the most challenging aspect of the process was the final requirement - an interview with the zone Scout leaders to discuss his achievements and explain why he deserved the award.

As with most teenagers, it felt awkward "skiting" about his achievements and this was also the first interview he had ever done.

He sailed through this part of the process as well, and is now the well-deserved recipient of the Chief Scout Award badge.

For the Winstanleys it is a family tradition to be part of the Scouting movement and Ryan thinks he may even take on the role of Scout leader one day, following in his dad's footsteps.

If you're interested in joining Scouts, head to the St Mary's Church hall at 7pm on Wednesdays during school term time and give it a try.